Monday 27 July

Michelle and Francis, long-suffering as they are, get up early to make sure I am really leaving. I sign their visitors' book trying not to notice that the last person to sign was...... me.

The streets of Edinburgh are all being dug up simultaneously for the (re-)installation of trams, gas mains, cables, sewers and for the general amusement of people who a) go by helicopter b) don't go anywhere and c) live in Glasgow. This meant getting up super-early to make sure I caught my train to that lovely city, visiting the Fairbridge centre there for the day.

Glasgow, as everyone knows, has big social challenges and the Fairbridge team there is doing an extremely impressive job in working with young people from some of the most challenging inner city environments in Europe. It's tough, but they are brilliantly organised, hard working, clearly love it and their positivity is infectious to the young people, me, anyone who goes near the place. Give us the cash and we could do twice as much in the city, or more, and have plans to.

The manager of the Glasgow team, Scott, is a serious runner and has done lots of academic stuff relating to sport, optimising performance etc. We exchange tips, or rather he gives me some. The best a model of heart rate monitor that records everything and then analyses it from every angle with graphs, recommendations for next training session, etc etc. Man after my own heart. His next challenge the New York marathon in November. Good luck Scott.

Back to the station for a train to Dundee. Beautiful journey, although most of the time on the pesky laptop doing important things. Arrive, sun shining, and go for a run in the park nearby by the Tay (taking Scott's advice, some punishing sprints for the fast-twitch fibres which can still be trained with 5 days to go, interspersed with more gentle stuff). What a setting for a city.

Magdalen Park, Dundee, with the Tay behind

Magic moment: £150, taking the total to £12,003.33

We've made it, and I have a feeling there's a bit more to come. Don't do a dance, haven't had any lessons since the last time, but sing a little song of joy. Decide I need singing lessons too.