HAVE you ever found yourself making a promise and then having second thoughts?

I suppose we all have. Certainly I have. It happened to me last year.

Our daughter Helen ran in the Manchester 10K Run and grandchildren Laura, Daniel and Alice entered the 2 mile race. After the event, on a beautiful sunny day, we celebrated by visiting the nearest Italian bistro.

After a couple of glasses of wine and a slice of margarita pizza, conversations turned to the 2004 event. Several pairs of eyes looked in my direction.

"What?"

"Granddad, we've done it and we all think you should get your name down for next year's event"

"For the two-mile race? I'd look a little silly."

"No for the main event."

No matter how I tried to deflect away from the subject; they refused to budge. Like a dog with a bone- wouldn't let go.

So what did I do? I said OK. Maybe they would forget and no more would be said.

Six weeks ago a package arrives through the letter box. I wasn't expecting any surprises. No birthdays were due. I opened the large envelope and the contents spilled onto the table.

Sponsorship forms, dietary leaflets, training schedules, charity details. Then it clicked. The realisation - SUNDAY 23 MAY, 2004, GREATER MANCHESTER RUN

It can't be 12 months already? Where has the time gone?

Panic set in.

Decisions had to be made. Firstly, the training sessions. One to choose from three recommended. Beginners, Intermediates and Advanced.

I plumped for the first category. Hey come on. I am getting on a bit. Maybe 30 years ago I would have made a different choice.

All was going well. Then the wheels fell off.

Five weeks into the programme and only 6 days to go to the big day, my achilles tendon is sore.

Do I stop or do I try to get through the pain barrier? It would be catastrophic if I ducked out with all the sponsorship in place and Cancer Research UK the beneficiary.

What an embarrassment if I had to walk the course. I would have got slaughtered. 'Look at Dobo. Call yourself an ex-professional sportsman? Pathetic.'

Rest was the order of the day. Let the injury settle down. I could have done with the magic healing fingers of the little physio maestro, Jimmy Holland, who pulled me out of many a scrape during my time at Turf Moor.

I wasn't looking to win the event or get a personal best time. Just to keep running and do a respectable time. Somewhere in among the bulk of participants would do me fine, with the gorillas and the polar bears, my running colleagues.

On a gloriously sunny day the city put on a magnificent event. Peter Schmeichel and Dennis Law started the run and thousands were on their way. The adrenalin and atmosphere got most of us through.

The organisation was superb and the camaraderie and encouragement received from the public, made it all worthwhile. But the main reason for the event was to raise as much money as possible for the many charities.

Compared to the marathon I suppose this was only a gentle stroll in the park but I met up with one proud runner, in a replica Burnley shirt, who certainly hadn't given less than 100 per cent effort.

Avid supporter Paul Howarth works at the General Hospital and I asked him why he was here.

"I saw an advert in the paper," he said. "I raised some sponsorship money by getting in touch with Lancashire clubs and they all gave me some momento to raffle off. Last year I did the London Marathon raising money for 'Kids for Leukaemia'."

Paul didn't have a name on the back of his shirt but of the current players it would be Richard Chaplow.

"He has a great engine and I suppose that would have given me a lift today," he said.

"But my all time favourite Burnley player was Peter Noble. He was someone I could identify with and whatever position he was asked to play, he was always totally committed."

Paul will be back supporting the Clarets next season

"Yes of course I'll be there," he added. "Jimmy McIlroy stand Row N. I had just got a season ticket for my son, and then found out that Stan was leaving.

"I hope that whoever comes in, will be given some funds for new players and I suppose of all the names that have been banded about, my vote would go to Ronnie Moore at Rotherham.

"On no money at all, he has proved to be very successful."

I asked him what he remembered most about the run today.

"200 yards from the finish line, I saw this bloke in a Burnley shirt and he shouted 'Come on you Clarets' It gave me a spurt just at the right time."

For what it's worth, we both came in at around 1hour 5 minutes. And on the day when over a £1m was expected to be raised, everybody was a winner.