WITH less than a month to go until I fly out to Prague, it’s fair to say things are getting a little nervy.

It is now that I’ve began to look back on my training and feel pleased with some areas, not so pleased with others.

There is always room for improvement, always things you could have worked harder on, done another mile, got another run in.

As it is, one or two niggly injuries aside, I feel happy heading into these next two weeks that I can give one last big effort towards getting myself in the best shape possible.

Then it will be time to taper down – the finish line is in sight, so to speak, or so I wish.

What I do hope, when I stand on the start line with thousands of others in Old Town Square, is that I feel prepared, ready to give it my best shot. Not fulfilling a potential remains my greatest fear, marathon running or otherwise.

But, rooting around on the internet this week, I discovered an article by David Gendelman for the New York Times – I'm confident they’re not a direct rival, so don’t fret, Guardian chiefs.

It reminded me why, way back in a time before Christmas, known as 2014, I chose Prague as the marathon I wanted to run.

He discusses the route, from Old Town Square, or Staromestske Namesti, with a monument of Jan Hus and Old Town Hall's astronomical clock, past the hilltop castle and over Charles Bridge, across the Vltava River three times.

Then via the Old Town, Wenceslas Square and finally, for a second time, the National Theatre.

It got me excited, but it was the last line of Gendelman’s piece that really resonated with me.

Gendelman quotes the late, great Emil Zatopek, who broke 18 world records and helped the birth of the Prague marathon in 1994.

“If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon,” said the man nicknamed the Human Locomotive.

How true. And how much did I underestimate what a life-changing experience it would be. Even with four weeks still to go.

Pushing boundaries, meeting new people, raising funds for a very worthy cause and dedicating hour upon hour to achieving a goal – if only I'd found this perseverance when trying to learn the Ukulele.

But, as the final push approaches, I'll doff my cap to Gendelman and Zatopek (and the In-Time man who fixed my watch), you re-inspire me.

I'm running for St Rocco's, you can donate at personalchallenge.everydayhero.com/uk/alex-bysouth