As some of you already know, I have entered the St George Ironman in Utah and, provided the volcanic ash doesn't interfere with my flight plans to Utah, on Saturday 1st May I will be plunging into an icy lake for a 2.4-mile swim, hopping on my bike for a 112-mile ride through a couple of canyons and a bit of desert and over a couple of hills, and then polishing off the day's activities with a full marathon. More details about the event can be found here: http://www.ironmanstgeorge.com/. If you are particularly sadistic, please enjoy (from the comfort of your own desk) the rather hilly course profiles for both the bike and the marathon. Thankfully the swim looks pretty flat.

I am using this event as an opportunity to raise funds on behalf of the Motor Neurone Disease Association, a charity that means a lot to me and my family as they did a fantastic amount to help my uncle Brian before he died of motor neurone disease several years ago, within only 12 months of diagnosis. MND is an incurable terminal condition which attacks the motor neurones, causing increasing loss of mobility in the limbs, and difficulties with speech, swallowing and breathing. The MND Association is a great charity that provides funding to aid research into the disease and support for those affected and their families. More details about the work that they carry out can be found here: http://www.mndassociation.org.

I know this comes at a time when you are all receiving a large number of requests for sponsorship donations for various events, but if you can help it would be very gratefully received by the MND Association - however big or small the amount. It will also act as a huge incentive as I try and make it around the course (and in this regard I refer you to Rule 1 of the Run Course Rules: "No form of locomotion other than running, walking or crawling is allowed"). Fingers crossed, this race will be the first in my Ironman career which doesn't result in stitches or other medical attention and - barring any mishaps at the unofficial post-race party in Las Vegas - I will be back in the office later the following week.

I'm paying all of my own costs, so all donations will go to the MND Association (minus the usual JustGiving costs).

Thank you in advance for your support.

Simon