Hello peeps and welcome back to my JustGiving Appeal page.

My appeal focus has shifted a little to concentrate on my attempts to become an 'Ironman'. All funds raised will still be going to the O2e Charity. I'll still be doing Big Kev's Bike Ride after the Ironman, in September, featured at the top right of this page - also for O2e. Please check them out on this link -

O2E – Ordinary 2 Extraordinary

A brief precis of what you'll find in the link.... For those of you that don't know - O2e was set up by Paul Slattery, Anthony Padgett, David Davies & Kevin Touhy in 2006. (aka Slatts, Padge, DD Big Cheese, and Big Kev). They've raised almost £3 million in that time by challenging people to do extraordinary feats of endurance and/or commitment.  Ordinary people doing extraordinary things. It's what we do - the clue's in the name! 🤣 

My extraordinary challenge is to complete an Ironman Triathlon before my 70th. I'll be 68 when I attempt my first full one. The Nottingham Outlaw - July 24th 2022. Just in time eh? That's 2.4 miles open-water swim, 112 miles cycling then finish off by running a full marathon (26.2miles). Total miles 140.6. I have to finish within 17 hours to avoid being swept up by the broom wagon!

Before that I'll be doing the half (70.3) version in May - same venue - the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham. But that's in May and I'll be a mere 67 years old. Not too dusty though, when you realise that just over two years ago I was suffering from Heart Failure (HF) brought on by Atrial Fibrillation (AF), a condition I had for over three years. Plus COPD brought on by having been a smoker since my teenage years. 

The AF was cured by the NHS in a procedure called an ablation in November 2019. The HF has improved due to the intense training I have been doing this year - to such an extent that I've been signed off by my Heart Nurse and Cardiologist. And the COPD cured by my stopping smoking (and all that training!!). Two supposedly incurable conditions. I reckon that's pretty extraordinary!!  😉

I'll be doing other high level endurance events on the way (Ride London Essex - 100 miles cycling & Chase the Sun - 210 miles cycling) - and some pretty tasty training sessions throughout the year. It will all be visible in my Strava feeds (you can check them out on this page). I'll also be giving monthly updates in 2022 to let you know how the training is progressing. 

Thanks for reading this far. If you think this particular form of craziness has earned it - and you can bung a few quid in the pot it would make loads of kids very happy. And it would help me stay motivated to push myself to doing the best time possible in my full Ironman next July - oh yes - and that little half jobbie in May.  😉💪

Cheers

David (aka Plewsy)