Hello everyone,

Please take the time to look at my justgiving page - I am attempting my first ever triathlon on September 11th 2011 at the Cheltenham Lido, Gloucestershire.  It's a sprint triathlon but don't let that fool you, it's still a pretty tough thing to do!  I'll be swimming 500m in the lido, cycling 15km and then running 2.7km.  Now I've been doing a few running races here and there over the past year but competitive swimming and cycling are completely new to me!  My personal target is to finish it in under 60 minutes but just finishing it at all will be an achievement.

I'm trying to raise funds for The Prostate Cancer Charity as someone very close to me has recently been diagnosed with this disease - he also happens to be my hero!  Please give as much, or as little, as you can - like they say, 'every little helps'!

Thank you so much

Chris

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Update 19/08/11:

I've just surpassed the £250.00 mark thanks to Mr. Matt 'Poontang' Puttock!  I'm so thankful and astounded by the generocity of my friends and family - thank you so much.

 

Regarding training - I went for a swim at the Cheltenham Lido last night, the pool where my triathlon will be taking place in UNDER FOUR WEEKS!!!  It's a 50m pool which, although swimming the same distance, means I was knackered after my initial 500m.  But then I sucked it up and blasted out a full mile/1.6km.  The bike's been booked in for a pre-triathlon service to get it lubed and lightning fast.  All that is needed now is a few more training runs/swims/cycles and some good weather on race day.  My start time is approximately 7am on Sunday 11 September at the Cheltenham Lido - if you're free (and up that early) come down to cheer me on!

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Update 10/08/11:

Wow!!!  I'm now at 78% of my £250 target!  Thank you so much everyone!  Training-wise, I did a pool session yesterday where I did 2 x race distance - my aim now is to increase my speed and get my swim time down below 11 minutes.  As for training this week - it all depends on the rioters of Gloucester as I'm being kept on 12 hour shifts for the forseeable future to deal with it.  I'll keep you posted.  Also, I've got a promise of a £10 sponsor from a colleague if I post a picture of me in my Speedos/budgie-smugglers...

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Update 05/08/11:

My new 'tri-shorts' arrived last night!  They fit really well apart from the 'filled nappy' feeling from the slight padding on the bum (for the cycling stage).  I used them in the pool this morning and they were a revelation!  The only bad thing is the chaffage I got from the substandard stitching which is inevitable with cheap sportswear!  Still, 3 sets of 18 lengths done (total of 1.35km).  Rest day tomorrow then on for the brick training on Sunday.

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Update 04/08/11:

Due to my family and friends being so generous I have already reached my target of £100.00!  I've now raised my target to £250.00!!!

I cycled to work and back yesterday - a total of 40km.  The ride home was punishing, a climb of 663ft (200m) in 2.34 miles - a category 3 climb according to mapmyrun.com!  Shame I didn't make it all the way up on my bike, but if you know the Brockworth to Birdlip hill in Gloucestershire, you'll see why I didn't!  I'm having a day off the training today (and a pint with Dad tonight) but I'll be back in the pool tomorrow and doing some brick training on Sunday (cycle/run intervals).  Bring it on!!!