On December 18 2013, I swam 1.5km. And cycled 40km. And ran 17km.

Welcome to Jimathon

Starting at Royston Leisure Centre at 9.30am, I swam 1500m (60 lengths) in 55 minutes. Got out of the pool. And realised I'd forgotten my towel.

But no matter, buoyed by my success, I went out to my car and removed the bike from the rack and cycled up hill and ... up hill. In the wind. Through the wilds of Hertfordshire; the likes of Therfield, Sandon, Buntingford, and Barkway.

Actually that last bit was a mistake. I'd take a wrong turn. But eventually I made it to Anstey and then Brent Pelham, into Essex and then stopped at my mum's house for lunch. A total of 40K in just over 2 hours.

Luckily my good old Mum had prepared me a slap up meal of chicken and noodles. And a home - made power pudding. Which I couldn't eat because I was so stuffed full of noodles.

Then after 40 mins of positive thinking and tea, and full of trepidation and armed only with a bottle of my Dad's 'Boost' energy drink I set off on the 'run' segment

The first 8k was OK, I suppose. But then I started feeling a bit sick. But I pushed on. And on. And on. And got paranoid I'd got lost again. This really was through the boondocks. Places with no name. Back O Beyond. Farms in the middle of nowhere. Lower Langley. Little Chishill. Barley.

The stretch from Barley back into Royston nearly KILLED me. The last 6k was a SLOG not helped by the fact that around every turn was ... fields. No sign of Royston but finally as I'd hoped I made it. Only to have to run another 1-2k through Royston back to the car.

But I did it! This is the Jimathon.

Which is the same length as the Olympic Triathlon. But with an extra 7Km of running on top.

Yep. You read it right. FURTHER than an Olympic Triathlon.

So please give a few credit-card based pence for my efforts. For all the poor children at this special time of year. Like my son who missed his Tennis lesson because I didn't make it back in time.

Jim

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