I decided to enter an Ironman distance triathlon (2.4mile swim, 112mile bike and a full marathon, all within 16 hours) having completed a half-Ironman exactly 17 years ago on 22 August 2004.  

I've trained hard, and since January 1, I've swum 48,000 metres, cycled 1,650miles and run 440miles.  I've become a complete bore and just sleep, train and ache - at least I've lost some weight!  

I've had some great support from friends (see main photo - L to R,  Mike Dobby, Romain Greze (my ever encouraging personal trainer @YOLOfitness), Mark Mathieson and Damon Hill).  

My plan was to compete in Ironman Vichy (France), but with the Amber plus COVID quarantine rules, and having the 'wrong' batch of vaccinations, that is no longer possible.  So I've now entered The Dalesman Triathlon in North Yorkshire on the same date, 22 August, 2021.  It will be a 0600 start in the Ripon Racecourse lake, and I would be delighted to finish within the permitted time of 16 hours.  If all goes to plan, I'd like to do the swim in 1 hour 45, the bike in 8 hours, and the marathon in around 5 hours, about 15 hours in total.

https://www.trihard.co.uk/events/dalesman-triathlon/

I have never trained so hard for anything, and I have held back asking for sponsorship because, to be honest, I just don't know if I can do it.  However, several friends have asked to sponsor me, so if you would like to donate, I know the HALOW project will be very grateful.