In a moment of temporary insanity / mid life crisis my little sister persuaded me to enter Ironman Wales which is a 2.4 mile sea swim, 112 miles cycling followed by 26.2 miles running (yes thats a marathon to finish). 

I then decided it would be a good idea to learn to swim properly as it is a long way in the sea to start the event.

Since then i have gone from struggling to swim two lengths in the pool in January to completing the 1500m and very cold Derwent Swim on the 18th May and the Cleveland Short Course Triathlon (1500m swim 25mile bike 6 mile run) on 9th June.

I am now working on upping the distances in each discipline.

It is likely to take me around 15 hours to complete this behemoth of a challenge and thinking of who should benefit from my suffering I could think of no better place than the Childrens Heart Unit Fund.

Specifically their 2 million appeal for a Home from Home at the Freeman Hospital so that families can stay close to their children who are undergoing heart transplants or major surgery.

Without the unit my own children would only have one cool playmate just down the road instead of two and for that we are grateful (though probably not as much as her parents are).

The undoubted pain in my legs will be lessened by the fact that I will be assisting some sterling life saving work.

Thanks for visiting my page and every little helps