It is with some trepidation that in 10 days time I am competing in an ironman triathlon. When I say competing, I really mean trying to survive and finish.  I did an Olympic Triathlon nearly 15 years ago(!) and don't remember it being that bad - albeit swimming in the Docklands was a bit cold, grim and full of shopping trolleys.  So what's the fuss?

 

For the uninitiated (which included me until I signed up...) this one is a bit different.  The ironman distance triathlon goes something like this:  Swim 2.4 miles (2hrs?) Cycle 112 miles (7hrs?) Run 26.2 miles (5 hrs?).  It total with transitions it is likely to take 14 - 15 hours.  

 

After 17 hours they unceremoniously sweep you up and deliver the pieces to the finish in a body bag.  Either way I do not expect to be an Ironman, so much as a totally Brokenman.

 

It's the marathon at the end that is apparently the real killer.  Official race instructions state that the only means of propulsion permitted are "running, walking and crawling".  I thought they were joking, but apparently not.

 

 

 

 

A question I get asked a lot.  There are not too many sane or sensible reasons why I am doing this, (especially since the [*nameless*] friend that agreed over a couple of bottles of rioja to do it with me quietly forgot to sign up…).  The rise and rise of the MAMIL is well documented, but since I was an early adopter of the dreadful fashion to model lycra and neoprene over middle aged flab it's not that.

 

The one very good reason that has  spurred me on is the wonderful charity I am raising money for - Motivation (www.motivation.org.uk).  In the past I have always raised money for cancer and children's charities, in the UK.  Whilst many understandably subscribe to the view that charity starts at home, and that it is sometimes simply too daunting to tackle the massive problems with millions of poor, under privileged, and infirm in the developing world - I believe there are some clear exceptions.

 

Motivation is a fascinating charity that makes a disproportionate difference to severely disabled people in some of the word's poorest countries. In summary (more below) it designs, manufactures and distributes flatpack wheelchairs suited to the rural landscapes where many of the world's most neglected disabled people live and where state health services are non-existent.  For just  £140 they can manufacture (in China) and distribute a robust off-road wheelchair to someone (in e.g. Malawi).  Its that simple.  

 

It is totally life changing and gives huge independence to people who may otherwise be unable to attend school, and thus remain immobile and unemployable. So far, their products and training programmes have reached over 135,000 people in 90 countries around the world.  

 

My cousin Francesca has worked for Motivation for several years so I know first hand that they are unusually efficient at fundraising and operating.  Nearly 85 pence in every pound raised is spent directly on the beneficiaries, and in my case 100% of every pound you give will do so, as I am covering all my costs.

 

 

THANKYOU...