Almost there..
After 46 weeks of training
6am training sessions
Missed birthdays and even weddings
Opportunities missed
Long bike rides
Physical pain
Crying in agony
Not being able to move
Exhaustion
Learning how to swim cycle and run
Thousands of pounds on equipment
Not eating or drinking anything I’d consider bad!
Falling out with friends
Arguments with family
Breaking up with the girlfriend
Saddle sore
Getting lost in lanzorote in the burning sun with no money or clue where I was
Having to try horrible gels and supplements
Cold training sessions
Riding a stationary bike in a pitch black cold garage for 3 hours
The list goes on…..
People eventually say. Good luck! I needed the support from last july. I needed support when I couldn’t get my underwear on because I was in so much pain.
I am now here. 1 day of pain. 2 weeks of discomfort and a huge celebration after.
On may 21st at 7am local time and 1pm uk time I will be in the water and ready for my 2.4 mile swim. Along with almost 1000 others. The battle to swim and be the first out of the water will be decided.
As 8am passes the next effort of 112 miles on a bike will drain your mind. Some won’t even make it this far. I will need to drink at least ever 10 minutes. My potassium, sodium and fluid levels will be depleted and missing a feed could result in blackouts, requiring a drip or even death. These are all normal for an ironman.
By this time mid morning will be upon me and temperature will be around 40 degrees. What would be the worst thing you could do? That’s right… A marathon. 26miles of survival.
I have the dorkyist cap with cape to keep the sun off my head and neck. I’ll look a nerd. But if I’m still moving I’d take that.
So why am I doing this?
2 years ago my dad was given 6 months to live. He has motor neurones disease. He’s doing fine and I care for him with my mum. He needs a lot of help and every things on hold while I try to defy doctors for as long as we can
Donna shaw was a friend, inspiration and student of mine. She died last week of erwing sarcome. A rare bone cancer. Donna told me she had an arm injury 4 years ago. I tried helping her but was limited because of child protection so she went to the hospital for a scan. Twice she visited. Twice they didn’t pick up on her tumour that eventually grew so violently and quickly she couldn’t be treated.
2 people that make me strong, focused and determined. Nothing, nothing will be as painful as what I see, they experience or how I feel inside. The ironman is nothing…. When I’ve finished the only message I want people to remember is
Anybody can achieve anything they want to
The week before I leave. I would like to invite people to comment on my facebook and send and messages and share experiences that will help me and I can think of in the back of my mind. Texas better be ready for me. I’m coming to clean up.
