This year I have completed several long rides, so as well as the Palace to Palace I'm also raising money for my first Iron distance triathlon - Challenge Weymouth on the 14th September.

10 years ago I was taken in by the hype around London Triathlon and entered with a steel hybrid bike, hardly having swum since I was a kid, got round the course and was hooked. Joining a triathlon club and buying a road bike have improved times but with running/skiing injuries including a knee op the Iron Man (3.8km swim, 180km bike, Marathon) has always seemed a step too far.  

Towards the end of last year, looking for 2015 Iron Man events at popular locations in Europe, Andrea Demarchi convinced me the distance was doable. With the popularity of triathlon booming most were already full, even with entry fees of around £400. When the new Challenge Weymouth event opened I finally took the plunge.  

In early June Andrea asked how the training was going. I replied OK, swimming, biking and running when time allows. He then loaned me the Iron Fit bible with a piece of paper marking 15 hours a week training plans. Needless to say, I've never hit 15hrs, but perhaps 12hrs on a good week. The book also explains there are 168 hrs a week, with around 100hrs taken up by work/sleep, before concluding everyone should be able to find 15 hours for training. If I have looked tired and been more grumpy than usual before the second coffee, my excuse is I've been following the book and getting in the 6am run. 

I'm still apprehensive about running into the sea and swimming in the melee with  500 other competitors.  Have no idea if my legs will work after the cycle, but want to get to the end before the 16hrs cut off.

I would appreciate your support on behalf of the Princes Trust. It will give me an extra incentive to finish.

Of course I will still be riding Palace to Palace and will cycle to the start and home again.

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