Hello everyone
I would be very grateful if you would please consider sponsoring me for my forthcoming passage of rites at the London Triathlon. As always I'm trying to raise money for my sadly departed buddy Rich and the fabulous institution of The Christie Hospital. For those not in the know, I've agreed to swim 1.5 km, ride 40 km and run 10km (consecutively). I have written for permission to undertake this over the duration of the weekend (7-9 August) but unsurprisingly I've not had a response from the official organisers! (Miserable sods)
I confess that I set this page up some time ago and was intending to publish something of a training blog to help you understand the pain and general hurt that has been caused since January when this all started in earnest. Needless to say this didn't happen, mainly because Ive been asleep for most of my spare time and because I managed to find numerous other things to keep me from actually starting an intensive training programme until May.
I have since learnt that this was a huge error and one that I regret!
I will however give you a brief snapshot of my experiences to date.
Swimmming: This is easy..... I can't swim, or more precisely, I swim like a heavy brick. Danielle has been heard quoting the following, "I can't watch you swim again because it looks as though you're drowning, I'll just watch you do the bike and run bits". I have suggested to her that if my swim is that bad that she may want to see me do it as I may not make legs 2 and 3 (or our wedding). Worse though, as if my lack of talent wasnt bad enough, I'm swimming in the Thames (ENOUGH SAID) and wait until you see me try and get out of a suction cupped wetsuit. Ha!
Riding: I am slightly more positive about this aspect of the event. I have been out riding most days and managed to rack up some good mileage. Worringly and perhaps detrimentally this has changed me in peculiar ways. For example I now have odd shaped legs! I am assured this is normal but all the same, standing in front of a mirror is a little unnerving as my right leg looks like a stump from a prop row forward and my left leg is a little chicken esq (See Mr Ashworth of old for further example). This also doesnt help my swimming as my legs tend to sink due to their size and Danielle can't look at me without bursting out laughing.
Running: Lets just say I am not blessed with natural grace or pace when it comes to running. I plod! I have a one plod pace and I am praying that my plod will be sufficient to get me round London on the final leg. I have been advised that drafting (slip streaming) is a very good way of saving energy in the swim and the bike. I have been wondering whether anyone would notice if I piggy back them on the run....... (volunteers happily received). Small children may wish to avoid being near the running course when I'm on it as my image will be ghastly I suspect.
So then... the big day is 8th August this year. There is a small support party travelling to try and cajoule me round. My target (if a dare say it out loud) is a) to finish and b) to go round in under 3 hours. I have 3 precious weeks of training left and I hope I can recover some form during this time to make up for my procrastination at the start of the year.
My efforts aside, this is a tremendous cause and one close to my heart. You may or may not have known Rich, but Christies do magic work for so many people. I hope that you are able to spare a few pounds or pence to support their efforts and help spur me on when I hit the first of my many "walls" along the way.
Finally a few quick thank you's
Fridge: for agreeing to do this with me and getting out together when we can (please sponsor him too if you can)
Danielle: for putting up with my training and all the lycra that now adorns our flat
Work: for being understanding of my training and my general weird and wonderful walking poses after sessions
Family: for the general support and enthusiasm for coming down to see me and Fridge take on London Triathlon!
To all of you: for reading this and dipping into your hard earned cash :)
Wish me luck,
Colin
