Hi, with schools budgets constantly being cut I am looking to raise some funds for the school. Please donate what you can.

This is a tough challenge.  Not just physically but being mentally prepared aswell. In July I am taking part in my first Ironman. (2.4 mile lake swim, 112 mile bike ride and 26 mile run all within the time limit of 17 hours).

Exercise didn't always come easy for me and I hated it but overtime exercise became routine. In 2015 I was at my heaviest weight 12 stone 2 and my depression was at a all time high. The doctor told me to exercise to relieve stress but I didn't believe him but a 3 mile walk turned into a 3 mile run in March 2016. My weight 9 st 8. From there I got out and exercised as much as possible and I felt so much better for it. In Oct that year I leant to swim frontcrawl (i could do a few lengths breaststroke but that was all) and my first frontcrawl lesson I cried at the edge of the pool as I couldn't breathe. I kept at it and 8 lengths turned into 20 then 40 then a mile. I also rode a bike as an adult for the first time too.

In 2017 I entered 2 sprint triathlons and 1 olympic distance triathlons and I loved the atmosphere and got a buzz out of it. My head was in a better place all round. My weight was staying off too.

In 2018 I joined Ripon Triathlon Club to make the most of the lake swims and I'd go from a few 100 meters on my first attempt in the lake in april to swim round the full lake. I preferred long distance rather than speed so I entered Outlaw Nottingham 70.3 in May 2018 (1/2 ironman - 1.2 mile lake swim, 56 mile bike plus 13.1 mile run - time limit 9 hours). An 18 week training plan was tough, I felt stressed all the time, couldn't fit in the training so got more stressed and I hit an all time low and was so glad when the race was over but I did finish the race. (7hrs12). Something had to change. My hubby and our 3 kids were very supportive but they saw mummy crying again alot. So I changed the training. Got rid of the negatives and entered another race on my terms. Sundowner 1/2 ironman in September that year. I had the whole summer holidays with the kids and went out for fun bike rides,  kids on roller skates while I jogged next to them, played in the river and swam with the kids down the river.  I completed my first 2.4 mile swim in Ripon lake too (1hr45).Training was not training and I was having fun just like our kids. Race day I felt relaxed and enjoyed myself finishing 55 mins quicker than may.  (6 hrs 17). Then I thought well that felt good and entered a marathon. York Marathon in Oct ticked off 4 hrs 32.

So here I am. 7 months of training. Training my way, no stress, no pressure just having fun. I just want to complete the ironman with a smile.