Raised: 125%
Target: £1,000.00
Raised so far: £1,249.00
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My story

 

October 2009

I'm delighted to say I completed Challenge Barcelona on 4th October in 11:43:26, well within my target time of 12 hours and with a huge smile on my face. If you are interested the split times were;

- swim 1:09:06

- T1 0:10:41

- bike 5:58:47

- T2 0:09:29

- run 4:15:22

It was a fantastic day and I'm so grateful to everyone for sponsoring me and expecially to Lesley for her unstinting support before and on the day. It just wouldn't have been possible without you. Starting and ending a race in the dark was just amazing and the spectators, competitors and organisers were great.

If you have 10 minutes to spare, you REALLY MUST see this YouTube video about the event; by the end you will either be choked up, want to do one yourself or both. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W63OJJTXim8 (You might even spot me in the background on my bike!)

Would I do it again? Well, never say never but the physical and mental focus and preparation are not to be underestimated. I can honestly say, I thought about it everyday from January this year when I entered and decided to raise money at the same time. And the training was like a part-time job. According to my HRM:

- I did 243 separate training sessions between January and October

- I spent 312:27 hours training (35 hours per month on average)

- I consumed 117,495 calories

So I'm going to hang up my tri gear for a sabbatical next year and let Lesley choose the next challenge:-)

Best wishes

Steve

________________________________________________________________________________________

January 2009

After 5 years of triathlon, it's time for me to face the ultimate challenge that is an Ironman event. That's a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike and then a 42.2km run (a marathon, in other words). Scarey distances and a gruelling event, which I expect will take me about 12 hr to complete. You can find out more about the race at www.challenge-barcelona.com

Of course, normal levels of fitness won't cut it and I've got a training plan for the next nine months that averages 10-15 hrs per week. So far so good, but it is only week 2!

I may be crazy but I'm not crazy enough to do it twice, so I want to raise some money for a worthy cause, while I suffer. The Shakespeare Hospice is celebrating it's 10th anniversary as they explain below:

“This current year is the 10th Anniversary of the opening of the Hospice and we will be having many new events to celebrate this, news of which will appear in our newsletters and on our website www.theshakespearehospice.org.uk.  We are hoping that our many loyal supporters will be able to participate in these events.  Our goal is that 2009 will be our best fundraising year yet and to help us reach this target we are encouraging our supporters to hold their own events however big or small to celebrate the Hospice’s first decade.”

Please dig deep and donate what you can. It wil really help me get through the race and help the individuals, their families and their carers who are affected by life-threatening diseases in the Stratford area.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor me: The Shakespeare Hospice gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.

So please sponsor me now!

Thanks

Steve

Well Done Steve, your mad! Donation by David Creighton 06/11/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done Steve! Donation by David Sanders 29/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

So very proud of you Steve!!! Donation by Max 28/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Its still a poor excuse for not doing the XC on Saturday! Donation by Tony Jackson 26/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Well done Steve, brilliant. Donation by Naomi and Kate Whittaker 24/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done Steve! Donation by David Wolstencroft 24/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Amazing, really. Goodness...amazing! Donation by Deborah Thurlow-Rowley 20/10/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

Well done Steve. An amazing time and you look so happy. Donation by Miranda Harris 17/10/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Congratulations Steve. That's amazing Donation by Sue Le Belleguy 17/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

Well done Steve! I watched the Bolton Ironman on TV on the day you were doing your event in Barcelona just to show support! Congratulations. Donation by Lucy Caudle 15/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

good luck, I do think you are bonkers. Donation by sarah odell 03/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck for Sunday! Donation by Nitesh 02/10/09  

£15.00 + £4.23 Gift Aid

All the very best for Sunday. Looking forward to hearing all about it on your return! Donation by Keriann Shaw 02/10/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck - sounds absolutely crazy! Donation by Andy Males 01/10/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Have a great day ! Donation by Peter Jones 30/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Donation by robert sheavyn 29/09/09  

£5.00

Hope training is still all ok Mate! Donation by Chris Seeney 28/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

Good luck.David,Julie,Emma and Jack Donation by David Farmbrough 28/09/09  

£5.00 + £1.41 Gift Aid

All the best bruv, love Ali,Dan, Laura and Matthew Donation by Ali 28/09/09  

£30.00

Donation by mary Kirk 27/09/09  

£100.00 + £28.21 Gift Aid

Donation by Emma Bexson 25/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Steve, I'm very proud of you and will be there supporting you all the way, even if it is on one leg! x x x Donation by Wifey 24/09/09  

£50.00 + £14.10 Gift Aid

You have worked so hard to get here I know you will do well. Good luck and think of all those mountains you slogged up in the name of it! xx Donation by Sarah Bland 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Sounds mad to me, but go for it, Steve ! Donation by STEVEN BAKER 21/09/09  

£25.00 + £7.05 Gift Aid

Donation by Fern Hordern 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Good Luck Steve! Donation by Ann Marie Blackmore 21/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

You must be mad Steve, but good luck. Donation by kate wright 21/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

Hope you enjoy it. Donation by Declan 20/09/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid

cant believe you fell for it!!!! The training is done, just soak it up. Donation by wayne vickers 20/09/09  

£20.00 + £5.64 Gift Aid

3hrs 7mins 55secs to beat me on the run good luck! Donation by mark francis 25/07/09  

£10.00 + £2.82 Gift Aid
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* Total raised online: £1,070.00
  Offline donations: £179.00
  Gift Aid plus supplement: £284.87

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