[UPDATE: 2014's race was cruelly called off at the start line so Chris shall be returning to Tahoe in 2015 to finish what he started!]

What involves a 3.8km swim, 180km cycle, and a full marathon? All one after the other. On the same day?

Chris' first ever IRONMAN race is what!

As a triathlete the lure of the ultimate race distance is always strong but I have thus far managed to avoid the lure. Mainly as I know how blinkin' painful the experience is, both in terms of training and the race itself. However, the chance to race for WVS, and the fantastic work they do for animals and the people who rely on their animals for their wellbeing and livelihoods the world over made the decision to curtail my social life, commit to a punishing training programme, with the BIG efforts leading up to the actual race taking place in Dubai in the summer (read 50 degree heat and killer humidity), and go out and give it my best shot a no-brainer.

WVS (Worldwide Veterinary Service) is a charity that really does do some incredible work and is run and supported by some truly incredible human beings. Founded by vet Luke Gamble, the charity supports animal charities and non-profit organisations around the world. From domestic animal shelters in Greece, equine welfare projects in Gambia and exotic conservation projects in Grenada and India, WVS provides:

- Veterinary & non-veterinary volunteers

- Free veterinary drugs & equipment

- Free veterinary advice & consultation

Working with local communities, WVS aims to promote and produce long-term sustainable projects to the benefit of local animal and human populations.

One example has been Project Rabies, a monumental effort to vaccinate dogs across India against rabies, a devastating disease for both animals and people alike. Driven by a dedicated team and headed by the hugely passionate and charismatic Luke, WVS really sinks it's teeth into the big, important issues affecting human and animal health across the globe. They are true heroes!

Your donations will help WVS continue their epic work and directly impact the lives of both animals and people across the world. For example....

- £5 (30 AED) will enable WVS to send flea & tick treatments to treat 80 dogs

- £10 (60 AED) will help buy bandages and wound dressings for an equine welfare clinic

- £20 (120 AED) will enable WVS to send a 2kg donation parcel containing vital veterinary aid to a charity in need

Any amount will help. You can also support WVS directly, including donating supplies and volunteering. More information can be found on their website at www.wvs.org.uk.

So.... what's the whole IronVet challenge then?

An Ironman is a triathlon. A very BIG triathlon. Starting with a 3.8km swim in a cold lake, the next challenge is to jump on the bike and complete a punishing 180km of undulating terrain before throwing on the running shoes, gritting your teeth and enduring a full 42km of marathon running in the mountains. My race takes place in Lake Tahoe, California, USA, and was due to happen this year. Unfortunately, due to the selfish actions of an arsonist, California was burning at the time of the race & it was cancelled - at the start line! (read the full report at www.thenerdyvet.com). Unperturbed and thoroughly determined to conquer this race and complete the challenge, I am returning in 2015 to finish what I have started! It will be cold (competitors were scraping ice off their bikes last year!), hilly and run at altitude. Basically all the conditions that I am not able to train in, making the challenge even harder than it already is.

As I live and work as a vet in Dubai, the bulk of my serious training will be taking place in the 50 degree heat and incredible humidity of the Middle Eastern Summer, at sea level (Again! For the 2nd year in a row!). As such, simply getting through the training and making it to the start line in one piece is going to be tough. I have some key races in store before the big one in September, with the Dubai International (Half Iron Distance) and Challenge Bahrain (Half Iron Distance) races coming up this year. I look forward to keeping you up to date with my training and races as the big day approaches, with the best place to stay informed being www.ironvet.net.

You can watch the campaign video on Vimeo here.

Thank you in advance

Chris

The Nerdy Vet