Julian Bennet
The Great British Triathlon - JB does the GB3
Fundraising for Concern Worldwide, UK
Story
August 2011:
It's been a while everybody...sorry for the radio silence. I've had you all in my thoughts since the aborted swim last year and it now looks like I'll be gunning for my solo sometime at the end of August and beginning of September. I've had so much support from so many people I can't begin to thank you all.
Just back from Lake Zurich where I had joined (at the last minute) a relay swim with Katja and Vicki! Thanks for having me ladies...we finished in a time of 9hrs 35mins and many memories. Lovely people all of these open water swimming bunch!
The GB3 theoretically finished with my relay swim last July, but I've known since then that there's a hole where the solo should be. I've been training hard for the last year and have been to some lovely places. Have a 7 / 6 hour back-to-back Sat / Sun at Dover under my belt and will do one more on the 13th / 14th Aug before trying to arrange the actual date. Pictures of all this will go up on the right soon.
Anyway. I'm basically incredibly nervous and horrendously excited. I can't wait to get in for the start, and at the same time I am completely petrified. Completely and utterly petfrified...
May (2011) update:
Training going well, largely pool and Serpentine based, but off down to Dover for the beginning of the season. Can't wait to see Freda, Barrie, Michelle, Irene and the crew...I've missed them all. Gonna be chilly but who doesn't love Dover?!?!
January (2011) update:
Been down the serpentine in Hyde Park alot recently, getting used to near freezing temps and v short swims, but things can only get warmer!
September (2010) update:
Congratulations must go out to all my Malta / Dover buds who have made it this season and whose form, mentality, humour, endurance and general likeability I can only hope to emulate: Sam Vincent, John Whitaker, Trev Gaunt, Luke 'Poochie' Birch, Marty Walsh, Neil Drinkwater (Lake Zurick - awesome mate!), Karen Throsby (you are amazing!) and the list goes on. All those of you who I have had the good fortune to meet down at Dover and who have made it or who have tried it and will come again, my congratulations and thanks for always being there.
August (2010) update:
Channel swim was supposed to be mid August, but the weather has made crossings hard to come by and I also don't think I am psychologically ready. Have been offered the chance to roll over to 2011. Difficult decision but it is either that or waiting for the next 4 weeks and not knowing. I think I need the time to prepare and to get more acclimatised, but one day I am going to have to just throw myself in and get on with it. Pencilled in for August 2011.
5th July (2010) update:
Finished a relay across the Channel! 13 hours and 34 minutes. The name goes up in the White Horse down in Dover as a record of our achievement, and my eternal thanks to Iryna, Hoffy, Carl, Katja and Pawel for an absolutley amazing day. I stole a couple of rocks from the France shore and carried them back to the boat (don't ask me where I put them on the swim back to the boat) as a glorious reminder of a glorious day. The next thing is a solo...scheduled for August 2010. Fingers' crossed!
1st June (2010) update
The cycle was an amazing experience. I met so many wonderful people who all opened their hearts up to me, and really discovered this fantastic country. Finished it in a time of 8 days and 8 hours over ca. 1,000km (probably a little less but believe me it didn't feel it!). Got to Land's End where my parents were waiting for me and had managed to harangue a bunch of unsuspecting passers-by to appluad me in. There is no better feeling in life than cresting that last hill...now for a week of sleep!
10th May Update: Was barely able to walk for about 5 days after the marathon. Ooof lack of stretching. Stairs were the real killer. Anyway, looking forward to the cycle which starts on Friday 14th May as I head up on a 14 hour, 5 change train journey to Wick, and then cycle into John O'Groats before I start the adventure on Saturday. It's been a bit last minute on the preparation and I think I have just about got everything I need together but I guess we'll find out in 5 days
Have updated my blogs if you'd like some more details: http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/london-lifestyle/tough-guy-challenge/
Thanks for all of your continued support. I couldn't have done it without all of you. Julian.
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25th April Update: Stage 1 of the Great British Triathlon is complete! I got round the marathon in a time just over 4 hours. Unfortunately the knee gave way at about mile 18 (due to stupidity on my skiing holiday!) and the hamstrings soon followed (due to general lack of preparation). Had an awesome but painful time and the crowd helped us so much. Passing bands who had just turned up spontaneously all along the route was so inspiring and I also saw a few of my felloe Concern Worldwide reps which really helped mentally. Thanks so much for everyone's support!
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22nd April Update: Sorry for the lack of updates....got a bit stuck in Malta on my open water swim camp with SwimTrek, caught out by the volcano...had an awesome trip back over Europe, like the Gap Year I never had. marathon in 3 days and feeling pretty underprepared with a dodgy knee and no running for three weeks but as long as I finish it I'll be happy!
Added some pics from the Malta trip to the site so please check them out.
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22nd March Update: Party on Saturday went tremendously well. Looks like we got about £1,400 from the raffle alone and this means we have almost blitzed £6,000. Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU!
Party this Saturday is going to be awesome! Can't wait to see everyone. Thank you all for your donations thus far! Latest news is that you can now donate by Text Message. Just send 'JBGB3' to 70007 You will be charged £3.00 plus one message at your standard network rate. Concern Worldwide will receive approximately £2.55 from each message sent; you can increase this amount if you click through to Gift Aid your donation. For help please telephone 01892616611
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18th March Update: Met someone yesterday who's doing the Marathon des Sables which puts me to shame! Oh well next year, next year....
Party this Saturday is going to be awesome! Can't wait to see everyone. Thank you all for your donations thus far! Latest news is that you can now donate by Text Message. Just send 'JBGB3' to 70007 You will be charged £3.00 plus one message at your standard network rate. Concern Worldwide will receive approximately £2.55 from each message sent; you can increase this amount if you click through to Gift Aid your donation. For help please telephone 01892616611
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4th March Update: Blog updated on the Fulham Chronicle website. Some long rides and long swims completed. Four day skiing trip to Switzerland coming up need to avoid an injury!
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5th February Update: Blog with the Chronicle up and running. Warning: cheesy pictures and embarassing text follow!
http://www.fulhamchronicle.co.uk/
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31st January Update: Finished the Tough Guy Challenge. Pictures up here and more on Facebook. Killed me. Same time next year but in Fancy Dress for sure!
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/in_pictures/8490812.stm
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25th January Update: Thanks to the Fulham and Hammersmith Chronicle for covering the attempt:
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This year, between April and July, I will run the London Marathon (26 miles), cycle John O'Groats to Land's End (1,000 miles +), and swim the English Channel (21 miles). What I'm calling the Great British Triathlon (GB3).
It's in aid of two fantastic charities and hasn't been done before all in one go.
I very much hope to survive onto the shores of Calais to enjoy a glass of bubbly and other assorted cheap plonk at the end of it all. I swam around the Burj Al Arab (Dubai, 1 km if that) for charity in '08, and really got the bug...it all snowballed from there really.
My chosen charity is Concern Worldwide who are dedicated to reducing suffering, fighting, hunger and poverty in Asia, Africa and the Caribbean.(http://www.concern.net/en) - I am hoping in particular to raise funds for the building of schools in Sierra Leone.
Additionally, I hope to raise funds for Tusk (http://www.tusk.org/) who work to fund projects in conservation and education at grass roots level in 17 different countries across Africa.
Given the recent earthquake in Haiti, I am also hoping to push up above and beyond my target of £5,000 as charities around the world are going to be hard pressed to make their commitments - we're going for £10k for 2010!Concern has already been integral to providing aid for the emergency response in that region.
Dates to watch:
The London Marathon: April 25th
Cycle JOG to LE: May 28th to (aim) June 6th
The Coldest, Longest Swim of My Life: some 12 (ish) hour period over the first 10 days of July (tide and weather dependent departure time).
My progress in training will (hopefully) be tracked by the Hammersmith and Fulham Chronicle, who will be covering my attempt (full details to come).
Anyone who wants to come to join me for any of these will be more than welcome! Spectators (encouraging spectators only) gratefully received.
As a starting point, I am doing the Tough Guy Challenge at the end of January - so watch out for pictures of a sodden, cold, shivering JB at the end of the month! Hope to have a launch party on 20th March to kick start fundraising. More details on this will soon follow.
Other training remains on plan despite having my bike’s back wheel stolen on Tuesday 12th Jan...
Should be lots of fun. Never greased myself up before. I look forward immensely to the challenge.