------UPDATE------APRIL 2009------UPDATE---------UPDATE----- Well thats it then - the first of many triathlons completed! I have been well and truly bitten by the Tri-Bug. As you may know I was intending to take part in another tri-a-tri in September but being the impulsive foolish person I am, I have entered to take part in the Lochore Open Water Triathlon in July (cold water, fish and monsters from the deep etc!!) Thanks to you all for helping me reach such a terrific amount of cash raised and here's hoping the figure keeps on climbing. ------UPDATE------APRIL 2009------UPDATE---------UPDATE----- Just to let you know that training is going very well and thanks to all of my sponsors. Your support is very much appreciated. A very good friend of mine (Mr Donald Ford) kindly offered to donate a couple of pieces of golfing gems! Donald gave me a copy of his widely acclaimed book and DVD of "The Carnoustie Story" (signed by Open Champion Paul Lawrie no less) to 'auction' and help raise funds for Macmillan Cancer Support. My dear friend Angus Rust has very generously agreed to donate £100 in return for the exclusive offer. Many thanks to you both gents! See you all soon and thanks again. ----------------------------------------------- HI there and thanks for taking the time to visit my fundraising page. As Father Time marches my life ever onwards, many changes have taken place in the last 40+ years. After a recent 'think-tank' meeting at The Crown the other week, I realised that there are a couple of things that seem more and more prevalent as time goes by. The first - and more trivial point - is that my belly just keeps getting bigger and bigger! The second is that I am becoming constantly aware of the many friends, relatives, colleagues and acquaintances that are being taken from us by cancer. I decided I would try and do 'my little bit' and help raise funds to support the excellent work carried out by Macmillan Cancer Support whilst at the same time doing something about my big belly! I have set myself two goals this year and have entered to compete in two Triathlon events. The first is in Stirling on June 7th whilst the second is in Grantown on September 6th. As I am not yet quite ready for the 'Ironman' events, I have signed up for the Sprint Events which consist of a 750m swim followed by a 20k bike ride topped off with a 5k run. Training for all three disciplines (that I have never been particularly good at) has already started and I have set myself a target time of 90 minutes to complete each triathlon. However this time excludes the 25 minutes it will take to shower and blow dry my hair after the swim of course! If you can, I would really appreciate it if you could take 5 minutes and make a donation via this website. Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It's also the most efficient way to sponsor me: Macmillan Cancer Support 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 very much and I hope to see you soon. John. PS - If you happen to drive past a bright yellow chubby bloke on a bike, out of breath and wobbling all over the place - give me a lift!