FINAL UPDATE (9th August)

Well, it's done. I crawled, pedalled and barely jogged my way through 28 degree heat and staggered over the finish line in 1 hour 25 minutes and 39 seconds.

I have to admit to a small element of self-pride as this was quicker than I had hoped and the only part of the event where I could really have done better was in the transitions between the events. As Stuart has pointed out, perhaps I should have spent a bit more time practising how to put on clothes....

The splits were as follows:

Swim (750m) : 14mins 17 seconds
T1 : 4mins 51 seconds
Cycle (20km) : 39mins 29seconds
T2: 2mins 20 seconds
Run (5km) : 24mins 44 seconds

But the most important statistic is the one that you have all contributed to - more than £5,000 raised for a wonderful charity.

A massive thanks to everyone and a quick warning - watch this space, I think some of this year's more vocal spectators might try their arm at next year's event...!

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UPDATE NUMBER 3 (21st June)

Following last weekend's Dragon Boating (we was robbed), I promised another brief update, so here it is.

As you can see we're perilously close to the final target of £5,000 and I know that there's still a few guys at work who haven't pulled their respective fingers (and wallets) out and sponsored me yet, so come on - you know who you are...!

I now have an actual, real life, proper bike, which Dad very kindly helped me choose (along with every possible accessory) and I'm extremely happy with it. Despite an initial set back (not being used to the clip-pedals, I unfortunately took a rather embarrassing tumble at the very first corner I came to) I got back on my bike (both literally and figuratively) and really started to enjoy the cycling.

Swimming is also beginning to become a pleasure rather than a chore - I have discovered Tooting Lido, a 90m outdoor pool where wearing wetsuits is permitted and on some days quite necessary! It's great practice and there's always at least one or two other wetsuited crazies down there training for some triathlon or other.

Don't talk to me about running - it hurts.

Six weeks to go this Saturday, so it really is becoming quite real. Another big thank you to everyone who has supported me - it really is appreciated.

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FURTHER UPDATE (25th May) : OK, this is all quite fantastic, we're about to hit the fundraising target again and as such, with 10 weeks still to go unti Tri-day, I am raising the target again. I suspect this will be the final such target as I think pretty much everyone I know and have ever known and, in some cases, have never known, have all donated now. However, hope springs eternal and I am aware of some more offline donations coming in soon, so you never know.

Again my thanks to everyone who has donated and if you find yourself reading this and suddenly think of someone who might want to donate, please do let them know. This money is going to make a real difference.

For those of you interested in the progress of my training, the swimming is still proving a real effort; whilst I can now pretty much complete the distance, I struggle to haul my still somewhat corpulent bulk from the water, let alone drag it onto a bike and start cycling.

The cycling itself is going well with 20km normally completed (in isolation) in about 37-38 minutes, although I have yet to venture out on a real bike. Somewhat shortsighted admittedly, but it'll happen soon - I feel a major purchase coming on...!

Finally, the running - again, in isolation, I would hope to complete 5km in about 22-23 minutes. However, having attempted it immediately after a 20km cycle in the gym the other day, 27-28 minutes is probably more realistic. 

I have no idea what it will feel like to combine all three although I suspect "quite painful" will be close to the mark. Anyway, still 10 weeks to go....!

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UPDATE (2nd May) : Just 3 days after setting up this site, you have taken me through my initial fundraising target. My gob is smacked and my flabber is ghasted. Thank you all so much. Given such a rapid rate of fundraising and the fact that the triathlon is not until August, I've doubled my target to £4,000 and will continue to spread the word about the work they do at St Mary's.

I have received mail after mail of support and affection and I know a lot of people have been reflecting on their own situation in light of Grace's story. I just want to say thank you again and to let you know that every piece of communication is being passed to Stuart and Natalie and they are genuinely moved by everyone's kindness.

More updates when we hit the next target....!

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For those of you not familiar with Grace's story, please click over to www.justgiving.com/gracebradburn where my Dad has set up a donation site with a brief description.

During Grace's time at St Mary's she really couldn't have been looked after any better and we are all really grateful to the wonderful staff who so obviously care deeply about the children in the ward. They also looked after Stu and Natalie, allowing Stu to waffle on and on in his own, inimitable way, about all the instruments, monitors and drugs that were used to help Grace. The charity also allowed Stu and Nat to stay in a hotel next to the hospital for about 25 nights which was so important.

I'm hoping to try and raise £2,000 for COSMIC (Children of St Mary's Intensive Care), who are the charity behind all the great work that is done at St Mary's. I've picked this figure pretty much at random, so don't be put off it the thermometer shows only luke warm or even if it's off the scale. Every donation will be very gratefully received.

As for the event itself, I will be doing a "Sprint Triathlon", which consists of a 750m swim (no breaststroke apparently, because Dad tells me that I'll look like an idiot ...) followed by 20km cycle, followed by a 5km run, followed by beer (optional). Rest assured that my current fitness levels and complete lack of natural athletic ability make this a very real challenge for me and one that needs every one of the rapidly decreasing weeks left available for training.

The event is on Saturday August 4th at the London Docklands, so do come along if you fancy supporting (or laughing at) me.

Donating through this site is simple, fast and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to donate: Cosmic will receive your money electronically and, if you are a UK taxpayer, an extra 28% in Gift Aid will be added to your donation at no cost to you.

Many thanks for your support.

Mike