25/03 Had a weekend off training so that I could attend the TITW Selection Weekend. Great couple of days, thanks to everyone who I sailed with. Couple of donations, hope for some more from the core crew. Massive thanks to an old school friend, Richard Shelley, who I havent seen for 10 years but he was still compelled to donate to such a good cause despite having no interest in sailing at all!

19/03 no training for me today, partly because I am still at work but mainly because my legs are still on fire from yesterday!!

18/03 Well that was tough! A nice 15 mile ride to the start of the Falmouth Half Marathon this morning. Then the pain began - 13.1 miles of what must be one of the UK's most brutal courses. Awesome conditions. Spent the entire race trying to chase down Dave Anderson, catching him, setting a pace that would hurt him and then fighting to stay ahead. Sadly it didnt work, he got me on the last major climb. 1:41, not too shabby considering the terrain and that we are only just out of winter. Somebody please donate!!! I dont want to be hurting myself for nothing!

17/03 ‎45 mile ride today criss-crossing Cornwall in near perfect weather (some of the time). Awesome views of both coasts at the same time, lots and lots of climbing and some good banter with friends too. Perfect prep for tomorrows Falmouth Half Marathon. I'm going to cycle the 15 miles to the start as a cheeky warm up. Triple figures in the pot this week - who wants to add some more?

14/03 Only a short ride today but a tough one, a single speed isnt really the bike to tackle Cornish hills! £10 in the pot today, thats about £1 per mile for this afternoon!

13/03 Quick update on the training so far. Since January I have run 112.3 miles, cycled 455 and burnt nearly 50,000 calories on the bike and run alone. 

12/03 Finally up and running! I've kicked the donations off by putting my insurance rebate into the pot.

The tri-service initiative TOE IN THE WATER (TITW) aims to inspire the men and women who have sustained often traumatic injuries, including the loss of limbs, to move beyond their disability and to become re-inspired by life.

 Competitive sailing is a physically and mentally challenging adventurous sport and provides a unique opportunity for injured men and women to sail and race on equal terms with their able bodied contemporaries.

 

'Toe in the Water is about adapting to the challenge, not the challenge adapting to you'.

This quote says everything about my chosen charity, TOE IN THE WATER. The guys and girls who come through our doors have already had a rough time and some are at rock bottom. On day 1 they have little idea of what we have in store for them and how much we are going to test their mettle. By the end of the week they are exhausted but ready to move on in life with the new found confidence that we have instilled in them.

TOE IN THE WATER doesn't modify the boats, doesn't make concessions and lines up on the start line against the best sailors there are. This in itself is a challenge - the able bodied volunteers work hard to overcome it. However, it is not about the volunteers. It's about the injured servicemen, they face the biggest challenge. They give everything to get over the mountain that faces them. Not only do they overcome it but they excel and put everyone else out on the race track to shame.

 Imagine losing one or both of your legs whilst fighting for your country a long way from home. Whilst you are just getting used to your new man made legs and still very wobbly you are faced with a pitching and rolling sailing boat. You have never been sailing, let alone racing, you can barely stand up or get your breath. As the start gun goes adrenaline takes over and you concentrate on the skills that you learned only the day before with barely a second to think about the enormity of what you are actually achieving. A daunting thought isn't it? Only the injured service men and women who have experienced this can really explain what it is lilke. They have given everything for their country and the armed forces, this is just a small way for us to give them something back and help support them on their road to recovery.

www.toeinthewater.org

I make and sell handbags and other produce such as suit carriers from recycled sail cloth on behalf of TOE IN THE WATER. Check out the pictures. Please contact me for more info - a purchase can be put down as a donation through this website.

Due to the way that the charitable enteries for Ironman are organised not all of the money raised here will go to TOE IN THE WATER. For every £1, 50% goes to TITW and the other 50% is split. By donating you are also supporting CHILDRENS HOSPICE, LIFE EDUCATION CENTRES, CLIC SARGENT, CANCER RESEARCH UK, MACMILLIAN CANCER RELIEF, LEUKAEMIA RESEARCH, MARIE CURIE and AIR AMBULANCE. All are equally good causes.

 

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

So please dig deep and donate now.