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As you can see from my poster I am undertaking a Triathlon (mile swim, 30 mile cycle and Slieve Donard hike) for two purposes firstly to raise awarerness for Fostering and secondly to raise funds for the purchase of a Defibrillator for the Canal Boxing Academy which supports young people as well as men and women in the Lisburn area. More and more we hear how in sport Defibrillators have or would have made a difference to the life of players in Rugby, Gaelic Football and the Premiership (Fabrice Muamba of Bolten).

Why did I choose a Triathlon? well, I've always wanted to do one and why not now. I chose a hike at the end instead of a run for the sake of my old knees which I know wouldn't have coped with a run and since I do a lot of hillwalking it wasn't a bad substitute.

Anyway, I'm really thankful and glad you sponsored me as I know it will make a difference.

I only hope the weather keeps well but I'm looking forward to meeting up with some friends who will be joining me on the Hike section. All support welcome.

I'll keep you posted on my training which is going pretty good so far and will get a few photo's on the page also.

As with all fundraising events they are not undertaken in isolation and for that reason I have a number of people I would like to thank. Firstly a big thank you to Big Al for designing my poster and sponsor sheet and his calmness under the numerous editions before the final draft (he's available for hire at Wiked Click.co.uk and also weddings, Barmizvah's and funerals!) Many thanks to Desi and Pamela at Adventure Leadership Training for the use of their charity site as well as their contacts and ideas. Thanks also to Douglas and Philipa at NI First Aid Services for their sourcing of our defibrillator and for donation of training on it's use to the Canal Boxing Academy's members. I would also like to thank Agnes for her ongoing support and motivation in fundraising as well as taking part in the hike section of the event. A final word of thanks goes to those people intending on hiking with me to the top of Slieve Donard on the 7th!

Just an update on training. Managed to strain my calf badly on Monday at circuts so hopefully enough time to heal and get straight back to the right fitness level, fingers crossed. Will keep you posted

It's Saturday and a week before the big event. I'm in Dublin and have just come back from a swim in Terenure swimmimg pool and a cycle to Blessington and alls good with the calf so its full steam ahead. I've also collected more donations form family and friends so, much aqppreciated and thanks to all.

3 days to go have just had a good massage to ease up my calf strain and hamstrings and so feel good physically. Slight hiccup with my 'road manager' Jim coming down with viral infection for which I wish him a speedy recovery from but he'll miss the big day. We'll carry on regardless and implement 'Plan B' when I come up with it! It's time for Agnes and Nadine to come to the rescue and once again I thank them for their continued support and committment to the cause. 

Many thanks to all the additional people who have sponsored us and helped us on our way to reaching our target.

It's the night before and just about to hit the hay. The weather forecast is good for the time we will be hiking up Donard which is great. Hopefully the roads wont be too wet before that but no worries either way. Looking forward to a good day.

I'll take a few photos and put them up tomorrow after we're finished with hopefully happy faces!

Well it's all over now and a great day was had by all!

The day started extremely dark and dreary with rain and low cloud cover. I was optimistic however given the attention I had paid to the weather forecast in the days before but still had a little lingering anxiety it might be miserable on the mountain and I really didnt want that for the group.

My first discipline was the mile swim which I undertook at Andersonstown Leisure Centre. I am extremely grateful to the Manager Jackie and staff who allowed me to swim before they opened up and set aside a lane for me, many thanks. I was pleased with my swim time as my shoulders felt a little heavy at the start but when I warmed up after 20 lengths I was fine. After a few photos in the pool and outside it was off on the bike to Newcastle via Lisburn and Ballynahinch. It started wet and grey but by Ballynahinch (some say the centre of the unverse?) the cloud was lifting and rain had stopped. It was then a pleasent cycle on to Newcastle where I met up with the group for our hike up Slieve Donard. Everyone was in good form and and looking foreward to the day and hike.

We started by taking a few photos in the car park and unfurled our Fostering Banner which we also brought with us to the summit for another photo. It was the first time up Donard for most of the group and their fitness levels were all very good. It was a totally new experience for Laura who is being introduced to the outdoors by Bryan on every opportunity he can get! Despite it not beng a race we all made good pace from the start especially Nadine and the dark horse Sam both of whom were like whipppets. A couple of water stops and photo opportunities by our resident photographer Bryan and we made our way up the valley and on in to the mist which was hanging over the top of the mountain down as far as the saddle. A good pull on the calf muscles got us to the wall before a regroup and the final push to the top which was a further exertion on the leg muscles but eventually the summit revealed itself through the mist. We gathered for our lunch and added a layer of clothing for warmth and our mood was high. After eating and before decending we again unfurled our Fostering banner for our summit photo. By chance on the otherside of the wall also posing for a photo was a group from England who were on their own challenge. They had brought with them an Olympic Torch which we also got to pose with so that was a nice suprise.

On our decent we had a great laugh as we did throughout the day particularly Agnes who never stopped laughing, especially when trying to master the art of the downward zig zag at unstoppable speed! Thankfully Mandy was there to call out to Agnes and put a stop to the Agnes freefall! 

As we decended toward the wall our look was in as the cloud lifted to reveal the full beauty of the mournes. We had amazing views down both valleys to Newcastle and Lower Cove and also from Slieve Binnian right across to Slieve Bearnagh and all inbetween. All were suitably delighted and impressed in equal amounts. Down further into the vally we had first ascended we again regrouped for a brief  and final water stop and a recount of the day before moving on to the end. Everyone looked good at the end of the hike and happy with their lot and I thoroughly enjoyed my day from start to finish.

I would just like to thank all in the group for turinig up taking part and supporting me on the day, I really did and do appreciate it, so many many thanks.

Thanks again also to all those who donated to raising funds to purchase a Defibrillator throughout the time of fundraising. The web page will be open for further donations for the next 3 months if people would like to contribute for the first or second time!  .

Take Care

Franz