The current statistics for cancer in the U.K. have become more and more worrying. It doesn’t seem too long ago that the figure of 1 in 4 people who would be touched  by the disease was the norm, and as shocking as this was, it’s suddenly become 1 in 2. 

Like many people, you always assume that cancer is something that happens to other people, never your family.  After losing my Dad unexpectedly in 2017 to an aggressive form of the disease,  I’d like to do my bit and raise as much money as possible, which can hopefully go some distance to making a change. 

The Ironman triathlon is widely billed as the world's toughest one day endurance event with competitors having to complete the 3 disciplines below in under 17 hours, with various intermediate time cut offs imposed around the course. If these aren’t met, competitors are removed from the event:

2.4 mile open water swim 

112 mile cycle with 10,000 ft of elevation

26.2 mile (marathon) run

I’m new to swimming and only learnt to front crawl in November last year courtesy of a small number of lessons but mainly by watching YouTube videos. Prior to signing up, the last time I’d been on a bike was at the age of 13. I’m comfortable with running, but as anyone will tell you who’s run one, a marathon is a test of endurance in itself  

I’ve been training on and off around various injuries for the last 18 months, with the last 6 months becoming more and more intense. Regardless of that, the event itself will be a day of extreme discomfort and pain but that’s nothing compared to what sufferers of cancer can expect to be subjected to.