As some of you may know I have been training all year for a 'once in a lifetime, one day endurance event'. IRONMAN consists of 3.8km ocean swim (Yes, I have to swim around that HUGE pier at the top of the page in somewhat 'sharkey' waters!!), 180km bike ride, and a full marathon...for fun, and one actually pays for this self inflicted misery! ;-)

 Many hours of training, injuries, early mornings, training late in the 'pain cave' trying to juggle running a company, raise a toddler and be a husband while training for this event isn't something to be sniffed at...especially when you are ancient like me :) I have done triathlon for about 8 years now, and there is always that inner voice asking...when will you do the IRONMAN? It doesn't help when 2 of your mates do one! so the time has come. There is a level of commitment required for IRONMAN that is new to me. It is relentless. You can't just wing it on race day, if you haven't put in the work, you will not finish. As I write this,(2 months out from race day) I haven't been able to run for a month due to a foot injury! I struggle to walk first thing in the morning...so it's an added bit of spice to the challenge. At the very least I think I have enough time to walk the entire marathon under the cutoff time :) 

I was going to do this event for me as a personal goal anyway and didn't expect to raise money for doing something I love, but I met Edward's parents this year and their story really touched me, being a new Father myself I cannot imagine their pain or that of other couples who loose them so young. I think knowing that many babies never get the chance to swim, cycle or run in their short lives will spur me on in the inevitable dark periods of this race, and knowing that people have donated to this cause through my efforts on the day will give me a huge boost. Knowing how lucky I am to be doing something I love in a beautiful part of the world, I will try to keep a smile on my face and hobble across the finish line as the sun sets...hopefully!