On September 10th, I will be swimming 2.4 miles, cycling 112 miles and running a cool 26.2 miles in under 17 hours in an attempt to complete Ironman Wales – one of the toughest courses on one of the toughest endurance events, an endurance triathlon supported by the amazing Pembrokeshire crowds.

Anyone who knows me will be aware that I am well into the depths of training, with a training plan that covers 17 hours a week, increasing up to 20 hours over the summer.

This is very much a personal challenge for me, and something that I have wanted to do for a long time. I love a challenge and I love my bike. Milestones so far have included actually learning to swim, managing a timed swim quick enough to pass the lifeguard test and finishing a 2.4 mile sea swim race in 1 hour 11 minutes, as well as completing my first ever triathlon, during which I averaged 19mph on the bike and came first in my age group. Not bad for someone who could barely ride a bike five years ago hey?

I have chosen to do it in support of West Wales Action for Mental Health (WWAMH), a regional mental health charity.

There is still huge stigma surrounding mental ill health. Here in Pembrokeshire drivers such as geographical and social isolation, a weaker economy and a traditional culture contribute towards the escalation of mental health issues. Sadly there have been a number of suicides here this year, many of whom were male and in the middle of their lives. This is not acceptable, and we can all do something to change it.

Some stats for you:

1 in 4 people have a mental health problem. (Office for National Statistics, Psychiatric Morbidity (2007))

The overall cost of mental health problems in Wales is an estimated £7.2 billion a year. (Mental Health Research Network (2009), Promoting mental health and preventing mental illness: the economic case for investment in Wales)

By 2020 mental ill health related problems will be second to heart disease as the leading contributor to the global burden of disease (World Health Organization)

Stigma prevents the take up of services in rural areas of Wales. (More Than a Number, Big Lottery (2008))

300 people die by suicide each year in Wales, 150,000 have thoughts of suicide. (Talk to Me, Suicide and Self Harm reduction strategy for Wales, WAG, 2008) . 53% of Welsh women suffer from low level mental health problems. (Women Like Me, Supporting Wellbeing in Girls and Women, Platform 51,2011) . The rate of suicide for men in Wales is higher than UK average. (Talk to Me, Suicide and Self Harm reduction strategy for Wales, WAG, 2008)

What’s this got to do with a triathlon?

The direct counterpart to the challenges we face living here is in the very essence of Pembrokeshire – we are blessed with an incredible natural environment. Activity and ‘wilderness therapy’ are fantastic forms of alternative medicine, and they are free and available to anyone. Cycling, running, surfing, climbing, walking and any other activity, you name it – we’re in the perfect spot.

The science behind it is there – physical movement accelerates the heart rate, getting blood pumping and increasing oxygen flow around the body and brain and releasing natural endorphins that make you feel good. Getting active is confidence-building and helps you be healthier, which helps you look good, too – again something that makes lots of us feel good.

That’s not to say it’s all science - the feel of a sea breeze on your face and the surprises nature throws at you, whether it’s a beautiful jellyfish on a sea swim, being joined by a peregrine swooping down the road in front of your bike, or an unusual orchid in a hedgerow, lend a sense of magic too.

How you can help :

If you choose to donate, thank you. All of your money will go to the charity as I am self-funding my Ironman place.

WWAMH is a well-respected ‘umbrella charity’ that supports other organisations to deliver support in mental health and to raise awareness of mental health issues. I am working with WWAMH to identify a Pembrokeshire-based project linking mental health and the great outdoors. Local organisations will be able to apply for the funding, Dragons Den style.

There are a few different things you could do to support the cause even without donating money. Firstly, please spare a thought for me and your other acquaintances who are training if we are looking a little tired, and don’t judge us on how much we are eating – we need all the calories we can get!

Secondly, someone you know has a mental illness. You can be extraordinary just by being a friend. If someone is looking sad, acting out of character or showing signs of struggling, reach out to them. Really, which of us knows what our neighbour is going through? You can make a difference. It doesn’t take too much to ask ‘Are you ok?’ and really mean it. There are support services out there to help people who really need it. You could make a difference to someone's life without even realising it. Go to timetochangewales.org.uk for more information.

Thirdly, make an effort to get out and look after yourself this summer. We’re all human - it’s easy to forget that sometimes.

Finally, if you are around on September 10th, please come along to Tenby or elsewhere in south Pembrokeshire to cheer me on, along with the thousands of talented, excited athletes who are taking part in this mammoth challenge.

It has been an amazing journey so far, and I am loving pushing myself harder and in different ways every day. I am so excited about the big day, and I hope to see some of you in the crowds.

Until then – work hard, dream big, be kind.