As some of you may already know, I am taking part in an Ironman triathlon this October to raise money for cancer, in memory of LUCY HUTCHINSON.

Lucy was a very close childhood friend who, as some of you will know, sadly passed away in January of this year after losing her battle against cancer. She was an incredible and beautiful person with a positive outlook on life, and always bringing a smile and laughter into the world. She left 2 amazing children behind, Luke and Millie and, in typical Lucy fashion, they are now looking after their much loved Daddy Riff.

Before she died, I mentioned to Lucy that I would like to take part in an Ironman Challenge and raise money to help those affected by cancer. Lucy, having grown up on the Isle of Wight and having spent most of her life on or close to the ocean, chose the ELLEN MACARTHUR CANCER TRUST;

The trust does some incredible work helping children and young people after they have been through some of the most aggressive and traumatic medical treatment. The psychological and physical trauma suffered during cancer treatment is massive for anyone; even more so for the young. By taking them out into the world and on the water the EMCT starts people on the road to rebuilding their lives and integrating them back into the day to day of life. 

Please click on their link and have a look at their website to find out more. Some of the individual stories of how the trust helped young people turn their lives around are truly inspirational

http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/index.php/about/article/what_we_do

So, what will I be doing??

For those of you that don’t know, an Ironman is an extremely grueling triathlon during which I’ll be doing the following 3 disciplines in immediate succession: 

• Swim                    3.8km/2.4miles (open water sea swim)
• Bike                      180km/112miles (road course)
• Run                       42km/26.2miles (just run a quick a marathon to finish off!!)

And, more importantly, how can you help??

I ask you all now, my friends and supporters, to help me succeed in my challenge in any, several or even all of the following ways:

1. By sponsoring me to complete the Ironman on Sunday the 26 October in Gandia, Spain and raise as much money as possible for a very worthy cause. Please be assured that every single penny (or centimos!) you donate will go directly to the Ellen McArthur Trust. All costs relating to my participation in the Ironman are being paid out of my own pocket.
   
2. By spreading the word to any friends or family that you think would like to join in and support me
3. By going to my facebook page "Dale's Ironman for Cancer" and clicking "like" https://www.facebook.com/ironmanforcancer/info
4. By turning up on the day and shouting and screaming at me to help get me round the course – it really does make a massive difference!

Just as a foot note….

My primary aim on the day will obviously be to just try and complete this punishing course in under the maximum allowable time of 17 hours. This would be fantastic in itself but I always like to set myself a challenge so in that light, I am aiming to try and finish in under 11 hours.

Last year I completed a Half Ironman (half the distance) in 5hrs 46mins so based on that I should be in at around 11h 30mins (if I can keep the same pace for twice as long!!). I’m currently training about 16 hours a week and will ramp up to approximately 25 hours a week over the next 10 weeks. This means lots of early morning swims in the sea before work, running and/or cycling in the evening and then extra long swim/cycle/run sessions at the weekend. It is a big commitment but one I’m taking very seriously because I know Lucy will be watching over me and making her proud couldn’t mean more to me.