We all get gripped by entirely unrealistic notions sometimes.  In January I watched a triathlon and thought it would be fantastic to be the sort of natural athlete that could run, swim and cycle with equal aptitidue.  In that spirit I signed up to do an Olympic-distance triathlon on 20 July.  

This is a akin to an elephant watching a cheetah glide by in pursuit of a gazelle and signing up for up for the all-animal Savannah 60m hurdles.
  
I am chronically, comically, unsuited to a triathlon. I run with a gait reminiscent of a drunken splay-footed platypus.   I once cycled into a ditch because I forgot to turn the handlebars, and to get a feel for my swimming style drop a cat in a bath.  I am sufficiently unco-ordinated (and daft) that I once fell six foot off a fence onto solid pavement, got up, dusted myself down, and then fell off the fence again.

In other words the notion of me swimming 1.5k, cycling 40k, and then running 10k is frankly ridiculous.  But I firmly believe that you have to embrace the absurd in life, and with that in mind in less than three weeks I'll taking on the City of Birmingham triathlon, and will be raising money for Friends of the Elderly.  My grandad passed away last year - one of the distressing aspects of a naturally difficult time was seeing how many elderly and infirm people lead lonely and isolated lives in care homes and hospitals up and down the country.  Friends of the Elderly strive to help older people lead more fulfilling and active lives. 

Look at the man above.  Does he look like a triathlete to you?  Of course he doesn't.  Look into your heart, and into your wallet,  and give whatever you can afford to make his immensely naive but well-meaning efforts worthwhile.  

In seriousness any sponsorship you feel able to give would be immensely appreciated - any amount would make a difference. 

Thanks

Stefan