I’m registered and ready. Bib number 1125! If you’d like to track me on the day copy and paste this link:

https://rtrt.me/ulink/IRMA/IRM-UK-2022/tracker/RU7239NY/focus

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I am now confident that I will finish the IM, and after several requests from friends and colleagues to donate, I decided to raise some funds for The Martin Moran Foundation.

This challenge started back in 2018 when I entered the Lakesman, but five weeks before the event my life priorities changed and I decided to delay. Two years later, in 2020, it obviously didn't happen either. So it is this year, in 2022, and now aged 42, that I will finally make it to the start line and hopefully hear the famous finish line words "Alex, you are an Ironman"! 

For those unfamiliar with the term "Ironman" this is an endurance triathlon with a 3.8 km (2.4 mile) swim, 180 km (112 mile) cycle and then a 42 km (26.2 mile) run (yes; a marathon....). It feels daunting but I am ready and have some modest goals of (1) finishing within the 16 hour time limit, (2) not crying during it and (3) keeping a positive attitude throughout.

The last six months has been a gradual build up of fitness with a week in my favorite mountains over Easter to rejuvenate before the big training push over the last eight weeks. All the way I have been accompanied and supported by my training buddies Jen, Julia and Sarah as we all swim, bike and run our way to our personal challenges. My thanks extend to the BellaVelo riders and MR runners as all things endurance are easier with friends. Without doubt, the most support has come from Paddy as it has not been easy doing the training with a full time job and two primary school kids.

So why did I decide to fundraise for The Martin Moran Foundation? I have been lucky to spend a huge amount of my childhood and adult life in the mountains and the feeling of breathing in clear (and cold) air is calming and leveling. More than a decade ago (pre children!) Paddy and I went on holiday to the West coast of Scotland where we had a day of climbing with Martin Moran. Martin was a mountain guide and author, and was the first person to climb the Scottish Munros in a single winter excursion. Google his name and you will see his awe-inspiring adventures over his life! In 2019 he died whilst leading an expedition in India and the foundation was set up in his memory.

A few words from The Martin Moran Foundation:

Our Mission: To inspire people through the power of mountain adventure, climbing and community in wild places.

Our Vision: To elevate the lives of young people through purpose, passion and powerful experiences in the mountains.

Our Purpose: To remove barriers for young people who want to explore the beauty, freedom and value of our natural world.

Our Commitment to Equality: Not everyone has the opportunity to access mountain adventure therefore our commitment to inclusion, diversity and equality is at the very heart of our mission.