As many of you know, after a first taste of triathlons 2 years ago I have became a bit of a race fanatic (some would say a Triathlon-bore) with my passion for the sport growing as the races and challenges got longer and tougher. Few friends and family are safe from me bending their arm to get involved and being signed up for races too, or being persuaded to join me for long training rides and runs at weekends. Thank you for putting up with me!

After months of 6am runs and swims before work, endless miles cycling around North London, the New Forest, mountains in Greece, and more blisters than I can count, I am in the 4 weeks countdown to my biggest ever race- Ironman Hamburg. This race involves an eye-watering 2.4 miles swim around the Alster lake, 112 miles cycle and then finishes off with a Marathon. This all has to be finished within 16 hrs (gulp). 

Having signed up to the race after a couple of beers in December the fear and the size of the challenge ahead of me and my sheer stupidity has finally kicked in. As a result I want to turn my efforts into a meaningful difference for those less fortunate who can't enjoy a healthy and active life. 

I have chosen to support Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity which helps provide nursing and care for seriously ill children. This is a small charity supported by my company, Jelf and the charity are hugely appreciative of this support. I will also be working with them completing the race. I work for Jelf Employee Benefits who will kindly match any donations up to £300.

To all of my friends, colleagues and family who have waited for hours at a finish line for me, accompanied me in training, endured my early starts, helped me fix my bike, cheered me on or just put up with the post race stories- thank you. I now ask for a little more support to dig deep and help support this important cause. Your donation - however small- will make a world of difference and help push me across the finish line in Germany on Aug 13th.

Thank you,

Andrew

For more about Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity: http://bit.ly/2aWZwXF

For more about Ironman Hamburg: http://bit.ly/2sZX8q0