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All those who know me realise that I'm a tad obsessed with running.  You may also be aware that I have completed several different standard distance marathons (26.2 miles) over the last few years.....  However, this year, I want to shake things up a little bit and get out of my comfort zone, whilst raising funds for a great cause.  To that end, I have entered 3 separate endurance events (a run, a ride and a swim - see below for details) during 2015.  In each one, I will be going substantially further in 'one go' than I have ever done before........  I'm bringing it all together as a combined personal challenge called 'GTC's 2015 Great Triple Challenge' (see what I did there?) and in doing so I am raising funds for the Woking Hospice.  

The Hospice provides a wide range of care services (in extremely difficult circumstances) from In-Patient Care, to Hospice in the Home, a Day Care Unit and they also have a strong Community Team.  Other great services and support provided by the Hospice include Counselling, Occupational Therapy, Physio and they also have dedicated support for Children and Young Adults.  The above services are not cheap to provide and the Hospice relies heavily on fundraising activity and I am keen to do my bit to help. My personal link to the charity is that my Mother-in-law, Gillian Woodroffe, is a long-serving member of the team at the Hospice's West Byfleet shop.  Therefore this specific cause is very close to my family's hearts........

The events:

1) North Downs Way 50 Mile Ultra Marathon (16 May 2015).  From Farnham (Surrey) to Knockholt (Kent), near where I grew up.  Mainly on trails, it is very hilly (with over a mile of vertical ascent in total and it includes Box Hill) and the terrain is challenging underfoot for long stretches.  I have managed the first c34miles of the route in one session in training and was a bit tired at the end - yikes!  My target - 9h59m. The website:

http://www.centurionrunning.com/north-downs-way-50-2015/north-downs-way-50-2015/

UPDATE - Job done! Slower than hoped (11h12m) but the heat got to me in the middle of the day.....  Luckily, seeing my family (@32 miles) and being fed ice cream saved the day! :-)

2) Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 (2 August 2015).  Follows much the same route as the 2012 Olympic road races and is a 100 miles long.  I am embracing onset middle age by buying a road bike and some lycra :-) Will by backside hold up? (previous longest cycle being London to Brighton 2004 c55miles & I couldn't sit down for a week!) Again, I seem to be ascending Box Hill.  My target - 6h29m.  The website:

http://www.prudentialridelondon.co.uk/The_Events/100.htm

UPDATE - this time quicker than expected, coming home in 5h50m!  A case of good conditions and everything going well on the day.  However, awful to see someone receiving CPR on the Leith Hill climb.  I found out later that he didn't make it - RIP Stephen Green :-( Put's it all in perspective somewhat........

3) Hever Castle Triathlon - Sprint Plus distance (26 September 2015).  Probably the one I am most worried about - a half mile open water swim (with a 25 mile bike and 5 mile run tagged on the end).  I have no experience of open water swimming.  In fact, I have only just got to the point where I can swim that kind of distance in one go in a pool.  This is after deciding that, at nearly 40, I really should learn to swim for the safety of my children if nothing else.  Oh, that and being able to do triathlons of course :-) No Box Hill in this one!  My target - 2h44m.  The website:

http://www.castletriathlonseries.co.uk/the-series/hever-castle/#.U9kJ-vldWSo

UPDATE - phew glad that's over! Got off to a bad start by leaving timing chip in kit bag (so no official time) and a colder than expected swim (approx 13c).  I had to stop and tread water a few times in the first half of the swim to catch my breath (due to the temperature and and nerves) and got a clip around the back of the head from another competitor for my troubles! Then I got into the swing of it and finished strongly, coming out of the water in 23.30mins, so happy :-)  Bike and swim went well too!  

GPS file (for any stat fans or doubters) - total time 2h40.23, so beat target by nearly 5 mins:

http://www.movescount.com/moves/move78120204

And finally a pledge from me - if I meet my fundraising target of £1,000, I will post a picture on here & social media of me in my triathlon suit (to be purchased) - comedy value for everyone and oh the shame for me :-) I will of course make sure that the pictures are suitable for public viewing first........

UPDATE - hit target, many thanks to all.  Will be purchasing my official event pics from the Triathlon as soon as they are available!

That's all folks!

With kind regards,

Graham (Thomas) Cook

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