Back in November when I got peer pressured into a (half) iron man I had no intention of doing it for charity. I'd been there, done that, got the t-shirt (usually in a hot neon colour) and was very grateful for all those that had donated in the past. This was for me, it was my distraction, something to give me focus and something to help shift the excesses of December's client entertaining.

Sadly, life doesn't always follow the script and in April this year events happened that made me reconsider that decision. 

Neil Vines was the younger brother of a very good friend of mine. Neil was just 19 and an incredibly healthy Olympic hopeful when he was first diagnosed with cancer. You often hear of people 'fighting cancer' but Neil's fight over the next 3 years was nothing short of relentless. As was his constant fundraising and his awareness raising. Neil sums everything up better than I ever could at https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=b1spTJJyZkY

I first met Neil at my friend's stag do. Like many of us, cancer has had a big impact on my family however by the grace of God (and being too young to remember properly) I have, so far, thankfully remained distant from the impact of cancer (and cancer treatments) on the body.  The sight of Neil huddled around the camp fire after a day's kayaking (which he impressively completed alongside the rest of us) was something I'll never forget - despite it being the height of summer, him being wrapped up in full north pole explorer kit and the fire so hot it melted the glue on my (frankly ridiculous) cowboy boots he simply couldn't warm up. By my friend's wedding, a few months later, Neil was apparently on the road to recovery and the best man's speech given by him had the room in equal parts tears and laughter. Unlike his best man's speech, Neil wouldn't be having the last word. 

Neil fought his cancer with courage and always with a smile on his face. Sadly, on April 20 this year cancer finally won. 

Neil put some of his experiences down in writing and you can purchase his book at www.neilvines.com. All proceeds from the book will go to a charity which is being set up Neil's name and which will fund unique holidays for other cancer sufferers and their families. Donations from my little folly will also go to that charity. 

A little about that folly. On 28 June I shall be swimming, cycling and running 70.3 miles around the Exmoor countryside. I'm told (possibly unreliably but don't let the truth put you off) it is the hardest and most undulating (half) iron man on the planet. 

Now whilst some of you may think that by sedentary lawyer standards I'm pretty fit, there's nothing iron about me. The swim is about 1,550m too far, my chest acts as a giant wind break on the bike and my skinny legs are no good for running. My training has been erratic, inconsistent and often ineffective. I did go on a training camp in Lanzarote, but on my return I took three weeks off training and set about finding the best muffin / flat white combination around the office (I'm now decided, feel free to ask). So, here we are with a little over a week to go I've done the run distance (twice), the cycle (once) and the swim (ish). But never together. And never without a rest. 

"Racing" might be the wrong word but wish me luck. 

 Thanks for reading