Hello; thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

 

On Sunday 25th July I shall be attempting the Antwerp Half Ironman Triathlon.  The money I'm raising will go the Lydgate Infant School Association (LISA) in their attempt to support the school in putting some equipment in the playground; which at the moment has a bit of an emphasis on concrete to say the least.  The decision to upgrade the playground is already made and the money will go into the general pot to support this.  If you sponsor me, then by the end of the year you will see the evidence in the playground.  If I make £300 that will buy some toadstools for the kids to sit on at break and chat; £1000 will buy a climbing wall for them to fall off!

 

The race itself is in Antwerp which has been forensically selected, as it is flat as a billiard table and the quality of the after race recovery process  - it being the European home of real ale!  I shall be swimming for 2 km in the local river, before bounding athletically onto my bike for a 90 km ride and then springing fresh as a daisy onto a 21 km run.  For you old money types, that is about a mile and half swim, 60 mile bike and 13 mile run.  I think I can do this - if it is hot I will struggle, if it is hot and my knee plays up then it might be a bit grim.  Knowing that I am swimming, cycling and running for lots of people will make me all the more determined and focused.  I think I will be done in about six and half to seven hours.  Why a half and not a full; I'm just to old!

 

I started the training process in January by buying a bike.  As I had done a paper-round in 6th form, I was confident that all the old power and balance was still in the legs.  I have found out that Derbyshire is stealthily extremely hilly and saddles have got significantly smaller.  I have subsequently spent the winter, spring and summer vainly chasing my two training partners up and down dale.  I learnt to swim last year and did some open water stuff, so that bit should be fine.  I am a truely average runner. 

Thanks to Andy and George for all the training -  they will be racing in Antwerp too.  Deepest gratitude also to Val for tolerating me putting in all the hard yards and listening to be waffle on about strokes, strides and cadence much more than is healthy in any marriage.

I know that times are tough financially for lots of people.  It would be great if you just sponsor me one pound per phase.  If you can afford more, digging deep will get more stuff in that playground. 

           

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.  You can leave me a message after donating that I will read for motivation on the morning of the race - the mid-life crisis issue will not doubt be aired!

So what you waiting for - donate now!

bw, steve