POST EVENT BLOG

Well.  The good news is i didn’t drown, fall off or collapse.  Indeed i now have a new found respect for men and women in tight fitting lycra. 

Firstly I want to extend huge thanks to all the incredibly kind donations to date. Your contributions have made a huge difference to Myeloma UKand i am so grateful for all the support.  My grandad will be very proud.

PS If anybody would still like to donate, there is still time as the charity page is open until November 1^st J

So how did i do on the big day?  Well I managed to get round in a respectable 56 minutes and didn’t finish last.  Wahay!  There are some amusing pictures to be found of my trials and tribulations at my Flickr Account:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/heatht/sets/72157621832274649/detail/

They are a little like watching the descent of man.  They go something like this;

The pictures start in the wetsuit after the swim.  A look that says "what the @@@ just happened?  That wasn’t water.  That was brown diesel.  I have been kicked in the face twice, had a minor panic attack, lost any sense of technique and had to doggy paddle 200 metres in a vain attempt to avoid putting my face back into the Thames".

Onto the bike section.  Now sporting a look that screams "I hate the world.  Sue Me.  A look borne out of a feeling akin to finding out you have a career defining meeting in 30 minutes that is 10k away and a push bike is the only mode of transport" 

By the time of the run, my expression has moved to a look of weary resignation.  "Whatever is left, throw it at me, i care not anymore.   You have done your worst and i am still moving.  Just"

In all seriousness i truly enjoyed the whole thing.  Training and big day to boot..  Indeed post the event, my memories have merged and the whole thing has given me a warm glow.  A hero in my own mind.  I cant recommend it highly enough. 

Thankyou again for all your kind support.  It means a lot.   Onward for the full Olympic sized experience next time.  Seriously….

PRE EVENT BLOG

This is a case of better late than never.  Over the next two weeks i am fundraising for a charity which is now dear to my heart.

I am using my bizarre entry into the London Triathlon where i will be swimming, biking and running alongside hardcore athletes in tight fitting lycra to raise much needed funds for Myeloma .

This is to support my wonderful grandad who at 85 years old has been bravely fighting Myeloma for the last 3 years. This cancer affects the blood cells and although incurable, can be managed and treated to give patients a much better quality of life than they may expect otherwise.

After visiting my gramps last week, despite the debilitating effects of regular chemotherapy and weekly tranfusions he is still very upbeat and so full of praise for the Myeloma unit at his local Southport Hospital  Donations will go toward providing better care facilities across the UK to make the daily challenges of patients so much more bearable, but most importantly toward trying to find a cure.

Just a little update on my Triathlon efforts to date.  12 weeks ago, when i wasnt sat at my desk, i was on the couch mostly.  The last meaningful exercise at the London Marathon 4 years previous.  Weighing in at a less than svelte 14 and a half stone,  i put that down to being over 30 and mostly a stocky bloke with a big heavy head.

I sit here now a stone lighter and able to fit into a 15 year old pair of speedo's (although the boys dont quite fit into the barracks anymore).

So to the event.  I am doing the sprint event, sprint being a misnomer to be honest.  Its 1/2k swim in the thames, a 10k bike ride and 5k run, one after the other, non stop and all that.  Christ. 

The big Olympic event of 1 1/2 k swim, 40k bike and 10k run is for hardcore mentalists (maybe next year then,..)

How will i do?  Well....

My swimming experience until recently consisted of a lazy breaststroke, good underwater technique and an impressive divebomb.  I had never really swam front crawl before. Why would you?   Not much has changed.  I have been visiting an outdoor pool at 7am 3 days a week though.  Never saw that coming.  Bracing.  Oh and i look a comedic picture in neoprene and goggles. 

I have been training for the bike bit on a spinning machine at the gym.  The only bikes i have owned are a bmx and grifter in my teens.  Neither had any gears of note and would unlikely be allowed into the event so I finally bought a road bike yesterday and have 1 day to learn how to ride it before the event.  Easy.

I have shinsplints from running every other morning round Finsbury Park at an ungodly hour.  Obviously a bit worried about that as well.  My body isnt what it used to be or used to this kind of shizzle.  It is crying out for a rest and that is the last thing the Triathlon will be offering out.

So my goals for the event are to not drown, fall off the bike or collapse respectively for each discipline and hopefully finish in front of at least one person.

Kind of bricking it, but strangely and maybe rather masochistically i am looking forward to the big day.  Body is a temple, used to be a kebab house. 

Wish me luck and please do donate, its a cause that means a lot to me.  if you want further information on the charity please visit http://www.myeloma.org.uk/Page.aspx?pid=820.

Thx so much

Heath x