...update...

Well, it's done. It wasn't the race I planned or expected. Torrential rain on Saturday meant the roads were covered in flint which meant there were going to be lots of punctures. Every few hundred yards was another athlete pumping madly at his tyres. ....even some of the pros abandoned after exhausting their spare three tubes. I think I take the record though - with six punctures. Everybody knows I usually have great luck - well it deserted me on Sunday.
It all started perfectly with a strong swim. Out the water in 59 mins and sitting 14th in my category.
First 60 miles on the bike were smooth and comfortable, and just as I got into my second loop I got my first flat. Committed the cardinal amateur sin of failing to check the inside of the tyre for the culprit, such was my haste, and the second followed a mile later. I must have missed another one, because the third was another mile down the road. And so it went on. Eventually I got going, after various good samaratan passersby helped with spare tubes, pumps and words of encouragement.
My target of under 10.30 now gone, it was all about getting to the start of the marathon without any more flats. I got there about an hour and 15 later than expected, and got through transition after stopping for a quick hug from Seonaid.
I just got my head down and plugged away, averaging around 5mins per k. My marathon time, a PB, was 3.41, which i was over the moon with. Overall I was 11.30.

Still it was a wonderful, if long day. So far I've raised well over my target for the two groups - they will be seriously over the moon. And the pledges are still coming. So I really can't thank you all enough.

I'm already planning next year's challenge, but don't worry, no more sponsor forms...

All the best and thanks again.

 

Mark

 

 

 

 

 

 

Folks,

The last time I wrote to you asking for dosh was three years ago for the London marathon and the experience was so traumatic I vowed never to do it again. So I'm sticking with that vow, and I'm only doing the marathon at the end of a swim and a cycle...

It's an ironman distance triathlon - Challenge Copenhagen - and it's this Sunday (Aug 15th). I know, I've not left much time, but you know me...

Anyway, it's a 2.4mile swim, 112miles on the bike, finished off with a marathon, 26.2miles. I'm expecting it to take me about 11hours, and it's going to be suitably agonising to make it worth your while parting with hard earned cash in such austere times.

The money I raise is going to two organisations which have been a huge support to members of my family over the years. The first is the Clydebank Asbestos Group. Staffed by volunteers, this charity provides an amazing service to the men of the shipyards, including my dad, who've been left with the disastrous legacy of asbestos.

The second group is St Eunan's Club for the Disabled in Clydebank. This wee club provides much needed respite for parents of disabled kids, as well as events and functions for the kids themselves. It survives purely on donations, and has been a staple for my big brother and mum for decades.

Two more deserving groups I couldn't think of.

I know everybody's skint, and I know these requests come in all the time. But I only ask once every three years, and it is an ironman, so you can rest assured I will be working extremely hard for the money. In fact, it's going to be brutal. Why wouldn't you want to buy in for a bit of that? I've attached a video to give you an idea of what it could be like. I have been training a bit, so I'm hoping it won't be quite as bad as this.

Every quid is really appreciated.  

Thanks very much.

Mark