Short story:

I’m doing an Ironman! Please donate some money to this amazing charity!

Longer story:

On 3 September 2023, I’ll be taking part in Ironman Wales 2023, a full distance triathlon which includes a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride and a 26.2 mile run.

I’m raising money and awareness for Lewy Body Society, which supports research into Lewy Body dementia, a little-known disease which is, quite frankly, horrible. We lost a family friend to the disease earlier this year, so we’ve seen first hand how awful it can be for sufferers and those close to them.

The Lewy Body Society was founded in 2006 and aims to educate the public, the medical professions and those in decision-making positions about the disease.

I’m attempting Ironman with some great friends - Laura Williams, Damo Lai and Rob Reece. We’ve supported each other through the training and we’ve no doubt that we’ll drag each other round the course if needed.

Completing Ironman is going to take every last ounce of determination, will power and energy in my body. Training over the past year has had its ups and downs. A middle-distance triathlon (half the Ironman distance) in the Brecon Beacons in July ended when I crashed my bike going rather too fast round a corner down a hill. I tore a hole in the backside of my brand new tri-suit (uncensored photo below) and several holes in my legs, hands and arms. I was unable to put any weight on my leg, so couldn’t do the run. A 100-mile cycle ride later in July nearly ended early as I (and my wonderful Ironman team) had to stop for 4 punctures, meaning we were among the last to finish the ride.

But that’s all in the past, and now I’m just aiming to run up the famous red carpet and cross the finish line to hear the commentator call out “Andy Flaxman, YOU are an Ironman!”

If you want to track us, feel free to download the Ironman Tracker app, find the Ironman Wales event nearer the time and search for my name.

More importantly, if you can spare a few quid to help raise some money for this awesome charity, please donate what you can.

Huge thanks,

Andy x