*****UPDATE 18TH OCTOBER ******

I DID IT!!!!!!

After 13 hours, 19 minutes and 59 seconds of blood sweat and tears, I finally achieved ‘my impossible’ and crossed that finish Line of a Full Distance Ironman 🏁

The magnitude of this challenge never escaped me and as you can imagine it was very emotional ending.

I am so very thankful for every single one of you for your belief, backing and support, both to convince me I could do actually complete this crazy challenge and further enable Headway to help others in their hour of need. From people far and wide, from close and distant friends alike, you have all made a positive difference and I am truly humbled.

A massive personal thanks to Laura Cooksley for all of the practical sacrifices over the year and a half to enable me to train and also the selfless travel to come to Gandia and watch me at my best (and worst!) and kick me across the finish line….

Now I’m gonna lay low for some much needed R&R and work on a beer belly 😉

Big love to you all.

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Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

In order to to raise funds and awareness for the Headway (Portsmouth and South East Hampshire) charity, I will be attempting a full distance Ironman triathlon (140.6 miles) on 17th October 2026 in Gandia, Spain.

Why Headway?

In early 2024, my Dad Argyll, suffered a life-changing brain haemorrhage. Since then, my family have had an extremely tough time supporting him through recovery, and managing the subsequent impacts.

We are truly thankful for the NHS helping him back to relative health. Since leaving hospital, we have been on a journey to try and help him come to terms with the permanent after-effects of his haemorrhage, and to also ensure that his new support needs are met.

Throughout this time , Headway have tirelessly provided compassionate and personal support, bringing hope, comfort, and real-world advice to help us understand and shape some big decisions. On top of this, they have gone above and beyond in creating and continuing a strong relationship with my Dad, establishing trust and friendship so he and we have never felt alone. We are forever thankful for all they have done.

Like so many charities, donations are their lifeblood. Headway were there for my family in our hour of need so I am absolutely determined to do my bit to ensure they can continue their work and help others.

Why an Ironman?

So I have chosen a big challenge!! My whole adult life I have held ultimate respect for anyone aspiring or achieving the grand title of being an ‘Ironman’ (or indeed ‘Ironlady’!). I always admired the immense physical and mental load people could put themselves through to hit their goal. The above circumstances gave me the reason to turn admiration into an action plan and prove to others (and myself) that anything is possible if you put your mind to it.

What is a full distance Ironman?

In sum it’s a multisport event that is 140.6 miles long to be completed by a set time. Breaking it down, its a 2.4 mile sea swim, a 112 mile bike ride and then a 26.2 mile marathon. And if you don't complete all that in 15 1/2 hours or less, you officially Did Not Finish!!!

I have been training hard for a year and half to give myself the best chance of completion. Massive thanks to Laura supporting me to be able to train long hours most weekends and a lot of early morning / late evening sessions. The fridge and washing machines have been hammered hard throughout!! This will definitely be the hardest physical and mental challenge I have ever taken on and my sole objective is to cross that finish line!!

So what now?

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. If any of it resonates with you and you are able to make a contribution to enable Headway to continue their great work via this page, then I am hugely grateful to each and every one of you.

Additionally, any messages of support or inspiration you want to leave to help me round the course during the inevitable dark moments, I promise you they will be well received and used as motivation by me.

I will gladly report back here how I get on with the event hopefully with a medal around my neck and the scars to prove it!!

A big personal thank you,

James

PS If you want to learn more about the actual event in Gandia, Spain - https://www.icantriathlon.com

***UPDATE***

On Sunday 20th Sept, I completed the Weymouth Half Iron Man (70.3 miles) in 6hrs 33 mins, which serves as a good warm up for next month!!! Click on 'View Gallery' by the profile picture at the top of the page for pix/evidence !!!

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