Exactly a year ago I eased myself off my bike having just completed the Strathaven 50 bike ride in 3 hours 35 mins - I was walking like John Wayne and said to a friend "What have I done? I have entered an Ironman competition and in 12 months time I will have swam 2.4 miles, cycled 50 miles, then need complete another 50 plus another 12 and then run a marathon!" It's fair to say I had my doubts but I had promised Maggie's I was going to do this for them so there was no going back.
It has been a privilege to take part in this journey. It has been hell at times, there have been some real lows particularly in the swimming and some of the long,cold and wet bike rides but I find myself fitter than at any stage in my life, and mentally stronger. It's fair to say I learned a lot about myself during the journey. Without the expertise of my coach Steve I would have failed. No amount of will power would have paced me during my training and educated me on fuelling the body. To my friends and training partners who have suffered with me thank you for getting me there. To my sponsors you have been so generous and by the end of this week we will have raised approximately £9,000 which in today's climate is unbelievable but charities need all the help they can get.
My final thanks goes to my long suffering family. I don't think they realised what I was getting involved in and neither did I. They have missed me at weekends, nights out and I've had to train while on holiday. I have woken them while sneaking out the house at 5.30am to go training and on the day they were there for me screaming encouragement which got me there. Crossing the line with my 3 kids was a dream come true. Without this support it would have been impossible so a massive thank you and I promise, I won't take on any daft challenges in 2011......but there is always 2012! That's me, signing off and thank you for the interest you have shown and the encouragement you have given.
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Thank you so much for all your amazing hard work in training and fundraising Derek.
ReplyDeleteIt's an absolutely incredible achievement; congratulations and well done!
Well done Derek - a fantastic performance & it was great being with you on the journey.
ReplyDeleteFor more perspectives on the same race there are a couple more race reports on the ATHelite Blog at http://athelite.blogspot.com/
Shows wot pure grit and determination can get you. Congratulations again. I believe there is a IM 2012 contingent forming..... :-)
ReplyDeleteFor those who don't know, Athelite run a fantastic sports shop for all things swim, bike & run plus have an amazing triathlon club which I am associated with - known as a lane tart because I am a member of another club but train with them. They inspire people of all levels to get out there and their support was invaluable. Thanks guys - see you in the pool in due course.
ReplyDeleteYou are right Dawn about the pure grit as there ain't much talent! As for 2012, let me get the recovery out of the way first but forward planning is a good thing. Perhaps I will have learned to ride my bike by then!
ReplyDeleteJulie it was a privilege raising money for such a worthwhile cause. Thank you and the team for all your support on the journey.
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