Sunday 30th June - Week 20 - Pushed to the limit

So- things are getting close now for the Long Course Weekend in July when i get to try all the routes, rides and distances but over 3 days!

Still yet to test fully is the actual distance required for the event - in the pool i can do the distance but open water swimming is obviously different. The run - i thought would be ok but this week i did a 20km (half marathon) trial run, aiming for race pace, which i did but boy did i ache!



My time was good but i think new trainers are definitely in order when running these distances at my weight and on the roads.

A big test also left was can i actually ride 100+ miles on my trusty old bike? I have done big rides, and half distance rides etc. but could i deal with sitting for hours and hours on the saddle pounding mile after mile?? To test this i have just today, completed the 105 mile Merlin Sportive - based out of Carmarthen and taking in just under 8,000ft of ascent over some big and brutal hills in the west of the Black Mountain.

I was really pleased with my time - 6hrs : 25mins and an overall position of 57th (out of 189 who finished) but man, what a boring slog of a ride - i was concerned that the Ironman route for the ride section was a looped and lapped affair but now i am glad - at one point i was over an hour without seeing anyone, no riders, no supporters! Soul destroying at mile 70 odd!

The wind was harsh and the terrain hard work but i did it, and i have had a tough week of work too so i am pleased, actually feel like i could run too which is the thing to have in mind - not only do you ride a huge distance, you have to get off and run a marathon!

(riders getting ready at the start of the race)

So, the donations -

2 this week, but have made another huge difference, my total is now £900 with a few cash sponsor forms of over £100 to come in post event - meaning I AM AT TARGET 1! i CAN complete! A huge thank you to all who have supported so far - why stop here?

Excellent work both! Makes a huge difference!

To finish, here are my rather UN flattering pictures from last weeks Mumbles Triathlon! Keep up the support all, keep up the help and donations and its time to start getting even more serious about this so i can actually deliver a good time on the day and not just bimble over the finish line with minutes to spare!