This site was originally set-up to support my efforts on my personal 20:20 in 2010.
The 20:20 was about completing 20 endurance events in remembrance of the 20 years since my father passed away from Multiple Sclerosis. it was immensely successful and meant we were able to buy two mobility scooters for what most of us take for granted…..the freedom and independence to get out and not be reliant on carers.
2011 is all about using the well earned endurance gained during last year and raising the bar to another level. It has culminated in qualifying for the Great Britain Age Group team for 2012. Being a weekend warrior has led to Israel and taking part in the European Championships at Olympic distance.
Of course, 2011 wasn’t all about success. 2 more Ironman events completed in Switzerland and Germany mean that I am quick but not currently swift enough to qualify for the Ironman World Championships in Hawaii. Try swimming 2.4 miles in less than an hour before cycling 112 miles at an average of more than 20 mph and then running a marathon in less than 3.75 hours but still being slightly off the pace!
I have been trying to use different training methods than most who compete in Ironman events to make up for the fact that the top competitors train more than twice what I do each week. This innovation has meant being close to major success but no cigar!
My Ironman times are good enough to also qualify for the GB Age Group Team at the ITU Long Distance European Championships but I reckon that 2012 is looking too busy already.
Current plans for 2012 are, if you fancy joining me for any of them : )
JAN
15/01/12 - Not The Roman 9 (12k road run race)
FEB
05/02/12 – Stourbridge Stagger (10m hilly offroad run race)
12/02/12 – Dursley Dozen (12m hilly offroad run race)
19/02/12 – Mudrunner Offroad Duathlon
25/02/12 – Marches Walk
25m walk with 3600ft of ascent in scenic Shropshire
http://www.ldwa.org.uk/challenge_events/show_event.php?event_id=8618
MARCH
01/03/12 - Lanzarote Triathlon Camp for 10 days with 5 x British Champion (Middle Distance), Richard Hobson
18/03/12 - The Lionheart Sportive (100m or 100k)
25/03/12 - Oulton Park Duathlon (my wife, Vicki, does her first event)
http://www.xtramileevents.com/events/calendar/oulton-park-autumn-duathlon
31/03/12 – Three Shires Walk
29m walk in scenic Staffordshire
http://www.ldwa.org.uk/challenge_events/show_event.php?event_id=8912
APRIL
01/04/2012 - Bath Sportive (100k or 100m)
http://www.action.org.uk/bath_100
09/04/2012 – Cotswold Spring Classic Sportive (100k or 100m)
http://www.cotswoldspringclassic.co.uk/
15/04/2012 - Worcester Half Marathon (13.1m) - ONLY THINKING ABOUT THIS AS SO CLOSE TO HOME BUT ONLY 5 DAYS BEFORE ONE OF MY BIGGEST RACES OF THE SEASON!!
http://www.thresholdevents.co.uk/running/worcester-marathon/worcester-marathon.php
20/04/2012 European Olympic Distance Championships in Eilat, Israel (wear a GB vest and pretend for a day!)
http://www.triathlon-championships-2012.com/Triathlon-Championships-2012-event
MAY
Riccione Triathlon Camp for 6 days (Worcester Triathlon Club event - seemed to good to pass up!)
06/05/2012 – Forest Dean Classic Sportive (90m)
http://www.wheelsinwheels.com/
20/05/2012 – Tewkesbury Half Marathon
http://www.beyondthelimitations.co.uk
26/05/2012 - The Beaver - Half Ironman
http://www.justracinguk.com/event/beaver-middle-distance
27/05/2012 – Wheel Heroes Cotswold Sportive – (100k or 100m)
(After doing The Beaver Half Iron the previous day, I will be doing the 100k option!)
http://cyclistsfc.org.uk/events/wheel-heroes-100s/
JUNE
02/06/2012 – Tour of Wessex – 327m Sportive over 3 days
http://www.pendragon-sports.com/pendragonEvent.aspx?id=21
Worcester Sprint Triathlon (our local Worcester Triathlon Club event)
http://www.worcestertriclub.co.uk/
JULY
08/07/2012 - Challenge Roth Ironman
http://www.challenge-roth.com/en
29/07/12 - Bedford Classic - 2013 European Qualifier at Olympic Distance
http://www.galeforce-events.com
AUG
12-08-12 - Wensleydale Triathlon (Half Ironman ish!)
One of the hilliest and toughest UK Tri's - perfect pre-Ironman Wales training and chance for a few days break in the Lakes
http://www.mytriclub.co.uk/wensleydale-triathlon-12th-august
18/08/2012 – Blenheim Palace Cotswold Sportive (100m)
http://www.bikeblenheimpalace.com
SEPT
16/09/2012 - Ironman Wales
http://ironmanwales.com
OCT
Absolutely nothing apart from thinking about 2013 events. Well, I might fit in a cheeky last Triathlon of the season!
So 2012 looks like 25 events:
2 x Ironman Tri
2 x Half Ironman Tri
2 x Duathlons
1 x Olympic Tri
2 x Sprint Distance Tri
4 x Running events
8 x Sportives - most 100m, some 100k
2 x Marathon length walks
2 x Triathlon Training Camps
Early plans for 2013 are Ironman Lanzarote, the World Championships (Olympic Distance) in London (if I qualify!) and The Norseman, the hardest Ironman triathlon on the planet.
As well as my love of Triathlon, I work passionately as a Transformation Principal for Global firms. This was born out of my past focus on change management and business / IT education across all parts of global businesses. This breadth has made life really interesting and added to my primary starting point in Sales.
Using this background and skills gained as a certified enterprise architect and business process expert, the challenges for this year are innovating in mobility and business analytics for the best Telecoms provider in the world - the firm begins with a V just in case you have any doubts.
Vicki, my wife, is glad that my work is taking up so much time currently as it means that I can’t act out any ideas on my latest books about climbing Everest. I get altitude sickness in the initial 24 hours of climbing high and my Meniere’s Disease illness probably rules it out anyway. Nothing wrong with still having dreams though!