It all starts here...

Blog 1 – Wednesday 9^th January

So here we are on the eve of my initial testing phase for the challenge of a lifetime... Back in November, I remember my good friend asking whether I would like to take part in a triathlon, ‘ha’ I said loudly, with an air of “no thanks mate, you’re on your own”. Then from nowhere I find myself agreeing to be a participant in the largest triathlon study, culminating in taking part in an ‘IRONMAN’ in Barcelona. WHAT...! I know; my thoughts exactly. The challenge, if I choose to accept it, is to swim 3.8 km, cycle 180 km and finally run a marathon (42 km).

Well I made the decision and like most things I became quite excited at the prospect, the challenge of all challenges. Before I get on with thinking up my winners speech, I had to head down to the University of Hertfordshire to be assessed for subject suitability. To be honest, I’m sure I already had an answer. This was further highlighted to me, by the inspirational chat given to me by my GP. First, let me add some context to this. Before I could get cracking, the lead scientist on the study, Dr Justin Roberts, explained that in order to be accepted on to the study, I needed to get a GP referral letter signed by my doctor as a basic check that I didn’t have any underlying medical problems. This is where it happened, “but how do I know you won’t die?” said my doctor; no this isn’t the start of a joke, although it certainly had me in stitches. Well, as I have been saying to most people, currently my Ironman goal is set at not dying, perhaps as I get training this will move to, finishing in one piece and then maybe I might even get thinking about time related goals. For now though, priority number 1 is, staying alive!

Anyway after a brief discussion, the doctor was happy to sign my form and off we go. So it was back to Herts Uni and to the initial pre-screen testing. Just some standard body measures; height, weight, sign a few forms and then a lay down. Nice I thought, this Ironman saga’s easy. After a quick check that I had a heart, and here’s me thinking that I was the tin man, apparently not. Good news!!! This was quickly turnaround with my first of what will be many fitness tests, the dreaded VO2 max test. I guess this is karma, having performed several of these types of tests on budding students back in my university days, it was finally my turn. Well let me tell you, it was no picnic. The plus point, well thinking positively, was that not being at the peak of physical fitness, meant that the test was only 8 minutes; 8 minutes of hell mind you. It also confirmed to me, like the earlier ECG check of my heart, that I had one, as it was thunderously banging on my chest, screaming for help.

Well I survived! And here I am on the eve of doing it all again, getting a start point, month 0. It’s then on to the hard bit, training, training and more training; I can’t wait!! So my plan is to update you every few weeks, up to the point of the big day itself – October 6^th 2013. I’ll talk training, nutrition, the study, the tests and of course the Ironman itself. I’d love your support, inspiration and anything that you might think will motivate this Ironman wannabe. Train hard, win maybe.....[GN]