A year ago, Viceroy Julian Marsh decided to embark on the ultimate single day challenge- The Challenge  – UK Ironman – 2.4mile swim, 112 mile cycle & 26.2 mile run (marathon)….and yes, one immediately after the other.  Having successfully completed the London Triathlon, Jules decided to up the stakes… 

I undertook a 6 month training programme, starting off relatively easily and building up to 20 hours a week. I completed in the region of 400 hours of exercise for the Ironman, in wind, snow, rain, sun and humidity. I hear so many people saying that they have no time to exercise and I would have called you crazy if you said to me a year ago that I would fit this in, but I managed to find the time without impacting my work life balance too drastically (although I did not spend as much time with my kids as I wanted). It certainly proves that if you put your mind to it, there is a way – it just takes a bit of motivation and organisation.

I also changed my diet significantly. I cut out all foods that are processed and require a lot of energy to digest as this would take away from the energy I needed to do the training. Sacrificing red meat (which I love), dairy and coffee were not easy, but I found that once I got out of the habit, there were many fish/seafood and vegetarian options that opened up a new world of food to me and the choices will be with me from here on. Continue reading →