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.
How did I feel? Shattered you might think, but completely the opposite. Yes, after a heavy training session, I was fatigued, but I found I had boundless energy, felt fantastic, did not get lethargic at my desk and was very motivated as work. I think the combination of healthy eating and being superfit were the culprits.
The day arrived and I was very nervous, as it seemed were the other 2000 competitors, but confident in the fact that I had put in the preparation. The swim went really well (my strong suit) which I finished in an hour. Next came the cycle which was very hilly and technical, which took a lot more out of my legs than I was expecting. Sheep’s House Lane is the infamous climb (we did it twice) and although very steep, Tour de France like support pulled all the athletes to the top. The agony on my face towards the top turned into a silent chuckle when a group of the crowd, dressed in mankinis, superhero costumes and drag (carrying some suspicious looking inflatables!) ran up next to the cyclists, urging them on. I came off the bike feeling utterly exhausted, my legs buckled as I dismounted, but I managed to stay upright into the transition. How could I run a marathon feeling like I did? It was then a mental game!
A 6 mile point to point run, followed by 3 laps of a course in Bolton was the gruelling challenge, but as it was in a condensed area, the crowd was concentrated and absolutely magnificent. Without them, I would not stand a chance, but all the singing, dancing (some drinking as well), bands, shouting and encouraging made it a collaborative event and felt like it was not me only my own – everyone was pulling me forward. The middle part of the run was the toughest, especially the invisible person running next to me and pounding my legs with an invisible hammer every stride (and a bit harder each time). If you take the cramping out of the equation, the uphill was less painful the downhill, but I can’t describe the agony that I was going through. The final lap however seemed much easier, proving that this was as much a mental as a physical game, with my last 3 miles being done at the same speed as the first 3.
When the finish line finally arrived (after what felt like an eternity), 3 major emotions swept over me – first, pure, pure relief, secondly an amazing sense of achievement and thirdly, an amazing rush, fuelled by happiness, adrenaline, copious amounts of near glucose sugar gels/bars and complete and utter exhilaration of the “Finish Line Feeling”. My time, 12hours: 50 minutes, which was 10 minutes under my target and I placed 578 overall out of 2000.
After all the agony, was it all worth it? Completely and utterly 100%. Would I do it again? You bet I will. Why, because being part of something so amazing really makes you feel alive and proud that your body can be pushed to a place you never suspected possible and a sense of achievement that has no close competitors. Would I recommend it? Only if you have something a little crazy about you and a sadistic pleasure in overwhelming pain, but the finishing feeling is something that I wish everyone could experience, even if it is only once in their lives. I think something changed in me during the past 6 months and my appreciation of living life is changed forever. I will be eternally grateful to Ironman for giving that to me.
I want to thank my family for all their love and support and the many, many people who helped to get me through, especially Mark Yeoman, the Viceroys chairman for some excellent swimming tips and the Viceroys Members for the Sunday morning rides. I have managed to meet my £2000 fund raising target and with UBS matching what I personally donate, I will be able to give in the region of £3000 to charity.
For now though, I am going to put my feet up, drink a few beers, eat a thick juicy steak, enjoy the good weather…..and then see what next week brings……’
