Cambridge dispensing optician completes Ironman challenge

Dispensing optician Phil Bullen-Brown last month completed the Frankfurt Ironman 140.6 European championship in Germany.

Bullen-Brown, who has worked as company manager at DH Thomas Opticians Cambridge for the past decade, retired from playing rugby in National League Two South two years ago.

In preparation for the event he trained six days a week, gradually building up from 11 hours per week to 16 hours per week.

He said: ‘The [exercise] plan was taken directly from ironman and is designed to accommodate working full time and build up in distance. The plan took us from a hobby to a life style very quickly as it became apparent early on that nutrition was going to play a huge part in being able to train for the length of time needed.’