Fiona Molloy is the would-be Ironwoman who has taken on the gargantuan challenge of swimming 1.9km in the sea, immediately followed by a mountainous 90km cycle through the switchbacks above Monaco, topped off with a half-marathon.
The training regime for such an event is pretty much a full-time job in itself, but add to that other major life milestones, such as your own wedding, moving house and coping with a new profession, and you begin to appreciate just how much Molloy has taken on.
Molloy, who works for the Matheson group of practices in Hampshire, joins opticians from across Europe and South Africa in the challenge to compete in the Monaco Ironman 70.3 triathlon which takes place this September.
The gritty eight met up for the first time in Monaco earlier this year (Optician, February 16) to discover exactly what was required of them.
As well as three week-long training camps, the team also learned about the online training and support programme which they are expected to follow for the next eight months. The online Sport-Control system spells out each week what is expected of the athletes. In turn, they have to input what training they have completed to allow the coaches to follow their progress.
A typical week early in the training might look like this:
? Monday: 70-minute indoor cycle
? Tuesday: 75-minute swim
? Wednesday: 60-minute run followed by one hour of circuit training
? Thursday: 75-minute swim including sprints
? Friday: 75-minute cycle
? Saturday: 2.2km pool swim, followed by a slow 90-minute run
? Sunday: a fat-burning three-hour bike ride.
So how is Molloy coping with the online system and the training? 'I'm filling in the main bits, such as distance, heart rate and zones, but not other stuff as I can't understand what it means [it's all in German] and I think everyone logs on at the same time,' she says.
The mindset of a triathlon is all about balance and harmony. But is the physical challenge tougher than she thought it would be?
'It's tough in the sense that it's long hours, but easier because the heart rate you have to work at is low. I've never trained like that before, I always thought the harder the better and then have days off to recover. Now I have to do a recovery run,' she says.
She is already beginning to feel the benefits, and has surprised herself at her new found fitness levels. And even at this early stage the training is having an effect on her body. 'Although I don't seem to have lost weight my wedding dress needed to be taken in. My fiancé said I've developed shoulders like Sharron Davies,' she laughs.
Despite his wisecracks, Molloy's fiancé is proving to be a wonderful source of support. He is also a keen athlete and they now regularly train together.
'Although while having your fiancé as a training partner is great company, it's not much fun when they always have better times than you,' she jokes.
Running is her favourite discipline, and swimming is her least favourite - especially on cold mornings. The foul weather in February also made life on the bike tough. One ride sticks in her mind - after a hard ride through torrential rain she was soaked to the skin when a passing juggernaut threw a sheet of water over her just to add to her misery.
Juggling her fast approaching wedding and move with training is also beginning to take its toll. While the training itself can be enjoyable, recently it has left her feeling drained.'Generally. things had been good and I was feeling fine but this week I have been struggling. I am very tired. Last weekend I had my hen night and this week I am moving house,' she says. 'Originally the training made me feel much more alive, but this week in particular I am beginning to feel exhausted, not so much physically but mentally
'I was more calm at the start, and the training does provide a focus to escape the real world. But as other things have rapidly approached I'm now very irritable and slightly miserable. Right now I feel I have bitten off more than I can chew. It's people constantly asking "Have you sorted the cake? The headdress? Have you moved house yet? What's your new address? How do we get to the hotel? And the wedding reception...?"' Yes, Fiona we get the message.
Clearly, Molloy isn't having the best week, but she is philosophical that this is a blip in an otherwise enjoyable experience. She certainly appreciates the excellent support from her family, most of which, it seems will be in Monaco to cheer her on.
'So far my aunt, uncle, mother and father-in-law have booked to come to Monaco - they're very excited,' she says.
'I actually really love training and I want it to continue in my life. It's a privilege having such huge support with great people for this prestigious event. What will happen after September? It will be such a huge hole to fill.'