So the Optician Ironman challenge has been chosen for this year. Its the Fambridge Boat Haven Half Iron Triathlon . A bit grand to call it an Ironman challenge? It sounds a bit too nice doesn't it, but its not.
By all accounts this is a friendly and enjoyable triathlon but it's tough too. As the name implies the distances are like a half Ironman or, as the Ironman organisation prefers to call it an Ironman 70.3.
The event will be based around the boast haven in Frambridge on the Essex coast and I intend to camp in the grounds. The day will start with a 1.9km swim in a tidal creek which, by all accounts, is harder that a normal open water swim. The bike leg looks enjoyable, 90kms through the lanes. The tri finishes with an 18km run which is a looped course with a lot of off road.
As a triathlete that's more likely to have a smile than a grimace on their face this race really appealed. It looks friendly and welcoming and the entry fee includes a donation to the Lifeboat Institution. The best bit of all is that its about a quarter of the cost of an Ironman event.
While my cycling in all year round I have started to ramp up the running and swimming with some countryside jogs and a few dips in the icy waters of the Guildford Lido. I have survived most of the runs but it usually takes me about two hours to thaw out after a swim!
I will be running the event to raise money for Blind Veterans UK which is celebrating its 100 anniversary this year. I'll set up a justgiving page and start to publicise my efforts in Optician soon.
