Show me the Money!

Hi Folks, welcome to my latest blog. Before my ramblings commence here are a couple of statistics for you. At the time of writing this my blog has been viewed 1451 times, 377 times this month alone (And there is still this blog left to go). My audience is mainly in the UK but I also have regular views form the United States, Russia, Germany, Spain, Holland, Latvia, Norway, Romania and Tunisia. I am delighted with the above and would like to thank you all for visiting this page. If you enjoy, please feel free to share using the link options at the bottom.

This blog was set up for two reasons, the first was to chronicle my journey to becoming an Ironman and secondly to raise money for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI). At this point I refer you back to the statistics in the first section. These numbers have helped me in sourcing corporate support and it gives me great pleasure to announce that JCP Solicitors are officially on board and have made a very generous donation to the RNLI in support of my efforts. JCP Solicitors are based in Swansea but also have offices in Pembroke and Carmarthen, South Wales.


A leading sponsor of Swansea City Football Club, Wales Premiership Football Team, they have advised a number of high profile International Sportsmen. It is now very commendable that they now support one whose profile may not be of such grand status, one without a hope of winning but one that promises to give his all come the day. A big special thank you to Amy Seppman, JCP's Marketing Manager, for her help in making it happen. Please show your support by visiting my Sponsors page where a full description of services offered are available. Alternatively click here for a direct link to their website or visit their facebook page here.

Also onboard the good ship 'Taming Tenby' are Dorians Heal Bar. Established in 1964 by Mr Dorian Price, the business has thrived and become a cornerstone for a multitude of local sporting associations and clubs as well as the general public in the Swansea and Carmarthen communities. Dorian Heel Bars offer a boundless range of services. From key cutting and shoe repair, (most of which can be done while you wait), through to engraving, sport trophies and gifts. RNLI collection boxes are present in each shop with all donations going towards my total. Visit them on line by clicking here.


My injury still continues to frustrate; especially as we have experienced some perfect cycling and open water swimming weather in South Wales this last week. As such I have viewed friends Social Media status with envy as I read about long ride induced dodgy tan lines and blue flagged beach swims. Bit different to arm in a sling, sat on the turbo trainer, melting in the kitchen watching Jeremy Kyle and Loose Women sessions (Did I really just admit to watching them?!?!?). 


Its not all bad as I continue to run without pain and have increased my long run session to Nine miles. Really chuffed with this as it was done in the midday sun, on the hottest day this year. Only pain experienced was caused by running out of water with 2 miles left to go and hot spots on the soles of my feet brought on by my inability to tie my trainers tight enough due to injury (Still have to ask Ever Suffering wife to open Jars, bottles and tins for me, some cynics will say that this has always been the case!). Yesterdays investment in some elastic laces should alleviate the latter. 


By far the biggest drawback from having my arm in a cast is not the inability to swim or cycle, nor is it the ability to wash both my arm pits (Although if you stand on my right side you may disagree). The excellent weather witnessed this last week, coupled with my continued exertions, has meant I have perspired profusely when running or spinning. As such the fibre glass cast has become on occasions drenched with sweat. I have learnt that the use of a hair dryer pointed into the cast is excellent for sorting this out. A quick puff of talc on completion is then great for stopping any itching. It is not however advised, should any of you find yourself in the same predicament, to pour copious amounts of talc into the top of the cast prior to it drying. I did, and it was quickly followed a substance closely resembling porridge appearing from the other end. The smell of the cast is pretty horrific too and is only offset by the smell of talc for a short period, I am sure being banished to the spare bedroom is just one more sweaty run away.....it not all bad though as it does balance the poorly washed armpit out!..........time to get it changed maybe?


As the title of this posts suggests, the main reason for producing these diffuse and disconnected collection of words, is to encourage your support. You can do this by donating to the RNLI, further details of which can be found here.


Until next time Tri'ers!

Anything is Possible!

The title of this latest update is the Ironman motto, it's just one source of motivation, one tool out of many memories, images, items and mantras that I use when I cant be arsed or feel like calling it a day. This last week I have used most of them as I strive to discover the physical limitations enforced on me by my injury.

When the Doctor confirmed my breaks and slapped me in a cast I did think my dream was about to disappear.  It would have been easy then to call it a day, to put the dream on hold for another year. This is where motivational tools came in handy, they will be different for each person and what forces one person off the settee may force another on it.

In a bid to assist readers in finding their own motivation I thought I would share some of mine. The first comes in the form of this Ironman Wales sun visor, I bought it last year to wear on the Marathon section. As I missed the cut off I did not get to wear it and have vowed that I wont until the Marathon leg of this years race.

Second is the memory of Leighton Williams, a fellow club member passing me on the bike during of last years race, I was about 70miles through the 112mile bike leg and he was about to start the run, 40miles in front although we had started the day at the same time! When in passing I mentioned that I might miss the cut off he turned and 'whispered' words of encouragement like a seasoned Army drill instructor!! Many of these words can not be repeated in this forum but the scene, replayed in my mind, often fuels me when things are getting tough. I should also mention that Leighton went on to have a cracking race, even though he came off his bike and broke bones he continued, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the World Ironman Championship in Hawaii in the process. An Ironman in every definition of the word.

The last tool I will mention today can not be underrated, it is without doubt my greatest source of inspiration and motivation, Friends and Family. Without their support there would be no point in registering for such an event, since my accident I have been inundated with words of encouragement and promising ideas. Fellow Tri'ers have reassured me that there will be plenty of time to be race fit and my wife has been immense in planning the family Summer holiday around the forced adjustment to my training program. Without her support and patience I would be lost.

It’s surprising the things you learn about yourself when the use of a limb becomes restricted.

• I can run 6mile without pain.
• But I can't tie my trainer laces properly to go out running.
• I can make and butter a piece of toast.
• But I can't open a tin of beans to put on it.
• I can wash my Left armpit.
• But I can't wash my Right.
• I can sit upright on a spinning bike.
• But I can't lean on the bars.
• I can wash my car.
• But I can't drive it.

As you can see from the above, I can still do quite a bit of physical preparation for the race, the domestic side of life is very frustrating though. I am however being very careful that I don't do anything that will hinder my recovery as I really need to get back on the bike and out on the roads (I am also losing a fortune in allowances in work and want to get back as soon as I can). Its also made me spare a thought for the Guys and Gals returning from conflict abroad with permanent disabilities.

Finally a big shout out to my Brother in-law Paul Seppman, completing his first open water Triathlon last weekend in Llanelli. 6 months ago he was struggling to swim in a pool yet he finished the race in a very respectable time and smashed the swim leg. Not wanting to be outdone by her brother my truly amazing wife went one step further, not only pipping him across the finish line but by winning a spot on the podium (3rd fastest Female in the over 40 category). Well done Both, very proud of you.

Thrills and Spills

Its been a couple of weeks since my last update, please accept my apologies.

In my last blog I mentioned about being back in training after my operation to have two varicose veins removed. My running was getting back up to speed, work on endurance saw me happily running 7 hilly miles and feeling ready for more once home.

Last weekend I took part in the Tour of Pembroke, the first of the hurdles I had set for myself on my road to upgrade my half Ironman status to full. This race takes in 75mile of some of the best countryside that Wales has to offer, truly fantastic on a sunny.  Fortunate for those taking part that it was just one of these days and armed with my new bike (which I have fallen in love with) about 12 Celtic tri'ers congregated in St Davids main car park, next to the race HQ.

Timing tag swiped and it was time for the off, I had chosen to ride with my ESW (see past Blogs) and my Sister in law, neither of whom had completed such a hilly ride before. The day for me was not about the distance as I knew this was not a problem. The problems and demons derive from hills, they are after all the main reason that I missed the cut off at Ironman Wales last year. This day at climbs I would leave the girls and give it my all to see if the weight loss and strength work would pay off. I am pleased to report that the hills (Some with 25deg incline) held no problem, in fact they were a massive confidence booster.....especially the last hill of the day (For me anyway!).

At the route 26 mile mark there is one of the steepest, longest climbs of the day, 838ft of climbing to be precise. I rounded the corner to be met by a friend who sadly could not race, wondering what words of wisdom he would hurl my way (And wondering if after 24 years in the Navy if I would hear any new ones!!!) I lost concentration and as the road became steeper I failed to react quick enough, I was too slow out of the saddle and too slow to select the correct gear, the result.......  a fractured elbow and wrist.

Gutted!

Adrenaline is a funny old thing however as I got back on the bike and made the climb. At the time I thought the pain would wear off, how wrong can a man be and the best tool to highlight this came in the form of a cattle grid. As I rumbled over the grid I think I screamed so load my teeth were going to come out as every rut caused my elbow to jar. The main reason for calling it a day was my inability to squeeze the rear brake and in hindsight, now knowing what damage I had done it was a great decision. I must admit I was terribly gutted at the time and even more so when the results of the x-ray were announced.

Its really thrown a spanner in the works for me, I refuse to let IMW beat me again and due to this a am trying to remain positive. I know with the support of friends and family it is still possible but it is hard at times to remain upbeat, especially as I know that I have a minimum of 6 weeks in a cast (I know of people who have had the same problem and its taken 12!!).

Making the most of a bad situation I have set myself some goals/targets:-

• Lose a minimum of 6lbs 
• Do what I can, when I can (Spinning, walking and not getting frustrated that I have to ask ESW to undo the lids on just about everything in the house!!)
• Have another article posted in Triathlon 220 magazine

As for Ever Suffering Wife and Sister in-law, well they were awesome. Both finished looking as fresh as daisies (Ok maybe not!) but both can hold their heads high for completing what was undoubtedly the hardest Sportive on the scene. Well done Ladies, very proud of you x x x 

Finally good luck to my spell checker JC (Where are you when I need you!!) who is about to tame the Lanzarote Ironman (Answers my last question!) and GD who will be kicking the famous Lance Armstrong's butt in Miami.........Smash it lads!!!