For those who don't know me, I first started blogging when I was training for the London Marathon between 2012 and 2013. I went from zero running to the marathon in eleven short months and achieved something I never thought I was capable of, putting my experience online so I couldn't back out. Since then I've always considered riding 100 miles to be a good next goal, filling the interim with the Amsterdam and Brighton marathons after a few halfs that left me feeling a little unfulfilled. Fortunately the London Marathon Charitable Trust have been putting together triathlon style challenges to complement the marathon and are now offering RideLondon 100 and the Serpentine Swim, a 2 mile open water event. Those completing all three are now eligible for a London Classics Medal which would look just right next to my others and so I am going for it.
For those who do know me...Hello again. Business as usual.
My email was alight last night with a picture of the medal and a caption that suggested the first medals would go out after this year's Serpentine Swim. I was offered a place at the 2 miler in September and I was massively tempted as, although I've never done RideLondon, I could do so in July next year and get my medal then. Finances aside it seemed a good plan, however money is money and so I decided to make this a goal for next year. As ever preparations are incredibly important and I've recently learned that the ballot for the ride is as difficult as for the marathon and so I've emailed a charity to go straight for a charity place. I'm expecting to have to raise around £500, a breeze in comparison to the £1,625 needed for the marathon, but will find out for certain very soon.
I'm still mildly tempted by this year's swim and if I can sort cash out I will jump straight in. I was due to hit the pool tomorrow to see if I can swim the distance however there's no point if I need to wait until next year anyway. As ever I will update you all on my progress as I go, try to keep it interesting and to the point as well as informative, and by September next year I'll have something else to stick on the wall. I figure if I train for the cycling in the first half of 2018 and the swimming in the second half it should all go to plan.
Thank you for reading, your support is what kept me going the first time round and will no doubt be needed during winter training. Brrrrrr.
