The final countdown!

Well, times ticking along now....less than a week to go. I did a 12.5 mile run a few days ago and unfortunately my legs are paying for it. Nowt serious, a few tweeks in the ankles/achilles. So I'm gonna chill this week, maybe ride some short, slow rides jog a couple of 3 milers? Just to keep the legs moving but something that'll allow the legs to heal a bit?

I've had a few people ask me if I'm nervous and to be completely honest I'm not? not even slightly? Which is weird. I should be but I'm fairly relaxed about it. I think maybe because I've got so much else to concentrate on (getting a big family up to Scotland for one!) that I've not really thought about it. Or maybe, and I think this is more likely, I just have that mindset I had when I signed up in that it's not to be a flat out race but rather an awesome event which I want to savour? So long as I survive the swim then I should be in with a chance to finish on the high level route.

The past week has seen a massive surge in sponsorship as well, in that time it's gone from me having about £90 total up to me breaking the £300 mark!! This has lifted a huge weight of my shoulders as I was getting worried that it would all be for nothing. The week has also seen Beatrice being admitted to hospital. She's a poorly girl and had to go to ICU. Andrew, her Dad, was all set to leave for his own Ironman challenge in Germany the day she was taken in so needless to say he didn't go and his Ironman opportunity was let go of. Rightly so but I know Andrew will be gutted as surely as I know he'd have it no other way than to be at Bea's side when she needs him. That's what dad's do. That's the reason he took up the Ironman challenge. For Bea. That is why I wanted to raise as much as possible to help.

I've just finished my last night shift at work so I'm now officially on leave! The next few days will be mostly concerned with checking kit, getting it ready and generally making sure that everything we need is sorted. The fact the shower in the family bathroom has just packed up and needs a new one installing is just one of the many things that I'm sure are sent to try me!

So, head down. Organise, organise, organise and fingers crossed things will go well for this forthcoming once in a lifetime experience.