How many times do we make resolutions that we fail to keep? I've often created events and at the outset concentrated on how I ensure it is challenging enough to get participants interested, only to later realise the nightmare I have created was, not only do I need to spend every spare minute sorting the arrangements, but I also need to be significantly fitter as I embark on my latest madcap adventure.

My resting weight is typically 15 stone. To maintain this, I instigate a rigorous regime of avoiding exercise and eating and drinking whatever I want. The one exception to the exercise was playing football although even then I managed a couple of pints and a bag of crisps to maintain the status quo (apologises to anyone who sat next to a sweaty, red faced me in a pub, especially if I've been exercising.)

Over the years I have undertaken numerous fundraising events ranging from marathons to cross country cycling, from The Overnight Channel Swim to The Gruellathon. Each time I have got fitter, lost some weight and bought new clothes. Each time the motivation was making sure I could complete the event and prove people wrong who thought there was no way that someone of my size and shape would finish. My wife, 'lovingly,' referred to me as 'Oprah' as my weight fluctuated and my wardrobe went from fat to thin and back again. 

With the benefit of hindsight as I sit writing this it is clear that the motivation for getting fit was always about others and not about me. I did these things to prove others wrong and to raise money for my chosen charity. The moment the challenge finished I was straight back on the pies and off the treadmill. 

Back in 2012, I had what should have been my big wake up call. It was my first attempt at a triathlon. Typically, despite the fact I only swam once a year on holiday and didn't have a bike, I entered an Olympic Distance event with a swim in Open water.  Training started; I started swimming a bit, I ran a little, I thought about getting a bike. Once again I was convinced that I would prove everyone wrong and raise lots of money. As ever my preparation was meticulous. I bought a wetsuit at a bargain price. It was a bit tight and needed 3 people to help squeeze me in. 

It was time to take to the open water so one morning I found myself at the local lake ready to go. I checked for whaling fleets and harpoon guns and satisfied that all was clear I entered the water. The cold water hit me and all my nerves tingled. I'd never felt so alive and off I went. I swam 200 metres out and then feeling good set off back. It was then it all started to go wrong. 50 metres from the shore I started to struggle breathing. I pulled at the wetsuit but nothing was working. It was time to stop panicking and to focus. I swam very slow breaststroke back to shore careful not to raise my breathing any further as I was already in a world of trouble. I staggered out and started coughing up blood. Subsequently it was discovered I'd had a pulmonary oedema. Possibly as a contributory factor or maybe as a result of, I was also diagnosed with high blood pressure and put on blood pressure tablets for the rest of my days.

You might think this the time to reevaluate but sadly no. I carried on training intermittently for various challenges. I took up cycling and apart from my ability to fall off I thought here is the sport for me. I could do long distances at a decent pace, I had loads of power and this surely meant I was fit, didn't it?

2016 saw me commit to build a new boys dormitory at New Hope in Kenya. (More of that another time.) The first challenge I created was the Gruellathon. This involved canoeing Windermere, cycling 80 miles around the Lakes and the going up Helvellyn. I continued cycling and started doing a bit of running again. I was very slow and overweight but lost a stone and was fit enough to complete the challenge raising £13k in the process.

2017 saw me create The Overnight Channel Swim. I would need to be able to swim over 7 miles at a reasonable pace as part of a team.  So this was when it got serious. I lost over 2 stone, I increased training, I started measuring calories for the first time ever using My Fitness Pal app, I joined a running club , I joined a swimming club, I ran every day in January and also avoid alcohol. The results are evident!

I've now competed in 4 triathlons. I've done 1 open water swim, I've lost a peddle and ran 6 miles in cycling shoes before completing the run, I've had my first ever speed wobble and I've managed a 3rd in age group at a big event.  So what next?

I'm currently working on fundraising plans for 2018 and am thinking of the 3 peaks and possibly a return to the Amsterdam Marathon 12 years after my previous attempt. (I could have sworn I said never again last time!) To maintain fitness I'm going to definitely continue with Triathlons, I'm going to increase my distances and target an Olympic Distance  event and I'm going to try at least one of the following:

Drink more water, Core strengthening , HIT training

Any thoughts anyone? 

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