The triathlon

(or: we've agreed to do whaaat?)

Simple, take 3 athletes, of varying ability (and I mean varying...) and set them a challenge: to do the London Triathlon in 8 months time.....

This is what they have to do...

First of all, a simple swim - 1500 metres. No problem, it's only 60 lengths...except not in pool, but in Royal Victoria Dock....in a wetsuit! What's more, because of the number of people swimming at once it's a bit like trying to swim in a jacuzzi! swim.jpg - 13253 Bytes

cycle.jpg - 15313 Bytes Once we've survived that, and emerged looking like drowned rats, we come out into "transition" (where triathlons can be won and lost apparently, though not perhaps in our case!) Its then onto the bikes for a 40km cycle ride round Canary Wharf. This is the equivalent of about 25 miles, or Bangor to Belfast and back for those of you in the know...

And to finish off, for fun, a 10km run. Huzzah! Now a 10k (or 6 mile) run does not sound to bad, but considering that it comes after at least 2 hours of continuous exercise for us, you can see how pleasant we are going to feel at the end of it all! run.jpg - 13614 Bytes

For the official map and distance have a look at the London triathlon website to see exactly where we go and what we do. What's more, you can follow us on the day itself, thanks to the miracle of modern technology. What time are we expecting to do it in? Eh? Just let us get round it first! If its of any indication, the last time Mark and Bill did anything like this it was a marathon in 1996, and that was done in over twice the world record time (you never expected to see the words "Mark", "Bill" and "world record" in the same sentence.... ).The world record for the triathlon is currently under 1hr 40 mins, so any time under 3 hrs 30mins will be a total result!

First of all, a simple swim - 1500 metres. No problem, it's only 60 lengths...except not in pool, but in Royal Victoria Dock....in a wetsuit! What's more, because of the number of people swimming at once it's a bit like trying to swim in a jacuzzi!
	Once we've survived that, and emerged looking like drowned rats, we come out into "transition" (where triathlons can be won and lost apparently, though not perhaps in our case!) Its then onto the bikes for a 40km cycle ride round Canary Wharf. This is the equivalent of about 25 miles, or Bangor to Belfast and back for those of you in the know...
And to finish off, for fun, a 10km run. Huzzah! Now a 10k (or 6 mile) run does not sound to bad, but considering that it comes after at least 2 hours of continuous exercise for us, you can see how pleasant we are going to feel at the end of it all!