Whilst I was dreaming up what challenges I could set myself in 2016, I came up with the idea of completing my very own triathlon. I knew it was going to be extremely difficult for me to get away in person, so the challenge would only be achievable if it were virtual. If the challenge was going to last for the duration of 2016, then it would need to have ultra status.
My challenge is therefore the following:
Running
About 5 years ago a colleague of mine wanted to cycle across the UK from the most westerly point to the most easterly point. The venture never materialised, however the concept stayed with me. Therefore the running element of my ultra-triathlon will be from the most westerly point, Ardnamurchan Lighthouse in Scotland, to the most easterly point , Lowestoft in Suffolk.
I have done a few variations of the route but have settled on the below version. This route avoids all motorways and should, in theory, be achievable to run. I could have planned a route that stayed to footpaths, however the distance was starting to get too high and I wanted to ensure the target was achievable. In total my route comes to 855km.
Cycling
The route I have chosen for the cycle element of my ultra-triathlon is the UKs greatest distance event, traveling from the north to the south or John O’Groats to Lands End. Trying to stay true to a cycling challenge, the route I have chosen is one that avoids all motorways and is therefore achievable by bike. In total my route comes to 1550 km.
Rowing
Ok this is not quite a swim, but my virtual challenge has to be something that I am capable of achieving. Unfortunately I do not have regular access to a swimming pool, but I do have access to a rowing machine. After running west to east and cycling north to south, I wanted to do something that was recognisable, covered a suitable distance and was achievable. I spent some time trying to think what rowing challenge I could take on, such as rowing the channel but in the end I came up with rowing the length of the Thames. In total my route comes to 346 km.
Monthly Targets
The below table shows what my totals should be at the end of each month, if I want to be on track for completing my challenge by the end of 2016. As long as I cycle to and from work every day and go for a run three times a week I should be close to my targets, the only area that I will have to really work hard at maintaining is the rowing as this is something that I do not naturally do.
| Event | Running | Cycling | Rowing |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 71.25 km | 129.17 km | 28.83 km |
| February | 142.50 km | 258.34 km | 57.66 km |
| March | 213.75 km | 387.51 km | 86.49 km |
| April | 285.00 km | 516.68 km | 115.32 km |
| May | 356.25 km | 645.85 km | 144.15 km |
| June | 427.50 km | 775.02 km | 172.98 km |
| July | 498.75 km | 904.19 km | 201.81 km |
| August | 570.00 km | 1033.36 km | 230.64 km |
| September | 641.25 km | 1162.53 km | 259.47 km |
| October | 712.50 km | 1291.70 km | 288.30 km |
| November | 783.75 km | 1420.87 km | 317.13 km |
| December | 855.00 km | 1550.00 km | 346.00 km |
Updates as to my progress will follow, hopefully on a monthly basis.