So here’s the post with which I was hoping I wouldn’t be needing to make. After four consecutive Iron Triathlons in the pursuit of seven in seven days for Mental Health Awareness Week, I have had to call it time.
Following this morning’s marathon, I hobbled to bed to get a couple of hours kip before making a start on day five, with the intention to at least complete the swim and bike ride. Unfortunately I woke unable to put one blistered foot in front of the other.
You may well be familiar with Martin Luther King Junior’s famous quote;
“If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”
Whether the adrenaline that was keeping me going had run dry, or I have simply reached my current limits, I can accept that a crawl in this case would not be sufficient.
It’s safe to say my body is broken, my mind is tired but my spirit is shining bright.
I’d really like to conclude this wonderful chapter with a fitting finale on Sunday, so I’ll get some rest and update you all on one final meet up at Goldsmith’s running track on Sunday to join me in a Smilinggg Mile finale (crutches most likely in operation.)
For now I’ll leave you with one of my favourite quotes by Vincent Lombardi.
“I firmly believe that any man's finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is that moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle - victorious.”
Smileathlon 2018 Round Up:
Time: 63 hours 42 minutes
Swim: 5 hours 55 mins / 15.2km (9.4 miles)
Bike: 30 hours 15 mins / 722.5km (449 miles)
Run: 27 hours 31 mins / 169.1km (105 miles)
Total as of writing: £5,028.77 (£5,930.02 inc Gift Aid)
I’ve been blown away by the generous donations, messages, and comments and I’ll be replying to every single one in time, but for now the biggest THANK YOU.
Steps + Smiles
James
The Smileathlon story and to donate and support Mind and Samaritans: https://
Smilinggg
Original Facebook Post: Click Here