Ironwoman for Cystic Fibrosis!

“Over the last 3 years I have watched in complete awe as many of you took part in Ironman Barcelona.  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d ever attempt the same journey.  In 2015/16, as a spectator in Callela, Barcelona,  I climbed the steps from sea level up to the road to the cycle route and actually thought silently to myself  ‘You are all mad!’.  I’d had to stop at least 5 times to catch my breath, which was no surprise, as my lung functions were approx. 40%.  However, thanks to a medical trial and new drugs for CF, when I returned to Calella in 2017, (as a spectator yet again!), I bounced up the same steps and thought ‘This is really great’.

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When I came home from Barcelona, I started to wonder to myself  ‘Could I push my new found health to the limit and attempt an Ironman??’ Big dreams, considering I had only ever done sprint triathlons and Mizen2Malin on tandem in 2017 (thanks again lads).  However, I’m a firm believer in: You should always give things your best effort and have a go; better to fail than not try at all and be a life time wondering if you could have done it.   With that in mind I signed up, got myself a coach and started to train like I have never trained before.

Now, I still don’t know what will happen on the 7^th October apart from the fact that I will stand on the start line (at my fittest) and give it my best effort, along with all our club mates.  Completion is my goal, hopefully before the lights go out (apologies to this supporting crew for the long day ahead of you!!).  So far, my journey has been one of ups and downs.  I’ve had two major setbacks and a couple of minor hiccups, but all-in-all I feel fantastic, I’m really enjoying the training and the company of my training buddies (Orla and Norma).

Because an Ironman is exercised-based, I want to use my effort to raise money for the exercise grant for PWCF (People with Cystic Fibrosis). This is provided by Cystic Fibrosis Ireland to people all around the country.  Exercise is paramount to all PWCF, even more so to those at end stage CF, waiting on a transplant.  Club mates participating with me in Ironman Barcelona have agreed to help me raise funds for CF, (thank you all). There are sponsorship cards floating around and I have set up an Everyday Hero page which you can donate on if you wish.  The link is –  https://give.everydayhero.com/ie/ironman-barcelona-1
Thank you all for your continued support. Caroline