By Mark Hoskins
In January 2008 my father and best friend, Norman, told me he was suffering from prostate cancer. This was quite a blow as dad has just started his well earned re
tirement after working, living and coping with type 1 diabetes for the last 34 years.
I can remember whilst growing up the lack of support and understanding there was for sufferers of diabetes and having looked at the Diabetes Research & Wellness Foundation website I realised I had found my way of helping those just like dad...
The aim
Together with a close friend, Fergus, I embarked on taking part in the World Ironman series on June 22nd 2008 in Nice, France.
It involved a 3.8km (2.4m) swim, 180km (112m) bike ride and 42.2km (26.2m) marathon all to be consecutively
completed in under 16 hours. Just to put this into context, until this year I had never run a marathon OR swam this far OR cycled any further than down the canal path to the pub. I was completely self funded so all contributions went directly to the DRWF and not to paying for the new bikes, wetsuits, flights, hotels, trainers, outfits, or funny food that I had to eat.
The race itself
Over 2300 people started with approximately 1950 finishing. The fine French sun was blazing from the start and the crowd who supported all along with the race volunteers were the true stars of the day.
The swim
This was started at 6.30am and after a pretty restless night really got the nerves going. I was sure that the organisers moved the buoys out further when were not looking!
Th
e start was absolute chaos as everyone tried their best to get off the beach first and into the sea. I am sure the funniest thing must be watching us all exit to get changed for the bike ride as you tend to lose the use of your legs and they feel like jelly as you sway past all of the spectators.
The bike ride
This was tough! After what is a gentle start from the centre of Nice you get hit with a hill that was over 20km of
continuous climbing up into the Alps taking some 2 hours to get up and over.
The views I am sure were amazing but I must be honest, I was too busy trying to stay upright! After a short downhill break we had to navigate a mere 10km sister of the previous hill to reach the highest point at 1800m above sea level. The feeling that from then on it was all downhill was somewhat of a relief. All I had to do then was get my head around running a full marathon when I finally reached the
bottom.
The run
At last the home straight! The main problem now was just keeping going, the volunteers were great keeping us fed and hydrated as well as spraying us with water in the near 40 degree heat. The marathon is run in 4 laps along the 'Promenade des Anglais' (Nice seafront), this was the worst part because as many of us were just starting our run, some of the best were already finishing! This said the crowd cheered and encouraged each and everyone of us from the first finisher in 8 hours 30 and the last in 16 hours. I am sure the wine and beer that the supporters drank made this possible!!!
Coming down the home straight was a surreal experience and I didn't know whether to laugh or 
cry as I crossed the line. All I can say is that firmly in the front of my mind was my Father Norman.
The outcome
After finishing in just over 15 hours and refuelling on pasta and bread the stiffness sets in! All along the Nice promenade the day after the race there were many men and women walking slowly and sitting lots, all though had a smile on their face knowing what they had achieved.
I hope the £3000 in donations friends and family made on my behalf make a difference to someone with diabetes sometime soon. By the way I am planning 3 for next year!
Fundraise for DRWF
Many people call us and offer to fundraise by means of sponsored events, coffee mornings and raffles etc. In order to help our supporters as best we can, we have put together a 'Fundraising Activity Pack' with some helpful suggestions and considerations to make, when planning an event of any kind.
Call us on 02392 636133 for more information and a pack or download here. We'd love to hear how your plans are shaping up!