I have fingers on both hands crossed as I write that the challenge is beginning to feel like I am getting into a routine.

That involves getting up at 4am, having breakfast, working until 6am and then beginning the triathlons at 6.30, in the office by 10am and completing a full day’s work. Then bed by 9pm-ish.

There will be a test however, with Tuesday press days, that routine could be severely disrupted. We will have to see how it impacts on day eight.

I had company for the first time, on just the swim, when a fellow gym member and excellent swimmer said he was planning to swim 1,500 metres that day. We swam stroke for stroke, side by side on every length. You can’t help but pick up bits of his easy style and the first leg was done sooner than expected, I had knocked four seconds off my usual average 100 metre pace.

I completed the bike and run without any major concerns, I have regained control over the urge to bike against speed and run against times, however, the run definitely felt easier today.

On day seven, I paid tribute to the officers and police staff who died on duty on November 6. They are:

1817 – Parish Constable Thomas Rowles – Parish of Brighthelmstone, East Sussex

1920 – Temporary Cadet Bertram Agnew – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Police Constable Robert Gorbey – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Temporary Cadet Lionel Mitchell – Royal Irish Constabulary

1940 – War Reserve Constable George Borham – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Leonard Bowes – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Police Constable John Brown – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Thomas Coe – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Thomas Craven – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Police Constable Clifford Davies – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Llewellyn Davies – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Simeon Glen – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Gerard Harvey – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Police Constable Charles MacInnes – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable Arthur Myers – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable George Smith – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Reserve Constable Charles Summers – Metropolitan Police

1940 – War Reserve Constable George Wallis – Metropolitan Police

Afterwards I was forwarded several emails from forces offering to host me during the challenge, with at least one chief constable offering to complete a triathlon with me. Thank you very much, I look forward to joining you to remember officers and staff who died in your areas.