Today was a day of endurance in more ways than one.

Once again the pool was empty when I began my 45th triathlon in 45 days. The swim was straightforward and I suspect I was heading for a time of around 1.56 to 1.57/100m, however, halfway two fast swimmers I have seen a few times before got in either side of me and by 1,500m my overall time had dropped to 1.52/100m.

The bike was pretty much routine, with very pleasant company making the last half pass very quickly, but the run was something else.

I was extremely pleased to be able to start running with a good rhythm but after just one kilometre my hands were extremely cold. Due to the minus temperatures, by the 8km mark they were very painful. And after finishing and entering the warmth, it was strange to see how red they went.

I reckon the extra energy to keep warm is burning many more calories than usual as I am so hungry afterwards.

After promising a GP friend I would visit my own doctor to be sure I am not causing any long-term damage to myself, I had a health check today. The “that’s very good”, “very low heart rate”, “98 per cent oxygen”, “lungs are very clear” and other very positive comments were very reassuring. An ECG next week will complete the check-up but onwards to the next 55, that half way mark is very close.

However, there was the minor issue of walking the streets of Elm Farm in Aylesbury this evening, accompanying the Christmas float with Santa Claus up its chimney, raising money for local charities. At least it will add a few steps to my average daily count I wrongly thought. Little did I expect to be the one up the chimney for over two hours and ended up almost unable to get down as my thigh muscles seized. All the waving in the cold once again froze my hands.

However, children come bounding out of their houses to see you, shaking not with the cold but sheer joy, and even elderly residents waving back so happily, it was an absolute joy.

I think I am now in character for tomorrow when I have to don the red with fur lining and get close up with the kids for the Rotary Club Christmas collecting at a shopping mall. There is a small matter of another triathlon to do first though and enduring discomfort for another cause.

I have undertaken to complete 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days to raise money to build a fitting tribute to over 4,000 police officers and staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the public.

On December 14, the following lost their lives on duty:

1830 – Constable William Bond – Officer of the Bow Street Public Office

1831 – Sub-Constable Edward Boyle – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable William Budds – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable Charles Carroll – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable James Dixon – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable Thomas Egan – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable Robert Fitzgerald – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable John Fitzpatrick – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Chief Constable James Gibbons – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable William Grace – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable John McGlennan – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable John Prescott – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable Joseph Whitteker – Leinster Constabulary

1831 – Sub-Constable John Wright – Leinster Constabulary

1866 – Police Constable Henry Buin – Metropolitan Police

1875 – Police Constable Donald Anderson – Alloa Burgh Police

1912 – Detective Officer Thomas Rothnie – Edinburgh City Police

1919 – Police Constable Edward Bolger – Royal Irish Constabulary

1921 – Sergeant Thomas Enright – Royal Irish Constabulary

1928 – Chief Constable John Brinkley – Warwickshire County Constabulary

1930 – Sergeant Robert Little KPM – Durham County Constabulary

1938 – Police Constable David Murdoch – London & North Eastern Railway Police

1938 – Police Constable Allan Proudfoot – London & North Eastern Railway Police

1942 – Special Constable Charles Gilbert – Northumberland County Constabulary

1942 – Special Constable Oliver Hudson – Northumberland County Constabulary

1958 – Police Constable Raymond Summers – Metropolitan Police

1961 – Police Constable Anthony Onione – Bristol City Police

1963 – Detective Sergeant Kenneth Jordan – Metropolitan Police

1974 – Police Constable David McNeice – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1982 – Sergeant Gerald Charnley – Lancashire Constabulary

1982 – Inspector Kenneth Innell – Dorset Police

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