Author: paullander100

Once again, the day after press day, almost always an early start and late finish, put pressure on the triathlon.

Feeling very tired I was so grateful for an almost empty pool so I could complete a relaxed 1,500 metre swim before jumping on a bike to cycle 40km.

The 10km run, however, was anything but relaxed. Rain that was at times horizontal occasionally turned to sleet, and numbed my face on the way out. I was so grateful for the wind to be behind me on the way back.

While the cold made it uncomfortable, the body is surprisingly holding up well, the run completed at an average of 4.55 per km.

Twenty-two Olympic-distance triathlons done and I hope they are as uneventful, in terms of injuries and aches, as this one.

Perhaps the cold is numbing me from feeling anything, or others could be right when they say I never had any sense.

Today I paid tribute to every police officer and staff who died on November 21. They are:

1866 – Sergeant Henry Collins – Metropolitan Police

1884 – Police Constable George Farrow – Durham County Constabulary

1897 – Police Constable Patrick Kenny – Dublin Metropolitan Police

1906 – Police Constable William Wells – Leicester County Borough Police

1920 – Sergeant John Fitzgerald – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Temporary Cadet Frank Garniss – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Police Constable Henry Jays – Royal Irish Constabulary

1920 – Temporary Cadet Cecil Morris – Royal Irish Constabulary

1952 – Police Constable John Penfold – Metropolitan Police

1965 – Police Constable Dennis Cowell – Metropolitan Police

1975 – Reserve Constable Margaret Campbell – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1981 – Police Constable Dennis O’Leary – Sussex Police

1988 – Reserve Constable William Monteith – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1989 – Police Constable Ronald Hull – Hertfordshire Constabulary

The memorial we are trying to build, and for which I am completing this challenge, will allow all the relatives, friends and colleagues a peaceful place to reflect and remember loved ones.

Getting construction under way will also say a big ‘Thank you’ to all those who continue in service and put their lives on the line for us every day.

Please support the UK Police Memorial Trust by donating here

Time for a reset after passing the latest milestone yesterday and thinking about the next – the quarter way mark.

Today I was pushed on the swim by a woman running. Yes, running. In fact, there are now more people running and walking in the pool than there are swimming, very weird. But this woman was really fast and I felt pretty wimpish as I didn’t seem to be going much faster than her.

The bike was straightforward and I had company for the last third, which was a pleasure. Then the run was very windy and cold again but the winter clothing is now well in use.

I felt pleased to have completed another Olympic-distance triathlon in routine fashion but recognised the weather is going to be a real test. And that probably my biggest pleasure is now standing in the gym shower, allowing hot water to return my body temperature to normal.

But today was also a reminder of the shocking impact of how the weather can have a devastating impact. It is the anniversary of floods in Cumbria that took the life of Police Constable Bill Barker in 2009.

The traffic officer and father of four children was swept away by a burst river that collapsed a bridge he was standing on as he diverted traffic from imminent danger.

I remember writing about the tragedy and feeling shocked at the sudden and vicious impact that suddenly tore a loving father from his family, at 4.40am the day before his 45th birthday.

His widow Hazel said: “How do you put into words how you feel about somebody you are so proud of? Bill was my best friend, my forever friend and an amazing dad.
“Even when he was exhausted from work he would always take time out for the kids. I have the comfort of knowing Bill died doing the job he loved and the fact he was helping others is typical of Bill.”

Today I paid tribute to Bill and all the officers and staff who died on duty on November 20. They were:

1844 – Police Constable Uriah Eden – Metropolitan Police

1863 – Police Constable Frederick Patrick – Metropolitan Police

1883 – Police Constable William Silvey – Metropolitan Police

1915 – Special Constable John Moreby – Cambridge City Police

1922 – Special Constable Joseph Irwin – Ulster Special Constabulary

1937 – Inspector Henry Woodhead – Lancashire County Constabulary

1939 – Police Constable Ronald Vigour – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Detective Constable Brian Hawkes – Leicester City Police

1940 – Detective Sergeant Leonard Norman – Leicester City Police

1940 – Detective Constable Edwin Trump – Leicester City Police

1940 – Police Constable Charles Winterbottom – Kingston-upon-Hull City Police

1974 – Police Constable Robert Forde – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

2009 – Police Constable William Barker – Cumbria Constabulary

Please help me raise money to build a fitting tribute to over 4,000 police officers and staff at the National Memorial Arboretum. You can donate here

Yay, another milestone and reason to celebrate.

Twenty Olympic-distance triathlons in 20 consecutive days (but too early to think of what lies ahead).

Every day since October 31 I have completed a 1,500 metre swim followed by a 40km bike ride and then immediately run 10km.

After my knees started playing up on Day 5, I have managed to recover slowly although both knees continue to hurt.

My swim times are stable at just over 29 minutes but shoulders ache slightly more each day. The bike times fluctuate between 1 hour 10 minutes to 1 hour 30 minutes, depending on whether I am on a Wattbike at the gym or heading into the wind on the road. However, I feel my legs getting stronger as each day passes. And the runs are very consistent now at around the 50 minute mark after one outlier of 57 minutes when the knees started causing problems.

I am loathed to say that I am strong and stable, you know where that got someone else.

However, I am bearing up but the constant effort is very tiring – I am beginning to turn to sugar to get me through. Discipline will definitely be needed.

I have learnt to control the efforts with my mind on the bigger goal, no matter how much the mind urges me to catch the swimmers/cyclists/runners in front.

Today was bitterly cold and tomorrow the forecast is even worse. I know I chose the timing but we need to raise the remaining amount now so we can start building the memorial at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire in 2019.

I have achieved this milestone so I can recognise and pay tribute to all the police officers and staff who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Today I remembered the following who lost their lives on duty on November 19:

1832 – Sub-Constable Denis Hayes – Irish Revenue Police

1845 – Detective Sergeant John Stubbs – Leeds Borough Police

1878 – Police Constable Thomas Carlyon – Metropolitan Police

1889 – Police Constable John Mills – Royal Irish Constabulary

1940 – Special Constable William Dalgetty – Birmingham City Police

1940 – Special Constable Charles Mann – Bath City Police

1940 – Sergeant Edwin Thompson – London Midland & Scottish Railway Police

1950 – Police Constable Frank O’Connor – Lancashire County Constabulary

1959 – Police Constable George Gale – Metropolitan Police

2003 – Detective Constable Robert Keylock – Thames Valley Police

2006 – Police Constable Conal Hills – West Yorkshire Police

Please support my efforts by donating and helping build a fitting memorial to these and say a thank you to all still serving and entering into danger to protect us. Go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Lander3

Thank you.

Today was a vivid reminder of the dangers facing officers on a daily basis. It was the 13th anniversary of the death of Police Constable Sharon Beshenivsky. Sharon was killed by armed robbers in Bradford, where I started my police career over 20 years before.

She died nine months into her career and on her daughter’s fourth birthday.

It is a strong reminder of why I am doing this challenge – relatives need a place of peaceful reflection, to remember and pay tribute to their loved ones. Sharon’s family will receive a leaf cut from the memorial we intend to build next year.

The police service needs a memorial where events can be held to bring together relatives, friends and colleagues.

And we as a nation need to build this memorial to say thank you to all who put themselves in danger to protect us.

If her death was not inspiration enough, plenty of other women helped push me to complete my challenge.

Winter is close and today was a reminder that I have chosen to complete my 100 triathlons at the worst time of the year.

As the bitter winds made today very tough, the support I received was equal to it. Before setting out, a couple of very welcome donations saw the total raised so far exceed £1,000. And as I ran into the wind a woman running in the opposite direction recognised me from local publicity. Her praise gave a boost but it also gave me inspiration.

Despite the very cold start to the day, I couldn’t help notice that she was just one of many women taking to the roads. Another who looked well into her 70s was grimacing as she rode her bicycle against the wind and reminded so me of my grandmother.

How times are changing and women of all abilities are doing their thing, many starting much later in life. The only men I saw this morning were in the gym, so many preening and strutting in front of mirrors.

I wish I had offered support back to the woman who recognised me, as she too is breaking her own barriers and her effort this day was clearly just as worthy of praise.

Each day takes a huge amount of effort and day 19 was a tough one. Another three hours of solid exertion gives you time to think about wider issues as you can see. But support and inspiration is vital. So thanks to everyone who is beginning their fitness journey, I know how difficult that can be for you – your achievement is motivation.

Today I paid tribute to all the officers and staff who died on November 18. These were:

1858 – Police Constable William Wilson – Metropolitan Police

1944 – Police Constable John Yates – Liverpool City Police

1972 – Chief Inspector Trevor Smith – South Wales Constabulary

1979 – Police Constable John Davidson – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

2004 – Police Constable Jonathan Green – Durham Constabulary

2005 – Police Constable Sharon Beshenivsky – West Yorkshire Police

Please support my effort to complete 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days by donating at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Lander3

Thank you.

On my 18th consecutive day of completing an Olympic-distance (I still can’t believe I am writing such words)  I managed a brief lie-in (6am) as it was once again the weekend, and a beautiful weekend at that.

However, I was too relaxed and forgot a vital piece of kit. Anyone who has ever done a triathlon will know the amount of stuff you have to carry and have ready for the two transitions is quite daunting. Inevitably a 20-plus item check list is essential each time to be sure you have not forgotten anything.

That is not something I have used, and I have relied on my experience to get me through. So, for the first time, I forgot my cycling tights. As I was warned before attempting this challenge, I will need an arse of iron, as riding a bike with a razor-like saddle every day takes its toll.

Fortunately, I did have a pair of shorts and the bike ride had to be on the gym’s Wattbike, rather than being able to take to the road as intended.

This time there was added incentive to get it over with quickly and I did one of the fastest 40km rides of the challenge.

The run was again completed in sub-50 minute so all continuing to go well. However, I have had a sharp reminder to use the checklist.

It is still very early in my challenge but the days are passing faster than expected. I still only think of the number achieved and refuse to contemplate the amount left but am looking forward to the milestone that is two away.

I am attempting to complete 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days to build a fitting tribute to fallen police officers and staff at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Today, as every day, I paid tribute to those that died in years gone by. On November 17, they were:

1940 – Special Constable John Barley-White – Kent County Constabulary
1972 – Reserve Constable Joseph Calvin – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1906 – Police Constable Reuben Dickinson – Coventry City Police
1920 – Sergeant James Donoghue – Royal Irish Constabulary
1964 – Special Constable John Greene – Ulster Special Constabulary
1981 – Reserve Constable Silas Lyttle – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1940 – Special Constable Ernest Renyard – Hampshire County Constabulary
1933 – Police Constable Walter Seamark – Hampshire County Constabulary
1940 – Detective Constable Frederick Slater – Wiltshire Constabulary
1940 – War Reserve Constable Frederick Strong – Coventry City Police

I am so grateful for the support already given but if anyone reading this can assist by donating a small amount, whatever they can, I can assure you it makes a huge difference. Please go to https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Lander3

Thank you.

The body clock became used to 4am starts but a late night and delayed start on one day this week threw it out of sync; it was particularly difficult to get going this morning.

The sore knees are a constant but not as worrying as a few days ago. Now, nutrition is taking over as the most significant concern while attempting this challenge.

Sugar is so tempting normally so after 16 triathlons the offer of two doughnuts the previous afternoon was too much to resist. I am sure I paid for it on the 17th.

The low energy levels experienced the previous day may have been a sign of what was to come. Once on the bike, it was clear the stomach was not how it should have been and by the time I was half way on the run, the decision to take a route into the country, where an opportunity for a pit stop was possible, proved a good one.

Nevertheless, I managed to complete another Olympic-distance triathlon, another 2,000 calories burnt in the process, and I was able to pay tribute to all the fallen police officers and staff who gave their lives protecting us on November 16.

They were:

1876 – Police Constable Nathaniel Cox – Somerset County Constabulary

1903 – Police Constable William Davies – Montgomeryshire Constabulary

1912 – Police Constable Laurence Bergin – Royal Irish Constabulary

1922 – Special Constable John White – Ulster Special Constabulary

1940 – War Reserve Constable William Blake – Metropolitan Police

1940 – Police Constable Albert Craig – Brighton County Borough Police

1940 – Detective Constable Maurice Lee – Essex County Constabulary

1940 – Police Constable Alexander Scott – Essex County Constabulary

1940 – War Reserve Constable Arthur White – Metropolitan Police

1941 – Police Constable William Story – Surrey County Constabulary

1943 – Special Constable Sidney Baker – Plymouth City Police

1965 – Police Constable Reginald Pickles – Leeds City Police

1973 – Police Constable Brian Moore – Nottinghamshire Combined Constabulary

1973 – Police Constable David Rooke – Ministry of Defence Police

1975 – Reserve Constable Joseph Clements – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1982 – Reserve Constable Samual Corkey – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1982 – Reserve Constable Ronald Irwin – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

I hope to see a fitting tribute to these officers built in 2019, please support my efforts, visit https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Paul-Lander3

Thank you.

Today was a late start after turning off the alarm clock at 4am, more than an hour flashed by before I was able to lift myself off the bed.

A smaller breakfast and a huge hope that I would be able to start as soon as possible and have enough energy to complete another Olympic-distance triathlon.

My shoulders ached on the swim and I could tell energy levels were already low. I lost count and did 120 metres more than I should have. Then dizziness set in on the bike. My nutrition – a banana – was gone a third of the way in. I had a flapjack and gel waiting for when I get off the bike so it was a case of battling through the fatigue.

Before the run, I had two bites of the flapjack, as much as I could allow myself to be able to run without a problem. It was enough, although the brain was fading by the end but another sub-50 minute run completed.

Off to work and a shift between 10am and 9pm followed. Not much time for recovery today either but no-one said this would be easy.

I am putting myself through this huge task of 100 Olympic-distance triathlons in 100 days to raise funds for the UK Police Memorial Trust, to build a fitting tribute to fallen police officers and staff at the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire.

Please support me by donating here

On this day, I paid tribute to every officer and member of police staff who died on duty on November 15. They were:

1873 – Police Constable Cornelius McNamara – Royal Irish Constabulary

1875 – Inspector Thomas Potter – Metropolitan Police

1920 – Police Constable James Woods – Royal Irish Constabulary

1924 – Police Constable William Firby – London & North Eastern Railway Police

1935 – Police Constable Peter MacRae – London Midland & Scottish Railway Police

1937 – Police Constable Albert Pratt – Birkenhead County Borough Police

1940 – Police Messenger Bertram West – Coventry City Police

1945 – Special Commandant Reginald Nicholson – Cambridgeshire Constabulary

1962 – Police Constable John Parkin – Durham County Constabulary

1970 – Police Constable John Robertson – Glasgow City Police

1981 – Police Constable Daniel Clarke – Metropolitan Police

1985 – Police Constable David Hanson – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

1992 – Reserve Constable Alan Corbett – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC

Today, I remembered their sacrifice and expressed my gratitude to the continued sacrifice of those currently serving and putting themselves in danger so we can be safe.

I hate to say the triathlons are becoming routine in case my sore knees become too painful but today (Wednesday November 14) was pretty straightforward and satisfying to be able to make a solid effort of it, with the run dipping under 50 minutes again.

However, the tiredness is very difficult. Early starts are OK if you can get the recovery but that was difficult after another press day. Never mind, another five down and my usual mini-celebration, this time a nice glass of wine to help sleep tonight.

As usual, I paid tribute to those police officers and staff who died on this day. They were:

1876 – Police Constable Charles Waters – Monmouthshire County Constabulary

1877 – Sergeant Isaac Wilson – Northamptonshire County Constabulary

1891 – Police Constable Henry Donaldson – Metropolitan Police

1905 – Police Constable William Elliott – Warwickshire County Constabulary

1920 – Police Constable John Miller – Royal Irish Constabulary

1940 – Special Constable Frederick Barratt – Coventry City Police

1940 – Special Constable Albert Bawden – Coventry City Police

1940 – Special Constable Harry Berry – Coventry City Police

1940 – Special Constable William Lambe – Coventry City Police

1940 – Police Messenger Thomas Lowry – Coventry City Police

1940 – Police Constable Kenneth Rollins – Coventry City Police

1940 – Police Constable William Timms – Coventry City Police

1979 – Police Constable Terence Ashley – Nottinghamshire Constabulary

1982 – Police Constable Joseph O’Brien – West Midlands Police

Just 85 Olympic-distance triathlons to go and I can get a very good rest. Please support me in my quest to raise some of the remaining money needed to build a fitting memorial to the thousands of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice to protect their communities. Go to this page to donate whatever you can. Thank you.

Two weeks of constant triathlons are complete. Fourteen days have flown by although I refrain from thinking about what is left.

Today was further improvement and the run time was back to 50 minutes. It feels like the routine has returned but I am far from complacent. The past three days have taught me to be very wary, ease my way into each leg and keep focused on the end goal.

This is a challenge to manage my body through continuous days of exertion without a break to recover, so injury avoidance has to be the priority, despite the instinct to get the best time possible.

I hope today was a perfect example of how I can do that but keep the efforts as ‘honest’ as I possibly can.

Here are my times for each leg:

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/3157715703

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/3157836035

https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/embed/3157914962

I am doing this challenge to pay tribute to fallen police officers and staff. On November 13 the following made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the rest of us:

1920 – Police Constable Charles Buntrock – Royal Irish Constabulary
1891 – Police Constable William Edwards – Glamorganshire County Constabulary
1893 – Police Constable James Gordon – St Helens County Borough Police
1920 – Police Constable Patrick Mackessy – Royal Irish Constabulary
1993 – Detective Constable Thomas Need – Metropolitan Police
1920 – Police Constable Jeremiah O’Leary – Royal Irish Constabulary
1943 – Police Constable James Phillips – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1904 – Police Constable Leonard Russell – Metropolitan Police
1870 – Police Constable William Swanson – Edinburgh City Police
1940 – Special Constable Clifford Tilberry – Metropolitan Police
1971 – Police Constable Barbara Wilkinson – Lancashire Constabulary

Please support my efforts to ensure there is a fitting tribute to them and the constant bravery of those who continue to keep us safe.

 

But lucky for me.

After yesterday’s very worrying episode and struggling with knee pain, today was full of trepidation.

Once again the swim was enjoyable, the cycle was measured to ensure knee pain was minimised and the run was OK. And OK is brilliant compared to where I was yesterday.

The difference was that I took the advice of my wife and ignored that of two people who conducted gait analyses, one before I started the challenge and one yesterday.

They said I should wear neutral running shoes despite my history of pronation. But my wife said I should go with how I feel and ignore what they said. And so today the orthotics I had made almost 30 years ago when I did some sprinting went into my shoes. And it made a huge difference. I still have the pain but was able to run without having to stop.

Lucky 13th, and so lucky to have her.

It is nice to get beyond the number 13, and continue to raise awareness and money to build a fitting memorial to the thousands of officers and staff who have lost their lives protecting the rest of us.

On November 12, the following officers and staff made the ultimate sacrifice:

1973 – Police Constable Michael Bailey – Warwickshire & Coventry Constabulary
1796 – Watchman David Brewer – St Sepulchre-without-Newgate, City of London
1983 – Police Constable Paul Clarke – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1940 – Police Constable John Doyle – Metropolitan Police
1961 – Police Constable Francis Gallagher – Liverpool City Police
1961 – Police Constable William Hunter – Royal Ulster Constabulary, GC
1989 – Police Constable Jo-Ann Jennings – Essex Police
1920 – Police Constable Daniel O’Brien – Royal Irish Constabulary
2002 – Police Constable Berin Underwood – Metropolitan Police

Don’t forget to go to my Justgiving page to support me. Thank you.