For most people, merely thinking about a race that involves swimming 3.8 kilometres (2.4 miles) then cycling through mountainous terrain for 180 km (112 miles) and finishing off with a brisk 42 km (26.2 miles) run with no rest in between is enough to make them want to lie down in a darkened room. Only the fittest, strongest, most highly-motivated and let’s face it – ever so slightly mad – individuals can endure the challenge that is the Ironman Triathlon. Nicky Walker, however, is going one step beyond (or should that be one bike beyond?) and is adding her own unique twist to competing in Ironman Nice 2008: she is going to cycle to the start… from London.
Endeavouring to cover the 900 mile journey in 10 days, Nicky will set off from Greenwich, London on Monday June 9th and heading straight to the white cliffs of Dover courtesy of the A2, will commence her French odyssey in Boulogne. Travelling 70 to 110 miles per day, Nicky will finish her epic journey cycling up the Promenade des Anglais on Wednesday 18th June allowing herself just 3 days to launder the Lycra before the Ironman Nice 2008 on Sunday 22nd June.
The impetus for this huge effort is 3 causes close to Nicky’s heart: Erskine Homes (www.erskine.org.uk) - an organisation based in Scotland providing nursing and medical care for former members of the Armed Forces; Disability Snowsport UK (www.disabilitysnowsport.org.uk) - a unique charity whose ethos is that anyone regardless of disability can take part in and enjoy snow sport; and the British Biathlon Team (www.britishbiathlon.com) - as a veteran biathlete herself who thinks nothing of skiing cross-country for miles at a time before hurling herself to the ground to shoot with a rifle, Nicky was appalled at the withdrawal of funding for the British Biathlon Team in favour of “deserving” summer sports (beach volleyball) for the London Olympics 2012. Nicky hopes to raise enough sponsorship to benefit all 3 causes significantly.
Preparing for both events is a huge challenge in itself, particularly with a family and home to run and the current inclement weather. Nicky trains 12 to 14 hours a week, running from anything between 45 minutes to 2 hours; cycling both outdoors and on her bike trainer and can be found in the public swimming pool in Largs, Ayrshire at 6am several mornings a week. There is a soft spot to this iron woman however: Nicky has promised herself some fine French cuisine each evening as well as sampling the wonderful pâtisserie en route to aid her on her marathon journey. Definitely a case of sugar and spice on the way to Nice…
by Nicky Lloyd-Williams
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