If at first you don’t succeed, tri, tri again! The Boys at Blenheim complete their first triathlon

It was an early start for Property Frontiers Co-Founder David Cox and I as we made our way with wet suits in hand to the 2013 Blenheim Triathlon in the Oxfordshire countryside. After months of training for our individual Sprint event, the first time either of us had undertaken a triathlon, the time had come to tackle one of the most prestigious and challenging sporting events of the season.

Having already raised £2,000 from the arduous 100km London to Oxford bike ride a few months previously in sub-zero temperatures, Dave and I were raising funds for the Frontiers Foundation’s latest cause, a children’s community centre called Project Crescer in the slums of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The target for this worthy project in 2013 is £5,000 so we looked to friends, family, peers, colleagues and Property Frontiers’ clients for generous support.

By 12.30pm David and I were snugly sipped into our wet suits, bikes racked correctly in the transition area and making our way to the start of the first event – a 750m open-water swim in Blenheim Palace lake. At 12.40pm the buzzer went and the swim commenced with 50 swimmers in this wave making their way to the first bouy.

A few mouthfuls of lake water, a pair of fogged goggles and the adoption of a new side stroke by David and we were out of the water in about 20 minutes, running through the wooded area back towards transition, peeling our wetsuits off for the bike ride.

Careful to adhere to the strict triathlon rules regarding releasing the bike and wearing helmets, David and I were soon on our way, pedalling with fury as we commenced the 20km ride. A circuit with numerous hills as well as a welcome downhill section which enabled us to gather some speed (and dry off!) greeted us and soon we were in fine spirits, enjoying the camaraderie of our fellow triathletes.

Some 40 minutes later we were back at the transition area. exchanging cycle shoes for trainers as David and I summoned all our energy for the last stage, the 5km run. As the sun shone, whilst welcomed by the spectators, we felt the heat as the temperatures rose, as seeming to echo the hills along the 2 lap circuit.

Approximately 30 minutes later and we were across and line, our first triathlon completed.

Over a hard earned picnic lunch, we recovered and reflected on our achievements. Blenheim is one of the toughest triathlons of the season so our successful completion in 2 hours (and a little longer for Dave) was very impressive.

Equally impressive was the amount raised for Project Crescer, £340, with more donations on the way.

In fact you can still show your support for us here: https://mydonate.bt.com/events/boysatblenheim as the event page remains open until 30th June 2013.

Thanks go to everyone who helped us train, supported us on the day and donated generously. It was such hard work but one of the best events I have ever done, now where’s entry form for Blenheim 2014…?!