Triathlon triumph 

After seeing the London Triathlon advertised on an intranet site at the company where he worked, Martin Trew decided to take up the challenge of a half-mile swim alongside team mates Richard doing the 20km cycle and Simon who was to run 5km, all in aid of FSID.

Here Martin describes the experience in his own words:

“Having received masses of help from FSID when we lost our son, Ross, to cot death in 1999 and needing something to spur me towards fitness as I approached forty, I decided to take the challenge.

Three months of training a few mornings a week and I could complete the distance in around 18 minutes so I packed the family into the car and we set off to London.

My race was to start at 5pm and so I saw a few of the earlier races. This definitely increased the trepidation as the variety of ability was evident. I was determined not to be one of those struggling to complete the swim.

5pm arrived and after a few words of support from the family and team mates I headed off to start the event where 400 of us jumped into the water and waited nervously for the starting klaxon.

During the swim itself I was unable to see or hear anyone else. You fight your way through the mass of arms and legs trying to find enough open water to swim and then total isolation. Trying to stick to the rhythm worked out in the gym, three strokes then breathe.

I rounded the half-way buoy and settled in for the long swim back to the finish line. That second leg seemed to take for ever…..But then I was there, being hauled out of the water by the assistants, running up the jetty towards the bicycle transition area. Although I could hear my kids shouting ‘Go on Dad’ I was totally disorientated so I couldn’t see them. 400 meters later I handed over to Richard for the 20 km cycle leg.”

The team finished an impressive 137th out of 392 with the swim completed in 17 minutes 51seconds, the cycle in 40 minutes 55 seconds and the run in 28 minutes 42 seconds. Funds raised total £245 and counting…

You can still sponsor Martin and his team mates, Richard and Simon, at www.justgiving.com/martintrew

FSID would like to thank Martin and his team for all their hard work in aid of FSID.