Linear Recruitment's very own Iron Man

Linear Recruitment's very own Iron Man

Don Collins, Linear's Managing Consultant and Branch Manager for Newcastle is competing in his first (and possibly last!) Triathlon this year, taking part in The Northumbrian – The Ultimate Triathlon in Kielder in July. We get his thoughts on his training and how he's feeling about it.

What's involved in the Ultimate Triathlon?

The event is a full and half iron-distance triathlon. I'll be doing the half iron challenge, which consists of a 1.2mile swim, 56mile bike ride followed by a half marathon.

Where and when is it taking place?

It's taking place in Kielder Water and Forest on July 2nd - the hills that nearly killed me two years ago doing the marathon! It's a course reknowned for its undulating roads and trails. It clearly didn't put me off the place that much though - I'm back for more.

How's the training going?

It's pretty brutal. I'm training six days a week with one rest day as standard. It's generally three to four hours a day, depending on what discipline I'm doing. I found that swimming was the toughest to start with, as I couldn't swim initially, but with just over two months to go I'm now finding it's the amount of time on the bike that's hard-going.

Why are you doing it?

I haven't really got an answer! Since I stopped playing rugby, I find that if I don't have something to aim for, I just won't do any training. I've completed two marathons in the last two years, so I thought this time I'd something else a go. 

Do you have a specific time goal?

I haven't got a target time, I'm just planning on completing it. I've loosely set myself an hour to complete the swim, three and a half to four hours for the bike, and then two to two and a half hours for the run. But again, just completing it will be enough for me.

What's next?

Well as long as I don't drown, I may do another one somewhere else. There is the option of the Ironman 140.6, but I really don't think I have that in my locker (a full triathlon consisting of a 2.4mile swim, 112 mile cycle and 26.2 mile run. It can typically take around eight to seventeen hours to complete).

Don will be attempting to raise some money for one of Linear Recruitment's 2023 nominated charities - TOFS. TOFS is a a charity that gives lifelong support to those born unable to swallow, with their vision being for anyone being born with OA/TOF to be able
to live life unlimited. Oesophageal Atresia (OA) and Tracheo-Oesophageal Fistula (TOF) are rare congenital malformations of the oesophagus (food pipe) and/or trachea (airway) which typically occur together and affect one in every 3,500 babies. You can learn more about the work that TOFS does on their website.

If you'd like to donate, then you can do so quickly and easily on our JustGiving page here.