27:35, 91kg & 440 Days to the Himalayas

This week I stumbled through Alderley Parkrun in a blistering 27:35.

Last week, same epic quest was almost four minutes slower: 31:32.

On paper? Progress - Strava was throwing a party. “Solid race effort.” “Heart rate elevated throughout.” “Good speed when it counts.”

Elevated throughout?

Yes, indeed.

Because I was convinced I was going to die...

This week felt like climbing Everest without oxygen. The kind of hard where you start making deals with the universe at 3km.

“Just get to that lamppost… okay now that bench… okay don’t stop because someone much older that you just zoomed past!”

Meanwhile, in the department of delightful data:

My weight should up by a whopping 800g this week.

Current weight: 91.0kg.

Race weight (2022): 72kg.

That’s a 19kg gap. Basically, I’m doing Parkrun with a small suitcase and calling it “aero.”

Much over 80kg and I might as well forget lean carbon bikes and start shopping for something with reinforced suspension and a warranty.

Which brings us to the thrilling bike saga.

I’m not currently cycling.

I don’t own a bike...

Well — unless you count one perfect for a paper route in 1994.

Swimming?

Also not happening.

So, here’s my Himalayan XTri preparation checklist:

• Can barely run 5k.

• No bike.

• No swim fitness.

• £0 raised.

• 440 days to go (63 weeks).

440 days sounds like an eternity.

It’s not.

63 weeks will become 52. Then 40. Then suddenly it’s “next month” and I’m Googling how to breathe at altitude without hyperventilating.

Right now, the Himalayas are a distant dream.

But here’s what I do know:

27:35 wasn’t a masterpiece.

It wasn’t cozy.

It was just better than last week.

And that’s the whole idea.

#Shadows2Giants isn’t about starting from superhero level. It’s about starting from reality — slightly fluffy around the edges, slightly daunted, fully aware of the mountain ahead.

Because the challenge is what counts.

Park Lane Special School supports children with profound and complex needs. £100,000 isn’t just a flashy number — it’s sensory equipment, safety, regulation, independence. Real, everyday impact.

Today I’m 91kg.

Today I don’t own a proper bike.

Today I can just about run 5k.

But 440 days is plenty of time to shed 1kg.

Then another.

Then another.

To find a bike.

To dive into the pool.

To raise £1. Then £10. Then £100. Then £100,000.

The Himalayas are miles away...

But right now, the real mountain is here — at Alderley Park, at 91kg, at 5:39/km, gasping for air like a fish out of water.

And I’ve started climbing.

One breathless Parkrun at a time.

#Shadows2Giants