As an ex-professional footballer, our Managing Director Nathan Stead is very keen on sport. This year he competitively ran, cycled and swam over 430 kilometres helping to raise money for The Cystic Fibrosis Trust.
The charity uses funds to support the on-going advances in treatment and clinical trials to seek a cure for the genetic condition though more innovative and impactful research programmes to accelerate breakthrough science and therapeutics. It also funds greater support to CF clinical teams in the NHS and improvements in the way care is delivered. and provides better information, support and advice to enable people with CF to make the right choices at all stages of their lives. Overall, the charity aims to be a strident voice to campaign for change and bring real influence where it matters.
To raise this amount of money, Nathan’s challenges included 3 duathlons, The London Triathlon, 100KM London to Brighton Run which took 14 Hours 20 Mins and finally the Full Iron Man - 2.4 mile Swim, 112 mile bike and 26 mile run which Nathan completed in 12Hrs 19 Mins.
He says:
“The Cystic Fibrosis Trust is a great support to families affected by the condition and as I was already in training for Iron Man, I decided to take part in a series of challenges to help prepare me both mentally and physically.
“It’s a lot to put your body through and I learned a lesson the hard way with London to Brighton. I had taken lots of sweet tasting supplements and foods to keep my energy levels up, but towards the end I couldn’t bear the thought of eating anything sweet and was left with nothing in the tank for the last 30 miles. I was frozen and completely ran out of energy, it was the worst feeling I’ve ever experienced. So for Iron Man, I put together an energy strategy and stocked up on savoury supplies, setting the alarm clock in the middle of the night to eat nuts for their slow release properties and then consumed 300 calories per hour before and during the event.”
“I had focused on the swimming during my training for the 2.4 miles and it’s difficult to spend so much time training on a bike as you need to be out for such a long time. As a result the 112 mile cycle ride was a bit of a shock, the last 12 miles were agony as my back was crouched over and my hands and soles of my feet were burning, I couldn’t wait to get off and run but I did it and completed the whole event in 12hrs 19mins.”
“Sponsorship has been donated by friends, family and business contacts. I am so grateful as it spurred me on to do my best.”
To finish off the year, Nathan has signed up for the Rudolf Romp which is a 24 mile trail run around Brantingham and he is also hoping to get into the Lanzarote Iron Man competition next year. The challenge is never over!
