#TEAMHELEN

3 MARCH 2015

So, it's about time I told you about what I'm doing on 27th September 2015. After a small amount (by that I mean a lot) of coaxing, my wonderful friend and colleague, Laura Cooper, convinced me to take part in the Warwickshire Sprint Triathlon as part of Team Helen. 

The team was set up in memory of Helen Pote, who sadly died in September last year. Before she died, Helen inspired so many people by showing them what incredible things can be achieved if you put your mind, body and soul into them. Helen fought cancer fiercely, completing the Warwickshire Sprint Triathlon in 2013. 

I didn't know Helen personally, but, like many others, I was inspired by her story and the passion with which she fought her cancer. Even after being told her illness was terminal, Helen turned a negative into a positive and used her tremendous strength and determination to raise money for Birmingham Children's Hospital by completing the 2013 Warwickshire Sprint Triathlon. 

Building the team has taken flight and we are now approaching 200 members, smashing our original target of 100, thanks to a passionate Facebook campaign by the team's organisers. What's even more special, however, is that - save for a choice few - none of us are seasoned triathletes. In fact, most of us are triathlon virgins...

So, in just over 6 months time, around 200 of us (hopefully more!) will be descending on Stratford to complete a 400m swim, followed by a 20k cycle and finally a 5k run. 

I can't speak for everyone else, but I normally limit my exercise to around an hour a week (if I'm lucky), and then that's usually only a short jog or some light weights at the gym. Up until Sunday I hadn't  been in a swimming pool to do serious lengths since I was about 14, and I don't think a long weekend cycling round Center Parcs in 2013 can really count as cycling preparation...

To put it lightly, I am an amateur, and I'm going to need some serious encouragement to get through this. However, I'm determined as ever to do my best and make the most of the opportunity to raise some money for Birmingham Children's Hospital and Cancer Research UK! 

I have a target of £300, so if you would like to help me reach it, please visit my JustGiving page https://www.justgiving.com/missaskill/  or, alternatively, you can text HASK90 followed by your donation amount to 70070. 

I'm going to use this blog to keep a record of my training and keep you posted on my progress over the next 6 and a bit months, so stay tuned for the next instalment...

Details of the team and what we are doing can be found on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/HelenPotetribute/timeline 

Thanks everyone for reading, and to those of you who have already supported me with your generous donations. If you're interested in taking part, please get in touch by leaving a comment or email me - hanaskill@hotmail.com