The rollercoaster ride strikes again. The idea was to holiday in Germany this week  spending time with my sister and family and improve my ski-ing. Instead, I’m in the stunning  Black Forest area spending my holiday laid up in bed with both Bronchitis and Sinusitis. It may have saved me a broken leg but it’s unlikely as I tend to ski using my face or backside. Or both if I’m really going well.

Sea King helicopter landing risk assesment submitted to Royal Navy today. The formal proposal is up, up and away!! I’m having to pinch myself at how big this event is becoming and the speed its happening. What have we done?!

I was recently asked what drives me and keeps me motivated to keep this going. It’s primarily based on fear but also a determination to do my bit to help others. Today has been a tough day that has asked many questions. 16 months ago, solutions seemed few and noise around me went quiet. Now I’m committed to helping others in the hope they have their questions answered and diagnosis and treatment gets administered early. This is what keeps me going despite what is a very tough  journey.

Lost a bit of love handle (down to 79.3 kg) so in need of another pair of jeans that dont look like something MC Hammer would wear.Tried new Orca 3.8 wetsuit. Wow-feels like another 2 gears at my disposal.

Getting fitter quickly and feeling physically stronger every day. It’s like being home again and reminds me of years gone by. Working on explosive power which is helping the stamina work hugley. Bring it on!!

Sat 5^th Run training going great – rapidly getting ‘zoned’.

Fri 4^th New website has gone live today – absolutely love it!

Thu 3^rd Recorded DVD at Solent Uni and the out-takes of this documentary have to be certified 18 – project has so many angles resulting in us feeling very stretched.

Tue 1st Best sort the flat out, check mailbox and get some shopping in – forgot what my flat looks like.

Sat 29^th Got Council permit to rattle a few buckets around the pubs and by St Marys Stadium today – £150 / £200 maybe – freezing.

Tue 25^th Around the table sat 10 friends all willing to invest their time into our bonkers idea – we have indeed created a monster and the workload is vast.

Sun 23rd Reccie of I.O.W – documentary makers in tow filming us measuring, plotting and scratching our heads. Footage of Martyn fast asleep after being up all night with his baby – priceless! Good footage of the interview with Captain Noel Charlton from the bridge of Wightlink car ferry as well.

Thu 20^th Zoggs Swimwear have agreed to back us – I could kiss everyone right now! There’s only a certain amount of time that a man can train in ‘see-through beach shorts’ and goggles that your mate tipexed over for a laugh.

Tue 18^th Great news – Royal Navy has given provisional ‘yes’ to dropping us off by Sea King Helicopter at Stokes Bay on 25^th July (event start) and doing ‘fly-by’ to mark the start.

Mon 17^th Application for the Red Arrows to perform at the start was rejected today sadly – mid season break.

Sun 16^th Ran a half marathon today and felt good – has given me more belief that it can be done but my patience level is not ideal for this distance malarkey.

Fri 14^th This project getting too much for 2 people – needs addressing and quickly.

Tue 11^th Big relief – did an hours run at tempo today and no reaction from either calf. Right-now I’m much more confident that all is well this this knackered old body. Shoulder has been tight for 7 months but is getting looser with the swim training and the weights program is giving me good strength through the water too.

Wed 5^th Really missing a few beers and chicken madras ahhhhhhhhhh – this is the hardest bit! Mates being great despite a few tongue-in-cheek windups.

Sat 25^th Quiet Christmas at Mums – nice to chill out by the fire and relax.

Sun 19^th Heavy swim session – wasn’t happy with the way I swam so did the whole lot again – glad I did because I’d have given myself a very hard time.

Sat 18^th Received business cards – gone all posh now!

Fri 17^th Received contract for the Novotel ball and it’s booked! It’s a great venue with everything we need – best dust off the tux!

Mon 13^th Fitness testing – thanks to Solent Uni, we had extensive and very professional fitness tests done. Best described as brutal – tested for vo2 max, lactate threshold – did badly and highlighted need to get  into gear. 

Sat 11^th Too much to drink today – must put a stop to any alcohol and crap food until the event is over.

Thu 9^th After 3 TV slots, local paper and radio, the public response has been great – but I’m really not gonna marry someone ive never met…sorry!!

Wed 8^th Media launch at Pebbles Beach Café followed by documentary making and radio interviews at the hospital -stood on beach looking at I.O.W and thought “it’s a long way!!”

Thu 25^th Had media shots taken at Esporta – not a big fan of seeing photos of myself!

Sun 21st  Reccie of I.O.W with Noel – measured distances, checked out practicalities, saw Gilkicker Point for 1^st time and isolated potential B & B’s.

Thu 18th Joined Esporta to get conditioning work tapped – Best facilities around by far.

Wed 10^th  Submitted 6 page risk assessment and official application to the  Queens Harbour Master – very detailed!