“Two years ago I did the mega triathlon, The Outlaw, in Nottingham; a 2.4-mile swim, followed by a 112-mile bike ride with a 26.2 marathon run at the end.

The best thing about it was starting off when the sun was rising and finishing at it was setting.

The second best thing was not having my phone with me for a whole day.

And finally what I loved was the real buzz and sense of achievement I got from completing it.

Skiing, running whatever the sport you can’t beat the buzz it gives you, the high it leaves you with.

I hope – with the exception maybe of not having their phones – our students get these feelings from our student ski trips and sports tours where we aim to give all our young students the best sporting experience possible, regardless of ability. The endurance involved in the Ironman is a bit like our school ski trips’ 24-hour coach journey – definitely worth it in the end!

I completed The Outlaw in just under 14 hours, thankfully within the 17 hour time limit – they ‘retire’ people who take longer. It was going to be a one-off but I was up for another challenge and with the appeal of that ‘ high’ at the end, this year, despite a niggling hip injury, I’ve entered the Ironman UK in Bolton.

Next up in my training is the 30-mile Weald Challenge Ultra, an ‘undulating’ run. Wish me luck!”

Find out how Cath got on at the Weald Challenge in her next blog.

Cath Ruffle (pictured below) is Club Europe’s Head of Ski and Sports Tours. You can call her on 0208 772 2870 if you want to hear more about her Ironman training, our school ski trips or our range of sports tours. Or click on the links to read more about our student ski trips and our sports tours for schools.

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