Putting Your Heart Into It

Andrew Bruce from WYG has raised over £1,300 for the British Heart Foundation after completing this year’s gruelling Ironman UK challenge.

Andrew, 24, completed the triathlon in 12 hours and 54 minutes – coming 562^nd out of over 1,300 entrants.

The challenge is certainly not for the faint-hearted being made up of three testing disciplines– 2.4mile swim, 112 mile cycle and a 26.2 mile run.

Andrew said: “When I entered the event I hadn’t intended to do it for charity.  But raising money for the BHF seemed apt, considering the demands I’d need to put on my own heart. It’s a great cause, and I’m just pleased I could help contribute.”

Andrew is a sustainability consultant for multidisciplinary consultant, WYG Group, based in London. He trained for over nine months preparing for the challenge in which an average participant can expect to burn over 8,000 calories during the race. He usually does two sessions a day, six days a week, totalling around 12-18 hours exercise a week. There is a 17 hour time limit on the race and Andrew was delighted to have finished well under that – the usual target for your first Ironman being just to complete!

He said: “I was ecstatic when I crossed the finish line – considering a year ago I couldn’t run 10 yards and was still recovering from a broken leg. A big thank you to everyone who has given me advice, support and, more importantly, a donation.”

So would he do it again? “I’ve already signed up to IM Switzerland 2010 – I want to take 90 minutes off my time,” he added.