“#40s440 No Problem” was definitely what me and my ‘logo’ said… but let’s face it, 2020 itself has been a problem. COVID-19 has interrupted and upset lives, love and global economies; never mind 40s440. Unfortunately, this is true for some much more than others and my heart goes out to you.

Notwithstanding the restrictions, I’ve tried to find ways to complete the challenges I set earlier this year. I have included a table below as a summary of where I think I am in statistical and factual terms.

The simple fact is that I am behind – International Flights are still not available, Ironman 70.3 Astana has been cancelled and my entry has automatically deferred to 2021. The same looks to be true for Manchester Marathon (final update due 17/07/2020). Unfortunately, it is now not possible to achieve the 40s440 challenge how I originally planned it. Innovative ideas like Everest from Home helped me to climb over 40,000 feet despite the COVID-19 restrictions but fundamental changes to major events such as the Ironman are game changers.

I designed the original schedule such that the more demanding challenges were weighted toward the back end so I had time to prepare. The logic was that I would start with Aconcagua and then do the Manchester Marathon. This would establish my base aerobic fitness. Following that, I planned to do intensive swim, cycle and run training to build my speed, in advance of the Ironman. Post the Ironman, I would complete the cycling and running time trails and some mountain climbing to finish on my 40th Birthday. The rest would fit around these critical path items. This top level logic has been mixed up entirely.

It’s worth remembering that I started this year with injured feet so struggled to walk never mind run! Then, in early June, I came off my bike when training so have been forced to take a few more weeks out recovering from the accident.

Doom and gloom aside, the current situation is not as bad as it would first appear. In simple terms, I’ve completed 25% of the original challenges and putting ‘earned value management’ to one side, by factoring in the challenges that remain ongoing throughout the period of performance, I achieve 42% of the original list. Further, by including three more challenges (I found myself practicing for future free diving by doing dry static apnea at home, learning to play 40 riffs / songs on the guitar and planking often) I could claim a 53% completion rate, as follows:

It’s hard to quantify and describe just how much effort, preparation and training goes into each one of these challenges. It really is a big ask to do all this, plan for it, prepare for it, train for it, project manage it, research, source, procure and prepare the right foods, motivate, be the multi-disciplined trainer, the analyst, the blogger – the list goes on! I work more than full-time and whilst I still think it is possible to achieve all this before I am 40, it is dependent upon good weather, a tail wind, good fortune, flexible working and supportive partners and family. Plus, the original schedule did not allow for any downtime due to COVID-19, other illness or injury (some would say the compressed nature of the original schedule, may have made the likelihood of injury greater, certainly in the later stages).

As any half-decent Commercial Manager would do, I am hereby submitting notice of force majure (otherwise know as excusable delay) and my intent to extend the original period of performance from my pre-40 period (01/01/2020 to 05/11/2020) through to the end of my own 40th year of personal performance (01/01/2020 – 05/11/2021). This effectively gives me another 12 months and aligns with Ironman Astana 70.3 2021 (mid-August 2021).

Each time I’ve posted here on 40s440.com, I followed it with a post about my next charity donation so I will maintain the discipline of donations progressing in line with my achievement rate and updates.

I still don’t think this is going to be easy, I may have nailed a few of the challenges but others are super hard and require extraordinary commitment and dedication.

Indeed, for the first time in my life I find myself close to admitting that I need a personal Programme Manager… probably a Doctor and definitely a masseuse!

Wish me luck!