Frontline Heroes at centre of Den’s ‘Virtual Triathlon’
DEN WILL UNDERTAKE A GRUELLING CHALLENGE AROUND HIS HOME/BACK GARDEN IN AID OF THREE CHARITIES
WITH all sports effectively on hold for the foreseeable future, it’s up to folk to come up with their innovative ways of staying fit – and while they’re at it, they can also raise a little money for some worthy charities along the way.
One such person coming up with a unique way to maintain his fitness while raising money is Tralee man Den McCarthy, who this Saturday, May 2, will take part in a challenge of his own making – a ‘Virtual Triathlon for Frontline Heroes’.
The triathlon will consist of Den taking part in a 1.9km-long ‘Dryland Swim’; a 90km-long indoor bike ride; and, for good measure, a 21.1km run.
And, in an added twist, all three of these will be done entirely within the confines of Den’s home and garden.
Speaking to The Kerryman this week about the origins of the challenge, Den was in a confident mood of getting the job done.
“As reality struck and training was cancelled with the club and we were told stay at home, I must admit that my motivation for any sort of training, it just went through the floor,” said Den.
“And I just came across this thing on one of the Facebook groups about a man in England who did a half Ironman distance around his house and garden, and I thought that I could do something similar around my own place,” he said. “Now this guy had a pool and, obviously, I don’t have anything like that, but I do have a swim bench which is basically like a treadmill for swimmers. You can lie up on it and you can take your strokes and away you go,” Den continued.
Den now had a route to get the swimming part of the challenge out of the way, so it was on to the other aspects. An indoor bike got the cycling out of the way, so then it was down to the running.
Den had initially planned to run the 21.1km distance around his back garden, but after a painful experience with some blisters, he says he’s now got his run route sorted around a small grass field outside his house. After slowly preparing these last few weeks through dedicated training, he’s now raring to go for the main event this Saturday.
At the heart of Den’s virtual triathlon are three charities close to his heart, all of which support all those on the front-line during this pandemic: The Ian O’Connell Trust; Little Blue Heroes; and Arlington Lodge, Tralee.
“With so many of the lads in the Tri Club either working in the hospital or in the Gardaí, I just thought I’d do something to thank them and all the others out there working and risking their lives during this crisis,” he said.
To help raise funds for his three chosen groups, Den has set up a GoFundMe page and has – at the time of writing – already raised a cool €835 of his €1,500 target.
“Right now others, maybe friends and family, are on the front line, risking their lives, so that this virus can be defeated or keeping the country functioning: our healthcare professionals, our Gardaí, army, fire service and security employees,” he said.
“Workers in the food production and distribution supply chain, as well as those in sales and delivery. Our transport, utilities, communications and financial service personnel.
“These heroes deserve so much gratitude from the rest of us.”
The link to Den’s fundraiser is currently up on The Kerryman’s Facebook page for anyone who wishes to donate.