The boss from Rotherham's speediest delivery company will need to be on his mettle when he competes in the Lanzarote Ironman event this weekend.
Rod McGowan, 40, General Manager at express delivery giant TNT based at Euroway Industrial Estate, Hellaby, Rotherham will be taking part in what is described as 'the ultimate challenge for all athletes'. The ironman course consists of a 2.4 mile swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, topped off with a 26.22 mile run - all in the blistering heat of the Canary Island of Lanzarote on May 23.
Resolute Rod is determined to complete the punishing course in order to qualify for the Ironman World Championship in Kona, Hawaii on October 10. He has completed an intense 22-week training period to prepare for the grueling event, where he has allowed himself just one day off per week.
Rod explained: "This is the second year running that I've taken on this challenge and it's one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. It's really difficult to find the time to fit my training into my already hectic life, with my work commitments and desire to spend quality time with my family too - it means I have to sacrifice sleep in order to complete my training."
Getting up at 5am to go on an 18-mile bike ride as part of his training programme is no problem for dedicated Rod in the spring and summer months - it's the colder, darker winter months that he finds tough, he added: "Getting up at that time is particularly difficult when the rain is pouring down outside and it's pitch black, especially when the rest of my family are curled up sleeping soundly."
On the day of the event Rod will burn between 15-17,000 calories, so it's a good job he's staying at an all-inclusive hotel on the volcanic island because in the period after the event he will need to consume two breakfasts, two lunches and two dinners per day to replace the massive calorie loss!
If successful, Rod will allow himself two weeks off after the competition before he starts his next training programme, to train for the event in Hawaii. During that rest period Rod has promised himself his favourite meal of fish and chips with an ice-cold beer or two.
"I have done all I can to prepare myself physically and mentally for this challenge and I whilst I know it's going to take every ounce of effort from me, I know it will be worth it when I cross that finish line and can focus on Hawaii."