In late 2010 my mum, Christine Terpens, was diagnosed with an eye disease related to Macular Degeneration. With the prospect of losing her sight the diagnosis was very confronting and disheartening for our family. Thankfully, skilled surgeons using newly developed techniques allowed my mum to keep her sight. The knowledge and research shared by organisations like the Macular Degeneration Foundation allowed a woman who would have gone legally blind to continue reading, driving and living a normal life. Sadly, little is still known about Macular Degeneration, why it occurs and how it can be successfully prevented. Had my mum been diagnosed before 2003 the chances of her successfully recovering would have been virtually nil. 

I have decided to create a physical challenge for myself to raise funds for the Macular Degeneration Foundation of Australia. Please support me in raising some money for the foundation to assist with their research projects, your help and generosity are greatly appreciated. 

The challenge -

5km swim every day for 10 days (100 laps of the Enfield Olympic pool each session). The swim is followed by a 25km bike ride for each of the 10 days. The challenge totals 300km and will take place in March.

The swim and ride will be completed at full exertion. No swim aids, no frolicing in the shallow end, no extended breaks during the 100 laps or cruising on the bike ;-)

Training -

I have been training for the challenge since mid November. Since then I have completed more than 130km in the pool and 500km on the bike. Non-swim days comprise of weight training, push ups and core work.