4 weeks ago
In a display of endurance and sheer willpower that would leave most of us breathless just thinking about it, Rob Mitchell, a Surgical Registrar at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, is taking on a challenge of epic proportions.
This August, Rob will be attempting something that’s not for the faint-hearted – seven Ironman triathlons in seven days. Yes, you heard that right. Seven. In. Seven. Days.
For the uninitiated, an Ironman isn’t your typical weekend jog around the park. We’re talking about a 3.8km swim, followed by a 180km bike ride, and then, just to round it all off, a marathon. And Rob will be doing this every single day for a week. It’s a mind-boggling feat of human endurance, and he’s doing it all in the name of charity.
Rob’s not just putting himself through this physical gauntlet for fun (though there’s certainly something to be said for the kind of person who takes on a challenge like this). No, this is all for a good cause – two, in fact. He’s raising money for Movember, the well-known men’s health charity, and the DMRC Benevolent Fund, which supports injured service personnel.
The challenge kicked off at 6am on Sunday, 18th August, with Rob plunging into the first of many cold waters. “The training programme has been tough with very early starts, as well as trying to balance recovery, work shifts, and a social life,” Rob admits. “But despite starting this journey lacking an endurance athlete’s physique, I’ve trained extremely hard and managed to adapt – it’s truly amazing what the body can achieve with determination and the right training.”
It’s clear that this isn’t just a physical challenge for Rob – it’s mental too. The sheer discipline and focus required to complete such a challenge are monumental, and Rob has faced his share of tough moments. “Sometimes staying motivated on this journey is difficult, but whenever I’m flagging, I focus my mind back to the charities, and my supportive family and friends along with their unwavering support – I’m looking forward to making them all very proud.”
If you want to be a part of this incredible journey, Rob will be wrapping up his week of endurance on the evening of Saturday, 24th August, at Clapham Common Bandstand by the Pear Tree Cafe. It’s the perfect spot to come down, cheer him on, and maybe even be inspired to take on a challenge of your own (though maybe something a tad less extreme).
And if you can’t be there in person, you can follow along on Rob’s Instagram (@robmitchell06) to see how he’s getting on, and of course, donate to these worthy causes.
So here’s to Rob – a man who’s proving that with enough grit, determination, and a good cause, anything is possible. We’re cheering you on, Rob – every single step of the way.
