Here I had written a lot of details about what happened in 2018, but decided not to post it just yet – or even at all. Needless to say it was a bad time.
In May I had an appointment with the Sheffield Adult Autism Centre as a routine appointment, I don’t entirely understand what I did. But they were sufficiently concerned with my behaviour presented to call Dr Smith, who called me later in the day. I was called into hospital again and given Diazepam for the first time. This is what I know now as my ‘emergency medication’, Linda always has it in her bag when we go away.
It was apparent that I was struggling at work at this time, again unable to concentrate or process information effectively. I was sent home and was signed off work for a number of months. During the recovery time I showed little interest in anything. Initially not moving off my backside or getting out of bed. My beard grew long, I stopped showering and not looking after myself properly.
One day I had an impulsive decision. I had decided I couldn’t watch TV as I couldn’t focus or follow the pace. But I had an idea that I could read. That’s exactly what I did. I buried my head in books. I impulsively decided to go buy a kindle. That was it. I decided to follow inspirational books. I read lots of different books, Sean Conway books, Ciccerone cycling books and eventually a book by a relatively unknown author called George Mahood.
The book was called Operation Ironman. The basic premise was an account of a man who is seriously ill in hospital, who has an idea to complete an ironman. I read the book in a day. I couldn’t put it down. I thought to myself I’m going to do that. I told a handful of my closest friends and family. There are a few problems though, 1) I was in a bad mental state and 2) I weighed in over 300 lbs and 3) I can’t swim properly.
I posted the odd cryptic clue on my social media about my plan. I had no real commitment, other that I intended to do it before I was 40 – which was 4 years away. My mate Tyler said he would do it with me.
2019 wasn’t much better. I was having a miserable time in my work and at home we had just taken on a huge renovation project. We were living in my mum and dads house while we renovated an old 1950’s property in a nice part of town.
2019 could only be described as draining. My weight spiralled and resulted in weighing 310lbs. The new year was a time of change though. My good friends Sam and Zoe invited us to theirs to celebrate Christmas. They are both sporty types and Sam a former Pro-Boxer and Zoe a fitness coach. I got a bit upset talking about my weight in the kitchen and Zoe said she would get me into shape. Thursday 2nd Jan I was sat with Zoe going through the plan.
It begins…
Bipolar Ironman 