Success!
At 5.50am on Wednesday 9th September, I completed my 2020 challenge in 4 Days 23 Hours and 41 Minutes.
It was my aim to do it in under five days – and I DID IT!
Even when the going was tough, I never forgot why I was doing this – to raise awareness around endometriosis and women’s reproductive health.
Check out Lady Talk Matters to learn about my charity and the motivation behind the madness.
Check out the adventure timeline as it happened.
*repost from @chrish_photos
Brick run, swim - can only mean one thing....challenge loading 🤪. Any guesses what it might be?
#createyourownepic #seatosummitextreme
Happy International Women`s Day! Today I`m feeling incredibly grateful for all the inspiring women in my life who constantly push boundaries and redefine what`s possible 💪. One of these ladies is @wendy_ncapa, whose journey from fear to fearlessness is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in a South African township, swimming has never been on the radar. But yesterday, after lessons with @ststri, she took her first strokes - conquering her fears and proving that with determination, anything is possible! Let`s celebrate the power of sports in breaking barriers and fostering inclusion. Here`s to all the fearless women making waves and inspiring us every day 💜
@bigbayevents One day this girl will swim Robben Island with me...you heard it here first 🤪
#internationalwomensday #inspireinclusion #womeninsport
Flip, talk about a close encounter of the motorbike kind! 🏍️ Had slight heart failure today when this speed demon decided to give us a close-up view of their exhaust pipe! 😱. If anyone is checking my strava, this is the 185 HR spike 😝Note to self: next time, bring a rearview mirror... or maybe just a jetpack! #NeedForSpeed #BikeVsBike #CloseCall"
Ditched the wetsuit for a tropical upgrade 🌴 Never felt water this warm, not even in my bath! #islandlife #tropicalswimmingpool
Dipped into the `mental` pool again today to test if it`s back from holiday 😜. Perfect conditions, no watch and a touch more determination made for a successful #robbenisland swim! Thanks @ryan_stramrood and @peeriuel for a lekker swim and @bigbayevents for keeping us safe!
#mindcheck #swimming #somedaysarebetterthanothers #dontholdback
Exactly a year ago today, I was conquering the treacherous waters (40km) from Cape Point to Gordon`s Bay—mental game was super strong, conditions horrific! Fast forward to today, a spontaneous Robben Island crossing. Within 5 mins, I was eyeing the boat, blaming blue bottles at 5.5km, got out at 5.6km, got back in at 5.8km, got out and called it a day at 6km. Mental toughness on vacation! 🤣 Huge well done to the @bigbaylifesavingclub nippers who aced it; today my excuse game was strong, but hey, some days your mind deserves a break from bossing your body around. Still smiling, though! 😄 #SwimFails #seatosummitextreme
Me and my sidekick @rollingstoneishome, rocking this awesome ride called life! Navigating my health dramas and his shockingly bad golf, we embrace adventures together 🤪 Bring on 2024 – we have some very exciting #seatosummitextreme plans ahead! 👊 Between us, i think we`re a bit of a dream team (don`t tell him that). Don`t forget to check in on him; he`s braving my hormone rollercoaster! 😂 #LifeSidekick #adventures #happynewyear
Rocking the new @dhbsport kit? Not quite – I`m embracing the rollercoaster of low oestrogen! 🥵 Bouncing back after surgery and easing back into training. Bid farewell to HRT due to aggressive #endometriosis. Research suggests oestrogen may fuel endo, but it`s a double-edged sword as hormones are crucial for female athletes! Saying goodbye has its challenges, like sweating buckets! That extra midriff roll? Well, maybe next year, I can blame it on reduced metabolism and not just Christmas vibes!🤪 #HormoneJourney #EndoWarrior #endometriosissucks #TrainingComeback
`Your #endometriosis is as tenacious as you!` @binlydders said this to me yesterday and made me giggle! But there is definitely some truth in it! 🤣 It may well be stubborn, but I can be stubborner 😝
#endometriosisawareness #endowarrior #endometriosissucks #roadtorecovery #herewegoagain
Those that know, know! Those that don`t know, you need to know....#endometriosis sucks!
Not how I planned to be spending my first few weeks back in South Africa. A large cyst landed me in emergency surgery on Monday. Fortunately, I was in the hands of a very experienced surgeon who was able to remove it laproscopically without causing any further damage. I say fortunately because unfortunately, there are still many, many doctors across the world who don`t know how to treat it. This is definitely improving, but there is still so much to be done.
So, for now, the circle of rest and recovery is back in full flow! I can`t feel too sorry for myself though, I`m in the sunshine and have lots of great friends keen to bring me coffee and cake 🌞💛
* For more information on endometriosis, take a look at our education page on @ladytalkmatters
#endometriosisawareness
Note to self...8 months of no swimming makes it pretty hard when you finally start back 🙈 . I`m just glad I didn`t drown 🤣. Great to be back doing what I love with @bigbayevents
#dontholdback #createyourownepic #makingdreamsreality
Feeling like Christmas has come early today thanks to @dhbsport! ❤️ All my challenges are 100% self funded and any money recieved or donated goes 💯 to @ladytalkmatters, so being supported with kit really helps - especially if I want to avoid @rollingstoneishome divorcing me 🤣🤣
#dontholdback #createyourownepic #seatosummitextreme #removethetaboo
I`ve done my one week of winter, this time next week I`ll be back in Sunny #southafrica. Can`t wait 🤪. Who knows I may even be looking forward to riding my MTB! 😱
#summerloading #mountainbike #trails
Time sure flies! @rollingstoneishome apparently it`s our wedding anniversary 🤣. Such a fun day, think we need an excuse for another party 🍾
#wedding #kona #family #ironman
Appreciation post! In the last two months my incredible @ladytalkmatters team have expanded our work into the Eastern Cape and Zimbabwe as well as keeping the hub running in Western Cape! These ladies are incredible, they manufacture our period pads and donate them alongside much needed menstrual health education. Literally changing lives around the world ❤️
Please share the love and tell these ladies how incredible they are!!
#removevthetaboo #periodpoverty
3 years ago to the day, finishing my second #seatosummitextreme challenge! This was the closest I`ve come so far to not meeting my 5 day target 🙈. Truth be known, I threw the towel in on day 4, happy to just finish steadily, but @rollingstoneishome
and @ollybowmanphotography were having none of it and kicked me back on the trail pronto 🤣.
So special having so many friends come out in the middle of the night to support my crazy adventures! ❤️ It takes a team to make it happen.
Everyone keeps asking me what`s next....this summer has been about expanding @ladytalkmatters with the help of my incredible team @wendy_ncapa and @sandra_machinja we`re branching out and changing the lives in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and Zimbabwe!! Challenge wise, there is a lot on my list.....watch this space 😜
📸@ollybowmanphotography
#createyourownepic
#removevthetaboo
It`s hard to believe my Sea To Summit journey began exactly this time 4 years ago! I`ve just been down memory lane watching #instilled the documentary made by the incredible @borishworldwide aka sherpasonslippers 😉
If you haven`t watched it, or want to watch it again, it is now free to view. Link in bio. Feel free to share.
📸 @ollybowmanphotography somewhere in the middle of the English Channel 😂
The faces of two happy finishers of yesterday`s #mcc! I think we were both questioning our sanity at the start line, but both exceeded our own expectations at the finish. @mountwinmama you really are a true inspiration and I was bursting with pride when you came powering across the finish line #fuckcancer !!
Pretty chuffed with my own race too. As usual I set off thinking I was Ussain Bolt, suffered in the middle, but came back strong - finishing with an Age group podium amongst a strong field of ladies! Not bad for someone that doesn`t really trail run 😉
#dontholdback #createyourownepic
Who needs an ice bath when you have glacial water outside your house 🤣. I can confirm its flipping cold! ❄️
#recovery #icebath #createyourownepic
Feeling very lucky, a weekend of exploring high up in the mountains. 🌄❤️
#explore #mtblanc #trails #trailrunning
4 days, 7 hours, 58mins...I still pinch myself even a year on that I was able to swim lake Bala, Lake Windermere, Loch Awe; run the 3 peaks and cycle the 800km in between in a time that even surpassed my own expectations 😂.
It might not have been recognised by Guinness world records or FKT because, `it wasn`t iconic` or an `already established route,` but it was pretty iconic for me 🥂
What`s next?....a question I get most days! Well, it`s no secret my goal is to do a #seatosummitextreme on every continent. I was planning to attempt Asia this year, swim the Tsugaru Strait, ride 900km to Mt Fuji then run up Mt Fuji, however those that follow the incredible @sarahswims04 will have recently learnt how difficult the logistics are just for the swim! Safe to say I haven`t been able to pull off the logistics for this one yet - as I`ve said before, doing the challenge is the easy part, it`s the rest that is a nightmare 😂. I`m now busy looking into an Australasian challenge for later in the year - I have some ideas, but keen for some more - the less iconic and established the better 🖕😉...what you got for me?
📸@ollybowmanphotography
#createyourownepic #iknow
Don`t take me back 🤣🤣. Hard to believe this time last year I was setting off on my UK #seatosummitextreme challenge! Something so many people told me was impossible! Made even harder on the first day by huge storms and gale force winds, sure was a day to remember....or forget! 🤣
📸@ollybowmanphotography
#slovenia you just keep on giving! Seriously, if you love the outdoors then you have to visit this amazing country. ❤️
#vanlife #mtb #outdoors
First ever downhill mtb experience in Europe.. Success measure? @rollingstoneishome and I are not filing for divorce 🤣🤣
#downhill #mtb #newexperiences #createyourownepic
Office for the day! ❤️
#vanlife #createyourownepic
My why! ❤️
Follow @ladytalkmatters to see the incredible work we are doing in South Africa and around the world to #removethetaboo and end #periodpoverty
📸🎥@katieyakk
It`s been a while! 4months to be exact, quite possibly the longest I`ve ever been without swimming 😱.
#seatosummitextreme #dontholdback
Summer has arrived! Don`t be fooled by the snow. Extremely grateful to be able to ride and run in these mountains. ❤️
#montblanc #emosson #trails
No matter where you are from, your dreams are valid!
A big part of my vision for @ladytalkmatters is to work with and inspire young girls to be the best possible version of themselves - no matter their background or personal circumstances. I want them to know that they should never compare themselves to others. They should compare themselves to where THEY have been and what THEY have achieved.
We are currently learning the importance of goal setting, making a plan and working hard to get there! What better way to learn these life skills than through sport!? They have after all got me as their mentor, what would you expect? 😂😂
Big thank you to @ststri for keeping the girls motivated while I am away and to @eat_at_cognito for providing a friendly and welcoming environment for them to socialise post Saturday runs! ❤️
#removethetaboo
Thanks @katieyakk for creating
a life long reminder of how brutal the @capeepic was 😂
My motto as you know is #createyourownepic this was definitely an epic! 6 weeks on and my claw hands from gripping the handles bars so tight are only just starting to feel normal! So so grateful for having received so many donations, definitely seems like people like to see me suffer 🤪
#breakingboundaries #pushingthelimits #removethetaboo
ADVENTURE
A PERSONAL INVITE TO VIRTUALLY JOIN ME ON MY CHALLENGE
Last year I swam the English channel, cycled 900km from Calais to Chamonix and finished by climbing 3800m to the top of Mont Blanc in just 5 days!
This year’s challenge is even bigger and I want you to join me!
Born from the desire to spread the Sea to Summit extreme fever, this year’s Global Challenge gives you the opportunity to get onboard my journey. Not only will it give you motivation to keep training in times where many events have been cancelled, it is all for a great cause. All proceeds raised from the entry and merchandise fees go directly to my newly founded charity:
LADY TALK MATTERS.
30 DAY VIRTUAL CHALLENGE
Saturday 15th August to Monday 14th September
There is an option for all abilities and desires. Simply register for the challenge that is right for you and start creating your own epic!
What are you waiting for?
WALES
SHORT COURSE
Always fancied doing a longer triathlon, but not sure you want to do it in a race or all in one go? Well this option may be right for you. Simply register for the short course triathlon and start logging your distances from 15th August. Using the my virtual mission application you will be able to watch yourself move across Wales on the course that I am completing. You can go nuts and try and complete it as quickly as possible, or you can take the full 30 days. It is entirely in your hands!
SWIM |
BIKE |
RUN |
|---|---|---|
| 6 km | 100 km | 11 km |
ENGLAND
MEDIUM COURSE
Want to go bigger, but not sure how you could fit the hours of swimming in for the long course? Well this option maybe for you! Simply register for the medium course triathlon and start logging your distances from 15th August. Using the my virtual mission application you will be able to watch yourself move across the rolling English country side. You can choose if you want to be competitive and do it as quickly as possible or if you just want to take your time and soak up the fresh air.
SWIM |
BIKE |
RUN |
|---|---|---|
| 18 km | 250 km | 16 km |
SCOTLAND
LONG COURSE
Need some motivation to swim some extra KMs as well as keeping up those biking and running KMs? Well there’s no time like the present! Big brother will be watching. Simply register for the long course triathlon and start logging your distances from 15th August. You may even get lucky and win some awesome prizes from our amazing sponsors.
SWIM |
BIKE |
RUN |
|---|---|---|
| 41 km | 450 km | 15 km |
EXTREME
FULL COURSE IF YOU THINK YOU’RE HARD ENOUGH!
Want to feel my pain? Think you can do it faster? Well this option is definitely for you! Simply register for the extreme course triathlon and start logging your distances from 15th August. Using the my virtual mission application you will be able to watch yourself move across the whole route. You can choose if you want to be competitive and race me, or you can be sensible, get some sleep and take the 30 days – the choice is yours!
SWIM |
BIKE |
RUN |
|---|---|---|
| 65 km | 800 km | 44 km |
PICK AND MIX
Don’t fancy a triathlon? Just want to swim? Don’t own a bike? Knees are too knackered to run? Just want to donate? Don’t worry there is an option for you. Simply click on the register button below and explore the possibilities.
Choose your swim challenge
Choose your ride challenge
Choose your run/hike challenge
Choose your swim challenge
Choose your ride challenge
Choose your run/hike challenge
1. Register
Register for the event that is right for you. Create your virtual profile
2. Connect
Connect your activity/fitness tracker to our virtual challenge platform
3. Start
Swim, ride your bike and run/hike. Track your distances as per normal
4. Progress
Watch yourself progress along your chosen challenge map.
*repost from @chrish_photos
Brick run, swim - can only mean one thing....challenge loading 🤪. Any guesses what it might be?
#createyourownepic #seatosummitextreme
Happy International Women`s Day! Today I`m feeling incredibly grateful for all the inspiring women in my life who constantly push boundaries and redefine what`s possible 💪. One of these ladies is @wendy_ncapa, whose journey from fear to fearlessness is nothing short of inspiring. Growing up in a South African township, swimming has never been on the radar. But yesterday, after lessons with @ststri, she took her first strokes - conquering her fears and proving that with determination, anything is possible! Let`s celebrate the power of sports in breaking barriers and fostering inclusion. Here`s to all the fearless women making waves and inspiring us every day 💜
@bigbayevents One day this girl will swim Robben Island with me...you heard it here first 🤪
#internationalwomensday #inspireinclusion #womeninsport
Flip, talk about a close encounter of the motorbike kind! 🏍️ Had slight heart failure today when this speed demon decided to give us a close-up view of their exhaust pipe! 😱. If anyone is checking my strava, this is the 185 HR spike 😝Note to self: next time, bring a rearview mirror... or maybe just a jetpack! #NeedForSpeed #BikeVsBike #CloseCall"
Ditched the wetsuit for a tropical upgrade 🌴 Never felt water this warm, not even in my bath! #islandlife #tropicalswimmingpool
Dipped into the `mental` pool again today to test if it`s back from holiday 😜. Perfect conditions, no watch and a touch more determination made for a successful #robbenisland swim! Thanks @ryan_stramrood and @peeriuel for a lekker swim and @bigbayevents for keeping us safe!
#mindcheck #swimming #somedaysarebetterthanothers #dontholdback
Exactly a year ago today, I was conquering the treacherous waters (40km) from Cape Point to Gordon`s Bay—mental game was super strong, conditions horrific! Fast forward to today, a spontaneous Robben Island crossing. Within 5 mins, I was eyeing the boat, blaming blue bottles at 5.5km, got out at 5.6km, got back in at 5.8km, got out and called it a day at 6km. Mental toughness on vacation! 🤣 Huge well done to the @bigbaylifesavingclub nippers who aced it; today my excuse game was strong, but hey, some days your mind deserves a break from bossing your body around. Still smiling, though! 😄 #SwimFails #seatosummitextreme
Me and my sidekick @rollingstoneishome, rocking this awesome ride called life! Navigating my health dramas and his shockingly bad golf, we embrace adventures together 🤪 Bring on 2024 – we have some very exciting #seatosummitextreme plans ahead! 👊 Between us, i think we`re a bit of a dream team (don`t tell him that). Don`t forget to check in on him; he`s braving my hormone rollercoaster! 😂 #LifeSidekick #adventures #happynewyear
Rocking the new @dhbsport kit? Not quite – I`m embracing the rollercoaster of low oestrogen! 🥵 Bouncing back after surgery and easing back into training. Bid farewell to HRT due to aggressive #endometriosis. Research suggests oestrogen may fuel endo, but it`s a double-edged sword as hormones are crucial for female athletes! Saying goodbye has its challenges, like sweating buckets! That extra midriff roll? Well, maybe next year, I can blame it on reduced metabolism and not just Christmas vibes!🤪 #HormoneJourney #EndoWarrior #endometriosissucks #TrainingComeback
`Your #endometriosis is as tenacious as you!` @binlydders said this to me yesterday and made me giggle! But there is definitely some truth in it! 🤣 It may well be stubborn, but I can be stubborner 😝
#endometriosisawareness #endowarrior #endometriosissucks #roadtorecovery #herewegoagain
Those that know, know! Those that don`t know, you need to know....#endometriosis sucks!
Not how I planned to be spending my first few weeks back in South Africa. A large cyst landed me in emergency surgery on Monday. Fortunately, I was in the hands of a very experienced surgeon who was able to remove it laproscopically without causing any further damage. I say fortunately because unfortunately, there are still many, many doctors across the world who don`t know how to treat it. This is definitely improving, but there is still so much to be done.
So, for now, the circle of rest and recovery is back in full flow! I can`t feel too sorry for myself though, I`m in the sunshine and have lots of great friends keen to bring me coffee and cake 🌞💛
* For more information on endometriosis, take a look at our education page on @ladytalkmatters
#endometriosisawareness
Note to self...8 months of no swimming makes it pretty hard when you finally start back 🙈 . I`m just glad I didn`t drown 🤣. Great to be back doing what I love with @bigbayevents
#dontholdback #createyourownepic #makingdreamsreality
Feeling like Christmas has come early today thanks to @dhbsport! ❤️ All my challenges are 100% self funded and any money recieved or donated goes 💯 to @ladytalkmatters, so being supported with kit really helps - especially if I want to avoid @rollingstoneishome divorcing me 🤣🤣
#dontholdback #createyourownepic #seatosummitextreme #removethetaboo
