The Man With The Iron Task

After nearly four years of waiting, Ben is finally heading to Tenby.

In light of recent announcements from Ironman HQ, Ben rounds off the current run of episodes by sitting down with elite British fell runner Jasmin Paris.

Ben saddles up and heads for the hills of the Kentish countryside.

Ben offers an explanation for the recent radio silence, and recaps an illuminating 20-mile training run.

Ben shirks a ten mile run in inclement weather by discussing the February stats. 

Ben talks to proud son of Sheffield Ben Graney about his efforts to raise money for his local branch of Mind by running 48 miles in 48 hours in July 2020.

Yet again, Ben is back - and hoping that it'll be third time lucky in 2021.

Ben discovers the full extent of Covid 19's impact on Ironman Wales 2020.

As training picks up in intensity, we hear an inside report on 2019's event from friend of the podcast (and Ironman) Mathew James.

In this episode, Ben talks about something truly disgusting that happened to his foot.

A brief update as to the impact of the more stringent UK social distancing measures.

How are you liking Ben's elaborate ruse to get out of this year's Ironman Wales so far?

Ben shares his experiences of the wetter, windier, and more wearisome aspects of cycling in the countryside during one of the stormiest months on record.

Ben hoses down Lenny and takes him for a spin in the Kentish countryside.

Ben's hunt for an affordable Ironman bike gets off to a shaky start...

In this episode, Ben talks about getting back to full fitness the only way he knows how...

After a period of unexpected upheaval, Ben is back. The surroundings may have changed, but the goal is the same...

Ben finds himself battling a nasty winter bug that threatens to derail his training.

And we're back! Ben kicks off training again for his postponed attempt at the notoriously gruelling Ironman Wales triathlon in Tenby.

Ben broadcasts live from Membury services en route back to his job in Bath following a significant weekend in the Man With The Iron Task calendar.

In this episode, Ben receives a report on the 2019 Tenby Long Course Weekend Swim from friend of the podcast Mathew James.

In this episode, Lenny communicates his displeasure with the change of plans in no uncertain terms...

In a slightly more sombre episode, Ben discusses an unfortunate change to the Ironman plan.

In this episode, Ben rambles on for an unreasonably long time about wetsuits.

With the day of the event creeping up on him, Ben is feeling the pressure to train - but his knee is also experiencing some pressure, and has other ideas...

Ben's training meets with disruption caused by an eruption of the dental variety...

Ben has a natter with actor, long-distance runner, amateur boxer and friend of the podcast Jonny Weldon. Jonny's charity: Oakhaven Hospice Trust You can find Jonny's fundraising page for the 2019 London Marathon here: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/JonnyWeldon

Ben is halfway there... but is he halfway ready?

Ben takes a yawing, bleary-eyed look at the importance of shut-eye for the endurance athlete.

In this episode, Ben and Kate Lamb discuss the beautiful town of Tenby and examine the Ironman achievements of its freakishly athletic denizens.

In this episode we find Ben tilting not at windmills, but at the wind itself...

Ben chats with born adventurer Kate Lamb about some of the intrepid expeditions she has undertaken over the years, including a 2,500km cycle across Europe (with her dog Scout in tow) to raise money for an organisation that aims to improve the lives of street dogs in Bulgaria. Kate's Charities: Street Hearts BG https://streetheartsbg.com/ Thighs of Steel https://www.thighsofsteel.com/ You can read Kate's blog of her journey across Europe with Scout here: https://k8andk9.com/

In this episode, Ben experiments with the doctrine of 'active recovery' in a bid to restore the spring in his step...

In this episode, Ben and friend of the podcast Andy Daniel discuss Ben's damage limitation plans for race day.

In this episode, Ben sacrifices comfort and dignity for aerodynamic advantage.

In today's episode, Ben says goodbye to an old friend.

Ben talks to Andy Daniel, veteran of the Brighton Marathon, Brighton Half Marathon, and two Great South Runs. Andy's Charities: The Royal British Legion www.britishlegion.org.uk Harry's Fund www.harrysfund.org.uk Ehlers Danlos Support UK www.ehlers-danlos.org

In this episode, Ben gets into a pool, begins swimming, and doesn't stop for a really long time.

Ben jogs to the gym late on a Sunday evening to see how far he can ride on a bike that doesn't move, the workings of which he doesn't fully understand.

Is it safe? Is it safe to attempt to break half marathon distance by running 15 miles at this point of the training? Ben attempts to find out...

It's only New Year's Day, and already Ben's training plans are beginning to go awry...

Failing to prepare is preparing to fail - so in today's episode, Ben shares some insights gleaned from his cursory efforts to research the Ironman Wales course.

With the busy festive season upon us, Ben struggles to fit in his full weekly quota of training sessions - with some unanticipated benefits...

Though not exactly ancient, Ben is no spring chicken; more like a plump, stately Christmas Turkey - and one that needs to still be clucking come the New Year.

In this episode, Ben overcomes his confusion around the question of how an adult man gains entry to a swimming centre, and goes for his first training paddle.

Thwarted in his original plan by the dwindling stock of an online seller, Ben attempts to fix his bike wheel with the aid his trusty claw hammer.

In this episode, Ben ventures down into his dark, dank cellar in search of an old friend.

A journey of 140.6 miles begins with a single step. In today's episode, Ben goes for his first run in over a year.

In this, the very first episode of The Man With The Iron Task, Ben explains what on earth he is thinking.