McRoberts' road to an IronMan

Over the next couple of months I'd like to take you through my training and preparation for my latest challenge: the Taupo 70.3 IronMan next March.

I'll let you see exactly what I'm up to, what's working and what's not, the good and the bad.

Here's a spoiler alert: I'm pretty useless at swimming - but more on that later.

Fitness has become a big part of my life and the opportunity to swim 1.9km, cycle 90km and run 21km all in one day both exhilarates me and terrifies me.

I've just completed the New York marathon for the third time which is how my fitness and health journey began. Six years and about 10kgs ago I met Mike Lloyd, a blind runner with Parkinson's who was training for the New York Marathon. He needed some help with his long runs so I offered to guide him. I've been guiding him ever since.

Mike Lloyd

Mike is one of the most inspiring, but down to earth people you'd ever meet. I love his attitude to life and his wicked sense of humour. I can't overstate what Mike has done for me - he has literally changed my life.

If it wasn’t for Mike, I doubt I would have run a marathon. Now I've run15.