NINE months after first taking the plunge, Alan Lewis is embarking on a two and a half mile swim in an open water reservoir at Bolton.
And the 34-year-old is following it with a 112-mile bike ride and a full 26-mile marathon as part of his Iron Man Challenge on August 1.
Alan knows he faces the toughest challenge of his life.
"I have never done anything this stupid before," he said.
But he feels he has a big favour to repay the Severn Hospice who cared for both his mother and grandfather during the final stages of their illnesses.
"My mum died in 2009 and they looked after the whole family. They were brilliant. Doing the Iron Man Challenge is just a small way of putting something back," he said.
Three of Alan's 11 training sessions a week have been in The Mere at Ellesmere with the Tri-Smart athletes and coach Guy Clamp.
"In October I could only swim a couple of lengths of the 190 or so I have to complete. Without Guy I would probably not be doing this," he said.
And five weeks after the Iron Man Challenge he is taking part in the Pant to Paris Bike Ride a distance of around 500 miles.
"I am looking out for the most padded pair of cycling shorts I can find," he added.