AFTER four years of wanting to sign up for Bolton's gruelling Ironman, a mother-of-two has taken the plunge.

Freelance photographer Julie Lomax, aged 43, has signed up for Ironman UK 2017 and has thrown herself into a demanding training programme.

On July 16, she will join more than 2,000 triathletes on the course which leaves most people exhausted at the mere thought.

At 6am, the superfit humans will dive into Pennington Flash, Leigh, for a 2.4 mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride and finishing with a marathon in Bolton town centre while spectators cheer them past the finish line.

Mrs Lomax, who lives in Barrow Bridge, said: "I know lots of people who have done Ironman and are doing Ironman and I just want to see if I can manage it.

"I’m only planning on doing one!"

Married to Shaun for 13 years and with two children — Megan, aged 17, and 12-year-old Millie — here are the highs and lows of the former Bolton Evening News photographer's training regime so far.

Week 1

Well, I signed up on Monday, after visiting the toilet a few times, for my first Ironman (Ironman UK 2017) — first person in the queue at the Macron Stadium! I gave the wrong address and wrong e mail, I was so nervous. Only been trying for four years to be brave and positive enough to try it, but the swimming just wasn’t up to it before now. Thanks to Tri-Rivington and Ray McGloin, my swimming and confidence have improved enough to think it may just be possible!

First week of training and first 12.5 hours done! Ticked off and in the bag!

Week 2

Ok, week two started really well, swim session with Ray. It’s so much easier to do the sessions with someone. With swimming, I find I just go into boring one lap, two lap but with a partner you feel you have to push on. Great hour session which helped me get a good sleep for my holiday to Portugal.

First session in the sun is my fave — a 50 minute run. Well, I am entertaining, if nothing else — in 50 minutes I have managed to get lost three times. They don’t know what a crossing is in Portugal so nearly flattened, but that only happened once! That’s week two done — two spins, two runs and five swims. Lots of nice food and drink and plenty of sun! I love it, who says it's hard work?

Week 3

Plan swim and spin. Had to persuade hubby to join me. He wasn’t up for it at all! Jumped in, water was nice and cool but 10 laps in not feeling great and wanted to stop. Head just won’t work, gonna pack this lot in. Hubby flies by me again, 20 laps in. Is ironman for me? No. What if I fail, what will everyone think?

Week 4

Second session and last one in Lagos. A run down to the harbour, what a beautiful and weird sunset — never seen the sun that orange and red ever. Fancy not having my camera with me! Youngsters were doing somersaults into the harbour and, all in all, a lovely way to end my stay in Lagos, till next year maybe!

Week 5

Five mile cycle home after physio which was a bit eventful. Typical white van driver was being a bully on Manchester Road. I was in the cycle lane and he insisted that I wasn’t. The cycle lane was in the middle of the road and he was going left, I was going right. He nearly knocked me right off, shouting loads of abuse at me and everything. You sometimes take your life in your hands on a bike these days!

Week 6

Taper week (reducing exercise in the days just before an event) for a half Ironman in York.

Saturday D-Day. Had a good sleep, everything packed and off to York! The race is called Sundowner (finish at sundown) as it's a late start, 12.02pm, so we can set off at a reasonable time. Four laps of the lake (1.2 miles) two laps on the bike (56 miles) and a half marathon — (13.1miles)!

Most of my team mates hung around in the rain to cheer me on. My husband was soaked to the bone — a true gent!

Sunday was a day of REST!

Week 7

Well after Saturday, I am feeling good.

Thursday brought some lovely weather so I took the afternoon off to enjoy it with the other half. Lovely ride around Rivington with a stop at Frederick's in Adlington for a teacake and a coffee, followed by a brick run to check out the calf which was not too bad!

The weather really does make all the difference — not looking forward to the winter.

Week 8

My running session on Tuesday was nearly quite eventful. I was stood outside David Lloyd gym waiting for the troops, watching the most amazing light show ever, wishing I had my camera and thinking about the chances of this lightning hitting me? But Ray had other plans — a gym run and bike session was to take its place, in the comfort of David Lloyd, thank goodness!

Week 9

Sunday and I attempted The Bolton Bash cycle event. Little bit too optimistic — had to turn round at mile eight before I was either sick or fainted. Limped home. Not a great week of training and very down.

Week 10

Well, after my disaster at the Bolton Bash Cycle Sportif I am having a break on Monday and Tuesday. I got up and decided I still didn’t feel great, so Tuesday was a day of rest as well!

So far this week I feel like all I have done is eat and sleep. That's what it feels like anyway, but that will hopefully get me back into full training again.

Week 12

What can I say, this training lark isn’t that easy. I never thought it would be!

It’s the emotions that go with it that are harder to deal with and anybody who knows me knows I’m not emotional at all!

I’ve been struggling for the last three weeks, trying to train with what I thought was a leg injury. Well folks, it's not my leg. I think I’ve narrowed it down to my back!

Sorry to miss a couple of weeks blogging. I was in a real turmoil as to whether I was letting me or anyone else down. But, you know what, even if I don’t finish this Ironman, I’m going to give it my best shot! Especially since I’ve also decided to raise funds for BYPHS — a local charity that helps homeless people in Bolton, aged 16 to 25.

Week 13

Half term was always going to mess up my training week as, with two children (one is now working, but one still at school) the routine goes to pot! In a good way that is!

Wednesday we were off to the Lakes so I’ve packed the trainers to try out the leg and plan on doing a few walks, but don’t tell Millie! (that's my daughter — if she thinks she’s walking, she won't come).

We managed two three-mile walks on Wednesday, both very hilly and they both went down very well, with a great burger, chips and wine to finish!

Week 15

Two weeks have passed by and I’m two weeks fitter! I hope.

I have been getting out on the bike, mainly, with my ever-suffering husband Shaun and my club Tri Rivington. I did manage a super cold ride last Saturday with my friend Donna Cooper who, by the way, is amazing on a bike and is also signed up for Ironman. She took us on a route through Ramsbottom, Haslingden, Edgworth and Tockholes just to name a few towns and I have to say it was fab!