As one of a team of five preparing to set trek unsupported, through one of the most challenging and inhospitable terrains in the world, I should point out that I am not a natural athlete. Far from it.

Yet, in a year’s time, November 2011, I will head to the Antarctic to begin Polar Vision - an endurance challenge and world record attempt, that will see the first registered blind person trek from Antarctica to the South Pole, raising much-needed funds and awareness for Sightsavers International and Guide Dogs for the Blind.

If four years ago anyone had even mentioned the phrase ‘endurance challenge’ to me, I would have laughed, having previously struggled to jog the distance of a soccer pitch without experiencing minor heart palpitations and eye-balling the referee to hurry up and blow the full time whistle! So, having just completed a second season of triathlons, with my mind focused on the physical and mental challenges associated with Polar Vision, I’ve come to reflect on the journey so far and the origins of my addiction to fitness endorphins.

As a way to escape the stress of everyday life, I surprised myself when I discovered an unlikely new hobby - running. (I was never in with a shot of medals, so struggled to consider it a sport!) The more I ran, the better I felt, so much so that with momentum and speed increasing with each run, I took the plunge and signed up to the London Marathon. This was a new physical challenge, unlike anything I had ever attempted, or contemplated up until now - it required discipline and also two pairs of trainers, a lot of blister plasters and a new found appetite for carbs.

Once I had completed the marathon (and let my muscles and toe nails subsequently recover!), I was now hungry for another opportunity to prove my mental and physical capabilities. So when a good friend suggested I take up Triathlon, I was intrigued and said yes.

The new training regime was a shock to the system. I not only had to apply the same gruelling discipline as I had for marathon, but now there were also two new sports to get to grips with. Given that my swimming abilities were not far off doggy paddle with water wings, my patience was tested, until I went back to basics and slowly began to improve my technique, always visualising my next goal, an Olympic distance triathlon. From then on, after battling with pre-race adrenalin, the art of wet suit removal and the murky waters of the River Thames, I finished the London Triathlon in 2009 and was hooked on the sport.

Triathlons are so unique, the race is never against other people (at least not at my end of the field), it’s always against yourself. As with life, there are parts you do well at and really enjoy and there are parts in which you struggle and really need to dig deep and just survive. This year I progressed to a Half-Ironman (1.2mi swim, 56mi bike, 13.1mi run), completing the Timberman at Lake Winnepesaukee in New Hampshire. This was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life and while at times my internal dialogue was questioning my ability to succeed, I discovered my own mental fortitude to ‘just keep going’ and to push myself, to dig in and to go faster than my last event.

It’s revelatory at times to have that internal dialogue with yourself and to question, ‘Can I do it?’ More often it’s even more revelatory when you actually surprise yourself with the answer that will ultimately get you across the line.

In every triathlon event, while each competitor races against themselves, we are in a field of hundreds of others, all going through the same self-examination. You see despair, disappointment and occasionally the physical manifestations of failure, usually all over the side of the road. However, whether through the look on faces, the reaction as the line is crossed or in the encouragement you receive from others you also see the determination, relief, joy, passion and exhilaration of not just of the winners but of those achieving their personal goals. This is what truly keeps me going. These goals may be a personal best, a milestone reached, a physical challenge overcome or a life goal accomplished. It’s this which is the most addictive part of Triathlons for me - being inspired by the achievements of others to do better myself.

Bringing this back to Polar Vision, through the expedition we seek to achieve something similar. We are all more than aware of our own personal physical and mental limitations and have no doubt that we will need to go beyond them, to trek further, push harder and achieve more than others or our own self-belief thought possible. Just as I gain such strength and encouragement from seeing others achieve great things in Triathlons, we hope that for those with impediments similar to Alan’s, Polar Vision provides some similar inspiration to not let any self-imposed barriers hold them back.

Next season? Well, I shall be training for a full Ironman in Zurich in July, this should help me on the road to be mentally and physically ready for Polar Vision. Can’t wait.

-Richard