Kim irons out final tasks for test

By day, Stourbridge College director Kim Babb can be found sitting behind a desk.

But at night she swims, runs and cycles miles on end in preparation for the biggest test of her life – the Rapperswil-Jona Ironman contest in Switzerland.

In June, Kim, aged 41, will swim a mile in open water, cycle 56 miles and then finish with running a half-marathon in aid of Cancer Research. Last year, super-fit Kim, who lives in Wombourne, raised more than £1,000 for the charity by running a series of marathons and triathlons.

She is to travel to Rapperswil, on the east shore of Zurich, on Sunday to take part in the event.

It is a town renowned for its beautiful floral displays – but preparing for the event has been no bed of roses for Kim, as she juggles her full-time job as director of business skills at Stourbridge College with a gruelling nine training sessions per week.

She said: "At it's peak, my training regime has consisted of a 104-length swim on Monday, four to five-mile run and a one-hour spinning class on Tuesday, 45-minute spinning class and 80-length swim on Wednesday, six-mile run on Thursday, 60-length swim or gym session on Friday, and a 56-mile bike ride followed by a five or six-mile run on Saturday.

"On Sunday I just go for a 12-mile run!"

Kim said she was determined to complete the task – and that the intense training would be worthwhile because of the cause.

She said: "The training has been tough, and I know that the event will be physically and mentally demanding, but the thought that friends, family and colleagues have sponsored me will be so motivational.

"I am determined to make it all the way round.

"Between us, we can play our part in helping to find a cure for this terrible disease before we lose more good friends and family to it."

Anyone who wishes to sponsor Kim can do so by visiting www.justgiving. com/kimbabb2