Fitness fanatic Dave Coard is urging people across South Beds to shape up and call time on having a couch potato persona.

The father of two who runs Luton-based fitness club Boxfit is looking for new recruits – and is hoping to use his training sessions to push himself to the limit as well.

But he's doing a bit more than a spot of jogging around the block – he's taking part in the gruelling Ironman competition in Lanzarote on May 24.

He said: "It's the first time that I've entered and it's going to be quite tough, considering it will be about 80 or 90 degrees."

The drizzly British climate has meant that Dave, 45, is unable to prepare himself for the glaring sun in the Canary Islands.

He said: "When I train, I've been wearing three of four layers to try and get used to the heat but with the wind and rain, it means that I'm not going to be able to prepare myself for the temperatures so I've just got to prepare myself for the distance."

But that will be a challenge in itself. The Ironman competition, billed as the ultimate test for elite athletes, sees a noted absence of funny costumes and walking racers.

Dave is facing a 3.8km swim, a 180km bike ride and a 42.195km run – and it's this last stint that Dave is feeling particularly confident about.

He said: "Running is my favourite sport and it's the one that I'm best at, so when everyone else is dying on the running side, I'll be thinking: 'This is my event'. I hope to complete it in 12 hours."

And he'll have lots of support from his family on the day. "They're all coming for the race and we're going to stay out there for two weeks, so it will be fun," he said.

As the weeks tick down to the big day, there'll be no resting for Dave.
He's been training twice a day, which means eating on the go is a daily occurrence. "It's important to feed my body as I go, so I have to stock up on carbohydrates and liquid food," he said.

But his healthy diet means Dave is always bursting with energy.

For a bit of fun, he recently took part in a competition of stamina at the Vauxhall Recreation Centre, where he saw off any rivals with an impressive 89 continuous press-ups.

And to get himself in top shape for the Ironman competition, Dave is taking part in the Milton Keynes duathlon on Sunday – he opted for the event instead of trying for a place in the London Marathon because it's much tougher.

He said: "I've just been asked to take part in the London Marathon as a friend I train with has a leg injury and wants me to take his place but I think the duathlon will be harder, so I'll stick with that."

And he's not the only one to be on the go all the time. Members of his Boxfit club have represented Great Britain in the triathlon, won the Luton relay marathon for the past three years and are in the famous Guinness Book of Records for running the most miles on a treadmill in 24 hours.

But you don't have to be a pro to take part. Dave is happy for all abilities to train. He said: "You don't have to be really fit to join.

"We tend to split the group up into different abilities so we can have groups for those who are faster and those who are slower so everyone can work out, that's the beauty of it."

And they don't just hold the training sessions to get fit – they raise money for good causes, too, with Dave having a particular interest in helping out local charities.

He said: "We recently raised money for the Sweet William Appeal to buy William Nicholls a car that has wheelchair access and we're looking for our next charity to help."

When Dave isn't training, he likes nothing more than to watch DVDs and spend time with his wife and two daughters.

He said: "They've been so supportive, it's untrue. I like to spend time with them and go out for walks with my girls, and sometimes they come out for a run with me for the first half hour or so."

But even after the Ironman test, there will be no chance for Dave to put his feet up. After the Canaries competition, Dave will be taking part in the London Triathlon in June.

For £25 a year, you can take part in the following Boxfit training sessions:

Running at Stockwood Park every Tuesday, 6pm to 7pm, open water swimming at Brogborough Lake every Wednesday (by appointment only), running every Saturday and cycling every Sunday – both starting at 8am at Vauxhall Recreation Centre, Luton.

For more information, click here