DESPITE living in 'hell' a man with a rare spine condition is set to tackle a triathlon in Llandudno this weekend. 

Pete Watts, a former Army engineer and bike enthusiast from Mold, had always been fit and active until one day after coming home from a walk in November 2021.

Having had a few minor back injuries before, Pete thought nothing of it until he rang 111 and explained the 'unreal pain' he had been feeling in both legs, he was then told to visit a hospital as soon as possible. 

He was told to go home and not move, as he wasn't ticking the red flags for Cauda Equina Syndrome (CES), which compresses and affects the nerves in your legs. 

In the early hours of the morning on the day of a follow-up appointment in December 2021, Pete woke up and had lost function from the waist down. 

After undergoing emergency surgery Pete was diagnosed with CES, post-op.

North Wales Pioneer: Pete Watts.Pete Watts.

He then re-taught himself how to walk and two months after his surgery had climbed Moel Famau, while six moths post surgery he had conquered Yr Wyddfa.

Despite being in constant pain, Pete has continued to push himself through challenges and aims to complete the Llandudno Triathlon this weekend (October 1).

He faces a 750m sea swim, followed by a 17.5km stage using his handbike, before finishing with 5km in his wheelchair for the running stage. 

Pete is hoping to inspire anyone else struggling with injury, disability or illness. 

He said: "It's been hell, I have chronic pain and severely limited mobility, which requires the use of a wheelchair for anything further than 20 or 30 metres.

"But that hasn't held me back, and next weekend I will be taking part in the Llandudno Triathlon using a handbike for the ride twice around the Orme and my wheelchair for the run.

"I'd love to be able to share this to hopefully help inspire others who may be struggling with injury, disability or illness.

"I have recently competed in the Superheros Tri and the Shropshire Tri, but this one is going to be a real challenge, with a sea swim and a hilly ride, then hopefully an exciting 5k push up and down the promenade."