Yes he made it. Neil, who battled cancer for the second time last year, completed his first ever triathlon in Stirling today. Now this would normally be a momentous occasion for anyone but let me put his achievement into context. Neil wouldn't describe himself as fit; bowls was his chosen sport. His cancer is in remission but in the last 3 weeks he has hardly been able to train due to an infection. The hospital have been doing tests and took him in on Friday to give his system a boost as a precaution and will have him in tomorrow to make sure he's ok. So we're not talking about someone in peak fitness.
He started with a great swim, went off a bit fast but settled down. It's quite nerve wracking as faster swimmers pass you in the lane but he kept his focus. The bike was tough as it was windy and he had a couple of big hills but he did it in his target time but he was "running on empty". The run was also done in a respectable time for him and all the marshalls made sure he was ok. Crossing the line 17 minutes under his stated target was emotional for everyone especially his long suffering wife Maz who lived and breathed every moment of his training and was a nervous wreck on the day.
I left him in the capable hands of a physio getting a massage and I'm sure he is already planning his next adventure! I can't praise him enough for his determination to make it to the start line and then to grind his way through the event - the hill on the run almost finished him. Well done Neil you should be proud to call yourself a triathlete and the money you raised for the Beatson is amazing. Enjoy your rest and recovery.
Sunday, 5 June 2011
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