• Home
    • Mallorca 70.3 2017
    • Mallorca Half Ironman
    • Warm Ups
    • Training Progress
    • Nice Ironman – Insane
  • Blog
    • Colin’s Pages
      • Colin’s Blog
      • Photos
  • Tony
    • Tony’s Blog Posts
    • Past Results
    • Photos
  • Dan
    • Dan’s Blog Posts
    • Past Results
    • Dan Photos
  • Peter
    • Peter’s Posts
    • Peter History
    • Peter Photos
  • David
    • David’s Posts
    • David History
    • David Photos
  • Andy “Russell” Brown
    • Andy’s Posts
    • Andy History
    • Andy Photos
  • Album
  • Editor’s Posts

Headcase Ironman

~ Raising funds to help find a cure for Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) brain tumours.

Headcase Ironman

Tag Archives: Tony Russell

Tapering – How hard can it be?

01 Thursday May 2014

Posted by Editor in Tony

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

headcase, Tony Russell

Tapering 2Tony: Ok so months of training, 10 days to go and I have reached a Thursday having completed only one cycle, one run and one swim…..and I am absolutely drained, putting one step in front of the the other is hard work and climbing stairs, well I had to stop at the station this morning.  So how the hell do you feel soooooo tired when doing nothing. Just don’t get it. Still this time next week we will be there and beginning the final preparations.

All the kit and equipment looks in fine shape its just the same story ……. this bloody engine – hey ho !

Image

Caption Competition 1

26 Wednesday Jun 2013

Tags

ironman, Nice 2013, Tony Russell, triathlon

SONY DSC

Posted by Editor | Filed under Blog, Dan, Tony

≈ 1 Comment

The Dust has Settled

26 Wednesday Jun 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Dan, Tony

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Dan Russell, GBM Cancer, Headcase Cancer Trust, ironman, Nice 2013, Tony Russell, triathlon

SONY DSC

Well well well, now that the dust has settled and the aches and pains have begun to subside, I guess it’s time to reflect on the past 7 Months. The first email went on the 13th November and went like this….

SONY DSC

TONY “I’m so close to entering a Ironman”

DAN    “I think I’m gonna do it. I think I have to be there if you’re gonna do it and watching just wont be enough, Having said that, I am actually leaning towards Nice. I know the bike is harder but the times last year are a lot quicker….. It works better for me date wise as well. 

The run course is flat as a pancake as well…..”

TONY  “OK so …… Is that a date ? If we do it we should do sponsorship and I would like to do it for Colin ?” 

DAN     “I think if I don’t do it now I will just wish I had sooooo………………IT’S A DATE! (heart racing right now)  And yes, 100% should be done for Colin”

TONY  “God ….. So is mine and my stomach has just churned !! “

Editor “what is it with these ‘….’ , is it hereditary too”
This exchange was followed by a string of further emails with language that’s not for public consumption thereafter it was set in stone, we had agreed to do an IRONMAN!. Research then helped decide on Nice and on the 17th November I told Colin we were going to do it and raise money for Headcase.

The journey had begun, however even before the blog and Justgiving sites were up things had become challenging, courtesy of Chelsea football club !

As we have said this was all about raising awareness and of course cash for Headcase and of course Colin’s plight. The money and ideas came rolling in and we were well and truly on our way.

The training became all consuming and Dan and I were constantly scaring each other with articles we had read about this challenge, but it was ok as it was months away ! My first visit to Dubai was not good as I had to drop out of the Abu Dhabi tri, which incidentally the same guy who won in Nice won there too, and Dan did brill. Second trip we really did work hard and we could sense we were getting there.

1016660_10152921312150023_199081087_n

In the meantime the money and efforts of you all was really amazing and the support and donations came rolling in along with some very moving messages for Colin, but the most amazing contributions were from Colin himself and latterly Helen, when ever a ‘Colin blog’ went up the visits to the site doubled in the day and sometimes trebled.

The months began to slip by and the big day came ever closer, but there was also continuous fund raising activity which was really inspiring and ensured total focus. And then bang its done and its over, but what a great day, just one of the best. But the fight goes on, at the time of writing we are just over £32,500 with gift aid, but I would still like to see the magical £30k appear without gift aid. But a job well done, THANKS.

So it would be remiss not to say a few thank you’s.

Firstly Kirstin who in the roll of  ‘Admin’  a term that started as a bit of a wind up but seems to have stuck, seriously what can I say, well the whole thing wouldn’t have been such a success without you, I guess being bossy helps, but you never let up and for that I thank you.
To our on the ground supporters amazing, I think their voices have now recovered. In addition Dan and I have been overwhelmed with the messages of support, it really did make a difference on those last few strides.To all our donators, not sure there is such a word, but you have been brilliant.

But most of all, thank you Colin, Helen and your family for allowing us to invade your lives at a time of total devastation; your openness, honesty and humour have been amazing and your continued drive to raise awareness and cash for Headcase is a tremendous demonstration of wanting to help others when it would be easy to disappear into your shell.  Even when we went to see Colin on Monday when we flew back he was still talking about the charity and donations, unbelievable !

So while this chapter comes to a close another inevitably opens, the boys are doing the three peaks challenge in a couple of weeks and I’m  sure we will think of something else mental to do in due course, but with the London Tri in five weeks its back to the gym. A million thanks to you all from Dan and me for making it bearable and actually fun, and my thoughts, as I know everyone’s are, are with Colin and Helen. TTFN

Ok folks so where are you?

23 Sunday Jun 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Dan, Editor's Posts, Tony

≈ 5 Comments

Tags

Dan Russell, headcase, ironman, Nice 2013, Tony Russell, triathlon

Probably tucked up in bed, at least those in Blighty. Whilst the support crew are up and at ’em at 4am, fumbling for the light switch and  the tooth brush to be bright and breezy for when the guys are ready to leave. Bring on the coffee and don’t tell them we may well grab a few 40 winks after they head off up into the mountains!

24 hours to go

22 Saturday Jun 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Colin's Blog, Dan, Editor's Posts, Tony

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cancer, Dan Russell, GBM, Headcase Cancer Trust, ironman, NICE2013, Tony Russell, triathlon

Start

In 24 hours the Support team with have escorted the competitors to the beach, distracting the nerves.  Tony and Dan will have lined up with over 2000 other insane nutters, Considering the best method to cover the 2 or 3 meters of very uncomfortable stones and launch themselves into the waves to commence a race of a life time.

The walk back from the Pasta Fest last night covered topics such as the metal boredom of straight road run, the merits of setting a time goal for each stage vs being delighted just to complete it and the issues over pre-race preparation involving the bathroom!

The 5k walk, rather than waiting for the hot and overcrowded bus was an opportunity to calculate the view around the bay that will appear on each of the three circuits, and the hope that there will be as little wind as possible to battle with.

The guys talk of flick flacking between nerves and excitement and the desire to just get it started now. But in reality the last day of essential training involves doing very little, and resting, perhaps taking in the rugby, but definitely feet up, until they announce, “perhaps a little swim in the morning would be a good idea, oh and a small run later on” But for now it is a question of mental calm and biding the time to the start.

It is not clear where the live results are to be posted online, if we find out we will pass the information on through a blog post. But the start is 6:30am, remember Nice is a hour ahead, so obviously we hope everyone will be up bright and early at 5:30 to be thinking of them at their start line.

7:30-7:50 they hope to be exiting the swim., hopefully fending off any kicks to important parts of the body, and dodging the jelly fish.

Then the bike, a bit of an unknown really and with some pretty eye-watering inclines the challenge is immense:

BikeThe race is not possible to view en route unless you are residing in one of the mountain villages as lots of roads are closed and the thought of taking a car or taxi up to station yourself to see them wizz past but increase the chances of being the cause of a collision with a competitor in some freak accident is not worth it.

So after thy have done the journey they will return to the seafront. It is thought anytime from between 2 to 4pm local time.

Then the run, four times up and down the Promenade de Anglais.

Support crew on hand if required, mainly in full voice to cheer as loudly as possible, and post any and all news as live as possible.

Expected finish time, nothing firm and no expectations, but vaguely any time between between 7 and 9pm, But we will keep you posted.

Another Trophy!

20 Monday May 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Tony

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Cancer, GBM, headcase, Tony Russell

IMG_00000082

So another season over and another trophy in the cabinet…not too shabby. Oh and another manager destined for the scrap heap !

Our final pilgrimage to the Bridge saw us visit the Prince of Wales, our normal drinking hole before games, so armed with wheelchair, the boys from Baldock  managed to get Colin there in one piece.

As Helen said, how he has done it I just don’t know. After the excursion to Amsterdam, where we went a straight 24 hours before ending up in Colin’s room at 3.30am on the Thursday morning, (having won the Europa Cup) eating all the sandwiches Helen had made along the way, grabbing about five hours sleep and then back on it, well just amazing.

Yesterday saw us end the season in third place beating off our London rivals and securing Champions league for next season…more European fun, in fact we are already looking at the Prague trip in August for the Super Cup against the Germans.

Special mention to Bootsie (head carer) what a job he has done, take a bow !!!!!

So now we have a break however fund raising is still in full swing, we have the Insurance night on Thursday: Lloyd’s The Musical, and the famous waxing this weekend. We have also enlisted four guys who are going to do the three peaks in July and adding their funds to our cause….great stuff.

So as we approach the second half of our challenge we are still looking at more events so anything you can think off please let us know,

Finally, and now that the money is on the JG site I felt I must point out to Faye and the girls that whilst their event and total was amazing it wasn’t quite up to the boys total !!!! Not that this is a competition (much), but with the Photograph money raised on the night we raised over £1300, I’m sure as you said Faye ‘girls should be running the world’ but let’s keep the finances with the boys !

(Trusting the editor will not use editorial licence and accidentally omit the final paragraph!)

Cycling takes the lead

19 Friday Apr 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Tony

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

Cancer, GBM, headcase, ironman, NICE2013, Tony Russell

Wiggle New Forest Spring Sportive 2013Whilst the shoulder is on the mend I have turned all my attentions to cycling, with in the past few weeks the odd run.

So over the past two weekends I have been testing that training in two organised events, the first in Newmarket where it was 120k cycle around the countryside in what turned out to be an acceptable day with regard to the weather, cold to start but then almost blue skies, the course was quite flat but a few nasty hills got the heartbeat up and I completed that in 4 hours 54:13,

The following Saturday and I set off at the crack of a sparrow to the New Forest, weather seemed ok at 6am….but as I got closer the rain began…..arrived in a field that was already under mud and checked in wondering what I was doing……I was already soaked by the time I got to the start line as there were over 2000 idiots all waiting to have a go at the 95k course…..anyhow the weather got worse and the landscape just opened up exposing rider to the elements – which was cold rain in the face for the next few hours…..well 3 hours 49 to be precise.

Having got back to the car, my hands decided to not work and getting the wheel off to get the bike in the car took 15 mins, which was followed by a comedy sketch for any one that cared (nobody did btw) of me trying to get into warm dry clothes whilst sitting in the car….anyhow two good cycles and now off to warmer climates to check up on my Ironman buddy as he continues to impress in training…..

More places for Lunch…

11 Thursday Apr 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Tony

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

GBM Cancer, headcase, ironman, NICE2013, Tony Russell, triathlon

Oh Joy, but what a view!

On the heights of Gourdon

At the 62nd kilometer of the bike course, you will pass near the village of Gourdon. One of the most beautiful villages of France and medieval fortress, Gourdon overlooks leafy “Vallée du Loup”.

From Victoria Square, listed in 1940, a breathtaking panorama unfolds over 80 kilometers of coast revealing the Mediterranean, from Nice to Théoule !
On the road of flavors and scents, the village retains an authentic charm with its Romanesque church of the twelfth century.. Yer right sure we will feel like popping into the Church !!

At the heart of, the bustling streets, the houses of Provence, many craftsmen and the quality of its hospitality make it one of the most popular places in the area.

During your Biking course inspection or during your stay in our region, take the time to stop at the auberge de Gourdon. A traditional cuisine depending on market and season awaits you. Strolling through the streets, you’ll also discover homemade gingerbread and it’s worth the detour
Scene1

The Ascensionde Gourdon

scene 2

Bootsie turns from Career to Competitor……

17 Sunday Feb 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Tony

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Cancer, GBM, headcase, ironman, Tony Russell, triathlon

Little BritainIt has been reported that whilst Colin is being treated in order to return to full duty, Bootsie, his lead career on match days, has been spotted on his bike.

Following surgery on one of the IMHeadcase team, Bootsie has stepped in and has begun training for the event……

Commenting Bootsie said ” It has to be done, we are all wishing Colin well and thinking of him constantly, but the show must go on ” he continued ” if I have to do it all then so be it ………but to be honest I have a long way to go and I am getting strange looks with these stabilisers on” Great effort Bootsie.

Our own Fiorenzo Magni?

16 Saturday Feb 2013

Posted by Editor in Blog, Tony

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

Cancer, GBM, headcase, ironman, Tirathlon, Tony Russell

One half of Team IMHeadcase is out of Surgery, not just a keyhole, a more invasive procedure due to the discovery that the  damage was greater than expected. The code reads L sh ASD, E\O ACjt Cuffrepair- subscap, supraspin LHB tenddesis, for those in the know!  for those of us mere mortals it is replacing ligament into shoulder blade, two rotator cuff tear repairs, shaved collarbone where chipped and whilst in there shaved off a bit of arthritis. But what will it mean going forward?

Firstly tying shoelaces is to be challenging. Pre tied ties hanging on the door and slip on shoes, sleeping sitting up and no driving. Of course the latest fashion accessory – a fetching blue sling with accompanying stabilising pad for 6 weeks.

However the training must go on at some kind of level – so a sneaky 12k the day after and stepped up to 20k the day after although no use of the arm makes for the legs taking the strain and being a little lopsided.

FiorenzoMagni-tmbTaking some inspirational thought from Fiorenzo Magni, cyclist of the 50’s who broke his clavical in the 1956 Giro d’Italia, but with the help of a bicycle inner tube strapped around the handle bar and held in his teeth he fought through a snow storm, and went on to complete the race and finish 2nd.

So 6 weeks of sling wearing, and gentle cycling is the order of the day, assuming getting dressed can be mastered first!

Then gloves are off and the slog to build up the long lack of swimming and running to prepare to complete the course within the allotted time.

The severity of the operation makes the race seem a log way off.

None of this is a jot on the landscape compared to Colin’s situation, but his wishes are to raise the money and that means the journey continues but with him in our thoughts with every pedal strike.

← Older posts
JustGiving - Sponsor me now! Contact email: treemad@btinternet.com

Follow the Madness

  • Paul Boom Boom Buckle headcase-ironman.me/2017/03/24/pau… https://t.co/jpkiYf5D1u 5 years ago
  • Before the Year is out headcase-ironman.me/2016/12/29/bef… 6 years ago
  • They are off again… headcase-ironman.me/2016/12/18/the… 6 years ago
  • Starting blocks….. headcase-ironman.me/2016/12/18/sta… 6 years ago
  • Benchmark… headcase-ironman.me/2016/12/18/ben… 6 years ago
Follow @IMHeadcase

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 386 other subscribers

Categories

  • Andy's Posts
  • Blog
  • Colin's Blog
  • Dan
  • David's Posts
  • Editor's Posts
  • Events
  • Peter's Posts
  • Three Peaks
  • Tony
  • Uncategorized

Recent Posts

  • Paul Boom Boom Buckle
  • Before the Year is out
  • They are off again…
  • Starting blocks…..Peter
  • Benchmark…David

Headcase Cancer Trust

Headcase Cancer Trust

Meta

  • Register
  • Log in
  • Entries feed
  • Comments feed
  • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
  • Follow Following
    • Headcase Ironman
    • Join 77 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • Headcase Ironman
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Report this content
    • View site in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
 

Loading Comments...