Update - May 12th 2010 The time has come for our athletes to travel out to Lanzarote for the big one (volcanoes, clouds etc allowing). The training programs are complete bar a taper week - with the exception of Philip of course who does not understand the meaning of cutting down! I have watched with complete awe as our athletes have pushed themselves week in, week out, regardless of the weather, training up to 20+ hours a week (they're all mad). We will all be travelling out over the next few days - a few nervous jitters will no doubt be flying around but all of them are well prepared. I'd like to say a massive thank you to all of you competing and all who have donated. I'm sure I speak for everyone in wishing you all the best of luck (which of course none of you will need). Bring it on!

 

Update - April 16th 2010 This update is a little belated. The walk on the 10th went without a hitch, other than I forgot half the food I had prepared the night before to keep me compliant with my protocol. Sue steps in to the rescue with a very similar soup to the one I had made. Way to go Sue. The weather was beautiful, the company great. The only blight on the day was that we had to walk 25 miles. To cut a long story short we made it. It has taken me a few days and several lie ins to fully recover, but I think I am just about there now, maybe one more lie in! Thanks to everyone who has donated so far. The total is ticking along very nicely indeed. I will be sending out a final email re this Allendale challenge to find those of you who meant to sponsor me but forgot. Thanks again everyone. Watch this space for news on Team Lanzarote who will be entering the final weeks of their training.

Update - April 5th 2010 For better or worse MikeyP has got an entry for the Allendale Challenge on April 10th. Endurance has never been his strong point, with the possible exception of endurance with eating. So please support his efforts by donating now.

Col G: Introduction

My good friend Mikey P was diagnosed in Jan 2009 with sarcoma of the sphenoid bone (between the temples), which is a very rare form of cancer.  It was first detected when he head butted the piste in France and was sent for a head scan. Since then he has undergone eight months of chemo treatment and is now at a stage of self management of the condition having turned down the option of Radiotherapy due to the risk to vital organs (brain, eyesight, pituitary gland etc).  With his new eating regime, exercise routine and relaxation strategies (otherwise known as the Budwig Protocol) he appears to be fitter and stronger than ever and in the mood to give something back for all the support he has received along the way.

Onto me - after serious consideration and consultation with the surgeon, responsible for re-building my right knee (see pic), I entered the Lanzarote Ironman to help raise funds towards an organisation of Mikey P’s choice.  A number of friends from the Tri club are also also doing Lanzarote and have joined our fundraising efforts (see below).  The event is on the 22^nd May 2010.

This and other mad cap challenges along the way, I hope, will encourage you to donate as much as you can. I will let Mr P explain further……

Mikey P here – unfortunately not ready to do an Ironman myself just yet.  However I am extremely lucky to have friends like Colin and the other Ryton Tri athletes who are.  I am also extremely humbled that Colin has decided to raise money for a charity of my choice and recruited the other Ryton Tri members to do the same. Thank you everyone.

The charity I have chosen is Northumberland Cancer Support Group. They provide a welcoming, non judgemental environment for the support of cancer patients and carers.  I turned to them when I was in a dark place, trying to decide whether to risk radiotherapy and the threat of total blindness that came with it, or to go down an alternative route.  I was very troubled before going to the meeting, but by the time I came out having had a session of EFT, a couple of long chats with some good advice, extensive reading material on alternative treatments, I was much calmer and able to progress to making the decisions I needed to. This type of help is not readily available within our medical establishment because it can't consider or recommend alternative therapies. Their support though is for everyone, those following conventional, complementary and/or alternative treatments. They promote a holistic approach to cancer care.

As well as the personal support they give, they provide free complementary therapies, have their own cancer library, can cover the cost of courses at the Penny Brohn Complementary Cancer Care Centre and provide a friendly environment on a weekly basis to meet with people who understand each other’s situations. 

Unfortunately the group had to cancel a major fundraising event over the winter because of the adverse weather conditions, so I would very much like to help them make up for that and to provide extra funds for the great work they do.

You may wonder, what I personally will be doing to help raise money.  Colin mentioned other mad cap challenges along the way.  I started in a small way at Colin’s birthday bash in the Lakes with a bet for the charity that I could swim for longer than 2 minutes in Ullswater... without a wetsuit.  Bearing in mind that it was the middle of March and on Derwent water there was still ice, one person even offered me money not to do it!  However, I took the plunge and have been warming up ever since. That raised £40 and any retrospective donations would be more than welcome.  I am in training for other events later in the year, so I shall be pulling my weight also and coming back to you for more money.  I will also be out in Lanzarote supporting everyone in their endeavours. So dig deep – there are 9 athletes who will be challenging themselves in one of the most gruelling Ironman competitions to earn your pounds for Northumberland Cancer Support Group.

I would like to thank again everyone who is raising money on behalf of the Northumberland Cancer Support Group.

Read on for an introduction to each of the athletes (alphabetical order).

Laura Addyman - from beginner to Half Ironman - Laura has improved consistently with her cycling now being formidable. She completed the Day in the Lakes Half Ironman in 2009.  Having married Philip later in 2009, a jest of making their honeymoon the Ironman Lanzarote has turned into reality.  Mad buggers!

 

Philip Addyman - a successful fell runner and mountain biker, Philip has been tempted into triathlon despite what was an extremely weak swim.  In his own full on style he has thrown himself into triathlon and had good success already - with a top ten finish, and Ryton's top finisher at Helvellyn 2009.  I am sure he has his sights on Ryton Tri's quickest Ironman time.

 

The Blakie Clan - Colin G's outlaws, sorry I meant in-laws. The Blakie clan have thrown their full support behind Colin, with 4 of them entering Lanzarote as well.

 

Alan Blakie - probably the least experienced triathlete, being primarily a water polo player. The dark horse though...?

 

Clive Blakie - one of Ryton Tri's most popular members, Clive has already pledged his fundraising efforts to Macmillan (another extremely worthy cause) but we coudn't leave him out of the team list.  Rugby was his first sport and can be seen in his build.  He started triathlons doing breast stroke and trains consistently. This will be his first Ironman, Helvellyn having been his previous longest race.

 

Big E (Eric Blakie) - Ryton Tri's most prolific Ironman performer -  Lanzarote will be his 20th IronMan.  Will this year be the year he qualifies for Hawaii.  We hope so.

 

Colin Gardener – Colin is the founder of Ryton Tri and competed from 1997 to 2006 at which time arthritis in his knee forced him to stop. However, he has had a vision since 2005 when he was supporting the Lanzarote Ironman – to get his knee sorted, get back to fitness and compete in the Lanzarote Ironman in his 50^th year and be met on the line by his grandchild. 5 years, a couple of knee operations and 3 grandchildren more, this vision is now becoming reality. Lucy, Joe, Phoebe and Isabel along with their parents will be along to support all the Ryton triathletes.

 

Dave Garner - Dave completed Lanzarote in 2008 under Colin's coaching. Laura, his wife, was unable to travel to Lanzarote to support Dave due to the imminent arrival of twin daughters. This year, despite having 3 young girls, Dave is again competing in Lanzarote to support Colin. This time Laura and the whole family will be there at the finish line.

 

Ian Maddison – Ian is one of the clubs longest standing members and started his triathlon career on a mountain bike. He graduated quickly to being the club’s first half and full Ironman.  Ian is another father of 3 who with the support of Louise manages to juggle the commitments of family life and training for Ironman.

 

Denise Parkin – began triathlon swimming sidestroke!  She is now a prolific cyclist, humbling many of the club’s male members and though she does not quite know herself how she got to this position, is about to compete in one of the world’s toughest Ironman events.

Jaci Swinbank – Jaci is another long term member of Ryton Tri and has been one of our most successful triathlete over a number of years (male or female).  Injuries have plagued Jaci’s running recently but she remains strong on the bike.  If the leg holds up she could surprise a few people.