Friday 15/07/22
Number Twenty-Nine
Swim 1.05.19
Bike 1.32.58
Run 54.40
Triathlon 29/52, aka - The Painful Tri 🤕
Just 10 days ago I trapped my sciatic nerve in my back and literally was in immense pain. Over the last 10 days I have gone from being unable to move around freely, unable to sleep, or even sit comfortably, to doing a full Olympic triathlon this morning. I can’t say it was pain free and I am expecting the inevitable aches, stiffness and pain to come on now, but who cares, I did my triathlon and I’m super proud of myself for not giving in to my mind telling me I couldn’t or shouldn’t.
Of course I didn’t just do the usual distances; because I was injured I decided to do more (of course!) I was joined in the sea at 6am by the incredible Sam Thomas and rather than the usual 1.5k we actually swam pier to pier to pier - 2.6k - this was his longest swim ever, amazing job Sam and thanks for coming along to make sure I wasn’t caught out in the ocean with a back in spasm. You kept me safe my friend.
So that is 29/52 done and over £50,000 now raised.
If as Ross Thornton says ‘Movement’ is the best medicine, then I am now well and truly medicated 😎
Watch Rob Starr talk to BBC News about his 52x52 Challenge on the day he finished his 52nd and final Triathlon of the year!
A short blog to end; Triathlon 52/52 done. So pleased it’s over. Lots of money raised for the Starr Trust and I really hope it continues as there are so many young people who need our help.
That was one of the hardest yet both physically and mentally. Physically because my back is still in muscle spasm, caused by a Crohn's flare up that needed rest but didn’t get it. Mentally because the whole triathlon was done gym based, which meant no sea, no air, no trees, no birds - just a clock telling me I’ve hardly started!