I’m an oncologist and I love my job. But I’m striking because I know first-hand that the NHS is failing our patients with cancer and I’m striking because I know first-hand that the NHS is failing its workforce.
#ConsultantsStrike
Tomorrow might be the last time I get to start as number one.Triathlon has taken a bit of a back step with exams the last few months.But honestly, no matter how I perform tomorrow, I know I’ll be smiling. Not many people ever get to wear number 1. I will be wearing it with pride.
Cyclists please don’t be idiots this weekend. Enjoy the quiet roads alone or with someone you live with. Don’t meet friends. Don’t ride in groups. Don’t abuse this privilege. Don’t be a spreader.
It's taken me 13 years but i've made it. Today I was absolutely delighted to be offered and accept a consultant post specialising in testicular cancer and sarcoma. And the rest of the reg room were very pleased to see me clear my desk!
Norseman did not disappoint. A real experience race. Painful in a very different way to Ironman. My parents were simply amazing. Try an extreme triathlon next time. You definitely won’t regret it.
Today I just didn’t want the run to end. Tenby, you were incredible. I was truly humbled by the roars of support. I hope I’ve bottled the memories. Thank you.
This incredible lady has just swim the English Channel despite stage 4 bowel cancer and ongoing treatment. Words are not sufficient. Never let anyone tell you you can’t. I’m in awe.
2000km of training, 20 months of cancer treatment (7 surgeries, 21 chemos -
#22
next week), 1 very big dream. 21 miles across the world’s busiest shipping lane. 🤞🏻🤞🏻Tracker is at Boat is Optimist
Turns out entering an ironman on a whim isn’t such a bad idea! I had an absolute blast. Savouring the surreal nature of racing such an iconic race all day. Winning was just the icing. Thanks for all the support. It was mega.
Yesterday it hit the news that in Nottingham we're currently not able to deliver a full chemotherapy service. This is my personal reflection on what it's like to work as an oncologist at the moment. Nottingham is not alone in this.
So much respect for the simply fabulous
@DaveSue58
who got a PB and broke the 40 min barrier one year after taking up running. In her 70s. On chemo. Sticking all her fingers and toes up to cancer.
@cancer5kYourWay
@forestrecpr
@parkrunUK
I’ve watched this on loop. Unfathomable grit for a simply astounding performance, the depths of brilliance that mainstream media can never truly comprehend.
@JasminKParis
is a role model for women on every level. I’m in awe.
🥳 SPINE FINISHER!!!! BIG 🧵
Absolutely EPIC!!!!!!!!!!! How do I even begin to write the words to describe this insane achievement?!!! Literally crying typing 🤣. WHAT AN INSANE ACHIEVEMENT AND INSANE PERSON Lucy is!!!!!!
I was nervous about how this would be perceived it but it has clearly resonated with thousands and gone far further than I ever imagined. How do we amplify these points beyond the twitter echo chamber and change the narrative of the mainstream press?
42 years ago I was born by emergency C section in
@nottmhospitals
. I’ve worked my share of christmases and each time I do I think about the team who made my life possible in 1979. I was actually quite moved reflecting on this running in today. Happy Christmas!
4 weeks ago today I sat what I really hoped would be my last ever exams. Turns out they were. Whoop! Looking forward to a long weekend in lanza with a mini-smash to celebrate not commiserate!
As oncologists, we're used to breaking bad news and we're used to saying sorry. We're sorry that the cancer has spread, or that the treatment has stopped working. But we're not used to saying sorry for a broken system. And that, right now, is what we're doing every single day.
This is my partner Andrew finishing, around 6 hours after me. He paced his race perfectly, much more sensibly than me, and I’m super proud. I know lots of gutsy men but Andrew’s the most tenacious of them all!
This was utterly bonkers. We still can’t believe it happened. It’s a thank you not just for us but to the whole team and to everyone who has been part of 5K Your Way since we started in 2018. If you would like to support us we make every donation count
Today we're giving a huge
#OneBigThankYou
to Lizzie and Lucy from Nottingham for all their hard work!
With the help of
@J_Ennis
, we surprised these two who set up a running club to help people cope with cancer.
Thank you for all you do 💙
#TheOneShow
👉
Utterly humbled logging onto twitter to read all the messages. Thank you so much to my fabulous friend
@NikkiBartlett1
for taking you all on the journey with me. £21,000 for
@MOVEcharity
!! Wow, wow, wow.
So why did it take me nearly 24 hrs to do 42 miles? Story below!
Cycling today we came across a man who had collapsed.He wasn’t breathing and his heart had stopped.There was a defibrillator close by and some brilliant people. He left in an ambulance in sinus rhythm breathing independently. I do so hope he survives. We all need magic right now
Christmas Day, many moons ago, I was born by emergency c-section in Nottingham city hospital, thanks to my amazing Mum and a fantastic nhs. Today I’m part of the oncology team in the same hospital. Happy Christmas! Ps-of course I cycled in!
Bolton isn’t glamorous but it will always hold a special place in my heart. Thank you for the incredible support before, during and after all 5 of my Ironman U.K. wins. That’s why I kept going back. 📷
@JamesMitchell5
Imagine being a cancer surgeon and having to battle week in week out to get the theatre space, support staff and bed to allow you to perform the curative surgery your patient needs. Imagine losing this battle regularly. This is happening all across the country every single day.
Not many Ironman athletes would have the guts or the talent to throw themselves into
@SuperLeagueTri
triathlon and then smash it. I LOVE how
@LucyAnneCharles
says yes to every challenge. World class and smiling over 10 mins or 8 hours
To our athletes and fans: We’re sorry. We’ve heard you, and we realise we’ve missed the mark on this one. After taking your feedback into consideration, we have decided to replace Iron Girl with the Night Run. A 5K fun run open to everyone, aged 16 and up.
I’ve been pondering racing Wales for the last couple of weeks. But it was actually 2 conversations at work yesterday that swayed me. Conversations with 2 young men who can’t do what they want to do with their bodies…
This is the best photo ever taken of me (by the incredible
@JamesMitchell5
) during Ironman Lanzarote last year. Seeing it makes me both excited and terrified and sends shivers down my spine. Can’t quite believe I’ll be doing the same on Saturday.
Patagonman. Not a race but an experience. An experience of a lifetime. I feel the luckiest pro on the world to have had the opportunity to be part of this incredible race in a part of the world that words can’t do justice to. Blog to follow. It’s been simply epic.
Patagonman lived up to expectations and some. The most incredible destination race. I completely underestimated the run which was simply epic. Completely different experience to Ironman on every level. It was indescribably amazing.
My first 100. Fun? Traumatic? I don’t actually know. I do know I’ve never ever been this broken before! 166km, 5000m ascent, 23hr40, vanishing footpaths and at least 4 toenails resigned to history! I think this will take a bit of time to process. And recover! Utterly smashed.
Who else is feeling the toll? I hate communicating behind a mask. I hate phone clinics that make oncology so impersonal. I miss the camaraderie we don’t get from virtual meetings. And I hate that right now cancer is even more rubbish than normal for our patients on so many levels
Going up High Cup Nick 155 miles in. A few hours later I was caught in a blizzard on Cross fell. I wish I’d taken more photos. The whole experience feels like I was watching someone else go through it. The photos are proof it was me!
2 years ago. I knew that was the end of my time as a full time athlete - I went back to work 3 weeks later. And there is a chunk of me that wishes i was back there again. But i'm happy with my lot. You can't do everything in life.
❗️4miles TO THE FINISH (105hours so far!!)
It’s been a crazy tough day for Goss. But I can feel the warmth of everyone behind her on social media /text /calls. My phone has gone crazy
We are ALL BEHIND YOU Goss, last big push. Keep remembering your why❤️
📸: Tom/
@TheSpineRace
@Ironman_UK
As 5x female champ of IMUK I rather like begin called an ironman champ rather than iron woman. It indicates equality. I get that you are aiming to encourage more women into the sport but iron girl is just patronising. Why not relaunch it as 'Ironfan' and appeal to both sexes.
Today someone in clinic said ‘You’ve got a rubbish job haven’t you’. It got me thinking. I’ve never really worked out what drew me to oncology in the first place. But I know, even though it can be super sad at times, it’s also life affirming.I wouldn’t pick any other job over it.
Never let anyone tell you you can’t do something. So many people told me this would be impossible that I started to believe it. My legs were literally paralysed with fear for the 1st 2 miles & I could only use my arms. 4hrs of total concentration and countless falls. Very proud.
Over 10 years of renting and I’ve finally bought a house. There is part of me that feels sad to have let go of a somewhat nomadic existence without ties. But equally, it’s about time I played at being a bit of a grown up! It’s going to be a house of fun. I love it.
I meant to apply for a job today. But saw the forecast and went to the peaks. . .Fabulous ride, made even better when my chain broke 10 miles from end but first car that went past when I put out my thumb stopped and gave me a lift to my car. Some lovely people in this world.
In 1 week, all being well, I'll be in a world of pain on the run going for my 5th win at
@Ironman_UK
. I'd expected to feel pressure. Instead i feel joy i kept racing this year, immense pride at my improbable journey since my first IM and excitement about the upcoming smashfest.
I’m blown away by this. For a small charity, this is a game-changer. It will allow us to do things we’ve wanted to do for sometime. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated. It’s been humbling to read all the messages.
@NikkiBartlett1
YOU made this happen, thank you!
Tenby is definitely one of my happy places. Long course weekend is purely and simply fun. So good to be back. Who reckons I’ll be able to resist another trip this year?! Thanks for the photo Huw Fairclough. Ps watch out for Rebecca who finished 2nd. I think she’s one to watch...
Great to see the coverage of
@LucyAnneCharles
but why on earth is the link titled ‘Woman reveals she’s burning 3500 calories every day’. Come on
@DailyMailUK
- there is so much more interesting stuff about Lucy to highlight
Rolling into an averagely big week... 6 hrs of exams on Wed (I really hope these are my last ever). Ironman wales on Sun. No biggie 😉. One way or another I expect to be going large on Sunday night. Come on week - give me what you will, I’m ready (ish!)
I am so extremely honoured to receive this. Thank you. I had the privilege to meet Jane Tomlinson in the waiting room of oncology outpatient, a few months before she died, just after I had done my first IM and was in complete awe of her tenacity.
And to round it all off we have the most prestigious award, the Jane Tomlinson Award for Outstanding Contribution to Triathlon, which this year has been awarded to
@lucygoss
#220Awards2018
#220AwardWinner
I don't think I've ever enjoyed racing as much as I have this year.When you love what you do winning is just the icing. It's a bit like when you have a job you love, going to work never really feels like work. Mallorca was definitely a holiday race. A good way to start a holiday!
I've been invited onto
@BBCWomansHour
tomorrow to talk women in Ironman.Why don't more W enter? Should more W be encouraged to enter? Is it fear of failure or are W just more balanced than men? Should it be Ironwoman?What about 'Irongirl'(rebranded as night run at IMUK).Thoughts?
Not all retired pros would enjoy being a participant not a competitor in a race but I loved every minute of today at Helvellyn. And I had way more fun on Friday and Saturday than I would when I was racing seriously. Hats off to
@TriHardUK
for putting on such a fab race
Sitting in a corporate induction for all health care professionals being told about the wonderful lunchtime fitness classes. I asked the room who gets a lunch hour to do them. Nobody does...
2019.I finally became a consultant.I finally retired from triathlon.5KYW, Move Against Cancer started to become a thing.I went cycle touring & cross country skiing.I turned ’s been a yr of transition but I hope there are still adventures ahead.Happy new yr!
Perhaps overly optimistic but for anyone racing
@Ironman_UK
I’ve just checked what time the World Cup final is next Sunday. Sub 10 hrs and you’ll get to watch it!
Proud though I am to have qualified once again for the Ironman world championships I won't be going. My 9th place, 8 weeks after breaking my collarbone, gave me everything i needed from Kona. If i returned it would mainly be for the after-party (which i'd back myself to win....)
Excited about a big day tomorrow in the most spectacular place I have ever visited. Triathlon has taken me to some cool places. This tops them all.
#patagonman
#adventurerace
22km run in. 9hrs completely non-stop lung cancer clinic (bar 12 mins to buy and eat an overpriced Costa at lunch). 60k fartlek on the bike home. Massive explosion with 5 miles to go. Days like this make Ironman feel easy!
Every now and then I give myself a ‘Lucy day’. Just me, my bike and nature. Empty the body. Empty the brain. Finish a new person with some hairbrain ideas. Today was perfect. Anyone else do this?
January has been a hectic and fairly stressful month for me and will continue to be so until Wed. But now, more than ever, I realise the power of exercise to clear the head and de-stress. It’s the only time I can zone out and stop my brain. Movement is medicine in every sense.
193.5miles into the race. This sentence is bonkers 🤣. Who agrees this woman is super human???!!
She looks so with it still. How 🤣🤣.
Let’s go go go all Spine Racers!!!
Looks like Andrew is having one great nap at Check Point 4. His update: still asleep at Alston
I get drugs tested every 3 months on average, once a year at work. Always the absolutely worst possible timing. Today, when I was solo in an impossibly booked clinic. My life. Two careers. Polar opposites. Only just afloat.
Tomorrow it begins.
The journey to the start has been life-changing.
I have no doubt the race will be life-changing.
Thank you so much for the support!
@nikkibartlett
now has control of all my social media so enjoy her making you laugh! I’ll try to send her some videos.
So good to be back in Tenby for the Long Course Weekend. I have shivers down my spine seeing this view remembering the last time I ran through this gorgeous town in September. So many happy memories from so many trips here over the years.
Lucy descending into Dufton (half checkpoint).
Cheery and on great form after an hour sleep at Langdon Beck (Check point 3). She’s fed there ready for the trip to Alston. She should get there around this evening time & that’s where she’s planning on a bigger stop.
GO GO GO Goss
So I enter Helvellyn triathlon a few weeks ago on a whim. Today I hear that
@protriorg
may offer a prize purse to turn it into a pro race. Thus I may inadvertently be entered into the only elite race this year! Hike a bike training tactic and granny run descents. Be scared pros😉
This came up on my FB memories today.I was holding back tears truly thinking I was running to the finish line of my last Ironman.Sometimes in life you just need to follow your heart and I’m so happy I’m letting mine take me back to Tenby on Fri. Unadulterated excitement.