Author Archives: iamtombird

After a few internal flights, a stop off in Belem for some food then the final stretch to Santereim we arrived. Met by Shirley, Brett and Gil who kindly pointed out there are only 45 runners, the long stage is now 100km, totaling 230km and someone was killed by a jaguar last week at checkpointContinue reading “Arrival, the Amazon”

Sao Paolo airport, terminal one. 7am and its scorching heat outside. Some runners have gone for a quick warm up in between connecting flights, now that’s just plain silly. Its the last opportunity some half decent food ! As more people meet, the excitement grows. Especially when you meet someone doing their phd on theContinue reading “Arrived in Brazil”

Reality sets in as a nearly missed flight and lack of time to get essential kit. But hey, done it before, how hard can it be second time round ? I’ve been recognised by fellow runners from the article in Metro and my blog which is nice. Bumped into Jim Binks, the 69 year oldContinue reading “Take Off”

A big shout out goes to Blacks , the outdoor specialist who have been very generous in donating us some kit. From waterproof lighters, headtorch, Camelback rucksack and bladderpack, to some essential bits of clothing and eating utensils ! and now we are ready ! Thanks also to my colleagues at Delta and Lick, whoContinue reading “Blacks – my favourite store !”

Bingo !

Well as the epic return to the Amazon draws near, the kit checking continues, the anxieties, the calorie checking. Where does all the time go ? 5 days to go and i doesnt all fit int he rucksack ! tapering off the training, perhaps not the exercise, just the street pounding ! Some more bikramContinue reading “London to Brighton and other tales”

The Red Cross is a symbol of hope and protection to millions of people in London, across the UK and around the world, responding to the needs of vulnerable people in crisis with skilled and impartial care. However well we prepare for life, a single event can change everything. A house fire can leave aContinue reading “Why the British Red Cross ?”

Training with back pack, camera and new kit has been an adventure…. some footage of using my new KODAK playsport attached !

With Ironman on hold now until next year, I have decided to focus on the main task at hand, my return to the Amazon. Having been reading ‘The Lost City of Z’, Colonel Percy Harrison Fawcetts hazerdous fateful journey into the Amazon, a man who was the last breed of the great British explorers, hasContinue reading “Jungle KODAK moment”

First triathlon out of the way, painful yet a beautiful setting in Blenheim. Home of Churchill. And neighbouring my old stomping ground. The swim was a baptism of fire getting knocked and hit in the head by fellow triathletes, the transition stages seemed miles apart but all good practice… Pippa Middleton and Jensen Button bothContinue reading “Triathlon”