James Cracknell

The Next Big Challenge

12/04/2011

This is not something that I’d normally do but as it’s a fundraising request and there’s less than a week until the London Marathon I thought I'd post a quick message on my blog about it. I am running the race for 'Headway', The Brain Injury Association, and really want to raise some serious money for a charity that has helped me and thousands of others.

There are a couple of grovelling excuses for the late notice, but as Bev said “You’ve known the date for ages.” As an argument it’s hard to fault except another immovable date was a more pressing concern, the birth of our little girl. That happened last week so I’ve now got a clear run (excuse the pun) at the Marathon. Although that doesn’t get away from Bev’s reasoning that the date has been fixed for a year, but having only just recovered from a foot injury sustained last summer, I only made the final decision a couple of weeks ago.

Funnily enough I won’t be setting any land speed records but I would like to raise money for 'Headway', The Brain Injury Association. As you know I was knocked off my bike by a fuel truck in the States last summer and suffered an injury to the frontal lobes of my brain. It bought me into contact with people who have survived and cared for victims of a brain injury, providing vital training for specialist nurses, carers and survivors. The charity helped me and my family understand, cope with and recover from my injury. It also made me appreciate how lucky I am, so many people don’t regain independence even with Headway’s support and it’s so important to provide them with both the care and inspiration to keep believing.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, if you feel you can donate please go to www.virginmoneygiving.com/james.cracknell it will make a huge, huge difference.

I’d better go and wax my board!

Thanks again,

James

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Comments

no one will ever have the respect like JAMES CRACKNELL...

jon

Thanks for your fantastic efforts James at the marathon, and for supporting Headway. There are many of us outside with the invisible injury of brain damage, and Headway is doing a great job: I'm chairman of my local group, and we do as much as we can to help others lead a more fulfilling life after devastating blows to their abilities, which has knock on effects on their self-esteem, happiness and overall life satisfaction. As the public are still mostly limited in their understanding of brain injury, it's fabulous that someone with a high profile is doing such great work to help fund Headway's efforts. Thank you so much. Rob

Rob Ellett

A true hero with royal acclaim surely not far away.

Paul Sabin

Great to see you finish in good spirits, another incredible feat. Keep it up and enjoy the new addition to the family!

vince

Well done on completing the London Marathon. Fantastic time again, i am in awe of your determination and mental strength.
The interview with Sue Barker afterwards was moving,brought a tear to my eye.
Keep on challenging yourself and like i always say...never give up!!

chris creedy

Just seen your interview with Sue Barker. Outstanding run! There are no ceilings.

Paul

James Cracknell - The Man - The Legend.

Ben Davidson

Have a great run. Enjoy the day - the forecast looks great. Will be watching from Sydney (where we can't see you're documentary yet!)! It was great run in last year and I'm sure the crowds will be out this year again. I'm a rower of some 30 years now (can I be that old?!) and now running and it's inspiring to see you take on all these challenges including you're fight back from the crash. Congratulations to you and Beverley on the birth of Trixie.

Paul

James
just finishing watching your trilogy. you are truly inspirational, an amazing human being - such drive and determination. i wish you all the best for tomorrow!!! i've done 2 half marathons, and i think you've just inspired me to enter the london marathon in 2012!! go for it James tomorrow!! good luck xx

Sally Hewes

All the very best for 2moro James and a very worthy cause. I watched with amazement what you put yourself through in your many challenges. There is a great woman (Bev) behind every great man. I am running and when it gets hard I shall get some positive thoughts inspired by you into my mind.

Jason Harris

Hi James
I suffered a fractured forehead, severe contusion, hyponatremia and 27 days comatose/ unconsciousness over 33 years ago. I thought when i gained some sort of orientation that my fitness saved me so I struggled to start running again. At one point I managed 10 miles in 51 minutes but lack of coaching and poor running style did my knee in. I've had no rehabilitation or any other treatment since gaining orientation but I still push myself with concept 11. Last year I managed 15500 metres for 60 minutes. Not bad for somebody who is 67KG, 52 years old and suffered severe brain damage.Its the hard work that helps the brain.

Richard Davie

Good luck for Sunday and all your future ventures. Saw you on the news today, you are an inspiration! You were before your accident. Brave, and thinking of others. Bless you.
Best Wishes

Lis

Lis Carter

Fantastic - you helping out Headway. I work as a volunteer for their Jersey operation following an accident. Good on you matey, maybe you would consider the Jersey Marathon????

John Newton

Dear James,
I would just like you to know I was hooked on your documentaries and completely dumbstruck that a human could push themselves to levels you do. When the going gets tough, I think back to watching your programs and try to use the same mental attitude as you. Very inspirational.
When the age-old question "What 5 famous people would you take for a pint?" comes round again, you will be the first person I say.
Good luck in the marathon (not that you need it) and I hope you raise lots for a great charity.

Best of luck.

Jamie Saczak

First up fair play to you. I used to think I was a hard nosed mother who liked to push the boundaries but seeing what you have achieved (very few people appreciate the enormity of the athletic side of your MdS performance) I realize I need to zip up the man suit and HTFU. Chapeau.

Saw you at the VLM Expo today and really pleased to hear you're doing it for Headway - a truly great organisation that fortunately very few people have first hand knowledge of. You would seem to be in a very similar position to my Bro who had a very similar accident, injury and rehab to you - although his intended destination was a little closer than yours! The point is he (like you) has a durable personality and is fortunate(?) to have close family support. As I'm sure you are acutely aware not everyone is so lucky and hence depression, alcoholism and swinging from a rope are all too often features of life after brain injury. So I hope you don't mind me putting that out there via your blog given your wi

Adam

I am training as a sport psychologist and I must say, if there is a textbook definition of mental toughness, your picture should be next to it with no explanation necessary. I am by no means an athlete, but I have rowed for 3 years and so know a little of the pain you must have gone through for your olympic medals, and I am stupidly doing the Great North Run after a slipped disc (my own marathon) in september. I echo other's sentiments that you are truly an inspiration to us all and I wish you all the best in your future as a father, husband and (hopefully) endurance athlete once more. Love, Becca xxx p.s. I also agree that Bev is beyond legendary, it takes a very special woman to have the strength to watch you push yourself so far. Well done Bev.

Becca Robinson

We've just finished watching the second part of your documentary on Discovery and we're holding back the tears in dumbstruck awe. You are an absolute inspiration. Having trained for the marathon and deferred my place until next year because of injury I now feel like a total wuss. I'll still be there cheering you (and my husband) on and he ever behaves like you I will divorce him...Bev is equally an inspiration as a wife. Much love and respect xxxx

Lara Skinner

James, i hope your marathon on sunday is enjoyable and that you achieve what you have set out to do. Your programmes of endurance have really inspired me in the last stages of my training for Sunday. Your approach and mental strength has confirmed what my wife, Lara, has been saying to me for ages that 'Greg it is nearly all in the head'. Good Luck and if I'm fortunate enough to be near you at any stage I will give you encouragement and a pat on the back!!

Very Best Wishes

Greg Skinner

Greg Skinner

Good luck on Sunday James.

Lena Conlin

Good luck on Sunday James. Your recovery is an inspiration to us all. I was due to run on Sunday but have had to defer till next year having been diagnosed with fibramyalgia and chronic fatigue. Having run the last 2 London marathon and the Dublin marathon last October I share your frustration at not being able to do something I love. I will be in London cheering you and the many other runners on and will use your inspiration to drive me on to run the marathon in 2012!
Good luck mate!
Ian St John

Ian St John

James ,hats off to you, I have been trying to find out if you have done a 25 mile timetrial at a cycling event. your riding to destruction is made for it. Would like to know your time. respect

adam paxton

'Frost bitten toes, blisters, face like an eskimo, ginger beard, drank my own piss'
James your are such a inspiration and that quote from the Pole to Pole series is an all time classic !

Any Freegard

GOOD LUCK WITH THE RUN JAMES (NOT THAT YOU NEED LUCK TO COMPLETE THIS RUN !!)

paul redmore

Dear James, Congratulations on finishing the Yukon Challenge and I have great admiration for the commitment and motivation to overcome both mental and physical challenges to achieve a personal goal following your life-threatening injury in the States. The Discovery Channel Series was a beautifully made human story and one I will return to for years to come. I hope it receives the recognition it deserves as one of the great sporting documentaries - honest, uplifting and inspiring. I look forward to more ultra-challenges in the future. Good Luck and may you make a full recovery.
Regards Martin Ilott

Martin Ilott

Just good luck. As an endurance athlete (but nothing more than an Ironman) I am totally amazed by your ability to push yourself so hard. To the point of destruction. I could not do it and very very few could. You inspire me when my training gets tough. Thanks.

Best wishes

Cris Swinhoe

Cris Swinhoe

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