Hello! (… or rather “Halo”)

Hello everyone, or rather “Halo”!

My name is Andy Biggs and I’m an age-group triathlete from the North East of England. I’ve recently gained a little weight on my shoulders as a result of a bike accident. On Thursday 22nd of August 2019, whilst descending a hill on my bike at around 30 mph / 48 kph, I suffered a rear tube blow-out. In subconsciously reacting to this, I managed to lock my front brake and catapult myself over my handlebars. Hitting the ground at speed it could have been much worse, but I’ve broken two vertebrae in my upper back and as a result I’ve been fitted with a neck/back brace, known as a Halo.

Hence the title of this blog – It starts with me wearing (or rather ‘sporting’) a Halo, and is intended in part to chronicle the process of getting back to a level of competitive fitness.  I‘ve taken inspiration from the story of Olympic Triathlete Tim Don whose own journey back to competition after a serious accident in 2017 was captured in a documentary you can watch here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhjIchwAkAU

But I also hope for this to be a broader consideration of sport, spirituality/theology  and how they mix in the life of an average everyday person who is seeking to become the best they can be in mind, body and spirit.

Let’s see where we go!

Why am I doing this?

I have a high level of enthusiasm for swimming, biking and running, but at the root of my being I am a Christian, a follower of Jesus Christ. And I find that I get inspiration from God alongside my contemplation of sports science.

I’m not an Olympic or Professional athlete, but I’m an enthusiastic amateur with a competitive spirit to push my body to achieve its potential.  For the past 4 years I’ve managed to gain selection for my country, Great Britain, to compete at World and European Championships in several triathlon-related events. I’ve learned a few things along the way (mostly by mistakes….!)

But also for some time now I’ve felt God inspire me with spiritual parallels as I’ve gained experience in a sporting context. For as it says in the Bible in the book of 1 Timothy, Chapter 4, Verse 8:

“For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.“

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®

I’ve been planning to write down many of these things, but I’ve not quite got around to starting despite putting it on my long-term goal list last year. However. my recent accident has enforced a period of inactivity – giving me the opportunity to pause and think about many things. Hence I’ve started to write this blog.

I hope you can find inspiration for your sporting and spiritual journey here.