While at the College, every student must take part in at least two sports a year, encouraging exercise and good health. Troy Horrell (2016K), by his own admission, would use any excuse to get out of early morning exercise sessions (there were many of us).
 
However, Troy has decided he will be taking part in a half iron man in East London on 26 January. The event consists of a 1.8km swim, 90km cycle and 21km run. It is set to test him physically and mentally, due to him not being the ‘traditional athlete’ as he would say. The reason for his participation: breast cancer.
 
Jeremy Ryall (2014F) spoke with Troy to find out why he is doing this and how more people can help.
 
You have said at school you were not much of an athlete, or shied away from extra physical activity, what changed in your mind-set to attempt this half-iron man?
 
I think that post school I was left in this strange space of suddenly not having any form of daily activity after years of that being built into my routine. I started to really miss the exercise that I was doing and just felt so much better after doing some exercise, so I started with the park run. The park run turned into a 10km run and soon after I set my eyes on a new challenge: the triathlon. I competed the discovery triathlon (Olympic distance) last year February, and ever since then I’ve been searching for the 'what next' which has culminated in the half iron man.
 
How long have you been training for it?
 
I officially started my training on the 18th of August and my training has been about 4-5 sessions per week, unless I was sick, although I've only missed about 7 sessions over the last 6 months!
 

Troy was never a massive cyclist or runner during his time at the College.

 
Do you see yourself doing more events like this?
 
I think so. I’m someone who really enjoys challenging myself and putting myself into uncomfortable situations to see how I react, so I think once the half iron man is conquered, I'll be looking for the next challenge.
 
I Love Boobies is close to your heart – why?
 
Cancer has always been quite prevalent in my family. I’ve had my immediate family suffer from it and I've seen how devastating and painful it is for not only the victim, but for those around supporting them. I think I just want to make sure that we can help as many people as possible, and with a solution as easy as early detection screening, I couldn't have thought of a better initiative.
 
Other than raising money, how else can people help this issue facing many women?
 
On an initiative specific approach, people can head to the I Love Boobies website and pick up a pair of their funky socks. However, I think a big thing with breast cancer is education and awareness. Encourage the women in your life to go for regular mammograms and foster greater education about what a cancerous lump would feel like.
 
To support Troy and his initiative please follow the link below.

https://www.givengain.com/ap/troy-horrell-raising-funds-for-iloveboobies-za-npc/?fbclid=IwAR0wMmrrMGl6zD6Do9HjoMbci1WpSwhNyTlj6ENUjXBqwT4AJjdRX97QL2A