Spinal tumour fails to fell athlete

Trust House chief executive Allan Pollard has more reason than most to enjoy this Saturday's Sovereign Tri Series in Wellington, given how close he came to never walking again.

Five years ago Mr Pollard underwent surgery that posed perhaps as much risk to his health as it did potential cure.

A tumour on his spinal cord had to be removed, but with that came the risks and threat of paralysis. "I woke up from having the tumour removed five years ago and the first thing the doctor asked was if I could feel my legs. I said, 'Yes'. He said, 'That's fantastic as we had to treat the tumour more aggressively than we intended and were worried about your legs'.

"In that moment I decided never to take my body for granted and started to get fit and compete in multisport races.

"From that point on I took charge of my life and have never looked back."

The problems began for Mr Pollard 2006 when he first noticed pain in his back.

At the time it was put down to a lifestyle in the hospitality industry, a bit too much smoking and drinking and not enough time spent on well-being.

"It was in 2006 when I experienced severe back pain. I remember walking up Lambton Quay and 85-year-old women were passing me in the street - I knew something was wrong.

"I got sent by the doctor to a back specialist in Manor Park just north of Wellington. He sent me for an MRI - I will never forget it, it was on my birthday, 7th March, on a Saturday morning. He phoned my house on the Monday morning and told me to get to hospital straight away, they had found a six-centimetre spinal cord tumour between T12 and L1, the area that controls everything from waist down."

The rest was a bit of a blur. "I was rushed into hospital where the neurosurgeon decided the only course of action was to get the tumour out and test for malignancy. I went into Wellington neuro ward. I was in there for two or three weeks. From time to time my legs were tingling and I had numbness. He operated and we had the conversation I have already mentioned.

"Thank goodness it was benign, albeit I still have 2 per cent of it in there today."

Mr Pollard's approach to life from that day has changed.

He changed his ways, going from one "vice" to another, his wife, Kellie, suggests.

"I went completely the opposite. My goal was to get fit and healthy and see how far I can take my body. I started running, biking, swimming. I did a few local biathlons in Masterton and since I have done about five half marathons. I have done Ironmaori half twice, and round Taupo. What I am doing on Saturday in the Sovereign Tri Series is all part of training for a full Ironman next year, part of the ongoing training and development, my promise to myself."

Pollard is left with some scarring from the operation and a subsequent injury to two discs in 2011 running down Mt Holdsworth when he lost his footing.

But he can always rely on the great support from family and friends in his pursuit of a better lifestyle and overall health.

"My wife, Kellie, and kids, Harrison and Jamie, have been so supportive. They have been there for me through a lot of rehab and hard work. Walking wasn't great on the right leg to begin with, but both the boys and Kellie have been phenomenal in their support.

"For me it is not about winning or losing. It is about mental well-being. Doing endurance races is awesome for your mental health, the challenge of completing, just to get to the finish line every race is the achievement."

His goal in Wellington is a sub-three-hour performance.

"My wife thinks I am crazy, but I really love it. I am always trying to get faster but that is a byproduct of becoming fitter. I am average at all three swim bike and run, but put them together I am okay. My ambition is never to come last."