Mince Pies and Turkey.

Its funny how Christmas has yet again crept up on us despite the fact it is set in stone every year and all of a sudden, we are out of time to do that thing, or get that present, or send that card, and the 'where did the year go?' comments keep on coming.

It is the same with fitness training, and although most people will start off with the best intentions come the stroke of midnight on the 31st of December, it is difficult to actually start, and the hardest thing is to keep going to 'get the bug'. The reality is, that when you have got the habit, it is relatively easy to find the time to do something that you want to do and enjoy.

I was finding that same scenario with the gym, and although I have never been a big fan, (I considered the road, and the water essentially my free access to getting/keeping fit), it was put to me by the guys at Pinnacle performance that in order to achieve my goals, I needed to improve my core strength and my overall conditioning. With their help, and support, I am starting to get the bug/habit of going to the gym, and I am actually starting to enjoy it. They are super friendly, and able to tailor a workout specifically for me, and the goals i want to achieve. I am now finding running and swimming even more rewarding.

The other real benefit to improving my strength and condition, is injury reduction, but it is inevitable, that I will need some form of physiotherapy or Sports massage, whilst we get ready for the big one. Paul is my number one choice from Allsports Therapy. Although I cant say it is pain free whilst his thumbs are doing their thing, the results, and the speed at which I seem to recover is like magic. I have never been in a position to require this sort of treatment before, but I can see why the professional teams have the magicians in place.

I hope like me, everyone is looking forward to a little bit of over indulgence for the next couple of weeks, without the need to feel guilty about it. Lets face it, if you have spent the year over indulging what's an extra bit of turkey or a couple of extra mince pies going to do? 2016 is the year to get the bug, and maybe even set a goal.

Thank you to everyone that has shown me support this year. I hope 2016 will make everyone proud.

Merry Christmas everyone, and a Happy New year.

CHRISTMAS COMES EARLY!

What a difference a week makes. A little over a week ago I was laying in a hospital bed, not sure of my options. Fortunately I was given the all clear, and today I go to work and there is a box waiting for me!


It looks like the Christmas elves have come up trumps and delivered me lots of goodies to help with my winter training - a new kick board to improve the strength in my leg and a new pull buoy to help strengthen my upper body. With these training aids I should be able to make a great start to the winter schedule, and really concentrate on making my technique as efficient as possible.

Combine that with my new Predator flex goggles with (here comes the science bit!) photochromatic sunlight sensitive lenses that react to different light levels and 4 Flex Point Technology to ensure a really comfortable fit. I can't wait to get in my new Aquablast Jammers, and jump in the pool to try it all out.

I will need the sunlight reactive lenses, as I may well be swimming past St Catherines point, which is the southerly most tip of the Isle of Wight at around midday or early afternoon, so this technology will be invaluable for me.

I really appreciate the offers of help that everyone has given me, and having good kit is essential in making this challenge possible. Thank you Zoggs!

     

SET BACKS!

Set backs are set backs and are an inevitable part of a challenge, and life, but that is all they are, a set back, and when we are all dusted down, we can stand up, and get on with the job in hand!

Last Friday I was out on a very gentle jog with a friend and Grace the dog, we had been out for about 20 mins, and I started to feel a little bit nauseous, so I sat on a wall to compose myself. 20 minutes later I woke up surrounded by paramedics and passers by that had stopped when my friend had realised that something wasn't quite right.

The kind people that had come to my aid held me upright and tried to get me to communicate, and keep my eyes open. I wasn't making any sense (nothing unusual there!), and I couldn't raise my arms, so they were reluctant to lay me down, as the word 'stroke' was being used a lot. The blood had drained to my feet so I was looking a bit grey apparently. When the paramedics got to me, they worked to get me to lay on a foil blanket and as soon as my head was level with my feet the headache started.

It turns out that when the blood rushes back to your head it hurts. A lot! With this we had a trip to the A and E department, and an overnight stay while the marvelous people at Southampton General did all the tests necessary, to rule out a small brain bleed. This includes a CT scan and more importantly a Lumbar Puncture (small needle in the spine). This put me out of action for 48hrs, as the fluid removed from the spine leaves you with a bit of a headache, and a sore lower back.

The good news is that everything is 100% clear, and I have been given a clean bill of health, although the cause of me wanting to faint has been attributed to a small infection, and being unusually dehydrated, due to the infection.

If anything, this has made me more determined to successfully do this challenge, as it really bought home how life can throw curveballs, and while laying in a hospital bed not knowing the results of any of the tests, I had time to reflect and contemplate the things that are important. I thought of my wife Polly, and my children Matilda and Alfie, and if the test had come back saying I had had an aneurysm, life for us in the future would be very different!

I obviously hoped the tests would be clear, and thankfully they were. With that renewed clarity, and the feeling of 'a second chance' I now more than ever want to succeed, and this episode has reinforced that although we all get knocked back on occasion, we all should get back up, and get on with trying to achieve our goals. Life can be a bit scary, but that feeling of being scared just means we are alive!