Tuesday 13 October 2009
Pictures and Slideshow now released
Had some good feedback on the slideshow check it out on http://www.vimeo.com/6995859 and for those who wanted me email - Mr_Jrayet@hotmail.com Thanks again. Jazz
Sunday 13 September 2009
Thoughts from reaching the Summit of Mount Kilimanjaro
On day 6 of the expedition, at around 10:15am on the 3rd September 2009, after 9 hours of climbing since 1am that morning, I reached Uhuru Peak at 5895m on the very top of Mount Kilimanjaro.
Reaching Uhuru Peak and taking that final step up to the infamous wooden sign was a very special moment. It was the culmination of a journey I had spent many months and hours trying to envisage. It is difficult to describe the feeling on reaching the very top, I guess it was unadulterated joy, amazement and for a few long moments in the thin air as I looked all around – it was timeless, spiritual and silently weightless.
The final push to the peak was tough, and there were a few moments where I had to dig deep. The physical endurance and the lack of oxygen sapping my strength was a given but the last part was all about my heart reminding me of my desire to make it to the top with the flag (see pic left and the close up below!). It was tunnel vision, just breathing and walking with my mind constantly recounting the messages and images of encouragement. It is strange that the day I reached the summit was the day that they buried Michael Jackson and in his honour I did do the moonwalk on the summit.
Although I came back down having lost ½ stone – I have overfilled my heart and mind with many, many more great memories of this great trip. I will remember lot’s of things from this trip and all of the preparation and interactions I have had planning this expedition. I will always treasure three images: The moon and stars that shone 5 times as bright each night on the mountain; the snow that you see on top of the mountain turning out to be 80m high glaciers and lastly, the beauty of the desolate summit where it is just air, ash and human courage.
There are many thank-you’s s that I would like to share – please indulge me a little time as I plan to do my thanks to each of you folks over time in person – it feels to me that is the right thing to do. But let me end on this, it has been my privilege to have been your flag carrier up Mount Kilimanjaro – and in the process raised over £15,500 (and counting) to support the charity VSO (they still need all the help they can get on www.justgiving.com/rayet )
My HIGHEST regards and my DEEPEST thanks. JR
P.S. the other pictures are great, and you will get to see them.
The final push to the peak was tough, and there were a few moments where I had to dig deep. The physical endurance and the lack of oxygen sapping my strength was a given but the last part was all about my heart reminding me of my desire to make it to the top with the flag (see pic left and the close up below!). It was tunnel vision, just breathing and walking with my mind constantly recounting the messages and images of encouragement. It is strange that the day I reached the summit was the day that they buried Michael Jackson and in his honour I did do the moonwalk on the summit.
Although I came back down having lost ½ stone – I have overfilled my heart and mind with many, many more great memories of this great trip. I will remember lot’s of things from this trip and all of the preparation and interactions I have had planning this expedition. I will always treasure three images: The moon and stars that shone 5 times as bright each night on the mountain; the snow that you see on top of the mountain turning out to be 80m high glaciers and lastly, the beauty of the desolate summit where it is just air, ash and human courage.
There are many thank-you’s s that I would like to share – please indulge me a little time as I plan to do my thanks to each of you folks over time in person – it feels to me that is the right thing to do. But let me end on this, it has been my privilege to have been your flag carrier up Mount Kilimanjaro – and in the process raised over £15,500 (and counting) to support the charity VSO (they still need all the help they can get on www.justgiving.com/rayet )
My HIGHEST regards and my DEEPEST thanks. JR
P.S. the other pictures are great, and you will get to see them.
Monday 24 August 2009
Off to Africa
Just a quick update - Spent the whole day packing kit and saying farewells and taking calls, texts and emails of good luck. Off first thing tomorrow to Africa and then will start mountain in a couple of days having met the team.
My kids made me some 'dog tags' to wear - I thought I would show them here
Also the flag is fab, and we have surpassed £15k in fundraising - what a delight this will will be for those at VSO. Thanks again
Monday 3 August 2009
End of July 09 – Month 7 of 8
We are now down to days not months, only 23 days to go! – I can almost feel that tropical sun on my face (well actually given the UK summer, I lie.)
Fundraising:
I am astonished and astounded at the generosity of the individuals that donate to VSO. I am most delighted to call these kind individuals my friends and colleagues and I thank you on behalf of the ultimate recipients of VSO. My fundraising hit £11,045 pounds at the end of July 2009 and we have 122 sponsors that will be on my flag heading up!
As I previously committed, I have now also added my personal donation of £3,000 to the total (in a tax efficient manner) so we are now up to £14,045. I wonder if we might make £15k by the time this whole adventure ends – that would be a nice round figure eh?!
Stop Press: I have a cut off for my flag of 09th August 2009 as after that it goes to be embroidered!
More sponsor babies that need a mention. A baby boy - Rowan for my dentist Gordon and his wife who now run a dental practice in Hertford – congrats and let’s hope my teeth can cope with -20c!
Training:
July was a month of jumping (jumping a bit too hard actually… more later) So the main background activity has been ‘squats’ a couple of times a week. At times I felt like Zebedee but at least he had a spring for legs rather than my pins.
Training was at peak (sorry a desperate pun) so I did a quite a few things
1. A breathing controlled run which was most weird. A Short run of 3 miles over 20mins but only breathing every five seconds rather than normally to try and force my body to use oxygen wisely – please no more magic roundabout links here.
2. Session of pylometrics with Gymanda – I can hand on heart say this was modern day torture … So picture this – an evening in Hyde Park and Amanda has me doing a whole variety of things (mostly jumping again) in full view of people out for a stroll – free and embarrassing entertainment with me doing burpees all over the place.
3. I have also been weekend walking along the Ridgeway walk, from Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover which is a really lovely 11.5mile walk with about 418m ascent and 317m descent. The National Trail guide states it takes 5hr 15mins and my record is 3hr 14mins – It is not all plain sailing, once I had to cross a field full of sleepy cows, I tell you some of these animals are big and when they start running toward you - you run very fast, check out the pics.
4. After last month’s 600m challenge in the Black Mountains (Wales) – I decided to do a real mountain… I was also lucky enough to get up to Scotland and hang with a few of my real mountain climbing friends in Glasgow one weekend in July. Alan (a previous Killi summiter – is that a word?) and also Louise (aka the mountain goat – she once dragged herself off a mountain with a broken ankle!) and her hubby Matthew who have between them climbed 100+ Munro’s.
So to kick the weekend off, they treated me to a haggis with neaps and tatties which actually was very nice. To help simulate altitude sickness, they suggested alcohol sickness, so you can guess how that night went… The next day staying well clear of any naked flames we went to climb Ben Dorain. Alan tells me that I went very quiet when I saw it’s 1075m profile.
We started at 100m and went up this beast only stopping for tuna and sweet corn sandwiches at 700m and then all the way to the summit. It was a steep 3ish hours up, almost all in the rain, which at times was horizontal! When we got to the top we were in the thickest cloud you could imagine and we could not even see the high altitude sheep milling around amongst us. Check out the vid.
Coming down was even harder, given the rocks, mud, streams we had to negotiate. It is when I came down I started to have some problems with my left knee…
Kit:
I now have a final list of what I need to get in the last couple of weeks – such as handwarmers, lip balm etc, so I better get onto that soon.
Mind:
The descent from Ben Dorain was all about the pain in my knee and it was not easy. After only about 100m I started to feel an anvil like pain in my outer left knee. I found it rather tough hobbling down. I have since had it checked out as it is still troubling me. I went to see Sarah the Physio. She has the most amazing hands as she squeezed my knee – I was writhing in pain but also from finding some real comfort. The diagnosis is a case of Iliotibial band friction - ITB. I am doing some exercises to try and settle this, this is the most important issue for the Mind – I have to rest and get better and fast.
July Highlights:
So the weather men/women in the UK have come clean and told us that though they predicted a barbeque summer they were in fact mistaken even with the extra heat from global warming. July has been like a damp sponge failing to dry, we have even had to turn the heating back on in the house!
There was one highlight though, At a school charity event, I got the chance to dress and dance for 3 hours like Michael Jackson from the 70’s including the wig and sequined glove – and on 1st August, the actual day we had MJ tickets. Just this weekend, my wife Arjinder hijacked a wedding reception and got them to play Billie Jean as the final song which brought the house down from young to old – now how cool is that!
As Gandhi once said, ‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.’
Until August, work that mind - not that body.
Fundraising:
I am astonished and astounded at the generosity of the individuals that donate to VSO. I am most delighted to call these kind individuals my friends and colleagues and I thank you on behalf of the ultimate recipients of VSO. My fundraising hit £11,045 pounds at the end of July 2009 and we have 122 sponsors that will be on my flag heading up!
As I previously committed, I have now also added my personal donation of £3,000 to the total (in a tax efficient manner) so we are now up to £14,045. I wonder if we might make £15k by the time this whole adventure ends – that would be a nice round figure eh?!
Stop Press: I have a cut off for my flag of 09th August 2009 as after that it goes to be embroidered!
More sponsor babies that need a mention. A baby boy - Rowan for my dentist Gordon and his wife who now run a dental practice in Hertford – congrats and let’s hope my teeth can cope with -20c!
Training:
July was a month of jumping (jumping a bit too hard actually… more later) So the main background activity has been ‘squats’ a couple of times a week. At times I felt like Zebedee but at least he had a spring for legs rather than my pins.
Training was at peak (sorry a desperate pun) so I did a quite a few things
1. A breathing controlled run which was most weird. A Short run of 3 miles over 20mins but only breathing every five seconds rather than normally to try and force my body to use oxygen wisely – please no more magic roundabout links here.
2. Session of pylometrics with Gymanda – I can hand on heart say this was modern day torture … So picture this – an evening in Hyde Park and Amanda has me doing a whole variety of things (mostly jumping again) in full view of people out for a stroll – free and embarrassing entertainment with me doing burpees all over the place.
3. I have also been weekend walking along the Ridgeway walk, from Ivinghoe Beacon to Wendover which is a really lovely 11.5mile walk with about 418m ascent and 317m descent. The National Trail guide states it takes 5hr 15mins and my record is 3hr 14mins – It is not all plain sailing, once I had to cross a field full of sleepy cows, I tell you some of these animals are big and when they start running toward you - you run very fast, check out the pics.
4. After last month’s 600m challenge in the Black Mountains (Wales) – I decided to do a real mountain… I was also lucky enough to get up to Scotland and hang with a few of my real mountain climbing friends in Glasgow one weekend in July. Alan (a previous Killi summiter – is that a word?) and also Louise (aka the mountain goat – she once dragged herself off a mountain with a broken ankle!) and her hubby Matthew who have between them climbed 100+ Munro’s.
So to kick the weekend off, they treated me to a haggis with neaps and tatties which actually was very nice. To help simulate altitude sickness, they suggested alcohol sickness, so you can guess how that night went… The next day staying well clear of any naked flames we went to climb Ben Dorain. Alan tells me that I went very quiet when I saw it’s 1075m profile.We started at 100m and went up this beast only stopping for tuna and sweet corn sandwiches at 700m and then all the way to the summit. It was a steep 3ish hours up, almost all in the rain, which at times was horizontal! When we got to the top we were in the thickest cloud you could imagine and we could not even see the high altitude sheep milling around amongst us. Check out the vid.
Coming down was even harder, given the rocks, mud, streams we had to negotiate. It is when I came down I started to have some problems with my left knee…
Kit:
I now have a final list of what I need to get in the last couple of weeks – such as handwarmers, lip balm etc, so I better get onto that soon.
Mind:
The descent from Ben Dorain was all about the pain in my knee and it was not easy. After only about 100m I started to feel an anvil like pain in my outer left knee. I found it rather tough hobbling down. I have since had it checked out as it is still troubling me. I went to see Sarah the Physio. She has the most amazing hands as she squeezed my knee – I was writhing in pain but also from finding some real comfort. The diagnosis is a case of Iliotibial band friction - ITB. I am doing some exercises to try and settle this, this is the most important issue for the Mind – I have to rest and get better and fast.
July Highlights:
So the weather men/women in the UK have come clean and told us that though they predicted a barbeque summer they were in fact mistaken even with the extra heat from global warming. July has been like a damp sponge failing to dry, we have even had to turn the heating back on in the house!
There was one highlight though, At a school charity event, I got the chance to dress and dance for 3 hours like Michael Jackson from the 70’s including the wig and sequined glove – and on 1st August, the actual day we had MJ tickets. Just this weekend, my wife Arjinder hijacked a wedding reception and got them to play Billie Jean as the final song which brought the house down from young to old – now how cool is that!
As Gandhi once said, ‘Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from indomitable will.’
Until August, work that mind - not that body.
Sunday 5 July 2009
End of June 09 – Month 6 of 8
Farewell to June 09, MOST importantly it’s only about 8 weeks to go! – gosh where have the months gone!
Firstly, my apologies, as many of you have asked about the missing May blog - well I failed to write it. Why, well during May I was ill, struck down with some livestock variant of some respiratory illness and also during May most of the UK was gripped in the MP expense extravaganza. In any case, enjoy June’s bumper issue…
Fundraising:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. My fundraising has now hit £10,420 pounds as of the end of June 2009. This is a phenomenal total and accounts for around 87% of my total target of £12,000 (excluding my personal donation of £3,000). I am now up to 109 of the most generous sponsors, and how nice a flag is that that I have the delight to carry.
My focus in July will be to beg, plead and persuade anyone else I can to help me make my fundraising target and get them to be immortalized in name onto my flag. (I am looking for a really cool embroiderer/machinist to help me make sew this flag – if anyone has any ideas).
More Sponsor babies in June, baby girl Malin for my dear friend Anja & Bart from Germany – congrats.
Training:
It is getting serious now, though I was ill most of May, I still packed in 32 of miles walking as well as a session or two with Gymanda my Personal Trainer. June got much more serious with my first proper hill walking with my two oldest mates, Julian and Sunil in the Black Mountains in South Wales. We donned our walking gear, in a lovely part of the world called ‘the Vale of Ewyas’ and wandered around Lord Hereford Knobs, Waun Fach and along Offas Dyke Pass with only sheep (and plenty of sheep droppings) to keep us company. We went up and down a couple of 400-600m hills and I now know what it really feels like to actually climb up a reasonable hill and the terror of getting back down in one piece again. Check out this clip, from Julian the Master Camera man of me ‘cantering’ up.
Yes I know what you are thinking, but this is 450m up – (and we even slowed it down because it does look a bit staged! – anyway don’t I look good for 15 meters right!). Excellent training weekend, great place to stay Caple-y-Ffin and even no mobile signal – all just 3.5hours drive from London.
June saw also another 10k run, the Leeds Jane Tomlinson charity run with around 7000 folks happily running and walking up and down the hilly track. It took me 5 mins to find the start line, but I finished it off and felt good for it – no issues on completion – just neat now though I could be faster still.
Kit:
Lots and lots of stuff bought in the last 8 weeks, So now I think I have 5 top layers, 2 headgear items, 3 sets of gloves, 4 bottoms, etc. Also bought a tent, a -18C sleeping bag, lots of water bottles (even wide mouth ones…did you guess for what?) Best thing I bought was a self inflating mattress - the kids think it so much fun… You pull it and it explodes into action – bang, and it’s inflated, the only thing is you cannot get the actual air out of it again!
Mind:
June was all about focus and concentration. One of the activities I was lucky enough to participate in was real clay pigeon shoot to practice concentration and focus. Not quite a crack shot, more of a shot crack… Hey what fun it was even if the rifle does half dislocate your shoulder in the process?
Seriously now, based on Gymanda’s suggestion, I did a session of hot Bikram Yoga and realized although I felt stronger before– my body could do with a lot of tightening up. So my friend Sunil always says that ‘…it good to break a sweat…’ Well this is the first time I have seen the sweat pour off my body a bit like Lieutenant Striker from the movie Airplane as he lands he lands the plane – So it is 40C and for 90mins you have to undertake a series of standing and lying postures as well a controlled breathing. I managed most of the moves but stopped when I saw contortions that looked frankly like dismembered bodies. I was truly amazed at what I saw people do and the focus and concentration gained from the class. I will return and sooner if they can do something about the aroma. (Imagine a1000 fragrant cabbages mixed in with odor of the aftermath of a baked beans fanatics meeting..!)
Like my school reports said when I was 11 – ‘could do much better if tried harder’ I am sure I will return to this class to help me focus, concentrate and tighten my muscles!
June Highlights:
So the end of June bought some very tough news with the passing of Michael Jackson. MiJac was one of my all time idols that I grew up with in the late 70’s and 80’s. I actually had got tickets for his concert at the O2 as both Arjinder and I had never seen him and finally thought we were going to get the chance… but alas the moon walk is now forever up there in the sky.
So as the sun shines, get into your car, wind down the windows like me today and sing out some MJ tracks. I was driving round Balham today blasting and singing out ‘Can you feel it! - see link to a copy of the vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1fXL3s7bk
Try it – and you will remember how good it is to play music loud and let your spirit sing along with the song
Until July, play it loud.
Firstly, my apologies, as many of you have asked about the missing May blog - well I failed to write it. Why, well during May I was ill, struck down with some livestock variant of some respiratory illness and also during May most of the UK was gripped in the MP expense extravaganza. In any case, enjoy June’s bumper issue…
Fundraising:
Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. My fundraising has now hit £10,420 pounds as of the end of June 2009. This is a phenomenal total and accounts for around 87% of my total target of £12,000 (excluding my personal donation of £3,000). I am now up to 109 of the most generous sponsors, and how nice a flag is that that I have the delight to carry.
My focus in July will be to beg, plead and persuade anyone else I can to help me make my fundraising target and get them to be immortalized in name onto my flag. (I am looking for a really cool embroiderer/machinist to help me make sew this flag – if anyone has any ideas).
More Sponsor babies in June, baby girl Malin for my dear friend Anja & Bart from Germany – congrats.
Training:
It is getting serious now, though I was ill most of May, I still packed in 32 of miles walking as well as a session or two with Gymanda my Personal Trainer. June got much more serious with my first proper hill walking with my two oldest mates, Julian and Sunil in the Black Mountains in South Wales. We donned our walking gear, in a lovely part of the world called ‘the Vale of Ewyas’ and wandered around Lord Hereford Knobs, Waun Fach and along Offas Dyke Pass with only sheep (and plenty of sheep droppings) to keep us company. We went up and down a couple of 400-600m hills and I now know what it really feels like to actually climb up a reasonable hill and the terror of getting back down in one piece again. Check out this clip, from Julian the Master Camera man of me ‘cantering’ up.
Yes I know what you are thinking, but this is 450m up – (and we even slowed it down because it does look a bit staged! – anyway don’t I look good for 15 meters right!). Excellent training weekend, great place to stay Caple-y-Ffin and even no mobile signal – all just 3.5hours drive from London.
June saw also another 10k run, the Leeds Jane Tomlinson charity run with around 7000 folks happily running and walking up and down the hilly track. It took me 5 mins to find the start line, but I finished it off and felt good for it – no issues on completion – just neat now though I could be faster still.
Kit:
Lots and lots of stuff bought in the last 8 weeks, So now I think I have 5 top layers, 2 headgear items, 3 sets of gloves, 4 bottoms, etc. Also bought a tent, a -18C sleeping bag, lots of water bottles (even wide mouth ones…did you guess for what?) Best thing I bought was a self inflating mattress - the kids think it so much fun… You pull it and it explodes into action – bang, and it’s inflated, the only thing is you cannot get the actual air out of it again!
Mind:
June was all about focus and concentration. One of the activities I was lucky enough to participate in was real clay pigeon shoot to practice concentration and focus. Not quite a crack shot, more of a shot crack… Hey what fun it was even if the rifle does half dislocate your shoulder in the process?
Seriously now, based on Gymanda’s suggestion, I did a session of hot Bikram Yoga and realized although I felt stronger before– my body could do with a lot of tightening up. So my friend Sunil always says that ‘…it good to break a sweat…’ Well this is the first time I have seen the sweat pour off my body a bit like Lieutenant Striker from the movie Airplane as he lands he lands the plane – So it is 40C and for 90mins you have to undertake a series of standing and lying postures as well a controlled breathing. I managed most of the moves but stopped when I saw contortions that looked frankly like dismembered bodies. I was truly amazed at what I saw people do and the focus and concentration gained from the class. I will return and sooner if they can do something about the aroma. (Imagine a1000 fragrant cabbages mixed in with odor of the aftermath of a baked beans fanatics meeting..!)
Like my school reports said when I was 11 – ‘could do much better if tried harder’ I am sure I will return to this class to help me focus, concentrate and tighten my muscles!
June Highlights:
So the end of June bought some very tough news with the passing of Michael Jackson. MiJac was one of my all time idols that I grew up with in the late 70’s and 80’s. I actually had got tickets for his concert at the O2 as both Arjinder and I had never seen him and finally thought we were going to get the chance… but alas the moon walk is now forever up there in the sky.
So as the sun shines, get into your car, wind down the windows like me today and sing out some MJ tracks. I was driving round Balham today blasting and singing out ‘Can you feel it! - see link to a copy of the vid http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xW1fXL3s7bk
Try it – and you will remember how good it is to play music loud and let your spirit sing along with the song
Until July, play it loud.
Sunday 10 May 2009
End of April 09 – Month 4 of 8
The mid point, less than 4 months to go now right - Thanks a lot for all of the messages of continued support and comments on March’s painful blog, they are all very encouraging – please keep the blog feedback messages flowing – they are a great personal help – and remind me that I belong to a great team.
So as promised, April was about sunshine. Following the tough run in March, the family, I and some old friends took a well deserved break in the sunny Caribbean island of Antigua… more on this later.
Fundraising:
I continue to be amazed and thankful as I see continued selfless contribution of your personal earnings to support VSO. At the end of April £8,805 had been donated which around 75% of my planned target of £12,000 (excluding my personal donation of £3,000).
I now have 98 of you which I will carry in name with me in around 4 month’s time up to almost 20,000ft.
I had lots of nice comments from last month notes on sponsor newborn messages. So continuing this new feature, April 09 proved to another fertile culmination with new son Archie for my work colleague Nick and Anna – congrats!
Training:
So following my 8.2 mile run, it took almost 10 days before I was able to train again. The only way I got back to training was when we got to Antigua and I used the holiday - a lovely 29C to recuperate and simulate hot weather training like it will be in the first few day of so on Kili.
Okay, Okay, I can anticipate the cynics here saying ‘oh yeah, Caribbean sunshine, sand and sea… how does training come into that!’. Well believe it or not, trying to walk on sandy beach is good for ankles and calves.
If this was not enough exertion, Julian, Sunil and I got up at 7am after a ‘good evening out’ and climbed the highest mountain on Antigua, ‘Boggy Peak’ a 400m in about 45-50mins - yep we got microwaved by the mast actually.
This is my first mountain (alright hill than) but the sense of achievement was massive given some sections were almost a 1 in 2 climb It was even more scary coming down though we had the chance to see Grapefruit and Star fruit trees as well as some 3 inch wasps keeping us focused on the rapid descent.
Since I have been back more basic walking with now a 15m in 3h 33m as the new record (this is twice what I did 2 months ago!)
I also had my first Personal Training session with Amanda York, known as Gymanda. So having been a bit wary about this, I can solidly say, the first session I had with Amanda was fantastic. She accompanied me as she got me to jog, run, sprint, stretch, press up/down to a level that I would never even dreamt of. Super prepared Amanda has already started to analyse the climb requirements, diet, yoga etc. She got me to do some stretch she called the ‘pigeon’ – yeah work that one out!
Amanda gave me some insights on what she will have me do over the next 3 months (good timing too as being honest, I need some professional help and pushing now). Some of you know I ran a little selection process to find the right PT, I am extremely happy with the holistic mind, body diet focus that Amanda brings, check out her site on http://www.gymanda.com/. She has kindly offered me some special discounts for a few of my sponsors – drop me a line if you are interested.
Kit:
No Kit at all this month, did not even get a chance to go shopping. That said I did wear some of the stuff I have bought though (that is good going for me!). Arjinder continues to remind me that I have almost never worn the MBTs I so proudly bought some 8 months ago!
Mind:
A slightly different flavour during April – doing something new and different was April’s focus – you could say mental nourishment was what I needed…
I have been told that the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls limb movement, responds better when you do something new by sending increased oxygen flow round the brain and body. So we decided to put this theory to the test after another ‘good night out’ in Antigua. So picture this, you are having a stroll through St John’s (the capital) and a friendly local comes up and asks you if you would like some Aloe Vera? Okay well, we have all heard of this in our shampoos and creams and stuff, but freshly extracted from a green plant in front of your eyes? If that’s not new enough, the interesting local told us that rather than just rubbing this stuff over yourself, you would be 100% better off by drinking it. So that is what brave Chazzy and I did, and I tell you it is weird consistency (like fibrous solid jelly) but if you can actually get it down like us – It really did wonders for our insides… check out the vid.
So for all you office workers out there, it’s a great tonic, best take it from plant to intestine within 2 hours – no chemicals or processing, just a knife, a plant, any old bottle, a glass and gulp – you are full of beanz not to mention lots of oxygen pumping round your neo-cortex too!
April Highlights:
So the end of April and early May bought us a bit of a recovery in the Markets but also the Swine flu panic. On balance a much better outlook – but hopes were dashed again listening to the budget eh? That said, confidence is key and displayed with humility is the way I always advocate it
So to April’s quote, ‘be serious with people but don’t take life too seriously, you will never get out of it alive!’
Enjoy the sunshine (for you in Britain) – I bought it back from Antigua, and roll on May
Since I have been back more basic walking with now a 15m in 3h 33m as the new record (this is twice what I did 2 months ago!)
I also had my first Personal Training session with Amanda York, known as Gymanda. So having been a bit wary about this, I can solidly say, the first session I had with Amanda was fantastic. She accompanied me as she got me to jog, run, sprint, stretch, press up/down to a level that I would never even dreamt of. Super prepared Amanda has already started to analyse the climb requirements, diet, yoga etc. She got me to do some stretch she called the ‘pigeon’ – yeah work that one out!
Amanda gave me some insights on what she will have me do over the next 3 months (good timing too as being honest, I need some professional help and pushing now). Some of you know I ran a little selection process to find the right PT, I am extremely happy with the holistic mind, body diet focus that Amanda brings, check out her site on http://www.gymanda.com/. She has kindly offered me some special discounts for a few of my sponsors – drop me a line if you are interested.
Kit:
No Kit at all this month, did not even get a chance to go shopping. That said I did wear some of the stuff I have bought though (that is good going for me!). Arjinder continues to remind me that I have almost never worn the MBTs I so proudly bought some 8 months ago!
Mind:
A slightly different flavour during April – doing something new and different was April’s focus – you could say mental nourishment was what I needed…
I have been told that the cerebellum, the part of the brain that controls limb movement, responds better when you do something new by sending increased oxygen flow round the brain and body. So we decided to put this theory to the test after another ‘good night out’ in Antigua. So picture this, you are having a stroll through St John’s (the capital) and a friendly local comes up and asks you if you would like some Aloe Vera? Okay well, we have all heard of this in our shampoos and creams and stuff, but freshly extracted from a green plant in front of your eyes? If that’s not new enough, the interesting local told us that rather than just rubbing this stuff over yourself, you would be 100% better off by drinking it. So that is what brave Chazzy and I did, and I tell you it is weird consistency (like fibrous solid jelly) but if you can actually get it down like us – It really did wonders for our insides… check out the vid.
So for all you office workers out there, it’s a great tonic, best take it from plant to intestine within 2 hours – no chemicals or processing, just a knife, a plant, any old bottle, a glass and gulp – you are full of beanz not to mention lots of oxygen pumping round your neo-cortex too!
April Highlights:
So the end of April and early May bought us a bit of a recovery in the Markets but also the Swine flu panic. On balance a much better outlook – but hopes were dashed again listening to the budget eh? That said, confidence is key and displayed with humility is the way I always advocate it
So to April’s quote, ‘be serious with people but don’t take life too seriously, you will never get out of it alive!’
Enjoy the sunshine (for you in Britain) – I bought it back from Antigua, and roll on May
Friday 10 April 2009
End of March 09 – Month 3 of 8
Yes I know I’m a little late, thanks for all the reminders that March ended 10 days ago. Thanks again for the great feedback on the monthly 5min blog – I’m glad it’s hitting the spot. I will keep posting each month. (No Tweets for those who asked!)
So before we begin, March’s entry is about pain (and some references to pleasure) so for those of you with a frail nature or are easily offended, stop here you have been warned do not read on at all….. I mean it - just wait for April which will be all about sunshine and safe things like bran flakes.
Fundraising:
I want to recognize and appreciate your continued generosity in donating your hard earned cash to support VSO. At the end of March we hit the impressive figure of £8,280 which is ever closer to my planned £12,000 total. What is even more heartwarming is that I now have 91 names on my expanding sponsor flag which I will carry up Kilimanjaro – Two newborns names have also been added which is truly splendid – Maxwell, son to my friends Jen and Dave from NYC and Sean son to my friends Marcia and Jimmy from Chicago. No new countries this month.
I have got more info on the funds usage from Charlotte at VSO, just ask and I will send the summary document – there is a particularly superb write up on enterprising ladies & crab fattening – even Sir Alan would be amazed!
Training:
So March was a month of two extremes - a bit of encouragement and also some painful home truths…
It started of pretty positive and encouraging…
More Sunday walking 7, 8, and even up to a 10 mile walk in 2hr.30mins on mothering Sunday – going well, even no blisters now which is a bonus. More free weight training, starting to see a few muscles poke through (no moobs, just well camouflaged pecs ). Hit my personal best of 30 press ups in a minute (I know you gym muffins think that is abysmal) but I could not even do 10, three months ago. Finally got some dancing training in this month, thanks Sunil, Clare & Liz for plucking up courage to be in the crowd to see me do my double speed Michael Jackson moves (anybody got tickets?) at a fab place called Gilgamesh in Camden.
I also had a ‘Well Man’ checkup, some basic stuff, blood pressure, blood chemistry, ECG, weight, body fat, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 lungs, 2 hands, 2 of those too! - other tests e.g. Antioxidant level (33,000 which is super or I had overdone the carrot juice that day), Spinal Flexibility of the highest category. But, Lung capacity (you have to blow out into a machine for something like 5 mins without fainting) – well I was done in 20 seconds flat – I have to improve my FEC, PEC which will increase my VO2??? Can someone translate? Please forward any ideas better than putting 3 old socks into my mouth and breathing please.
Also good progress on the Personal Trainer front – really really good. More on this shortly (as soon as we get the commercials sorted out) – thanks again for all the personal recommendations. For the 2 of you suggesting I will need at least 3 personal trainers at once to sort me out – very funny, huh the cheek!
To the pain…
Just to help me find out how far I still had to get, I shoved 20kgs into my rucksack, weighed down my legs and arms with 2.2kg each and tried to climb 500m in an hour walking up a treadmill 10% incline at 5kms. Oh dear, within 20mins I was flat on my back, hallucinating about my duvet still as a statue.
If this was not enough, this weekend with only a hurried 4 mile run for a warmup – I entered and ran the Kingston Breakfast run (8.2miles) to do a ‘surprise stress test’ on my body. So picture the scene, 2000 folks mostly using the run as a final prep session for the London Marathon. So pain, real PAIN, I would say probably nearer the childbirth end of the spectrum! At 2 miles in I was in a real state as to date I have concentrated on walking - My strategy was not prepare for this run, so I could figure out my physically weakest areas. So at two miles I was beat. After seeing two grannies (not the nice cuddly kind, but the sporty types that have even evolved some aerodynamic features) whiz past me, I just started to run. I blocked out my painfully stiff wooden legs, pins and needles and sick feeling to hobble home in 1hr.30mins – check out the pain on my face (click through to Kingston Breakfast run and then just enter my surname) http://www.sportcam.net/CompetitorSearch.aspx?RId=119. What did I learn? Well that preparation is key and that my lower legs, calves and foot muscles will need considerable work.
Kit:
Bought some ‘superfeet’ insoles to put into my shoes (impulse buy mostly) Strange electric green molded plastic insole that pinch the heels and help you ‘arch’– very expertly sold to me as a necessity for £19.99. Not sure if any ‘super’ things have come of it yet I must say… did have some super smelly feet on the last walk.
Mind:
So the Kingston run was this month’s mind over matter as I had to dig deep, I was in pain and had not prepared. Of the 1520 or so finishers, I think 1200 of them passed me at 2 miles when my legs were a mess, I felt sick and I thought I would have to give up. – so what happened? Well I just kept thinking of my 7 year old son Dharam, who stayed up late the night before and wished me well and he said ‘I hope you win Dad’. As I gently managed down his expectations on probably a lower midfield finish - he replied ‘Dad, what ever happens you must make sure you do your best and finish’. You can imagine how powerful those simple words… ‘do your best and finish’ became at that 2 mile point. I personally have taken great strength from this experience. (And I ended up beating few lycra clad grannies to the finish, but only just!)
March Highlights:
Most of you have already told me that you saw the red nose climbers successfully ascend Kili. Well, Immediately after that programme was aired, my mother called me and told me that it was too dangerous, I had children to think of – and I told her it was children that I was thinking of, both mine and those in the foothills of Kilimanjaro.
Quite a few of you said you enjoy my philosophical endings, that’s nice and thanks for sharing that too. Well March bought some good experiences – my daughters birthday, the Young Enterprise company - Incito getting through the Chiltern Area YE Final, watching England play with Dharam and seeing 85k people doing the Mexican wave etc. and some not so good - bad news from the economy mostly.
So one humbly tries to find order and meaning – this month the insight is about your state of mind and your personal journey … I see two clear alternative approaches, on one hand there are the individuals that set a course regardless of what they see and deal with the waves or challenges as they head toward their destination. On the other hand there are the individuals that see what waves and challenges are out there, spend the time tackling these as they arrive on their doorstep and waiting for calm before set their course.
I know where I am, do you? Remember yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift (quote taken from Kung Fu Panda) – enjoy the remainder of the Easter Break and I am done for this months installment.
So before we begin, March’s entry is about pain (and some references to pleasure) so for those of you with a frail nature or are easily offended, stop here you have been warned do not read on at all….. I mean it - just wait for April which will be all about sunshine and safe things like bran flakes.
Fundraising:
I want to recognize and appreciate your continued generosity in donating your hard earned cash to support VSO. At the end of March we hit the impressive figure of £8,280 which is ever closer to my planned £12,000 total. What is even more heartwarming is that I now have 91 names on my expanding sponsor flag which I will carry up Kilimanjaro – Two newborns names have also been added which is truly splendid – Maxwell, son to my friends Jen and Dave from NYC and Sean son to my friends Marcia and Jimmy from Chicago. No new countries this month.
I have got more info on the funds usage from Charlotte at VSO, just ask and I will send the summary document – there is a particularly superb write up on enterprising ladies & crab fattening – even Sir Alan would be amazed!
Training:
So March was a month of two extremes - a bit of encouragement and also some painful home truths…
It started of pretty positive and encouraging…
More Sunday walking 7, 8, and even up to a 10 mile walk in 2hr.30mins on mothering Sunday – going well, even no blisters now which is a bonus. More free weight training, starting to see a few muscles poke through (no moobs, just well camouflaged pecs ). Hit my personal best of 30 press ups in a minute (I know you gym muffins think that is abysmal) but I could not even do 10, three months ago. Finally got some dancing training in this month, thanks Sunil, Clare & Liz for plucking up courage to be in the crowd to see me do my double speed Michael Jackson moves (anybody got tickets?) at a fab place called Gilgamesh in Camden.
I also had a ‘Well Man’ checkup, some basic stuff, blood pressure, blood chemistry, ECG, weight, body fat, 2 eyes, 2 ears, 2 lungs, 2 hands, 2 of those too! - other tests e.g. Antioxidant level (33,000 which is super or I had overdone the carrot juice that day), Spinal Flexibility of the highest category. But, Lung capacity (you have to blow out into a machine for something like 5 mins without fainting) – well I was done in 20 seconds flat – I have to improve my FEC, PEC which will increase my VO2??? Can someone translate? Please forward any ideas better than putting 3 old socks into my mouth and breathing please.
Also good progress on the Personal Trainer front – really really good. More on this shortly (as soon as we get the commercials sorted out) – thanks again for all the personal recommendations. For the 2 of you suggesting I will need at least 3 personal trainers at once to sort me out – very funny, huh the cheek!
To the pain…
Just to help me find out how far I still had to get, I shoved 20kgs into my rucksack, weighed down my legs and arms with 2.2kg each and tried to climb 500m in an hour walking up a treadmill 10% incline at 5kms. Oh dear, within 20mins I was flat on my back, hallucinating about my duvet still as a statue.
If this was not enough, this weekend with only a hurried 4 mile run for a warmup – I entered and ran the Kingston Breakfast run (8.2miles) to do a ‘surprise stress test’ on my body. So picture the scene, 2000 folks mostly using the run as a final prep session for the London Marathon. So pain, real PAIN, I would say probably nearer the childbirth end of the spectrum! At 2 miles in I was in a real state as to date I have concentrated on walking - My strategy was not prepare for this run, so I could figure out my physically weakest areas. So at two miles I was beat. After seeing two grannies (not the nice cuddly kind, but the sporty types that have even evolved some aerodynamic features) whiz past me, I just started to run. I blocked out my painfully stiff wooden legs, pins and needles and sick feeling to hobble home in 1hr.30mins – check out the pain on my face (click through to Kingston Breakfast run and then just enter my surname) http://www.sportcam.net/CompetitorSearch.aspx?RId=119. What did I learn? Well that preparation is key and that my lower legs, calves and foot muscles will need considerable work.
Kit:
Bought some ‘superfeet’ insoles to put into my shoes (impulse buy mostly) Strange electric green molded plastic insole that pinch the heels and help you ‘arch’– very expertly sold to me as a necessity for £19.99. Not sure if any ‘super’ things have come of it yet I must say… did have some super smelly feet on the last walk.
Mind:
So the Kingston run was this month’s mind over matter as I had to dig deep, I was in pain and had not prepared. Of the 1520 or so finishers, I think 1200 of them passed me at 2 miles when my legs were a mess, I felt sick and I thought I would have to give up. – so what happened? Well I just kept thinking of my 7 year old son Dharam, who stayed up late the night before and wished me well and he said ‘I hope you win Dad’. As I gently managed down his expectations on probably a lower midfield finish - he replied ‘Dad, what ever happens you must make sure you do your best and finish’. You can imagine how powerful those simple words… ‘do your best and finish’ became at that 2 mile point. I personally have taken great strength from this experience. (And I ended up beating few lycra clad grannies to the finish, but only just!)
March Highlights:
Most of you have already told me that you saw the red nose climbers successfully ascend Kili. Well, Immediately after that programme was aired, my mother called me and told me that it was too dangerous, I had children to think of – and I told her it was children that I was thinking of, both mine and those in the foothills of Kilimanjaro.
Quite a few of you said you enjoy my philosophical endings, that’s nice and thanks for sharing that too. Well March bought some good experiences – my daughters birthday, the Young Enterprise company - Incito getting through the Chiltern Area YE Final, watching England play with Dharam and seeing 85k people doing the Mexican wave etc. and some not so good - bad news from the economy mostly.
So one humbly tries to find order and meaning – this month the insight is about your state of mind and your personal journey … I see two clear alternative approaches, on one hand there are the individuals that set a course regardless of what they see and deal with the waves or challenges as they head toward their destination. On the other hand there are the individuals that see what waves and challenges are out there, spend the time tackling these as they arrive on their doorstep and waiting for calm before set their course.
I know where I am, do you? Remember yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift (quote taken from Kung Fu Panda) – enjoy the remainder of the Easter Break and I am done for this months installment.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
