Training Weekend and Meeting the Team

On 13th and 14th November Nigel kindly drove Grant, Antonio, Dan and me to meet up with the team in the Lake District. We stayed at the Briery Wood Hotel, just outside Windermere arriving at 6pm on the Friday evening.

Most of the team had already arrived, apart from George who had a great afternoon buying all his kit in Blacks in Oxford ! and didn't catch up with us until later in the evening. I dropped off my bags and soon met Allyson who had flown over from Dublin and we got on well straight away. We are sharing our tent on the mountain so it was great to meet at last :-). We all met in the bar and soon got chatting about Kilimanjaro, our training and the challenge ahead. Everyone is working hard with their training and fundraising so its going to be a busy few months with the final preparations.

During the weekend we had an excellent briefing from Maximum Adventure and went on some great walks with views over Lake Windermere. We were all pleased to meet Jaz our Mountain Guide who will be coming with us to Africa. He gave us some great tips on climb preparation and things to be aware of as a team with regard to climbing at high altitude.

Everyone went home feeling great and well informed on the challenge ahead... on with training and fundraising and roll on February 2nd !

My First Trail Run !

On the 17th October I took up the challenge of my first trail run. This was organised and sponsored by Blacks and North Face and their first trail race since the "Running Launch" in early October.

I have done lots of walking at Dunstable Downs and knew to run there would be a good challenge. I opted for the 5k ... a sensible choice as the hillwork involved was serious.

It was a chilly start to the day and I made sure I had the right kit to run. However the chill in the wind was felt by us all at the start.

There was a good turnout and some serious trail runners which added to the competitive spirit. We set off across the top of the Downs and I kept my steady pace. We soon went from the pathway to the more challenging muddy areas and seemed to gallop down the first hill. You really have to watch your footwork in these events and I was glad of my shoes with good grip. It felt great to run there and as we made our way across the bottom of the downs I was pleased with my pace. I knew the route we were taking and wondered at which point we would turn to go back up to the finish. It was a long haul and as we began the run back up I could feel my quads and glutes begin to hurt , then burn, but in my usual determination I just kept on going... glad of the gate for a pause and then off again.

The last 400 yards were agony but I could hear the crowd at the finish and just pushed forward. The last 50 yards I quickened my pace (which I always try to do for a good finish no matter what the time) and over the finish in 34 minutes. I was pleased with that and enjoyed the run .... will aim for the 10k next year !!