Less than 200 days to go

Not that I am counting, but there are now just less than 200 days to go before the challenge. This seems a long way off, and indeed October sounds a long way off as well, but I am sure the time will pass quickly.

On the positive sides, my fitness levels are improving, I have been surprised how long it has taken to get back to a reasonable standard. Must be age that is causing the problem. Sponsorship has started to flow again this week, so thanks to all of you for contributing, it really is appreciated, but don't stop now, if you haven't signed up yet, then please get your wallet out.

On the negative side of preparation, I have not arranged, insurance, my medical shots, or a host of equipment items. I also note that my fellow Broadbottom trekkers appear to be getting into the walking a lot more seriously than me. Some discussion on walking the Snowdonia Horseshoe in May, personally I think they will peak to soon, I am more thinking a Broadbottom pub horseshoe in May........

Eyesight

For those of you who have know me over a number of years you will be aware that I wear glasses. More recently I have had to "upgrade" to varifocals. Since I need sunglasses at 100% UV protection for this trek, I started thinking of options. Get a single lens set made up as sunglasses, but then I need to take two pair of glasses or a pair of shades to go over my existing glasses (not very cool).

Anyway my sisters visit at the weekend, with her many years of knowledge working for Specsavers suggested I tried monthly disposables that can be kept in day and night. I obviously have got left behind with contact lenses, as I didn't know there was such an option.

So a begging letter went out to Specsavers yesterday, who I have used for the last twenty years, asking if they would like to support my challenge by providing free contacts. If not, then I feel a trial of them coming on around October.

Fingers crossed, otherwise to refer to an old Monty Python sketch, it could be go without them and see the twin peaks of Kilimanjaro.

Updates on lycra and ruck sacks

So Friday night I squeezed into the lycra and went to the gym to see if they worked. For those of you wondering, yes I wore another pair of shorts over them. It was that or fine a large pair of socks......

So they did the job, I ran for around 40 minutes with no side effects on the legs, well other than been shattered from the running. However now other parts of the body were suffering from friction of material against skin......

My research has hit upon this.... apparently this puts an oily layer on the affected body parts.......

So that lycra purchase was successful. As for the ruck sack, my wallet has been saved by the provision of a loan ruck sack from the Brother in Law, Dave if you are reading this, take a bow, and a big thanks. Having now borrowed it, I best get out and start using it, so next walk I will throw it on, load it up with some water and see how I cope. May need the Body Glide for the shoulders !!!!

This week I need to get back to the work on the sponsorship, I have a few who have offered but not committed yet........

Ruck Sack

So I thought i would start searching for a day sack for the trek, as I am supposed to be wearing it when training. Wow what choice, and where to start. Whilst the necessity is for carrying stuff for the day, including some additional clothing in case it gets colder, or I have to remove a couple of layers, then where to start. 30 litre is a recommended size, but it appears there are numerous models. Now being new to this hiking, I don't want to turn up with something inappropriate, the one pictured above good stand out a little.

It is amazing how much different and quite often conflicting advice there is on the subject. If you have any advice please post a comment, as right now I am still browsing.

Black Lycra

Today post black lycra running shorts.........OK so when I run for more than 20 minutes, i get a bit of chaffing around the inner thighs, the answer according to expert advice from a fellow gym runner - get some lycra.

Now on the photo, they don't look so bad, having opened the "small" parcel, they are about 4 inches wide and 6 inches long. Does lycra stretch that far !!!

Now obviously I will not be bringing these on the trek up Kili with me, they are just for the gym or outdoor run as part of my fitness regime. However I do wonder if I am going to injure myself with these.

So Friday evening will be the test, can't do the morning gym session so going in the evening, when hopefully it will be dark and people won't see them !

Wish me luck, I am going to need it.

Next purchase for the trek

So a random search on the internet and I found what I hope is a bargain and the second purchase of items for the trek, the first having been the boots. This is a 4+ season sleeping bag suitable up to -25 which if that isn't good enough, i fear I may already have decided it is too cold.

So the list of equipment is still long, but at least this is a start.

Today is also telling me that shovelling all that stone on Sunday has used muscles I am not use to, as I had real trouble getting out of bed this morning. Thankfully I plan to move some more stone tonight, so at least I know which muscles I will be using again, they are the ones that are "killing me" at present.

Alternate training

I was full of good intentions on Friday as to what I would do over the weekend. As it turned out, things didn't go to plan (to be honest you need a plan for them to go that way, which I didn't have either).

So Saturday was a day of socialising, which brought Sunday to do some light training. I commenced the morning with a walk, going the reverse route (not walking backwards as I told Kate), on my previous walks, so about 1.5 hours of gentle walking, with a few steep bits.

On my return and following a hearty brunch of smoked salmon and egg, I decided that the 3 tonne of gravel that had been sat on the drive since before Christmas should finally get put where it was intended.

Now 3 tonnes does take quite a bit of moving, so after a couple of hours of hard graft, the bit of lane in front of Rose Cottage now looks less pot holed. It should also stop the windows getting splashed every day, but we will see when the rain comes.

Monday morning I awoke rather stiff in the back area, but a good session at the gym appears to have eased that off a bit. This should put be in a good state to move another 2 tonnes, which my neighbour has removed from his drive, into a few more holes on Tuesday night.


At some stage this blog may be more about trekking up Kili, but for now it appears more about my weekend exertion.

Day 4 Trekking

Barranco camp (3950m)- Barafu camp (4550m)

After spending a night at the Great Barranco Wall we make our way up this awesome looking obstacle, topping out just below the Heim Glacier. It is at this stage we are supposed to appreciate just how beautiful Kilimanjaro really is. The route then heads down through the Karanga Valley over intervening ridges and valleys, and then joins up with the Mweka route. This is the preferred route down from the summit.

At this stage I feel there could be a great temptation, to turn right, follow the path down and tell everyone that I ran up the last bit. Some trick photography should work.

Barafu is the Swahili word for "ice" and it is a bleak and inhospitable camping area to spend the night. Totally exposed to the ever-present gales the tents are pitched on a narrow, stony, and dangerous ridge.

Any sleep walking may now be cause for concern, note to myself to lock the tent door.

The summit is getting closer, but the altitude is now much higher, so with the cold, assuming I didn't go back down the preferred route down, I may now be regretting that choice.

Team moral

Yesterday was a rather strange day, as the Broadbottom team attempting this trek exchanged several emails. This was initially to raise morale I think, but came as a result of calls or emails from the lady from Scope. Certain team members explaining that they had already formed a close bond with the girl in question.

Some of you may be aware from a recent Top Gear episode, that one way to avoid altitude sickness, or at least reduce the effects is to take viagra. Judging by one or two emails yesterday I suspect some of the team may have been trying this remedy out early!.

So guys let's calm down, there is a long way to go yet, and you have plenty of drugs to take just to ensure you have the necessary shots, so stay of the blue pills.

Meanwhile close to home, the calf appears to be improving, only ran for 15 minutes this morning, but thus far no side effects, so another gentle few days should see us safely back on track.

Interestingly due to travelling this week, I went to the gym this morning, Thursday, and surprisingly everyone I see Monday, Wednesday and Friday were all there! I think perhaps I am the slacker amongst the, they work our every day !.

213 Days To Go

So Friday night I received a phone call from SCOPE, unfortunately I missed the call, so picked up a voice message, by which time when I tried to return the call they were closed.

The lady mentioned they were just ringing to see how things were going, at this stage I suddenly thought, she has been reading my blog, and noticed I haven't done any long walks yet!

So my return message said everything was fine, going smoothly, honestly......

So Sunday morning I coerced the boots out from under the stairs, and strode out into the lane and fields for a brisk walk. Just another 1 and half hours, but enough to cause a slight blister on my heal, which tells me I need to break them in more.

This morning that the gym I skipped the running (well I call it running, the guys at the gym call it a jog), and as a result no issue with my calf, so do that the rest of the week and hopefully by weekend I should be fully recovered.

This morning, I went to the David Lewis Centre, where I am helping them with their IT strategy. They too organise events up Kilimanjaro to raise money, so thought I best not ask for any sponsorship there, or they may quiz me as to why I wasn't doing it for them.

Any off to Frankfurt tonight, so no chance to walk until the weekend i fear.

Pain

Ok , I am a man, which means that we complain much more about pain than others, but we can only know what we feel, and sorry but childbirth is not one thing I can experience.

Due to personal arragements, yesterday I had to do my gym trip after work as opposed to before. I think this is probably only the second time I have visited the gym after work. Wow so many sweaty people all crushed in a room. I am use to a regular 6 to 8 people in a morning, last night there must have been around 40. Not only that, but since available equipment was at a premium, I completely forgot to warm up properly. Result is that today I have two calves that feel like concrete, and are extremely painful when I walk!

No walking so far this week, but if I can manage to escape from work at a reasonable time, get the concrete out of my legs, I will try and tempt my boots back out from under the stairs, and take them out for an hour, hopefully avoiding the pub on the way back.

Day on relative inactivity

Ok I admit I got really side tracked, I am trying out a fresh car for a couple of days, and what with that and heating man coming to sort out the boiler, things got a bit rushed. So all I can admit to is a small increment in my sponsorship tally, thank you for those of you who sponsored, and shame on those who haven't :-).

Tomorrow's gym session may have to be cancelled as well, so will need to go for it on Thursday & Friday.

Excuses, excuses , excuses - ok I will try harder but not until Thursday.

Boot trial

Sunday March 7th, a momentous day in history.... I actually did some proper walking! Yes I forced my feet into those new boots and away we went. This is not actually the first time I have walked before, nor the first time I have worn my boots, i did give them a small trial the day after purchase when I did some plumbing (yea i was checking they were water proof), however this is the first time I went out for a walk in the country with them on.

I was accompanied by Rob, one of my fellow team members, and for the record the one who "inspired" me to do this and his wife Andrea. We didn't actually go too far, around 1 1/2 hours gentle stroll, but it was a good start for my feet to get to know the boots, and with no ill effects afterwards. I do have to say that Andrea appears much more able to tackle this challenge than myself or Rob. The final leg was back up Gorsey Brow, which is quite a steep hill, and while me and Rob gently made are way up it, Andrea was already at the top!

So i feel better for starting, and will now consider, weather permitting of course, do a small walk at night, on the days I don't go to the gym. This morning was a gym day, where I found that some of my muscles were rather tight, but I think this had more to do with the gardening on Sunday afternoon than the walking.

So medical bit's done, sponsorship started, training started, job done isn't it !

"Gorsey Brow" a reasonable hill.

Away from home

This week I have had to spend some time in London for various meetings, as such I have obviously been staying in hotels, and of course eating out.

The hotel was located very near marble arch, but as you can imagine, an exercise regime can become a little more difficult.

Fortunately the hotel had a small gym, so last night I made myself acquainted with the equipment and managed to do at least 45 minutes of exercise.

It is amazing how good it makes you feel, ok not while you are doing it, it isn't too comfortable at that stage, but afterwards it makes both the body and the mind refreshed and ready for what is next challenge.

This got me thinking about the trek ahead, there will be no gym, but a full day of walking and since this will be at altitude it will be difficult, so at the end of the day will I feel refreshed in mind and body, or will it just feel like a lull in the storm, knowing that the whole thing starts again the following day.

Let's hope the latter, and each day I awake with a mind and body refreshed and ready......

Health Assessment

So the health assessment went really well yesterday. According to the report, which is still waiting on blood results, I am an athletic build, my weight, BMI and fat ratio is all good, I have great lung capacity, but I am as deaf as a post.

I was aware my hearing was not good and now I have the proof, as opposed to the usual comment about men just ignoring things.

So other than the blood, where I could get a cholesterol shock, I am a fit and able person.

So having said all that, why have I gone and strained my calf muscle in the gym again. Aghhhhh. I could feel is stiffen up while I was running, but thought I had stretched it out ok, but now I am limping so much I could do with a parrot on my shoulder and an eye patch.

Anyway, my gym stuff is packed for my trip to London, so no excuses, I keep going. Hoping to get in a walk this weekend if the weather holds.

Company Welfare

As part of my companies concern about my welfare, I am entitled to go for a heath check up every year. This involves filling out a rather long questionnaire, visiting a local BUPA hospital to be prodded, poked, stuck on an exercise machine, and have other tests conducted.

Over  the 20 years I have worked at Brother I have only attended twice, as on my second visit, when the doctor explained I needed to drink less, eat less and exercise I told him that was exactly what he said last time. His response was "Why the !*ell are you here then if you haven't done anything about it"

Since then I have taken the approach that there is no point going as they will only tell me the same thing. However I have been encouraged, nay told, to go and have the check if I am going to trek up this here mountain.

So this afternoon I will be presenting myself for the appropriate examination, and telling them that I am drinking less, I only drink in the week if I am out, ah yes I do go out quite a bit, and I am eating less during the week unless I go out, ah yes I do go out a bit, and I am definately exercising so there.

Tomorrow I will tell you how loud they shouted.......

Muscle ache

Monday morning, and after a weekend away in North Yorkshire, this morning was a heavy session at the gym to try and work off all the excess. The results of this can now be felt, 4 hours later in my legs and lower back.

So if I feel like this after 1.5 hours in the gym I wonder what I will be like after 8 hours on the foot. Definately need to get those boots worn in. This week I have more excuses as I need to go to London on business, but thankfully the hotel has a gym, and I will attempt a couple of walks during this week.

In the meantime, the charity raising is going more slowly now, so will be drumming up more support soon.