I had a lovely meeting with Deborah yesterday. Measuring me up, all kinds of electrodes and electronic thingies attached to arms and legs and present me with the results.
Basically, I am fat. Well not as fat as I first thought, but still fat. I am 38% fat and need to loose 30kg to be in great shape. (My suspicions should have started when she indicate that loosing that amount of flab would be the easy bit). A good thing is my metabolism which is brilliant. I burn 2572 kCal (10700 Kilojoules) lying still on my back. :). All in all when she drove off leaving me with the first four weeks exercise plan, I was on top of the world and motivated to the core.
Work was quite busy and I only now had a moment to peek at the program that starts in 6 days 14 hours. I am scared....... This is going to be much, much tougher than I had imagined.
Never fear we'll keep the spirits up and just go for it. As my paratrooper friend Steve vehemently explained "fitness wins, remember that Kobus fitness wins"
Tuesday 24 June 2008
Saturday 14 June 2008
Socks
There are more technology in a pair of socks than in my satnav. Went on a 3 hour trip to wales to buy socks. Not any kind of socks socks specially designed to reduce blisters. (Note the reduce and not eliminate). They fit like gloves and the names of the composites they are made of is unpronounceable. Am now wearing Nike Pegasus trail shoes with a tall grey socks on the left and short white on the right. Intend to where then nonstop a few days to find out which is best for me.
Also got my rugsack and some dehydrated food to try. Backpack was limited supply and apparently you have to test the food out over a long period to make sure you dont start to hate it or something. Trouth be told it was food, so I bought it.
Friday 13 June 2008
Gym and Trainers
I used to made charitable contributions to a local gym. FitnessWorks 2000 in Halesowen. I've been a fully paid up member for 2-3 years and visited the place normally after my membership expired in order to renew. When I called to tell Karen (the owner) about my quest she did not hesitate to offer her support. In fact she is sponsoring my membership fees for the entire nine months. That is worth £405. Way to go Karen. I will recommend you to everyone and are placing you on my Links of Honor.
Had a little diversion to Bradford today. Visited the biggest sport shoe shop in the world. Sportsshoes.com Had my walking (shuffle) examined and feet measured in many ways and out of 57 trial shoes to test, I ended up with a brand new pair of No 11 1/2 Nike Pegasus Trial shoes.
I could have saved me the trip because Martin Likey did mention he swears by Nike Pegasus. Sorry again Martin but I am learning.
Spoke also to Deborah yesterday, She are making a few adjustments to my program and we will meet up next week to discuss it.
12 days to go before training start.
Had a little diversion to Bradford today. Visited the biggest sport shoe shop in the world. Sportsshoes.com Had my walking (shuffle) examined and feet measured in many ways and out of 57 trial shoes to test, I ended up with a brand new pair of No 11 1/2 Nike Pegasus Trial shoes.
I could have saved me the trip because Martin Likey did mention he swears by Nike Pegasus. Sorry again Martin but I am learning.
Spoke also to Deborah yesterday, She are making a few adjustments to my program and we will meet up next week to discuss it.
12 days to go before training start.
Thursday 12 June 2008
A quick update as to what I have dune thus far.
Decided to do the marathon on my birthday 27th of May.
Find a place
The UK contingent was fully booked until 2010 and the 2011 waiting list was about to close as well. I tried the Germans, the Yanks and at last I got a place via South Korea. I paid my deposit, still not quite sure that I am doing this.
Make up my mind
After a few days pondering I decided finally to fully commit to this. And subsequently tell Zoe (wife) who to some surprise was very supportive.
Identify a cause
It was very important to me to use this, a selfish act, to do some good. I spend some time investigating and talking to charities and finally decided to support Christian Aid. Not only do I fully support their work but also their ethos.
Made it public
My Birthday party on Saturday the 31st was a good place. Most of my closest and dearest friends was there and I realised that by telling them I need to do it else I will be left without a shred of credibility. Now I am truly committed.
Plan Training
I decided to start training when I have 9 months left which allow me to get a few things organised. After extensive search I found an incredible talented Personal Trainer, Deborah Rowe. (The former British Triple Jump Champion not the girl who married Michael Jackson) The have a personal training business and have agreed to sponsor me with her time. I am elated. The first and most crucial person on my team is a true professional and my confidence level have increased tenfold even though she have promised me nine months of severe suffering.
Get the Kit
Found expert no 2. Martin Likey, owner of Likey’s. MdS veteran and owner of the biggest and best Ultra ultra marathon shop in the UK. He agrees that I do not need any kit for at least a month into training apart from footwear. I had a few doubts about his footwear advice, (it would not have been like me to just roll over and agree would it?) so I consult with Steve Gilbert a friend from Malvern paragliding Club. He is a retired instructor at the British Paratroopers and is now in Dubai teaching the UAE army how to fall out of planes. I thought if anyone knows how to cross a dessert on foot, he should know.
He said the same as Martin. Sorry Martin.
So I am looking for a trial shoe that is very light, very breathable and can support my ultra wide foot and my 22 stone.
Prepare to receive donations
Spend half the day today setting up this Blog, the donations web site, and the online photo album
Find a place
The UK contingent was fully booked until 2010 and the 2011 waiting list was about to close as well. I tried the Germans, the Yanks and at last I got a place via South Korea. I paid my deposit, still not quite sure that I am doing this.
Make up my mind
After a few days pondering I decided finally to fully commit to this. And subsequently tell Zoe (wife) who to some surprise was very supportive.
Identify a cause
It was very important to me to use this, a selfish act, to do some good. I spend some time investigating and talking to charities and finally decided to support Christian Aid. Not only do I fully support their work but also their ethos.
Made it public
My Birthday party on Saturday the 31st was a good place. Most of my closest and dearest friends was there and I realised that by telling them I need to do it else I will be left without a shred of credibility. Now I am truly committed.
Plan Training
I decided to start training when I have 9 months left which allow me to get a few things organised. After extensive search I found an incredible talented Personal Trainer, Deborah Rowe. (The former British Triple Jump Champion not the girl who married Michael Jackson) The have a personal training business and have agreed to sponsor me with her time. I am elated. The first and most crucial person on my team is a true professional and my confidence level have increased tenfold even though she have promised me nine months of severe suffering.
Get the Kit
Found expert no 2. Martin Likey, owner of Likey’s. MdS veteran and owner of the biggest and best Ultra ultra marathon shop in the UK. He agrees that I do not need any kit for at least a month into training apart from footwear. I had a few doubts about his footwear advice, (it would not have been like me to just roll over and agree would it?) so I consult with Steve Gilbert a friend from Malvern paragliding Club. He is a retired instructor at the British Paratroopers and is now in Dubai teaching the UAE army how to fall out of planes. I thought if anyone knows how to cross a dessert on foot, he should know.
He said the same as Martin. Sorry Martin.
So I am looking for a trial shoe that is very light, very breathable and can support my ultra wide foot and my 22 stone.
Prepare to receive donations
Spend half the day today setting up this Blog, the donations web site, and the online photo album
What it is about
I have done many exiting things, like Parachute Jump, Bungee, Scuba, Paragliding, etc. so adrenaline sports won’t raise an eyebrow. One thing I never did is running. I hate running. Seriously the longest distance I ever run was a 1.5mile fitness test (2.4km) I did this only twice, once in 1987 and again in 2007. I had to walk more than half of it. Also I am unfit, not the "I can’t run an iron man" unfit, no, proper unfit. I am 183cm tall (6’1”) and weigh 142kg (22.4 stone). I paraglide with a tandem wing. So I thought running a marathon would be pushing the boat out, but would it be enough to shut up midlife crises whisperers. I am not sure. There are a lot of fat blokes doing the London marathon; no I have to do better. Then I saw the documentary on TV. The Marathon Des Sables and my decision was made...
That was the fun bit, now the serious bit.
I want your money. Christian Aid is a great charity helping people all over the world in places like Burma and Zimbabwe. If you think you have it tough, think again because you don’t. That you can access a computer to read this page proof that you don’t.
There are people in this world who have lost all. Family, friends, belongings, land, food, dignity and worst of all they have lots hope. There are people for whom death is a welcome end to suffering. We can not stop this, and we may not make a big difference. But through Christian Aid we will make a difference to a few. And for that few, whom we will never know and who will never know us, for them we will have made a difference.
Give as much as you can. If you are a regular giver, please spare us a few pence. If you are not a regular giver. Stop for a moment, examine your own life and consider this opportunity to use a little of your money to rescue lives. And those who think you do not have much to give. I challenge you to go hungry for a day and give the money you saved.
Who ever you are, just give.
Thanks
Kobus
That was the fun bit, now the serious bit.
I want your money. Christian Aid is a great charity helping people all over the world in places like Burma and Zimbabwe. If you think you have it tough, think again because you don’t. That you can access a computer to read this page proof that you don’t.
There are people in this world who have lost all. Family, friends, belongings, land, food, dignity and worst of all they have lots hope. There are people for whom death is a welcome end to suffering. We can not stop this, and we may not make a big difference. But through Christian Aid we will make a difference to a few. And for that few, whom we will never know and who will never know us, for them we will have made a difference.
Give as much as you can. If you are a regular giver, please spare us a few pence. If you are not a regular giver. Stop for a moment, examine your own life and consider this opportunity to use a little of your money to rescue lives. And those who think you do not have much to give. I challenge you to go hungry for a day and give the money you saved.
Who ever you are, just give.
Thanks
Kobus
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