On a cold Friday evening 25 of the team headed to Hertfordshire for what promised to be a gruelling couple of days training. I was joined in my car by Blinky and Tooves. Tooves was uncharacteristically quiet during our 3 hour journey. I am not sure whether was due to my driving or just his apprehension of the weekend, either way, it was disconcerting.
Kinsey had laid on a feast for us by the time we arrived at his farm, so it was good to get some fuel on board before settling down for the night in the village hall. The floor didn't look too accommodating so I was glad to have borrowed my sisters blow up bed which meant for a good nights sleep. This was until the fog came in and as such the fog horn was being blown every 5 seconds or so. This was a strange occurrence considering we were nowhere near the coast but I think we have Joe Williams to thank for that.....
An early start on Saturday before sun rise was a shock to most of us but nothing compared to what was to come. After breakfast the day started with a 'gentle' jog to view the 5 mile finisher at the end of the day. Remembering the course was to prove a slight problem for me later on but the morning jog was a good warm up for the Bleep Test. For those who don't know what this is, you are the lucky ones! The team made a great effort with BJ taking the spoils of the first event and several people beating their personal bests. I however, did not, so was a little disappointed considering the work we have been putting in to get fit. From here the day panned out into various events including the cave man hurling, tyre rolling and 'Rome wasn't built in a Day' - basically moving tonnes of boulders onto pallets (really cheap labour Kinsey - top work). All these events were pretty irrelevant (partly since I didn't win any of them) until it came to the tug or war. As part of Team Alpha, we hadn't performed to our true potential during the day so it was time to man up! In a perfect display of team work and controlled agression we were victorious. That said, a special mention much go to Hillsy for his mamoth effort (see picture) but with poor traction, he didn't stand a chance.
A quick inhalation of chocolate and energy drinks (cheers Met-rx) we prepared of the final (physical) event of the day - the 5 Mile Finisher. I can sum this up pretty quickly - PAIN! The rolling hills and muddy conditions made the going tough, although the front runners seem to make it look annoyingly easy. I was pretty disappointed with my efforts for the second time in the day however did manage to get lost so as a mental note for everybody else on the team, probably not a good idea to follow me whilst on Mt Everest.
With the days activities over, we could turn our attention onto the local ale and a well deserved feed. Another victory in the pub quiz by Team Alpha (no thanks to me) restored a little honour but ultimately it was a great opportunity to have a few beers and top off an absolutely quality day. Top marks to Kinsey for organising and a big thank you to his parents for allowing us to take over the farm for the day.
On the journey back to London the following day, our attention turned to Tuesday Press Launch and the prospect of playing cricket on Trafalgar Square, that's right, Trafalgar Sqaure!
