completely and utterly pumped and ready to go! Less than a week until departure and I CANNOT wait. I still have a s*it load to get organised and loads of stuff to buy but I simply don't care. I am trying very hard to contain my enthusiasm but it doesn't seem to be doing to plan as I bore pretty much anybody I meet about the fact I am going to Nepal to attempt a World Record next week! Awesome, simply awesome.
I have also been getting a little philosophical recently but since that is even boring me....I may leave that for another time.
Friday, 3 April 2009
Monday, 30 March 2009
The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
The Good:
What a couple of months! So much has happened I don't know where to begin. Really I don't....As such I am going to start with the most recent - last Saturday saw all the members of The Everest Test congregate at the Home of Cricket, Lords. For once this wasn't for a party but nonetheless a very important and entertaining day. A lot of admin and medical talks (I will come on to that later) but the best announcement of the day was that we have secured a Title Sponsor for the expedition - Nokia! When I say "we", I mean the massive efforts that the likes of Kirt has put into nailing this deal. A huge shout out must go to those involved in achievement. Joe Williams has also managed to get Bulldog Grooming on board and Vicks announced there will be Champagne on the Mountain as provided by Mumm.
We also managed to get some cricket nets in and despite a niggling back injury, I was feeling pretty confident - I just hope I can carry this confidence and form up to 5,200m!
We have also had two major events in the past month. First a stand up evening at the Comedy Store where Chris Martin managed to secure some big names to entertain a sell out crowed and secondly, High on Everest, our send off party at 24:London in the West End. Both nights were epic and managed to raise loads of dosh for our charities so a big thank you to all those involved in organising (too many to mention).
The Bad:
It is with great regret that we had the bad news last weekend that Charlie BN is no longer able to join the expedition. I won't dwell on this but needless to say Charlie has committed a huge about of effort into this adventure and been influential in all that has been good, whether is was organising a simple night out or being fundamental in getting Surrey CCC's support and helping organising the various fund raising events. This is not only a loss to the expedition, but on a person note, Charlie is a great mate and I will definitely miss him on the Mountain. I would say I will hit a six for him but since his was in Team Hillary, I don't think he would be too impressed.
The Ugly:
This could be anything from Toovey's dancing at the Send Off Party (although very impressive not to spill a single drop of beer whilst busting those moves) to my really average, 'slightly' drunken rant with (at) Neil Laughton. However, these were beaten by the images displayed by the medical team on Saturday. Whilst I am aware of the various nasties that can present themselves when travelling abroad, in all honesty, nobody wants to see the reality! I for one, will likely be more hygienic in Nepal than I have ever been before - worms are simply not an option!!!!!
What a couple of months! So much has happened I don't know where to begin. Really I don't....As such I am going to start with the most recent - last Saturday saw all the members of The Everest Test congregate at the Home of Cricket, Lords. For once this wasn't for a party but nonetheless a very important and entertaining day. A lot of admin and medical talks (I will come on to that later) but the best announcement of the day was that we have secured a Title Sponsor for the expedition - Nokia! When I say "we", I mean the massive efforts that the likes of Kirt has put into nailing this deal. A huge shout out must go to those involved in achievement. Joe Williams has also managed to get Bulldog Grooming on board and Vicks announced there will be Champagne on the Mountain as provided by Mumm.
We also managed to get some cricket nets in and despite a niggling back injury, I was feeling pretty confident - I just hope I can carry this confidence and form up to 5,200m!
We have also had two major events in the past month. First a stand up evening at the Comedy Store where Chris Martin managed to secure some big names to entertain a sell out crowed and secondly, High on Everest, our send off party at 24:London in the West End. Both nights were epic and managed to raise loads of dosh for our charities so a big thank you to all those involved in organising (too many to mention).
The Bad:
It is with great regret that we had the bad news last weekend that Charlie BN is no longer able to join the expedition. I won't dwell on this but needless to say Charlie has committed a huge about of effort into this adventure and been influential in all that has been good, whether is was organising a simple night out or being fundamental in getting Surrey CCC's support and helping organising the various fund raising events. This is not only a loss to the expedition, but on a person note, Charlie is a great mate and I will definitely miss him on the Mountain. I would say I will hit a six for him but since his was in Team Hillary, I don't think he would be too impressed.
The Ugly:
This could be anything from Toovey's dancing at the Send Off Party (although very impressive not to spill a single drop of beer whilst busting those moves) to my really average, 'slightly' drunken rant with (at) Neil Laughton. However, these were beaten by the images displayed by the medical team on Saturday. Whilst I am aware of the various nasties that can present themselves when travelling abroad, in all honesty, nobody wants to see the reality! I for one, will likely be more hygienic in Nepal than I have ever been before - worms are simply not an option!!!!!
Tuesday, 3 February 2009
Fantasy Farm Fitness Challenge
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!
Thursday, 22 January 2009
The Best Day So Far
Last Saturday was a big day for me in the progress of the Everest Test. We started with a good training session on Battersea Park doing the normal Trim Trail. Appropriately tired, our minds then focused on finally getting down to playing some cricket - this is after all what we are planning on doing on Mt Everest. We headed to the home of cricket (Lords for the uneducated) for a 2 hour net session during the afternoon.
There was a good turn out with plenty of banter to get people motivated. Kiwi was quick to take control and asked several of us to get padded up, me included. Not really knowing the standard of the bowling I thought it safe to don the helmet. It was definitely needed with some very tight and aggressive bowling from Mark Waters (Happy Birthday by the way) which resulted in me 'edging' at least three deliveries. I like to think I placed them appropriately for the Twenty20 format of the game but in honestly I was truly beaten on several occasions. G-Man also had his say and peppered me with a few aggressive in swingers, so it was good to see there is going to be a competitive and feisty competition on the Mountain (I might add, both these players are on the same team as me - cheers fella's).
With nets over and my medium pace long hops being dispensed to all parts of Lords we where joined by some of the Trektaors for our first meeting of the year. This took place in the Lords museum so it took a while before order was restored and our minds were once again focused on the Everest Test (Thank you to Lords for letting us use their facilities).
Kirt and Wes got proceedings under way with the usual heckling from the crowd (good work Tooves) and introduced us to our PR agency, Creative Minds. Whilst we have been able to promote ourselves relatively well, Creative Minds have certainly taken it to another level. not only is our exposure due to increase within the national media but we have also received backing from none other than Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, each becoming a honorary captain of the two teams. It was great to hear a message from them both on Saturday and is a real motivator to come back victorious from Nepal.
We also had a run down on how Kirt and Curry got on over the Christmas period in Nepal and they had certainly put a great deal of effort in during their holiday's so thank you both (hope you have now recovered - take a look at the blog for a little more detail....). Other than the usual medical precautions you take on board when doing an adventure like this, we where also informed we better take a test for 'Sudden Death Syndrome'. I think the clue is in the title and it makes you think that if it is so sudden, how do you test for it but I will no doubt find out soon.
There was a great atmosphere at the end of the meeting, which resulted in a few of us heading to the local pub for a few well earned beers and a feed to top off a great day. I am truly pumped and looking forward to what we have in store this weekend at Kensey's Fantasy Farm Fitness Challenge.
There was a good turn out with plenty of banter to get people motivated. Kiwi was quick to take control and asked several of us to get padded up, me included. Not really knowing the standard of the bowling I thought it safe to don the helmet. It was definitely needed with some very tight and aggressive bowling from Mark Waters (Happy Birthday by the way) which resulted in me 'edging' at least three deliveries. I like to think I placed them appropriately for the Twenty20 format of the game but in honestly I was truly beaten on several occasions. G-Man also had his say and peppered me with a few aggressive in swingers, so it was good to see there is going to be a competitive and feisty competition on the Mountain (I might add, both these players are on the same team as me - cheers fella's).
With nets over and my medium pace long hops being dispensed to all parts of Lords we where joined by some of the Trektaors for our first meeting of the year. This took place in the Lords museum so it took a while before order was restored and our minds were once again focused on the Everest Test (Thank you to Lords for letting us use their facilities).
Kirt and Wes got proceedings under way with the usual heckling from the crowd (good work Tooves) and introduced us to our PR agency, Creative Minds. Whilst we have been able to promote ourselves relatively well, Creative Minds have certainly taken it to another level. not only is our exposure due to increase within the national media but we have also received backing from none other than Andrew Strauss and Alastair Cook, each becoming a honorary captain of the two teams. It was great to hear a message from them both on Saturday and is a real motivator to come back victorious from Nepal.
We also had a run down on how Kirt and Curry got on over the Christmas period in Nepal and they had certainly put a great deal of effort in during their holiday's so thank you both (hope you have now recovered - take a look at the blog for a little more detail....). Other than the usual medical precautions you take on board when doing an adventure like this, we where also informed we better take a test for 'Sudden Death Syndrome'. I think the clue is in the title and it makes you think that if it is so sudden, how do you test for it but I will no doubt find out soon.
There was a great atmosphere at the end of the meeting, which resulted in a few of us heading to the local pub for a few well earned beers and a feed to top off a great day. I am truly pumped and looking forward to what we have in store this weekend at Kensey's Fantasy Farm Fitness Challenge.
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