Quick post- life is great this week. Not only are Volkswagen kind enough to step up and offer a 4×4 for the Europe135 race (thank you Volkswagen), I also have a new member of the support crew, Dave Clamp. Dave is serious on Ironman triathlons. In fact, this November he’s seeking to set a new world record for a deca triathlon! However, before then he’s joining John Saunders as part of the 135 crew and being my nagger for the night stages! Thanks for joining the gang Dave.

London Triathlon looms and PureTri in Bishops Stortford have provided a pair of excellent Shimano race shoes for the Cube bike. What’s more, they set my bike up too. Thanks guys! Massive appreciation and hope to see you soon.

Parkinson’s is getting worse over the last month. Stress is known to be bad for the disease and I am certainly stressed. Excercise helps and I am working hard to that end. Particularly, at the Tri20 swim centre at the Copthorne Hotel in Reading. Run by Cerri and Kevin (www.mysportingtimes.com)

One thought I had today, is a hope that I realise the £1million before this disease makes it impossible. So, with that in mind, I’m going to give it my all, with every ounce of my being to achieve what I’ve set myself. If I can do that, can you spare £1 for a worthy cause?

www.justgiving.com/alex-flynn

Till next time. Make change happen and keep moving!

Alex

The following was posted on both sites on the 12th July 2010.

There is so much going on at the moment that it is inperative that I take the opportunity to review my training. The build up to the London Triathlon is picking up pace and, like many of the other competitors, I am having to balance family, work, and the many disciplines to compete, not only in the London Tri but also the Europe135, London Duathlon and 7oaks Tri. Not an easy task to achieve. However, when did that last stop me?

On the swim front, I have taken lessons from Clive Alderson at the Tri20 centre in Reading. Clive is a seasoned competitor and came top of his age class for the UK in 2009. So with a serious pedigree, it was gratifying to realise very quickly that he’s also an extremely patient bloke! Technique was explained and followed up with a practical session. The end result is that I am feeling more comfortable in the open water and am drinking less lake, which is a big plus!!! In fact the other day, I made it all the way round; a distance 750 metres!!! Not bad at all… Now, to do that twice.

The running has taken a back seat for the last month. Working on my swim has taken up the free time where I could have had a long run in the mornings. As for cycling? Well I have an offer to be put through my paces by Edward. For all his denial that he couldn’t run as far, be as fit etc…I believe that Edward is lulling me into a false sense of security. A good friend is one that will put you through physical hell…and you can still have a beer after! I’m looking forward to the challenge. This combined with the swimming and cycling plus a new weight workout, I should be getting there.

On the subject of which, cycling has been a large part of my training in the past. I used to ride 50 miles a day, Monday to Friday and have only just now found out that it’s really good for Parkinson’s sufferers. Personally, I believe that exercise or cardiovascular exercise, to be precise, is beneficial for fighting Parkinson’s disease. Now you know why I keep pushing myself!!

Well here’s the stop press, I needed a bike for the London Tri. So, who should rock up with the offer of a loan bike but The Big Adventure Store, Swindon. Thanks guys!!! A fully carbon Cube bike too! Wow! I will let you know how it shapes up.

Plans for the Europe135 in September are moving forward. With my appeal for someone equally insane not realising the response I had hoped for, I was feeling a little worried about tackling the Bavarian Alps on my own at night. In fact, i was at a bit of a loss and wondering what I was going to do, when Rich (the Nagger) proposed to be my point man on the night stages! Of course, I accepted at once. Adding to this the news that John Saunders (driver, organiser, adventurer…) is on the support crew too! I am almost set. Thanks guys! Top gents the pair of them!!!! Now just looking for a third… Know anyone?

Lastly, i’ve just been interviewed by Triathlete’s World. The article should be out in a month or two and I’ll let you know when. Was quite surprised at getting the call. I hope it turns out ok.

Until next update. Keep moving!!!

Hi, please take a minute to check out my latest article on run247.com. Thanks and keep moving!! Let’s make change happen!!!

http://www.run247.com/articles/article-528-10-million-metres—raising-%C2%A31million-for-parkinson%27s—part-3.html

The following is the article published at the end of May / beginning June 2010 in Run247.com

Hope you enjoy it. Comments are always welcome.

What a couple of weeks. Certainly the events over the last fourteen days have reinvigorated my training and the focus on what I can achieve. Where to start…?

Shortly after my last installment, I received an email from Dick Kearn, Race Director for the Trail Runners Association. The email concerned the Grand Union 145. I had applied at the end of last year but didn’t get through the ballot. The question was, was I still interested in a place? Well with just over 10 days before the race to go and no time to train, I replied that I was. Two hours later, I was confirmed as entered!

To describe the whole run, would take more than I am allowed on here, but there will be a full entry on my blog asap. In short, though, really, really tough, the interesting thing about the 145 is that it is relentless but fun. It just keeps coming at you and your mind is the target. The continuous miles mess with your brain and sap the strength from your body if you are not physically or mentally strong enough. In the end the lack of training and sleep decided it for me. I called it a day at 120 miles. I was shattered, talking rubbish and in a little pain but very happy with my achievement. Even the Parkinson’s didn’t spoil the feeling. Notwithstanding, I am going to apply for next year!

As races go, except for the Thames 260 (which I have yet to do) the GUCR 145 and the Ridgeway 85 are my recommendations (so far) for the best races in the country! See the Trail Runners Association website for more info.

The swimming is getting there as the other day, I faced a lifelong fear and conquered it. You see, when I was about 5 years old, I almost drowned in a mate’s pool. I blame the lilo and not the fact that I couldn’t swim. This left me scared of water and being the brunt of my friends’ jokes about my inability to swim. The fear I had was so great that I didn’t learn to swim until 9 years old.
Now swimming in a pool is one thing but swimming in open water (lakes, sea) takes on a whole new level of fear. Well…it did until now. Chuck at Orca arranged for me to swim at the Tri20 centre at the Copthorne Hotel, Reading. The lake is big and the fact that both Kevin and Ceri, who run the centre and had faith in me, made it slightly easier to dive in. Thanks guys!! Trying to qwell the rising panic, I made it 400 metres. Not far, but certainly a leap in the right direction for me!! Great lake, good facilities.

The foot is getting back to normal and training has already started. I need to improve the swimming and cycle more. On that subject, anyone got a tri bike that I can borrow? Will insure it! Answers to www.alexflynn.co.uk

London Tri next… fingers crossed and keep on moving.

Cheers

Alex

The following was my first article on run247.com, published on the 16 May 2010, for those who missed it

Thanks to Andy Tomlinson and the run.247 crew for their help and support:

France is passing me by as I write. I’m sat on the Eurostar heading home after a friend’s wedding and while here I thought I’d make the most of the moment to explain who I am and what I’m doing. My name is Alex and I’m a thirty eight year old, with family, and a history of running ultra marathons. I also have Parkinsons Disease. If your not aware of exactly what Parkinson’ Disease is, it is a (currently) incurable chronic degenerative disease of the brain, which prevents movement and effectively imprisons the sufferer in his/her own body. Not the greatest disease to have as an adventure racer, I think you’ll agree.

I was diagnosed two years ago and since then I’ve decided to make the most of now! I live life to the full and have taken those plans that we all have, to one extent or another, and realise them. In the process, I hope to raise £1 million or more to fund vital research into Parkinsons and, hopefully, find a cure!
Although, I say that I run, my days of running marathons and more are becoming increasingly difficult. Nowadays, I run and walk (a fast walk) when the Parkinsons kicks in and makes my leg do it’s own thing; like stepping over invisible boxes. It causes alot of comment in each race but I have to laugh. At least on the less scenic races it serves as a distraction. I have a good friend (Rich Merry) who has joined me to raise donations for the Cure Parkinsons Trust. Rich nags me round each course. Even when he’s not there, his words of encouragement or affectionate abuse are always at the forefront of my mind when I want to give up. This helped me become the first Parkinsons sufferer to complete the Marathon des Sables 2010, covering a course spanning 250km of the Sahara in temperatures averaging over 140 degrees farenheit! My thoughts as to what he would say if I had given up, were at times the motivation to move my backside and get to the end of each day. Cheers mate!
There are more races to come and with the possibilty of a last minute entry into the Grand Union 145 and the Europe135 this September there’s alot on. As the saying goes, “nothing is for free”, and this is true as some of the planned courses and events will be the toughest and nastiest on the planet; including plans for a 1400 mile run across Europe and payment for these will most likelybe made in pain and sweat. However, running is only part of the plan. Not wishing to add too much more to the image of “nutter” that I am painting of myself, I have decided to incorporate Triathlons into the mix. Why?

Well, I believe that I have an Ironman inside of me. For that matter, i also believe that we all do and Parkinsons be damned, I’m going to do it. Rich has got involved too. So with my “nagger” on board, I have commenced training with, body permitting, a vengence!

Having got the idea in my head, I realised that I needed kit, aside from my normal running gear. Well, Orca have stepped into the breach and are allowing Rich and me the opportunity to use their kit, and I will let you know, from a complete novice’s point of view, how it shapes up. Buff and Tri247 have also offered support in race entries, so I hope I can meet the expectations I feel have been set; probably by my big mouth!!

For now, while confident in my running and cycling, I am less than sure of my swimming. Having previously smashed myself up in a duathlon and made a mess of my right shoulder (to add to the Parkinsons) my crawl is officially shite. So with the Henley Sprint Tri and London Tri (Olympic distance), to name a few, which are coming up fast on the horizon, I am taking swimming lessons to improve the technique and will let you know whether this has any benefit and how I get on. In fact, apparently I am trying out a Orca wetsuit in my first open water swim this week. I have to say I am a bit nervous….any helpful tips are welcomed.

If you want to know more about and Rich’s and my efforts, or maybe wish to comment, contact us, or donate, the information and links can be found at
www.alexflynn.co.uk or for the facebookers out there, www.facebook.com/10MillionMetres

Till the next installment, keep moving!!

Alex