Hi,

I wanted to keep my race schedule for 2013/2014 close to my chest until the final race had been secured but the Cat’s out of the bag. So here are the forthcoming races for the next 12 months:

I will be competing in the following events:

February 2013: the Malta Half Marathon

The Beyond the Ultimate Grand Slam (4 in one year)

May 2013: 230 km jungle ultra-marathon in Peru

August 2013: 220 km Mountain ultra marathon in Colorado, USA

November 2013: 250 km desert ultra-marathon, Namibia, Africa

February 2014 230 km Arctic ultra-marathon

In addition in June 2013 I will be running the 118km North Face® Lavaredo Ultra Trail, Italy

January 2014: Dubai Marathon. I will pass the 10MillionMetres mark on this race *

*I am still waiting to hear back on one race not mentioned in the above lists but that’s the bulk of it right there. The homeward straight!!!

PLEASE NOTE: SPONSORSHIP REMAINS OPEN

Keep moving

Hi,

I was going to write about the TAC in detail but as I’m writing a book about it, you’ll have to wait for a little while…but I promise that it will be worth it,

Just over two weeks ago, I appeared on the BBC 1, One Show, the second night in a row that they had covered my Trans-American Challenge.  To be honest, I was extremely nervous about sitting on the couch next to Michael Palin and Alexander Armstrong. However, I needn’t have worried as both Michael and Alexander as well as all the guys at the BBC made me feel very welcome.  The feedback and reaction both in the Parkinson’s community and wider public has been quite astonishing and so far to date, almost £13,000 has been raised as a consequence.  I cannot thank everyone who donated but please be assured that I am extremely grateful to each and every one of you and humbled by the generosity shown. Thank you so much.

The TAC was truly epic and I am (I believe) the first person to traverse the USA using four different disciplines. I had hoped to use five but the US Parks Service at Liberty Island wouldn’t let me exit the water there. I was disappointed but to be honest, I was so shattered by the time I got to NYC that I might not have been able to complete the swim…so they may have actually done me a favour. Who knows eh?

Although, I crossed the USA, I did not do it alone. To achieve such an incredible distance I needed a experienced support team.  I feel that I had the best and huge thanks and appreciation are rightly due to a bunch of fantastic volunteers, thrown together at the last minute and who showed resilience, professionalism and camaraderie. However, it still didn’t prevent them for telling me off when I needed it!!! To all my support crew, I owe you a debt of gratitude for keeping me alive and making the TAC the adventure that it was:

Mark (Sharky) Howlett

Larry Watson

Sean Colman

David Lui

Janelle Craig

Bill Davies

Sam Fox and

Joe Coulson and Phil Holmes from the BBC (who also became honoree TAC crew!!!)

Thanks also to the families of all my crew for agreeing to them being away for such a long time.  Cheers to Bernard (Larry’s cousin, for giving us a place to crash before the start, the advice, bike rack and a hunting knife).

Massive thanks also to Duct Tape Docs, Dr. Wortley, Air Ambulance New Zealand, Virginia Beach Lifeguards, Bloc Bikes  (Lancaster CA), Nate at Wheat Ridge Cyclery (Denver, CO), the irrepressible Karl Wooley, the fabulous legal assistance provided by Messrs Husch Blackwell LLP, Cynergy PT, Russ Cox, Ian at Orca, the enthusiasm and belief of Peter Emina, Jer O’Mahony, Rob and Filipe at Athlete Service and not forgetting David Brown for getting my head in the game!!!!!

However, none of this would have happened without the belief and support of my sponsors (please see the sponsor page at www.alexflynn.co.uk for more info) but in particular:

Volkswagen (Volkswagen America) – for providing the fantastic Touaregs and your continued support! Your vehicles rock!

Orbea – for providing two SDi2 bikes (awesome does not come close to describe how good these bikes are). The bike clothing was amazing too!

Clorox – for funding the RV and fuel. You gave me and my crew a place to rest and great cleaning products to keep clean and infection free!

Saucony – for the best footwear and clothing to run Death Valley

OMM – for jackets and footwear that really work on the mountain!!!

BikeBox – for 2 bikeboxes and the warm bike kit! They work they’re great – use this company’s products.

Buff – the piece of kit that I will always have in my expedition kit!

Garmin – for GPS kit that really, really works and currently helping me calculate my route distance. Particularly the 910XT!

OpticNerve – eyewear that did the job brilliantly and looked cool. Thank you!

Activ-VIII – for providing physio treatment and getting me from massive injury to being able to undertake and complete the TAC!

And lastly, but definitely not least, the deVere Group – who financed the TAC.  You kickstarted the TAC into life with your belief and support. Without the deVere Group’s involvement the TAC would not have got off the ground. Thank you!!!

I could not raise the awareness of and funds for a cure for Parkinson’s that I have (to date) without the help, belief and assistance of my sponsors, who are also spreading the word too!  Please give them your support and visit their websites via my sponsor page http://www.alexflynn.co.uk/the-sponsors

There will be a full review of the kit I used including what worked and what was not so hot, so watch this space!

That’s it for now…I am going to go and make plans…if you’d like to catch up on the TAC coverage by the BBC, please go to the following links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmpr13u7B-Y

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDpQfk19esU

Keep moving!

Hi all,

It’s that time of year again; the time of year when seasoned runners mix with first-time marathon virgins to run the 26.2 miles of the London Marathon. Why am I writing about this?  Well I went to the Marathon Expo in London yesterday and I got thinking about my first marathon and how so much has changed between then and now.

26.2 miles is not to be sniffed at. It’s a hard distance and one which should not be undertaken lightly. The London Marathon was my first marathon race. I can recall the day in 2006 clearly as if it were yesterday. Things had not been easy for me leading up to the start line. Only 10 months earlier I had suffered an enormous crash on my mountain bike; separating my shoulder, breaking my rib cage and puncturing both my lungs. The last thing on my mind, as I sat there on the Ridgeway slowly becoming hypoxic, was any thought of running. In fact, the thing that took up most of my thoughts, as the morphine numbed my system, was the fact that I wanted to dance with the female paramedic who was trying to lead me across a field to the waiting helicopter that would whisk me away to the John Radcliffe Hospital, thus saving my life.  This was accompanied some eight month later, by me breaking my third metatarsal in a 10k training race the January before the London Marathon.  Things were not going right in my preparation for my first marathon!!

26.2 miles!  It was the furthest that I had ever thought about running and I was nervous. I was also cold!  I think that God was not happy with me urinating on the rose bushes in Greenwich Park (to be fair, I was not the only one and the queue was enormous) and the rain came down.  It was freezing and completely caught me off guard.  I should have brought a plastic bag/bin liner to wear prior to the race.  These are easy to remove and keep you warm and also they cost nothing like a jumper or coat.  But the rain was not meant to last and soon I was queueing up at the indicated point that I believed represented my finish time.  I think I chose four hours.

My foot had mended as much as it was ever going to by the start of the race and I was hopeful that I could make the distance.  The start of the race found me to be exceptionally calm as I stared ahead towards the line of people moving and pushing their way out of Greenwich Park; onto the closed roads of London.  The run seemed to pass in a blur, as I wound my way across Tower Bridge, turning right towards the Isle of Dogs.  However, I did note several things. The first was the enthusiasm of the crowd.  It was electric, addictive and also resonated happiness and support. I’d never experienced anything like it, which was handy because, passing the Cutty Sark, I sprained my left ankle which meant that the right leg became dominant. This would not have been a problem but for the fact that my right foot was the one that I had broken! By 15 miles I was in agony; every footfall felt like an iron nail being pushed into the foot repeatedly!

The lonely stretch from me was the Isle of Dogs.   I felt tired and in pain and also being psyched out by the elite runners already leaving the Isle of Dogs and heading towards the finishing line.  It was at this point that I met a fellow runner (also running for the Antony Nolan trust) whose name is Quentin Somerset and whom I still consider to be a good friend to this very day.  Quent motivated me to dig deeper into my resolve to finish this long-distance; and persevere I did.  I pushed myself across the cobbled streets and out of the Isle of Dogs and onto the Embankment. It was then I hit the wall.

My legs felt heavier than lead and my feet were a mass of pain; each footfall was now like walking on fire and to top it all I had run out of energy.  It was at this point that a passing runner threw a carbohydrate gel at me with the words, “Get it down you!”   The gel had the effect of rocket fuel. POW!  I’d never used one before but I was glad that I did!

Taking the gel was a good move. I felt back on form and soon the Houses of Parliament rose up before me with a wall of cheering people in front.   The route bore right and headed across Parliament Square. This was it!  I was 600 yards away from finishing.  I was shattered but my mind was fixed on the finish line as I followed the curve of the road around, again to the right, and onto the Royal Mall.  I wanted, desperately, to ease off as the foot was just unbearable.  However, I had had “ALEX” printed on the front of my race shirt and some good-looking girls were shouting out my name.  I pushed forward towards the line keen to not look feeble with my broken foot.  Just then another runner came up fast just behind my right shoulder; straining to get every ounce of energy utilised in getting himself across the line.   I don’t know what happened, but a voice in my head said, “Not today! You are not passing me today!”  I put my head down, ignored the pain and ran with every fibre in my foot screaming at me. I crossed the line in 4 hours and 25 min and stood still with hands on my hips breathing heavily.  I looked away from the crowds and at the line of people ahead of me having their timing chips removed and told myself that this was as far as I was ever going to run!

This Sunday, thousands will run through the streets of London and realise a dream; fulfilling the promise of all those hours and miles spent training to cross that finish line.  For some, this will be the furthest they will ever run.  For others, it may be the start of further adventures in running, as it was for me.  Who knows where running may take you….

Wishing all the very best of luck if you are taking part!!!

Keep moving!!

Hi all,

Firstly, I’d like to say that, as at the present time of writing, my third son (baby-to-be) is has yet to be born.  It seems like we are having to wait forever and Aurélie is certainly feeling it.   The boy is certainly active! However, I’m sure that the lad will arrive very soon. I will keep you updated.

As the weeks pass the ankle gets better, except for the odd occasion when I completely overdo it.  One such occasion was last week’s attempt to run.  I really should take the advice I’m given and listen to my body more.  In response to this, I have increased the amount of stabilisation work that I am undertaking on the ankle and have upped the turbo training.  Yes, I know that some of you prefer outdoor training and, to be honest, I do too.  However, the ankle really does not like the cold at the moment; swelling up and becoming an inconvenient aching anchor, which does nothing but prevent forward momentum towards full recovery.  So, for the meantime it’s less impact and more training. I know that the foregoing sounds dramatic, the reality is that the ankle is truly getting better but every day having to rein in the urge to run before I should, becomes harder and harder.

Everyone over the last week has been discussing the announcement for the torchbearers for the 2012 Olympic Games.  I was exceedingly excited as I had been nominated seven times for the honour of running with the Olympic torch.  However, it was not to be.  Unfortunately, I was not chosen as a torchbearer and, although I’m disappointed, I’m not down hearted as the competition for the places was incredibly tough.   The selection committees must have had an awfully difficult time in choosing the torchbearers and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have been part of that selection process.  In fact, I am over the moon for those that succeeded in becoming torchbearers for the Olympic Games and wish them all the very best.  Personally, it’s a bit of a relief.  With what I had planned for the forthcoming year and the imminent arrival of baby-to-be, I’m sure you’d agree that I’ll have my hands full.

It’s that time of year again when an athlete looks to his sponsors for their continued support for the following year.  This week, both Garmin and Buff have stepped up and confirmed their continuing support with kit for 2012, for which I am extremely grateful.  Thanks guys!

Preparations are still in swing for the Trans-USA Challenge, and there is still a long way to go.  Some calls during the ongoing preparations have made me smile and others leave you impressed and wondering why other organisations arn’t as slick.  One in particular was the incredible help and assistance by the New York City Mayors Office, whose customer service team did not bat an eyelid when I explained what I hope to achieve on the Trans-USA Challenge and what I need to realise this.  As explanations go, mine is a big one but with a suitably calm, extremely polite and capable demeanour the customer service team took my ambitious requests in their stride even throwing in a suitable “Cool” for reassurance that they’d understood.  Within less than 2 minutes I had the details that I needed without the usual intake of breath and a question of “really?”.  Hugely refreshing!  Thank you New York City Mayors Office.

Last news is the announcement that my eldest son got the highest mark in his school for mathematics. A 97% score means that my lad came top of his year and his class!  I’m such a proud dad!

Right, all work and no play makes me a dull boy. It’s time to get training and finalising the races for 2012.

Keep moving!

Hi all,

This last week has been quiet.  Training has been progressing, notwithstanding the debilitating effects of my flu jab at the beginning of the week.  However, aside from planning the trans-USA challenge I have been learning about patience.  I’m sure that those who know me would describe me as impulsive, stubborn, and occasionally single-minded.  However, I believe that recent events have highlighted that I can be, at times, more patient than I thought possible.

This line of thought started, I believe, on my arrival home from the Otter Trail Race earlier this last October.  I knew that it may take some time, with my injury, to get back to full fitness and ability.  This has not meant that I would forsake every effort to get back to racing as quickly as possible, but it’s more an awakening to the fact that it would take effort across a longer period of time and that there would be no quick bounce back.  Considering this I’ve realised that the same thing occurred to me back in 2005 and I recall that I exuded patience…albeit on a slight learning curve.

Once a year there is a race called the Hairy Legs Challenge.  This race takes place in the gorgeous countryside around Goring on Thames, in Oxfordshire, UK.  The area is outstandingly beautiful and has more Trail than you can shake a stick at.  The race is a duathlon, comprising a 5k run with a 20k bike ride with a 5k run at the end.  No great shakes you might think.  However, it’s the terrain the makes the challenge a challenge.

I would like to say at this point that I have the dubious honour of being the guy who changed the bike route.  It was 2005 and I was a week away from running the Three Peaks Challenge when I took part in the Hairy Legs as a pre-Three Peaks warmer.  The 5K run went well and transition onto the bike was smooth; with a quick exit towards the Ridgeway.  What was not so smooth was my descent down the Ridgeway, the then challenging bike route.  The Ridgeway is a prehistoric road stretching over 85 miles from Ivanhoe Beacon and ending near Avebury in Wiltshire (which I ran back in 2009). The track is rough and in places rutted; sometimes extremely so.  What I failed to appreciate on my rapid descent, at over 40 miles an hour, was the small but not insignificant sign on the left, which clearly stated the words “bear left”.  Well, the red mist was down that day and I was determined to finish strong.  So, shortly after passing the small but not insignificant sign I hit the drainage pipes graciously put there to preserve the road from the deluge of water it receives when it rains.  I made it over the first two pipes but the third stopped my bike short. I was thrown from the bike and somersaulted as I covered the twenty metres before landing; narrowly missing breaking my neck but triumphantly separating my shoulder, breaking my collarbone along with most of my rib cage and puncturing both my lungs.  They airlifted me…as they said I would die if taken by road.

After returning from hospital, there were weeks of frustration and inactivity.  Boredom got to me and I even tried to do press-ups within a month and a half but my shoulder was just too crunchy.  Finally, after many failed attempts to do crunchy press-ups, I learned to be patient and that great achievements (like getting well) take small steps.  Returning to the present, my injury in the Otter Trail Race has again made me realise that patience is needed and that, although I am back running very short distances, with diligence and a little time I will be able to cover the distances that I’m used to.

So why can I not apply the same patience to the imminent arrival of my third son?  This week has seen both myself and Aurélie at the hospital with all the right indications that my boy is ready to be born. However, the midwives have alternative views and sent us home.  I have patience. It truly is a virtue, but one I am finding hard to find…. Endeavour to persevere is what I keep telling myself.   Endeavour to persevere.

Keep moving!

Hi all,

This will be the first blog since registering with Blogs for Kindle.  So, a swift hello and thank you for subscribing to this blog if you’re reading it on a Kindle!  It’s a bit of an experiment for me and one which was suggested by Russ Cox.  It was one of those amazing conversations while discussing daft races that accidentally produce great ideas.

On the home front becoming a dad (again) is big on the agenda. The baby has not yet been born at the time of writing.  Aurélie is massively pregnant and baby to be is ready to go as he’s ever going to be!  It’s a waiting game and I’m impatient to see my new little boy.  In any event, I’ll keep you posted.

Events this week have been wide ranging.  The news that the forthcoming GoTrail magazine will be a double issue and contain the 10MillionMetres article on the Otter Trail is really exciting.  I can’t wait to see the magazine, the photos and the new film from Motion Pixel.  I think you’ll like it too. I am told that it will be out sometime later today, so check out www.gotrail.co.za when you can.

I have also been busy with another film; namely, highlights from my speech at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford (UK) on 9 November 2011.  You can find it on the video-wall of my website at www.alexflynn.co.uk/the-video-wall I’d love some feedback. So don’t be shy. Please get in touch via the contacts page of my website.

Talking of getting in touch, the BBC has come knocking.  Well, nothing definite yet but there could be a possibility of being involved in a new program.   No promises. However, it is exciting to be approached.  I’ll keep you updated.  I met with the person involved (I think it a bit premature to print names) and had a long discussion over coffee which, I think, was productive. I then had to go and meet with a recruiter, as I was made redundant last week.  So of course, the guy from the BBC came too.  Slightly unique and I’m sure it left an impression on the recruiter, lol.

Later that same evening, I attended a soirée for the Cure Parkinson’s Trust.  The evening is the Cure Parkinson’s Trust’s annual thank you to all their fundraisers, and the room was packed.  I’m really grateful for the fantastic words from the Cure Parkinson’s Trust thanking me for my fundraising, which I would like to point out, could not have been possible without the fantastic donations of everyone who has given to this worthy charity; including Mimi Anderson, Danny Lavender and of course, not forgetting my core sponsor the deVere group.  A good night and a lot of interest was generated in the 10MillionMetres campaign.

Most importantly, training has stepped up a notch or two and I am really feeling the benefit.  What with the effort of tackling the CYBEX machine (giving me the grimace in the photo, left) , swimming and cycling, the ankle is coming on. So much so that the wonderful Gerry, from ActiveVIII, has said that I can start running again from the end of next week.  Big smiles…now comes the slow climb to full fitness.

I’ve been here before and I know I can do it.  What’s more with the plans I have for 2012, I have plenty to work hard for!

Keep moving!

Hi all,

It’s been a few weeks since I updated my blog and I thought I would make them shorter and more frequent moving forward. What you think? Let me know with some feedback it will be good to canvass your opinion…

The last month has been an experience that I haven’t had for a long while; namely, no training.  After briefly describing that I went over on my ankle the news was that I had completely ruptured my ATFL ligament, badly sprained three other ligaments, micro-fractured my Talus and caused severe oedema to the bone.  In short, I did a number on it.  The resulting MRI gave the opinion that I would need an operation to re-establish the ATFL to provide stability on the outside of my left foot.  With great physio from ActiveVIII (based in Henley-on-Thames) and a further MRI, my orthopaedic consultant was firmly of the opinion that I didn’t need an operation!  This is huge news!!  Actually, this is truly great news, as an invasive surgical procedure would most likely cause me long-term problems.  I am really a very happy man!

So what now? Well, there’s more physio and I’ve been told that I can get back to training properly within a matter of weeks!!!!!!!!  This is truly made my spirit rise and provided me with more focus on the two things that are taking up my time at this moment.

The first being the race calendar for 2012 and in particular the Trans-USA challenge.  This 3200 mile, 24 day endurance challenge will push me far beyond anything that I have ever done.  It doesn’t come without risk, and I’m sure that James Cracknell would attest to the dangers of Trans-American events, the dangers are several but finishing in one piece is achievable.  I’m confident that with a good supporting crew and the right training, I will succeed.   Watch this space for updates on the race calendar for 2012 and more news of the Trans-USA challenge as matters unfold.

The second was building upon the success of my public speaking event on the 9^th November at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford UK where I was giving a motivational speech at a conference on neurodegenerative disease.  The conference was entitled ‘Making a Difference in Neurodegenerative Disease Research’ and was hosted by the Thames Valley Dementias and Neurodegenerative Diseases Research Network (DeNDRoN); an NHS body that facilitates the commencement of research programmes and provides ways of streamlining human clinical trials to make them more cost-effective.  The various speakers were eminent experts in their fields and I learned a huge amount; not only about Huntington’s disease but the various breakthroughs and leaps forward in relation to neurological diseases (including Parkinson’s).

I have to say I was nervous.  Being the only Parkinson’s sufferer in the room gave me the unique perspective to be able to speak about, not only my experiences undertaking 10 Million Metres so far (lost in the Sahara, Trans-Europe, etc.), but also the position from that of a person with the disease.  My speech went down incredibly well.  So much so that the feedback has been stunning!  DeNDRoN have been amazing in their support and it is opened up far more doors, which I believe will allow me to raise the profile of both Parkinson’s and young onset Parkinson’s profile to a wider audience; improving on the more than 55 million people around the world so far this year alone!  However, that’s for the next edition of the blog.

Right, I’m off to undertake a turbo session, physio, and move the Trans-USA forward!  Have a great start to the week and keep moving!!

A

Hi all,

I will preface this blog with the understanding that the full story, all the details, the pain, worry, excitement, the good, bad and everything will be published in the forthcoming GoTrail Magazine. It will be a big read…and I’ll let you know when my African Experience can be read.

So, while resting my up and being brief (to avoid James from GoTrail telling me off) ….

In short, I went to South Africa with the amazing and talented Mr Johnny Ultra; to whom I owe a huge debt of thanks.  The country, the people, the hospitality, and the welcome we received were amazing. We ran in Durban, visited and also ran at the unique and iconic Hole-in-the-Wall, stayed at the beautiful Nature’s Valley and stared in wonder at the spectacular and effervescent Cape Town.  We met truly astounding athletes who are clearly passionate about trail running, and together pitted ourselves against the Otter Trail…the “Holy Grail” of trail…and if you’ve been following my 10MillionMetres Facebook page you’ll know that I rolled the ankle and…the rest will be revealed all too soon.

In the meantime, I want to say thank you to and for the following:

• The wonderfully kind James and Suzanna Hallett for the amazing adventure that has still yet to be finished and all the great coverage that GoTrail has given to 10MillionMetres to date;
• John and Mark Collins, the whole of Magnetic South and the support team including all the amazing volunteers (especially Steven and Melody) for their help, support and for putting on the Otter Trail Race!! See you next year chaps J
• Motion Pixel – movies, movies, movies!!!
• Salomon South Africa – thank you guys for the kit and the warm welcome!!!!!
• VW Commercial Vehicles SA – thank you, thank you, thank you for supplying the amazing Amarok Double Cab!!!  I highly recommend the vehicle.  It did the job, took the kit (and then some) across all kinds of terrain and was comfortable too!  Andile – you did us proud!
• Orca, CompresSport, X-Bionic, Buff (always wear one) PowerBar Nutrition and Polaroid Sunglasses – thank you!

Lastly, and most importantly, thanks must go to my core sponsor the deVere Group, for their continuing support and belief in my 10MillionMetres campaign and for making change happen!

Keep moving!

Hi all,

Hoping that this latest instalment for 10MillionMetres finds you well?  I have had an interesting couple of weeks. The first big news that put a smile on my face was the news that I don’t have a stress fracture of my right tibia.  It was the waiting that got to me.  I don’t mind admitting that I approached my MRI scan with some trepidation.

I needn’t have worried as the MRI process was really straight forward.  I’d had one before, when the good doctors were assessing me to ascertain why I had a tremor. Apparently, notwithstanding rumour and the efforts of my Parkinson’s to kill my neurones, I do have a brain.  The huge machine surrounded the bed that I was lying on. Straps holding my legs in place made me feel more of a prisoner that a patient.  However, after quite some time of listing to various noises I was just on the verge of falling asleep when the nice nurse abruptly woke me!  Typical when one is getting comfy!!

The news was fantastic.  I can explain the relief I felt which was then followed by the realisation that I had little is no time to do any run training for the Ironman distance Challenge Henley Triathlon!  Not what I had intended.  This has been coupled with my personal battle against my fear of water.  Last year I completed the swim at the London Triathlon in 38 min which, for a bloke who doesn’t swim very comfortably, was a real success.  In fact, I’d like to think of it as a watershed moment.  Nonetheless, that feeling of triumph faded in January when I discovered that I was still afraid of water.  Since that date I have been working on my swimming with Russ Cox; a very dedicated coach and talented Ironman competitor. You can check him out at www.trainstravels.co.uk

The difference and improvement in my technique for swimming is remarkable (even if I do say so myself) and according to Russ, I’ve come a long way.  Personally, I agree as well as acknowledge that there is still a lot more to learn and plenty to improve.  However, am I good enough for a 3.8KM swim?  I’d like to think that I can do it but I am scared.  Getting in the river and swimming has really helped but has that come too late?  Well, I’ll find out on Sunday morning at 6:30 AM when my wave starts.  I will of course be wearing my Orca 3.8 wetsuit.  I have to say this is a really great piece of kit (honestly).  It certainly gives me more buoyancy than my last 3.8, which for me is a huge boost.

All the excitement of the forthcoming event has been tempered by the news I received last night from my physio Paul Martin (a top bloke and an exceptional physio – who has never been wrong regarding the various races I enter and the physical issues that manifest as a consequence of participation).  Paul examined my foot; the same one that you may have read about in my Facebook updates. He quickly diagnosed that the pain that I felt, both, on the instep and across the top left side of the right hand foot was due to an agitated nerve.  But the nerve was not the culprit. Oh no, that honour goes to the wonderful hotspot on my tibia.  This angry bit of bone is causing the trouble and presents a new worry; the risk of stress fracture.  I was gutted!  Paul’s initial opinion was that I should not run the marathon part of the Challenge Henley Tri.  I did not sleep well last night and after a few calls to some good friends, and subsequent agreement from Paul (thanks mate) I have decided to walk the marathon part of the course. This means that I will swim the 3.8km in the Thames (it’s cold I can tell you!) and cycle the 180km of the bike course as best I can but I will have to resist the urge to run the marathon!  If can do this and keep a steady pace then I’ll make it.   This is my first long (Ironman) distance Triathlon and I it certainly will not be my last.

So, I have registered and am sporting the shiny red band around my right wrist with the words “Challenge Henley-on-Thames Athlete” emblazoned around the band in white.  Am I really going to do this? Holy crap!

Time to raise the positive vibes as another piece of good news is that my baby-to-be is perfect according to the Royal Berkshire Hospital.   This is a massive boost and lifts the weight of the concerns  off of mine and Aurélie’s shoulders.  Certainly brings a big smile to the face but also the realisation that in 12 weeks my third son will be born. There is so much going on and the little guy isn’t even born yet.

Speaking of which, the Otter Trail (www.ottertrail.co.za) is fast approaching. Both myself and Johnny Ultra fly out very shortly to compete in the Holy Grail of trail races. This also raises the issue of my lack of run training. However there is a short time to get the body back to some familiarity with running and with time I have opportunity and if I have opportunity, I can succeed.  So I am going to use the Challenge Henley tri to improve (hotspots aside). I’ll keep you posted!

On the subject of success, the successful deVere Group have run a four-page article in the Investor Insight magazine ( www.devere-group-investorinsight.com ) about my 10MillionMetres challenge, and running to Rome.  Thank you guys!  As ever, your support, help and encouragement are first class.  I’d also like to thank those who have been so kind for the messages of encouragement and occasional concern.  You know who you are and it means a lot to me!

So what are you waiting for? Challenge your fears, push beyond your norm and make change happen!

Keep moving!

The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray, so said Robert Burns. Now I’m not sure if Mr Burns was a runner. I know that he was a prolific and celebrated writer who coined the above phrase which in short states that you can plan for everything but the unexpected. Over the last week I’ve learnt that, often than not, this statement by Mr Burns is so true!

As you may or may not know I am preparing to run over 1800 miles across Europe. I hope to do this in 30 days and achieve something that nobody else has done previously; at least not with Parkinson’s. However, like the best of intentions, things don’t always go to plan. At the beginning of last week I was seriously on form. Training was going well. In fact, my training is not what you would think that I would be undertaking in view of the incredible run ahead of me. No, for me training is a mixture of swimming, bike and short runs, with a mixture of weight training thrown in for good measure. These sessions would to build me up to a training weekend (this last weekend to be precise) where I would run 80 miles on the Friday, 40 miles on the Saturday and a final 20 miles on the Sunday. A session of back-to-back runs in preparation for what is yet to come.

However, Monday came and with it I fell ill with a virus. This thing knocked me for six and I spent the best part of last week getting over it and getting better. It’s left me feeling slightly like the wind has been knocked out of my sails. But if you know me, that only makes me more determined to make up for lost time and get myself ready. After discussing the issue with my co-runner Dave Clamp (World Deca-Ironman competitor and former team GB triathlete) and other Ultra runners, the thinking now is not about fitness (which I will work on in any event) but more about avoiding injury, staying well, and being rested. As a result, instead of doing massive mileage prior to the race, I’m going to run to work and back three times a week (60 miles in total), bike to work and back twice a week (40 miles in total) and run a 30 mile Trail run on the weekend. I aim to intersperse these sessions with circuit training and swimming, whilst reducing the 30 mile run by 10 miles per week.

So what have I learned? I know understand the value of rest. As they say, it’s the most important part of one’s training. I also have taken on board the realisation that as much as you plan there’s always something that can throw your best plans into disarray. I need to factor this into my mentality when approaching my 1800 mile run. I will do everything in my power to realise my thirty-day target. However, the flexibility in approach that I have utilised to continue my training with only three weeks and five days left until I start the run is something that I need to remember if the timeline steps out; Also, to remain optimistic and positive whilst keeping an open mind will be a must.

In short, notwithstanding the virus, I’m back on track! Keep moving!!