Highs and Lows of Boxhill to Leatherhead

Oh how pleased I was to wake up and find it was a sunny day. Michelle and I have had the date in our diary for some weeks and decided come rain or shine I had to get out and start walking. Michelle is one of the lovely people who has offered to join me on some training walks and will tackle the 3 Peaks challenge with me in June.

I reckon this is the first time I have been out walking since I did Duke of Edinburgh Bronze at secondary school . . . now that was a very long time ago! I turned up with no map or compass but plenty of enthusiasm and the hope that I didn’t get anywhere near as lost as the old D of E days!

I had such a lovely day wearing in my walking boots, having a girly natter and just getting out in the fresh air. It wasn’t a particularly challenging route but we had a couple of steep inclines which gave me some idea of where I need to focus my training in the coming months. If all training is as fun as this, I am in for a lovely summer.

So what were the highs and lows?
On the plus side it would have to be making it across the stepping stones, partly submerged in water without a typical Karen clumsy moment. Then just being out in the sun and bumping into friendly people on route. And finally the Cadbury’s Creme Egg that I took along for lunch.

Not so good was having to pay to use filthy toilets at Clapham Junction on the way home. But it’s bedding me in, little by little, for the lack of toilets on Kili!

All in all a lovely day. Michelle even spotted a future Mr Karen and pointed out what she referred to as a ‘silver fox’. So there I was all excited about a George Clooney stunner until I saw who she meant – sadly he was a white haired (not silver) old rambler.

Advice From 3 Wise Sponsors

What a fantastic week I have had with fundraising. After a call on Tuesday with Bernie Hollywood I have been totally inspired. Bernie is an amazing guy who has completed tons of challenges to raise loads of cash for worthy charities. Check out what he plans to do over the next six months: http://www.berniehollywood.com/Bernie_Hollywood/BernieHollywood.com_-_Challenge_Diary.html

He gave me so much advice on how to approach fundraising and told me ‘get on with it right away’. So for once I did what I was told! That evening I set to and came up with some corporate packages, started planning all the fundraising and wrote many lists! Then on Thursday I set to by telling people about what I was doing and by the end of the day I had 3 corporate partners/sponsors.

My sponsors have all been very generous with their donations to the British Heart Foundation. But that’s not where it stops they have also offered their time, knowledge and advice to help me achieve the mental, physical and fundraising goal I have set myself.

Trojan Training www.trojantraining.co.uk
Trojan will be making sure I get in shape for the climb. This means a varied and active training regime that unfortunately involves many before work gym sessions. I will also be joining Trojan Training on boot camps and other outdoor activity such as the 3 peaks challenge in June. You won’t miss me in the local gym as Trojan has also provided branded gym kit to get sweaty in!

After listening to me moan about feeling slugglish and my aching legs that don’t seem to recover after each session, Chris Lee, Managing Director of Trojan insisted on “more water, more protein, more stretching”. Let’s see if I do what I am told this time!

AVF Marketing www.avfmarketing.co.uk
AVF Marketing is my family’s marketing consultancy based in Yorkshire. My Dad, Arnold Fewell (Managing Director) knows all about setting sporting goals and how positive mental attitude is essential in achieving anything. Unfortunately he has just had to retire from International Wheelchair Archery and sadly bid farewell to his London 2012 Paralympic dream – sometimes our bodies are not as strong as our minds. During the time he was working towards this goal he spent many hours with a sports psychologist and so will be sharing his determination skills with me.

AVF Marketing will also be undertaking all my PR, so if you see me in the local rag or hear me blaring out of your radio it will be down to them. Nicola Proud, Marketing Manager at AVF Marketing worked as a fundraiser for a local hospice and is well equipped to support me in any way she can.

When offering their fundraising support Arnold Fewell said, “remember – whilst the final achievement is amazing, what’s more inspiring is the person you become whilst getting there”.

ParentPay www.parentpay.com
It was third time lucky when I saw Clint Wilson, CEO of Parent Pay on Thursday. As soon as the meeting started he wanted to know how things were going with My Kili Climb and offered Parent Pay’s support. Clint was the person who put me in touch with the inspirational Bernie Hollywood and has accompanied Bernie on some of his many charity challenges.

Clint’s advice to me was “Don’t underestimate what you are doing, the most precious thing we all have is time and you are giving plenty of it to My Kili Climb”. Then before I knew it, he was offering his own time to accompany me on some training walks.

Tens of thousands of parents use ParentPay to pay online for school meals, trips, uniforms and more. ParentPay was shortlisted for the BETT Awards 2010 and won the e-Government National Award in 2009 with Croydon Council. Parent Pay offer a total income management solution for schools and authorities to drive efficiency, cut administration, engage parents online and create safer schools.


Thank You
So a big THANK YOU to my three corporate sponsors - not only for their financial support but also for their time, advice and encouragement. There are still some corporate sponsor/partner opportunities available so please get in touch if you are interested.

Test Driving the New Boots

After spending a rather large sum on the boots I really hoped I had chosen the right ones. But only time in the boots will tell!

Friday - Treadmill Test
As odd as it seems I went down the gym to spend an hour on the treadmill in the boots. The idea being that if the boots have not been worn outside they will let you take them back. My hands still have blisters from the ‘trying on’ session last week so my biggest challenge was doing up the laces! Once I had mastered the special army boy knots I was ready to see how the boots performed.

Although I found it incredibly boring just walking on an incline with a countdown clock in front of me, I finished the session with no blisters and no real pain. I also didn’t know you can put treadmills on a decline setting – might use that as an easy option when next running!

Saturday - Muddy Test
It was pretty grim outside but the weather man said it would be worse today - so I wrapped myself up, waterproofs on and set out to see how the boots felt after several hours wear. I was enjoying stamping in puddles like a big kid when I remembered I had forgotten to treat the boots – whoops!

I thought I would be pretty bored walking on my own but actually ‘time out’ was just what I needed. Listening to my trusty iPod, the lovely views along the Thames path (heading away from London) and crisp fresh air was actually rather pleasant.

I returned home several hours later with not so shiny new boots and still no blisters. So far, so good - looks like I made a good choice with the boots.

Future Walks
I do think I will get rather bored of walking on my own so if anyone fancies getting out in the country for some weekend walking please let me know!

My favourite bit of preparing – shopping!

Pretty much missed another full week of training due to germs! So I cheered myself up at the weekend and went shopping for the all important walking boots. I took my mate Chris along with me as he knows all about this kind of thing and let’s face it –if it was down to me I would pick by my favourite colour.

I was expecting to walk in one shop, try a few on and that would be it – I could go shopping for more fun things. But with Chris keeping an eye that was never going to happen – we went to EVERY outdoor shop in Covent Garden. I was amused by the fact that by the end of the afternoon I had blisters on my hands. Yes that’s not a typo I really mean my hands – from tightening laces up so many times.

Whilst we were out and about I started checking out other kit to buy. Bit scared how pricey it’s all going to be! My rucksack is the next purchase so I tried a few for size. Amused me slightly when I picked up a boys one and wondered why the chest strap wouldn’t even go round me! The ladies versions are made for ladies for a reason and soooo much more comfortable.

So after 4 hours of trying on boots, walking up and down ramps in the shops, deliberating over the different advice from every sales person - I finally made up my mind. They aren’t pretty like most of my shoes but fingers crossed they will do the job and get me up that mountain!

Injury = NO TRAINING

I would like to say I was doing something spectacular to result in a swollen and bruised left ankle. But no, I literally fell on the flat gym floor whilst doing lateral bench jumps. Believe me I was annoyed with myself – a week of missed training and no high heels! But there is my lesson learnt – burning the candle at both ends makes you tired and clumsy.

Good news on the sponsorship I am close to £700 so almost 20% of the way to target. If you would like to support me please go to www.justgiving.co.uk/my-kili-climb

So easing myself back into training and looking forward to the big shopping trip next weekend to get the all important walking boots!

The fundraising began

On Wednesday, which was the first anniversary of my uncle’s death, I launched my sponsorship campaign. I hope to raise £5,000 for the British Heart Foundation in his memory by climbing Kilimanjaro in September.

On the 26th January 2009, my uncle, Barry Meek went to work just like he always has. Everything about this day was normal. That is until early afternoon lessons at Huntcliff Comprehensive School where Barry was a talented maths teacher. Barry suffered a fatal heart attack at 52 years old and passed away on the 27th January.

This was a very hard time for my family, especially my auntie and cousin. At times like this it feels like there isn’t anything you can do to help them, but I wanted to do something that could help prevent others going through similar. In memory of my uncle, I want to raise awareness of heart health and help the British Heart Foundation achieve their vision, which is, “a world in which people do not die prematurely of heart disease.”

Although this week has been very sad for my family, it’s lovely to see the support already for the climb. My sponsorship is currently at £545 and it is a brilliant start – thank you to all those who have donated.

If you want to know a little more about what is in store for me, have a read of this:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/activityandadventure/7050801/Mount-Kilimanjaro-Climb-and-punishment.html

And then please, please sponsor me, it’s not going to be a pleasant experience:
http://www.justgiving.com/my-kili-climb

Don’t forget, February is National Heart Month so please support the great work of the British Heart Foundation.

Karen x

Less wine, more training

So my moto for the week was ‘less wine, more training’ and I have to say I did pretty well. Oh ok I failed a little on Wednesday, but you know I am a party girl at heart. I did however stick to my 5 planned training sessions and now two weeks into the training regime I am feeling a difference.

As I am taking this training thing seriously, on Tuesday I took advice from Chris at Trojan Training. Over the summer months I trained for Tough Guy and I am very keen to be back to that fitness, minus the Crimbo weight gain of course! Chris took down all my vital statistics and measured my % body fat. Now you know a girl never tells you the outcome of such tests but I am pleased to report I am all healthy and fit to train. I am sure I will report how the figures have come down in future blogs.

Chris has designed a training schedule that is pretty varied . . . . I do get bored very easily. It includes some Personal Training sessions with him, group classes such as circuits and a plan for down the gym. I can’t start out with the full training regime as I am still recovering from a whiplash injury and so the majority of my training at this stage is leg work. But once the physiotherapist has sorted my neck and back I will most certainly be in the full swing of it.

So let’s see how I do over the next week . . . . .