The Everyman Olympian

Pull The Other One

2012-01-22T11:01:00.000-08:00

On my late afternoon 10k today I was travelling along quite nice, thinking that I'm starting to get training for the running section of The Triathlon Challenge well under control, when suddenly while in full flow down a hill on mile four...

I felt a sharp pain in my left calf. Within six strides I had completely pulled up, literally.

At this stage of my run I was midway along Palmerston Way in Leicester, around one mile from my girlfriend's pad. I had no phone, no money, it was cold and getting dark and I had shorts and a t-shirt on; so essentially I'd regressed back to my teenage days, hanging out too far from home on an autumn evening.

As I walked back, meandering my way through Stoneygate I took the chance to enjoy the fine old houses that make up my favourite side of the UK's most central county. I also noticed that walking like a gangster through posh urban roads doesn't inspire the goodness in peoples hearts; not one stranger bothered to ask if the wounded runner was OK.

It took yonks to finally exit Southernhay onto London Road and when I did I was greeted by a bus shelter advert for Lucozade featuring Mo Farah and the caption: 'Faster, Stronger, For Longer', how very apt.

My hungover missus made us *posh cheese on toast for supper - it's not the ideal recovery meal, but then this was not the ideal recovery for a man attempting The Everyman Olympics.

*Posh cheese on toast is essentially made with any other variety of cheese apart from cheddar.

The Basketball Challenge: First Training Session

2012-01-17T05:01:00.000-08:00

Last Wednesday night I met up with Head Coach at Southend Swifts Basketball Club, Stephen Pearl. I'd landed on my feet...

Basketball first caught my attention when a Greek lad at school started playing the game in London and promptly stopped wearing trainers and starter wearing 'sneakers'. The year was 1990, I thought the kid was double cool.

Michael Jordan may have made the sport globally recognised but this kid in my school, also called Michael, was the only person we actually knew who played the sport. I think even our PE teachers secretly thought he was cool, despite their preference for football, rugby and athletics.

Around the same time my pal Johnny had a basketball net put up by his dad on the carport attached to their garden and my first playing experience came with the boys I grew up with; we'd try and 'slam dunk' the ball but at less then 5ft tall we would have to resort to sitting on one anothers shoulders to get the job done.

As we settled into our teens this Amercian fad passed, our hair grew, and grunge music and girls took our attention.

So when I met Coach Pearl in the car park of Eastwood High School I expected to be greeted by a giant from across the pond....though while Coach Pearl may not be a giant in terms of physical size, he is a goliath in terms of Basketball knowledge and hospitality.

Stephen understood my need to compete in the same number of games as a team would in the Olympics, from day one to the final, and what's more he'd already worked out exactly how I could do this all with Southend Swifts - what a star!

We talked about the club's set-up, standing in the community, the expectations of the players to give something back to the club - Coach Pearl was as proud of the young Swifts that helped introduce basketball to kids at local schools as he was of the 17 students who'd gone on to play in the United States.

I wasn't just there for a chat mind, within half an hour I'd joined the 16-18's and was doing lay-up drills under the coaching of Simon, one of the clubs talents who'd played in the US, he's now returned to coach at the club that gave him his opportunity.

We progressed through shooting hoops from the penalty line, practising 2-on-3 scenarios with an outnumbered defence, learning and role-playing set plays and finished on a best-of-three / first to seven baskets competition.

I thoroughly enjoyed my first training session for The Basketball Challenge, and was wholeheartedly welcomed in by the lads; including Louis (who gave me penalty shooting tips), and Little Darren (he's 6ft 6'...but is shorter than his brother!).

They've even got a player called Jordan, so they must be good!

I've a few weeks of heavy work, where I'll need to focus on challenges during the weekend, but then I'm looking forward to working with the Southend Swifts and will definitely make the effort to give something back.

The Handball Challenge: Oxford Uni Tournament, Matches Four & Five.

2012-01-14T04:00:00.000-08:00

Oxford University is famously the source of many great achievements and the producer of many of the greatest students of all time. On the Thursday 6th May 1954 medical student, Roger Bannister became the first man in history to run a sub-four minute mile; using two pacemakers he clocked 3mins 59.4 seconds on the Iffley Road track - bizarrely, despite having once been president of the Oxford club, he set this world record while running for the Amateur Athletic Association.

Saturday 7th January 2012 Brentwood Handball Club arrived at the very location of Bannister's amazing feat, it was to be another historical day, albeit at a far more modest level.

Coach Kuller Rabaca had liaised with both Cardiff and Thames Handball Club's to organise a mixed sex, mini tournament that would see athletes of all ability levels (from at least two continents) collide in a battle of whit, speed and agility.

The Handball Challenge: Match Four, Brentwood vs Cardiff

This was our first match with a mixed sex team this season, under the tournament guidelines we had to 'field' three girls at all times - as we only had three girls Coach had agreed that they'd all play as long as they could. Jo would be a goliath on our goal, while Julia and Steph both worked the wings and used their experience to instigate overlapping runs and attack the line.

Brentwood Keeper Jo making one of many saves against Cardiff. (The Everyman Olympian is No.8)

I was chuffed to start the match and worked in partnership with Steph, switching our positions to give Cardiff problems in their attacks and ours. With strong options throughout our team we had the upper hand against our Welsh opponents - some of whom were having their first competitive experience.

Cardiff's main threats came from their captain and a tall lad who had travelled to the fixture independently and simply looking for a game, it turned out he was Brazilian and plays in the English First Division - luckily for us he was having an off day, throughout the afternoon he must have hit the crossbar a dozen or so times.

At one point the ball had flown over the top during a Cardiff attack, I was completely unaware of it as it bounced on my head, then bounced on my head again as walked backwards, landed safely in our area for Jo to collect - unwittingly I'd nullified them with ease. The crowd applauded.

Mark was enjoying the freedom of being out of goal and on a number of occasions broke free to counter attack successfully - bagging several goals in both halves of this game. Rob also had his scoring mitts on - his aggression in attack helped make up for some of our players who couldn't make the tournament.

Brentwood's Rob pounces.

Coach had made it clear to the team that if we got a penalty, then I would take the first one. While on the bench midway through the first half I got the call, temporarily replacing an in-form Rob. I had no time for nerves as all eyes were on me - this was my chance. As instructed I planted my left foot firmly behind the penalty line, eyes moving from left to right making my choice - the goalie was close enough to see my decisions as it was made...having meant to throw the ball away from where I was looking, I proceeded to launch it straight at the guy...thankfully he fluffed his lines and the net bulged, The Everyman Olympian had scored!!

The Everyman Olympian scores his first competitive goal

We broke for the first half 17-10 ahead.

Duncan was frustrated with himself in the break, feeling he'd squandered scoring opportunities, I told him to relax, that patience would pay off - he spent 2 minutes in the sin bin during that second half, clearly my advice worked then.

The fear of not closing out the game drove us on, the game ended 30-14, we'd won both halves and more importantly we'd won our first match of the season!

Rest is for wimps...or is that breakfast?..or is this nonsense? Either way we didn't get much of a rest (or a second breakfast for that mater) as we had our second game of the day to play...

The Handball Challenge: Match Five, Thames vs Brentwood

Terry was worried, 'They've got matching socks', he was right to be.

Thames had a coach who looked like he was cut and pasted straight out of a scene from Rocky IV right onto the sidelines of this court, with an 'I will break you' stare to boot.

Their team consisted of more talented girls than you'd find in an 80's US chick flick and what's more they were fresh. By contrast we were fresh meat - Coach Kuller Rabaca called a time-out a third of the way into that first half to give us a wake-up call, 'Your minds are elsewhere, maybe twenty minutes ago. You need to get in the moment'.

The Ref looks on as Thames' rapid No.19 storms through Brentwood's sleeping defence early the first half

Whether our lads were mesmerised by their No.5's cute bottom or like George Michael found sleeping at the wheel at a set of traffic lights, we'd simply run out of puff, it was hard to tell - but Coach was right.

Brentwood's Terry blocks Thames' excellent No.22

By half time we were 18-6 down, Coach had his work cut-out.

After a long spell on the sidelines I was asked to come on for Sean in a slightly more central role, I felt my defending was weakened but enjoyed better efficiency in our attacks, laying up Julia to score goals from our right wing, while Duncan continued to enjoy better poaching chances in the centre.

Duncan makes a break count against Thames

The main incident in this match was caused by one of their few male players getting under the skin of Ian on our side, the two were both sent off when Ian reacted to some of the abusive comments being made.

We managed 9 goals in a better second half but Thames showed their class finishing 36-15 the victors.

I'd scored my first ever competitive goal, this won't go down in Oxford University folk law but it means a heck of a lot to me.

Brentwood Handball Club: Oxford Tournament '12 Team
Standing: Coach Kuller Rabaca, Rob, Steph, Mark, Duncan, Ian, Sean
Crouching: The Everyman Olympian, Jo, Julia, Terry.

BBC Radio Wales December interview: Listen Again

2012-01-02T05:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the Pistol Shooting Coach Morris hooking me up with my first national radio interview last October, BBC Radio Wales invited me back for an update in December, here's how to listen...

Click HERE for the interview, select 28/12/2011, click LISTEN NOW and fast forward to 2:40:10

BBC Radio Wales Presenters Louise & Jamie

Hope you enjoy this, let me know either way,

The Everyman Olympian

BBC Radio Wales TODAY! (Listen LIVE This Morning)

2011-12-27T23:56:00.000-08:00

Morning folks, hope you're well and fighting fit...I'm up posting earling today as I'll be on BBC Radio Wales with Jamie & Louise between 11:30am - 12pm GMT this morning!

Here are all the details on how you can listen whether you're in Wales or not:

In Wales by Radio:

93-96 & 104 FM
882 & 657 AM (medium wave)

In Wales by TV:

SKY Channel 0117
Freesat Channel 714
Freeview Channel 719
Virgin Media Channel 931

Outside Wales Online:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/radio/bbc_radio_wales/listenlive

Here's a link to the Jamie & Louise page online where you can listen to the show for next 7 days should you miss it...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/jamieandlouise/

And if you miss the whole thing but want to find out more about me click this link:

http://everymanolympian.blogspot.com/2010/11/everyman-olympics-re-galvanised.html

If you want to see my Facebook Fan Page click here:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Everyman-Olympics/150463818306014

Contact or follow me on Twitter here:

http://twitter.com/#!/EveryOlympian

Or contact me by email click here

And if you want to find out more about Jamie & Louise's Show click here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/jamieandlouise/

BBC Radio Wales: Louise and Jamie

Hope you get a chance to listen to the interview, let me know what you think!

Cheers and all the very best,

The Everyman Olympian

The Handball Challenge: Match Three, Warwick vs Brentwood

2011-12-25T02:06:00.000-08:00

With Phillipe Kouessan-Ettori and Danny Sedano returning to the fold for their first league match of the season, and our greatest team attendance yet, we headed back to Cranfield University with our strongest squad so far to face Warwick Uni.

Making up the 11 and coming out of a heavy cold I'd be happy to warm the bench while my stronger team mates lead the way...and set off to a fine pace they did; Rob bagged the opening goal of the match for Brentwood were leading 3-2 with ten minutes played.

The refs were a little harsh on us, I'm not saying they were showing favouritism but lets just say that Warwick were getting a generous share of the decisions.

Warwick lead with their lump of a No.8, seemingly playing a looser attack, with No.5 coming in from the right wing to launch shots on goal and a canny No.7 rushing in from the left to force goal scoring opportunities through our central defence.

Warwick's No.7 attacks.

We'd lost some focus after a good start and trailed 13-6 at half time.

Coach Kuller Rabaca gave us a stern tactical talk at half time, the fruits of which flourished early with Brentwood putting the ball into the back of the net 4 times to Warwicks 5 in the opening ten mins of the second half, we were competing once more.

Coach Kuller Rabaca puts the steel back in our wheel

Again we stuttered midway through the half and it seemed we were struggling at times to make our numbers count, despite the opposition suffering a few key injuries during the game but Mark Cory in the Brentwood goal was on song and kept us well in the match with some stonking saves to frustrate their tiring attack.

Brentwood's top scorer, Chris Baker, pounces again - he bagged 8 goals in this game.

We managed a heroic end to the match, outgunning Warwick 15 to 14 goals in the back half of the fixture to reduce the final deficit but sadly the first half lull cost us - the final score Warwick 27 - Brentwood 21.

The 100km Challenge

2011-12-22T22:37:00.000-08:00

At some point one Sunday, a few weeks back, I had a rather silly idea pop into my head, not for the first time would I suggest a challenge to myself which would see me testing my body to the max for seemingly no point whatsoever...

I was preparing for a few days away for work and I knew I'd be spending the majority of my time with my face illuminated by laptop light, my only realistic escape being the rather machine-cluttlered hotel gym.

From seemingly nowhere the thought of 'travelling' 100km in four days entered my head and me being me I decided to accept my own silly challenge just to give me an excuse to venture outside my own room - I'd be unable to partake directly in any of the sports I had left to tackle at this point and figured the added task would do me good.

Day 1

I started like a lightning bolt out of the blocks on the first day:

EveryOlympian Butt's sore from naff saddle on the bike in this hotel gym but bagged 40km on Day 1 of my 4 day 100km Challenge, 20km Run & 40km Cycle to go

This tweet tells you all you need; I was fired up and being cocky on the adrenalin...my apologies, it gets me that way sometimes.

Day 2

Unsurprisingly, since I had barely ridden a real bike this past few months, let alone an exercise machine version with an uncomfortably wide saddle, I was unable to be as agressive on the morning of the second day:

EveryOlympian Legs let me down on the treadmill at 5km this morning, but made up for it with 10km cycle so pushed over the half way line #100kmChallenge

This plagued me mentally all day - as I'd stated earlier my intention was to cycle 80km and run the other 20, but rather than whallow in my morning's 'defeat' I headed back to the house of pain for a second stint that evening...

EveryOlympian Headed back to the gym after work and battled through a further 30km cycle, now 85km into the #100kmChallenge Just 15km run & 2 days to go

Now I was showing them!

Day 3

My legs were in tatters; aching whether I sat, walked or stood - stairs laughed at me as I advanced on them like a drunken cowboy who'd lost his horse.

Thankfully this was to be a crazy busy work day which called for me to start before 6am and keep going till gone ten pm - I'd worked right through the opening hours of the gym. Shame.

Day 4

Again I was short on time due to work that morning but I did manage to go through with a short run to clock up another 5km, I was just 10km and one gym session away from achieving my goal.

The telly nearly got me...

EveryOlympian 10 more mins of Crocadile Dundee 2 and I've gotta go battle the final 10km of this 100km challenge #The100kmChallenge

But I prevailed, only to be cocky on my bodies own chemical kick once again:

EveryOlympian 100km Challenge achieved...report by Sat eve to you tweeps

OK so this is three weeks late but hey I did still nail the 100km Challenge!

Why not set your own version up? Just calculate a tough training schedule that gets you to 100km - now make it a tad harder - and use any form of movement you feel confortable with. Good luck and let me know how your get on: theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com

The Handball Challenge: Match Two, Brentwood Vs Essex University

2011-12-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

A local derby by all accounts, but with only four teams in the Development League South, which are slightly spread out, we journeyed to Cranfield's patch for the match - each match day all teams gathered at the one venue so as to play back-to-back matches and allow the coaches to deal with any league business.

Cranfield University like to keep their Sports Hall a well kept secret and so you only really know that the modern white block of a building opposite the campus petrol station is in fact the very hall for sports that you're seeking when you leave your car and make the effort to walk through the main doors - there are no noticeable signs on the way to it from either direction, and the hall itself is entire unmarked. Genius.

Controvesy in the carpark: I spoke with Rolf on my arrival, a stocky chap who'd attended my first training session with Brentwood but whom I hadn't seen since, he informed me that he was here for the game but had decided to play for 'A slightly more advanced team', which he added with a wry smile. I hoped he'd be proved wrong but in fairness this was only my second match and no less than three other team mates were on their debut run out today; Duncan, Terry and Ian were each eager to impress.

Essex University's Handball Team are a cosmopolitan bunch who are well organised and skillful in an attack that's quick to break (something which they did on no fewer than two occasions courtesy of cutting out my own poorly selected passes).

Rob scored the first goal for Brentwood - we were ahead for the first time this season! Sadly it was short lived...

The game had spluttered early into life in our favour but the away team soon put pressure on a nearly recovered Mark (he'd damaged his ankle in our first match) in our goal; including having to defend a penalty which I'd unwittingly given away - the ref blew for me elbowing their right wing player, I'd just been clumsy with my left arm in truth (no malice involved).

We knew we were in a game. (That's me far left - stood too far out)

Just ten minutes in I was substituted for Terry to make his handball debut, with both Duncan and Ian each already showing no signs of nerves and making impressive attacking moves, our sole sub was anxious to get involved; he'd prove more aggressive than myself in our defensive line.

'Is that a slow moving train or what?', clearly we needed to work on our speed in switching from attack to defense from this excellent turn of phrase from our Coach.

When I was reintroduced in the first half I settled into my wing duties with greater ease, hugging the line and hanging back slightly as instructed to give our attack some width and passing options. I also cleaned up my defensive play and following some other advice from Coach Kuller Rabaca I managed more effective close-outs on my opposing player by placing my arms behind my back and simply side-stepping into their way.

By half time the scoreline read 6-20, we were trailing but already Ian and Duncan were showing confidence in their goal line moves and combining well with the more experienced players of Rob and George (our most eccentrically-haired team mate), who worked well in those opening second-half moments to bring about 5 Brentwood goals in the first ten minutes.

Essex struggle to contain George in the early moments of the second half.

The second half had started with the same formation as the first had ended, with myself and Sean now occasionally switching wings - a tactic our Coach employed to give their defence something to think about.

On a few occasions I was left short of available passing options due to our players being man-marked so well and getting themselves involved in tussles of their own, my lack of experience led to poorly weighted passes back to Rob in the centre of midfield, which were cut-out by his marker and gave Mark little chance in our goal as they quickly counter attacked. It was no surprise that I was subbed out to Terry once again who was having more success.

Rob, was recently back from honeymooning on the other side of the world, was now commanding our attacks with confidence, though our defencive line became near bereft of comunication as we tired.

Essex Uni were not quick to defend after their increasingly successful recces into our half, though their vocal front man was quick to ensure each of his players were covering their opposing man and this system was proving very effective for them - their last 12 goals came with just 1 in reply, we were soundly dealt with.

Rob celebrates his return by making Rolf look average in goal.

The final score was 12 - 42, the Essex Blades remained unbeaten this season. It was dark when I set off in the car after the match that day, the mood in my car wasn't much brighter.

The Swimming Challenge: Big Fish

2011-12-17T00:42:00.000-08:00

Swimming is the oldest sport in the world...OK, so maybe when it first came around it was used as a mode of transport and most likely didn't involve the four techniques we know of today, but in theory we swam before we could walk (give or take a few hundred thousand years for developing from the sea, via apes to our current shape of the moment).

Let me take you back to the Eighties:

Proper cold Winter nights from mid October onwards, the smell of chlorine coming from a plastic carrier bag on a lino-covered floor in the 'utility' room, the odour of vinegar and the sea lingering over the dinner table and happy happy faces under semi-wet hair...ah the joy of a fish'n'chip supper with the family after my mother had taken my older brother and I out for swimming lessons.

Dinner of champions.

I'm sure it was the same in many households across Britain in the 80's, kids as a populace the nation over progressed in their learning outside of the odd swimming lesson at school during weekday evenings at their local pool.

I had the worst trunks in the world but boy I loved 'em and my word how I enjoyed watching my mum stitching a fresh ribbon or badge onto them after another milestone triumph at Pitsea Swimming Pool.

Three decades later I stroll into the pool room at my local baths, I may only be 7 miles from where I learnt this most affordable of sports, but oh my am I light years away from the standards I managed back in the day.

Conscious of my belly folding like a decorative napkin in a posh restaurant, I quickly drop into the pool when I think most eyes are busy looking elsewhere. Now, how do you do this again?

Some twenty or so years since I last swam regularly, here is the challenge I was faced with:

The Swimming Challenge

Distance: 10,000 metres
Time: 12 days

Lungs are undervalued my friends, undervalued I tells ya! Mine were almost bursting after that first two lengths, I had to lean with my back to the shallow end wall of the pool and get myself back to below panic levels of breathing - how the heck did the old folk next to me manage to keep going?!

If you can swim to any level them I implore you to go to your local pool and give this a go; it's surely the most recession-proof of sports: trunks, admission, a towel from home and a coin for the locker that you get back = less than twenty quid to get started, and thereafter just your admission fee is needed.

What I really love about this sport is that it's almost totally indiscriminate; you can drop into the pool between a beef of a bodybuilder and a plump dinner lady and you won't know which is the best swimmer until they get started.
With children's sessions and general swimming scheduled in my local pools during the weekends I would need to hit an average of 40 lengths of a 25 metre pool, every week day for a fortnight in order to achieve my target, I just didn't know if I'd be able to make the minimum target let alone the fact that now I would have to exceed it to get the job done.

But swimming is a sport where you can quickly improve: when I got started on my challenge I had to stop for a breather after every two lengths, unable to reach my goal of forty lengths per session (I dragged my sorry arse out of the pool at 28 on that first session), but persistence would pay off.

Unable to manage the freestyle stroke (front crawl to some), I battled the waters with a patchwork breast stroke technique, made up from past memories and watching other pool users. This itself would put additional pressure on my hip and shoulder joints which would simply have to stay strong and see me through.

I'd frequent Belfairs Swimming Pool in that first week, sometimes before and sometimes after work and by the end of the week I was pretty shattered...and my right shoulder popped if I rotated it. I'd managed 188 lengths, and still had a 12 length deficit from the first session to make up.

A weekend break gave me the chance to rest up and try to get tips from friends and acquaintances on Twitter.

Back in the pool on Monday I managed my now standard forty lengths, by this time I was capable of six lengths without stopping, then another six, and then it would vary until I crawled 'over the line'.

That second week I clawed back the deficit with an almighty 50 lengths in my homecoming visit to Pitsea Pool, the place where I took my very first lessons under the guidance of their excellent staff.

By the end of the week I felt like I was half made of chlorine, the webbed feet hadn't quite appeared yet but I reckon my eyes were becoming immune to the sting of the chemically cleaned waters.

This last forty lengths would be my toughest challenge; with an evening of travelling ahead and a relatively short window in which to make my bid for glory I entered the water at Aylestone Leisure Centre, it was a Friday and I'd be pitting my whits against Joe Public during a general 'swim' period - most visitors in these times do anything but proper swimming.

I dodged mothers on social gatherings, teenage girls intent on catching up on gossip while pretending to do lengths, and younger kids dive-bombing when the lifeguards weren't watching. Each length came with added distance through sideways manoeuvres made so I didn't get poked in the eye by a brightly-coloured nail varnished toe or kicked in the head by kids trying to impress their pals.

My last few lengths were like a scene from Saving Private Ryan, suddenly the group of kids hanging out by the deep end split in two and seemed to go on a never ending dive-bombing frenzy; each time I headed into the thick soup I'd get clattered by a cluster of tiny feet and sharp elbows.

Exhausted yet triumphant I touched the tiles for the final time only to realise I'd lost my swim shorts. Just kidding - this only happened in the dream I had that night!

The Handball Challenge: Match One, Cranfield Vs Brentwood

2011-11-27T03:39:00.000-08:00

My travel to and from the University of Essex Sports Centre pretty well mirrored my performance in my match for The Handball Challenge; I got lost due to an unclear path and was disorientated at the end.

The Handball Challenge:

7 matches before the Olympics starts (I've joined Brentwood Handball Club to play in their season).

Much like other team sports, the worth of your labours in training amount to nothing until they're tested on the field of play, or in this case the colourfully lined indoor court.

Baptisms of fire vary in heat like a curry without the English translation on the menu; you're not sure what you've let yourself in for until it's all too late, in this instance I was the oik left gulping down Cobra like a man who'd not seen liquids in weeks.

The play was quicker than my brain but I now know that with a third of the match down (20 minutes), we were only trailing 3-5 and were well in with a fighting chance against a Cranfield University side that was well stocked with apparent fans of Rap and Metal music.

Cranfield break through to apply early pressure (The Everyman Olympian, Far Right)

Then disaster selected Mark and struck him with a bitch slap to the ankle, we were now substitute-less and yours truly would be seeing out the rest of the game. Coach Kuller Rabaca called a time-out to give us a breather and make us aware of the situation.

Whether it was the news that hit us hardest or our opponents more collective reaction to this game-changer I'm not in a position to say but when the ref blew for half time we'd slipped ten points adrift with no further reply, the score now 3-15.

Our great goalie David draws on this childhood days of watching Karate Kid

Hans-Jorg took us aside for a rest and a pep talk, we needed to focus, maintain shape and move the ball quicker to the attacking players in the second half.

Sean and George mustered a tiring defence as best they could (each also netting 1 and 2 goals respectively in the match), while Chris lead an aggressive and physical attack that yielded 4 goals and riled their defensive triangle.

Collectively we were sharper in the back 30 and reduced their scoring opportunities, though their agile yet short front men continued to pose a threat, George and Big Phil were able to disrupt them while they looked genuinely unsettled by Chris' counter attacking ability.

George limes high to save us after Cranfield launch another well-oiled attack

7-22 The final score of a match which we'd lost due to their blistering opening half while we still getting used to each other, a heavy loss then but there were some positives to build on.

You can find out more about Brentwood Handball Club and the sport here.

Piecing myself back together

2011-11-19T08:57:00.000-08:00

I'm here at the home of the famous St. Leger horse race, the original British classic (first run in 1776), to visit friends and also to get myself a long overdue body MOT.

Doncaster may not be the prettiest of UK towns but it's a little harsh of Google, that when searching for things this place is famous for the auto feed predicting your search stops you at 'Doncaster is...' with the suggestion: '...a sh**hole'.

My mate Chris had set me up with a physio appointment for silly o'clock on the Saturday morning, and generously drove us to the Bennetthorpe area for my examination with physio Mark Laurens of much respected injury rehabilitation clinic, Back On Track.

I had four complaints which I needed to get help with:

Ankle pain caused by running.
Check whether my ribs have now healed properly (since they were cracked 3 times during The Judo Challenge).
Pain around my right shoulder blade when running.
Tight calves first thing in the morning.

We talked through each of my issues one at a time and Mark even listened to my theories before checking areas for pain, talking me through the causes and suggesting exercises, posture changes and even exercise equipment that I could use to help cure my ailments.

I'd definitely recommend Mark's physio practice Back On Track if you're in the Doncaster area.

The morning finished with a four mile fat burning run with Chris, a former captain of Doncaster Phoenix Rugby Club, which included a section around Doncaster's famous racecourse.

Slamming Kicks

2011-10-21T22:56:00.000-07:00

I'm a great believer in having the right tools for the job, for Running I always wear NewBalance; personally I don't think there's a better brand out there, their tech is top of the range and they manufacture in both the UK and the US which no other Global Sports Brand does. But yesterday I had to find a pair of Handball trainers, and that's another matter entirely...

As ever when shopping for kit I'd done my research, very few specialised Handball brands sell into the UK market, it's just not popular as a sport over here (given that Handball shares traits with Football - other Brits who are useless with their feet really should give this a go!), so I was having a mare finding them and me being me I needed them for tomorrow (Saturday).

Coach Kuller Rabaca had advised me that Basketball trainers would be fine, and though I did manage to find a brand German called Kempa (named after Bernhard Kempa, a Handball Hero back in the 50's) but they only look to have one English stockist and I couldn't be sure that I'd get my kicks through the post in time.

So I switched the focus of my research to Basketball and of course only one brand kept coming up on the world's favourite search engine, Global Sports Goliaths: Nike.

I saw that my working day would take me right by their newest UK store, at Westfield Stratford City; conveniently located right by the main London 2012 Olympic site.

I located the right area within the store within a minute and had been intent on buying a pair of Lebron James 8PS which had just launched. Michelle in the store was quick to kit me out with a UK11 but after a few cheeky shuttle runs in a quiet corner, I could feel my toes jarring into the front so switched up to 12's.

The ankle padding compared with a Running shoe is vastly different and cushions movement at a higher level in the leg than needed for just forward motion, I could tell these kicks would be excellent for Basketball but maybe too bulky for Handball and another pair had caught my eye which Michelle informed me were better for speed but less of an all-round option...the Zoom BB 1.5.

Michelle with the Zoom's which I opted for and a card from The Everyman Olympian

Michelle also told me a website I could use to help find a Basketball team, that she'd live in the States for 5 years and played BBall out there, her son's a special player and making his way up the rankings AND even gave me some tips! Nice one Michelle ; )

For the uninitiated you can check out a Handball goal here:

Saturday 22nd October I'll be at The Brentwood Centre, joining my team Brentwood Handball Club for our first match of the season against Warrick - starts at 3:15pm, feel free to come and watch.

Walk Jog Run Podcast - Interview 17th October 2011

2011-10-17T23:51:00.000-07:00

Yestereve before I went off for my first training session for The Handball Challenge I had a call from the states, Caitlin from WalkJogRun.net was on the line and interviewed me about all aspects of The Everyman Olympics.

You can check out my interview for this site here.

WalkJogRun.net is a great site that I came across through a friend when I was looking to see where I could run when I was away from home, it's great for mapping walks, jogs and runs; does what it says on the tin.

First Handball Training Session

2011-10-17T15:05:00.000-07:00

My back aches, my feet are sore, my clothes dripping with sweat an my right hand feels like it's been through a strenuous workout of it's very own (hold back the sniggers you in the back), and I feel great!

I drove over to join the Brentwood Handball Club this evening for my first taste of training for The Handball Challenge and thanks to Coach Kuller Rabaca I may even being joining the team for the whole season.

Coach Kuller Rabaca put six of us through our paces while three others practised Goal Keeping drills at the other end of the court, then we joined to play a 5-a-side match that ensured I was thrown in at the deep end.

I loved the training element and the warm-up drills as they were varied and I felt I was learning pretty quickly - I now need to work out how to put this into practise during a game, because I was pretty shoddy in the mini match.

This Saturday (22nd October) I'll hopefully make it there in time to get my first competitive match in too, if you're around from 3pm in the Brentwood area then why not come along, here's the address:

Brentwood Centre

Doddinghurst Road

Brentwood

Essex

CM15 9NN

Telephone: 01277 215151

Coach Kuller Rabaca and The Everyman Olympian - as taken by Ralf, who had shaky hands after remaining from 12 years in the Handball Wilderness

Shooting The Awel Fain

2011-10-13T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Coach Morris' lasting support and help, I managed to get an interview with Jamie & Louise on BBC Radio Wales yesterday, you can listen to how it went here

Click 'Listen Now' and Skip to 35 miniutes and 10 seconds for the start of our chat.

I went along to BBC Radio Leicester where I was put in a room on my own and linked into a call with Jamie, Louise and Coach Morris - live on air.

The Everyman Olympian looking like a hospital radio DJ.

I had a great time in that room on my own and would like to also thank Paul and Julie of BBC Radio Wales and Val of BBC Leicester for their help and being so welcoming in this process.

Best regards,

The Everyman Olympian, available for radio and other forms of interview upon request.

Radio Ga Ga

2011-10-11T12:01:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the ingenious approach of Coach Morris to The Shooting Challenge, tomorrow morning I shall get the chance to be on national radio for the first time in the adventures of The Everyman Olympian.

Tomorrow from 9:30am - 10am tune into BBC Radio Wales if you get a chance, I'll be on there along with Coach Morris, being interviewed by Jamie & Louise - here's how you can listen:

FM: 93-96 & 104 if you're in Wales or the West of England

Or try Medium Wave: 657 & 882 AM

Or online, here:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/wales/radiowales/sites/info/pages/frequencies.shtml

I'm really looking forward to it and hopefully you can join me.

Best regards,

The Everyman Olympian

The Archery Challenge: Training Day 1 / Boris Hood

2011-10-04T00:00:00.000-07:00

Saturday at noon I was met by Richard Hennessy who rescued me from posh-looking, independent shopping destination, the Rutland Rural Centre, because I'd got lost on the way to the home of the Bowmen of Glen Archery Society.

The clubhouse sits on the right side of a private field which has distance markers running along the left fence, so that the bosses (the frames upon which the targets sit) can be measured out away from tram lines set into the ground near the start of the field that mark where archers stand to fire their arrows.

Coach Hennessy and his wife Chris, along with Kev (also a Coach, but I've yet to learn his last name), are all extremely welcoming and seem already to have worked out the schedule and how the 'final' will work - I felt right at home almost immediately, though worried slightly when Phil (a chap who was firing arrows as I arrived) mentioned that he'd been learning since May and as yet hasn't reached the distance of my competition (which will be 70 metres).

Over a cup of coffee I learn the various Health & Safety aspects and tried to settle the nerves of Bertie the Great Dane - a beautiful yet giant dog, owned by the already lovely Hennessy's.

There is a safety line, from which non-active competitors and spectators can stand, while active archers are at the slightly advanced, firing line. Ahead in the field, in line with the different distance markers, sit the bosses (easel-like stands) and affixed in front of these are the targets.

I learn that there are two different sized targets, the smallest obviously being the more difficult.

Normally beginners would start by practising firing arrows into the ground, to get used to using the bow, then they would progress to firing at a blank boss (one without a target) which is set at 15 yards.

However, I am being fast tracked and so I'll start by firing at a blank boss, 30 yards away...no pressure then!

Chris, Kev and Coach Hennessy kit me out in all manner of garb; including a bow made from various sections of smoothed wood, an arm guard (to stop the string from peeling my bow-arm of skin once I'd fired an arrow), a strap that would stop me dropping the bow, a little leather thing to stop the string taking the skin off of my firing fingers (I'm starting to get the idea that this was quite a dangerous sport) and later I would add a shoulder harness with breast 'plate' to stop the string from flaying my left pec after an arrow is fired.

Kev teaches me the basics of how to fire the bow and I take my first shot...the arrow whistles past the boss and off into the field beyond.

Tips, encouragement and adjustments to my posture are given and once fired my second arrow finds its target with a satisfactory thump - I soon learn the pleasure of this unique sound.

After failing to meet my target of getting all 6 arrows onto the boss in one go (I managed 5 a few times but that was my best on a blank boss), Coach Hennessy moves me onto a boss with a target and begins to fine tune my sight; this is a small round piece of plastic mounted onto the bow, featuring a lolly pop shape in the middle - the trick is to line the head of the lolly pop with the centre of the gold (the bulls eye equivalent) on the target, then release the arrow...as a fat lad I know how to maneuver a lolly pop!

5 Scoring Arrows...on Day 1!

My efforts start to pay off and I soon manage 5 scoring arrows - just call me Boris Hood!

Encouraged by my display I continue to focus on what my coach tells me and look to improve with every shot, meanwhile Phil and Chris have a mini shout-out against once another at 50 yards.

Coach Hennessy later remarked that he'd have been really happy if I'd scored one in the blue ring, to my sheer delight I managed to go a lot better with my next 6 arrows...

The Everyman Olympian stands proud next to 6 scoring arrows...including my first gold!

There's a maximum of 60 points available per round, this can only be achieved by getting all 6 arrows into the centre of the gold circle, with my second from last go I fire a whopping 37:

The Everyman Olympian: Chuffed to bits - 37/60...on day one!!!

Another piece of kit is added, this time it's a device to help balance the bow, providing better accuracy.

I weight up the increasingly heavy kit - the bow I'm using is set at 24lbs of tension.

After a few hours, Bertie and I are on stroking terms, my collective coaches are pleased and I'm as happy as a pig in poop.

The Everyman Olympian thanks Coach Richard Hennessy, formerly GB No.10 - it's a true honour to meet the great man, his lovely wife Chris and Coach Kev.

I leave the field 'of battle' knowing that soon I'll return, I may not be up to splitting apples atop peoples heads as yet, but in my mind I will be...some day.

Rising Star

2011-10-02T11:28:00.000-07:00

Friday was an exceptional day for two reasons, firstly I managed to get a mini interview on my fave Indie music station in London: XFM, and secondly I had my first attempt at the Rising Trot for The Equestrian Challenge, here's how they both 'went down' (keeping up with the cool kids aight).

Driving to a work appointment in Kingston-upon-Thames I was enjoying the late September sunshine and had some cracking tunes on in the car, courtesy of XFM, it was a mighty fine start to a day I think you'll agree.

Camfield (the DJ on air at the time) mentioned that he'd seen a poster advertising all the paraphernalia that would be available for the London Olympics; trinkets such as umbrellas and mugs, that kind of thing. So thinking on my feet I pulled the car over and sent in this cheeky text:

'Ian - I'm all over the Olympics, literally: I'm attempting a challenge in EVERY Olympic sport...blah blah...you get the idea' (Obviously I didn't add this last bit but as you're reading this, I think you'll know what I'm doing).

Then my phone rang from a private number and it was the DJ himself, we had a brief chat after he'd played some tracks and then as I drove off again, buzzing I switched the radio back on and heard myself 'on air' - how cool is that?!

A few pals text me having heard the mini interview and I received a few tweets too, my pal Suave sent me this:

'Nice work cocker, making the big time now!'

After work later that day I rocked up at Wildwoods Riding Centre for my second lesson, this time Jenny would be my coach, she'd just returned from a hack on the Epsom Downs.

Another half an hour on Trojan, the robotic simulator, and then I was introduced to Bailey - a huge steed with a chilled demeanor that suited me just fine.

I learned how to get onto the horse and then had to walk him to a fenced section of field not far from the stables, he didn't seem to fancy putting much effort in on a day as hot as this one as Jenny had to convince him to walk on a few times.

Once in the lunge pen Jenny had hold of a long lead while I rode Bailey as he walked in circles around her. Following instructions I would kick my legs onto the horses flanks and the steed increased his pace from a walk to a trot, then we tried the Rising Trot.

Here's how it should work:
.

I kind of managed to do this a few times, it's all about the timing don't you know.

Jenny washed Bailey down after my lesson.

My pursuit of The Equestrian Challenge continues, hopefully I get some more radio interviews too - stay tuned!

Sweat FA

2011-09-26T12:29:00.000-07:00

Chris Evans of the Essex FA has kindly taken up the mission of helping me to find a team to join for The Football Challenge.

Click on the pick below to take you to Row Z, the Essex FA's E-Fanzine:

If you can help me find a team, please email me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com

Cheers!

The Table Tennis Challenge: Ping Bounce Pong Bounce Ping Bounce Swoosh...Bounce

2011-09-24T00:47:00.000-07:00

This next sporting challenge (undertaken in October 2010) is based on a game played by more people than any other in the world so I thought it would only be right to take my quest international...by playing matches in England and Scotland!

The Table Tennis Challenge:

6 matches
Against 6 different opponents
In 6 days

With a pending work trip around half of the UK's best countries ahead I looked to capitalise on my journey by seeking opponents in each location I'd visit; I tapped out tweets, mails, Facebook messages and texts, and even resorted to calling a few people too.

Manchester was done and dusted within an afternoon and on day one I had time aplenty to get to Leeds and check out my customers there too, plus as I was done by store closing time and knew someone in the area I hoped they'd be available and made the call...

You may recall Coach Josie was right at the heart of me changing my goals from 12 to every sport in the Olympics when training me for The Weightlifting Challenge, now she's studying in the city of Leeds and thankfully had a small window of opportunity to play...sadly though every sports club or leisure centre I called was either booked or having their table repaired...FAIL!

I trotted off to visit my good hearty northern pals, Chris and Trish; the very same folk from The Badminton Challenge and The Tennis Challenge.

This time I was determined to beat Chris, he'd won our two previous encounters on those past challenges and now I needed to show my skills with a mini-racquet...I mean bat.

We played like practising champions, in a hall with only one table...well, Chris played like a practising champion, I played like I'd not picked up a bat since holidaying in sunnier climes nearly ten years ago (because I hadn't).

After my thrashing, Chris delighted in giving me some tips and then revealed that he used to play this for hours, every day!

The next day I set off to work and towards Match 2: this time my opponent would be a man I'd trounced during The Tennis Challenge; Tones would be after revenge.

After work I picked up Tones from his location just outside of Newcastle and we headed to a table I'd pre-booked in sports centre that clearly had been state-of-the-art in the 70's, but was now as unloved as an old teddy in the bottom of a teenage lad's wardrobe.

This was to be a battle of gargantuan proportions; Tones took a game, I took a game, Tones took a game, I took...anyhow it reached 3-3, meaning the winner would take all in the final game...it was tenser than Conan The Barbarian, constipated.

We rallied and rallied and smashed and sliced and Tones even hit the deck on one occasion but he emerged victorious and looking like a mildly sweaty and make-up-less Noel Fielding.

Two matches down and 4 to play, I would have to win all of my remaining fixtures to be claimed King overall.

Edinburgh and Aberdeen were visited the following day, and then I had a large Glaswegian in mind with whom to do Table Tennis War!

Louis stands some 8 feet tall and has a reach that would leave me only speed as a potential weapon...but disaster struck when I arrived in Glasgow to find my ol' pal an injured man - I'm not going into his wound but let's just say every one of us would prefer not to have it (thankfully he's better now and the extra hole in his bum has healed nicely).

The match off, we settled into a lovely home cooked meal thanks to his wonderful missus and had a good catch-up, I was relieved in a way as maybe now I could wash off the smell of defeat.

By the start of Day 4 I had a total of no wins and 2 defeats to my name; one beating and one valiant and well-fault loss. The clock was ticking so I had to formulate a plan...

That very eve I would pull off a masterstroke in mid-week organisation; I fixed not 1, not 2 nor 3 but 4 matches - this would be a mini event of the nature no small town sports hall had seen independently organised within its venue before...or it would have been if we hadn't been playing on football night and so had to play on a table set up in one of the squash rooms.

Ali, Matt, Clare and Jess would be my four opponents, I would need a strong wrist and a sound mind to win against them all.

Ali ruined this immediately. He beat me like the novice I was, and this provided my remaining adversaries with the confidence to attack me with verve.

Matt tried some sly shots, but I won through - the taste of my one victory, bitter in the mouth with 3 helpings of defeat - I would need to beat the girls or 'die' trying.

Clare...oh dear, clearly Edinburgh (yes Clare is from Scotland's fair capital but she was living in Leicester at this point) taught many things but not how to play ping pong. I just had the missus to beat...

Victory! In a final match that would see me possibly giving away some points just so's I wouldn't have to sleep on the sofa, I beat Jess with the skills I'd accumulated in 4 short yet long-distanced days.

I'd recommend Table Tennis to everyone, but then again, given that so many of you play it already I guess I don't have to.

My First 10k & How I Got There

2011-08-26T22:47:00.000-07:00

Hello, all sitting comfortably? Then let's begin...

You may recall that back in Spring last year, when I was simply looking to complete 12 sports for 1 month each in a bid to lose my belly (tschh), I took up The Running Challenge to cover 26.2 miles (the Marathon distance) in less than 21 days...well at the time I didn't run at all and trust me, I'm still not that great at it!

Sums The Running Challenge up beautifully

Now that I'm on a mission to complete EVERY Olympic sport before London 2012, I'm having to take things a little more seriously, so I've looked into the core abilities and skills that I need and sadly I've found no way of getting away from the fact that Running is key to loads of events.

The magic distance would seem to be 10k (or 6.2 miles in old money), as this is the length of the running leg in the Olympic Triathlon and if I could manage these regularly I'd also have the stamina for The Football, Hockey, Handball and Basketball Challenges.

Having been focused on The BMX, Shooting & Fencing Challenges, I was a little rusty when I again took up Running back at the end of May...on the 26th I managed a slow 3 miles to get me re-started.

http://www.walkjogrun.co.uk/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=40181407-073A-E81B-E0DF57FCCF2CD099

Training was erratic due to a heavy workload and other sports taking up my time, but by June 17th I was running much quicker and decided that day to call this my last 3, from now on I would step up my pursuit of a 10k.

Monday 20th of June I was at my brother's in Hampshire and he challenged me to a game of 'Cat & Mouse': we'd both start and finish at the same point and be heading off on the same route, only I would run to a point 2.1 miles away while Mike would go on to the 3.2 mark, and then he'd 'chase me' back.

When you run around country lanes you often get an echo of your own steps which can make you think that another runner is close up behind you...I pegged it back thinking I was almost being caught the whole way!

I made it back to the start with plenty of lead on my brother, I really recommend you try this method against a better opponent than yourself if want to increase your pace - Mike runs at just over the 7 minute per mile rate for marathons, so I really had to up my game to beat him.

8 days later I ran under 9 minutes per mile in a home town 4 miler, completing the route below in 35 minutes 19 seconds.

http://www.walkjogrun.co.uk/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=A3B42A48-EA64-1F0B-53EB36523E9644E5

I went back to my preferred route-planning site of choice - http://www.walkjogrun.co.uk/ - and planned a 4.5 mile, slightly hilly route, you can check out all of my routes on this site here.

On the 17th July I bagged myself these four and a half miles, though the hilly finish did take a lot out of me and so I took a little while before my next attempt at this route.

Seven days later it was sunny and hotter than I'd expected when I headed out to confirm the distance, but I had to pull up after just 2.5 miles with limbs aching badly enough to force me to quit. Speaking with a colleague who has far more experience at this running lark, I was surprised to hear him diagnose dehydration as the root cause of my problem.

I took a week's break as a dead leg healed and went out on a tentative 4 mile run with my missus uncle whilst we visited the Lake District the following weekend. Feeling confident I was OK, I retraced this route two days later - all went smoothly, though as I was warming down I felt a tug in my back and this didn't bode well...

Another week out due to this stiff back issue, I came back to a 4.5 mile run on August 8th and felt so bullied by the return that I planned out my first 5 mile route since The Running Challenge last year...and 3 days later I bagged it in 49mins!

This 5 gave me a sweet victory; my brother had challenged me to run the distance in less than 55 minutes and I'd nailed it with plenty of time left on the clock.

I confirmed I could do 5 miles and it wasn't a one-off, a few days later in a slightly windy jog along the coast which again took 49 minutes. Sadly though the pleasure of this was short lived, due to some bad luck and a bad decision on my part: the next evening I'd arranged to hook up with an old mate to do some strength work but he'd instead opted to take me out on a run - after 2 quick miles I pulled up with the same problem I've faced in the past; just above my ankles on both legs I was suffering from pins and needles and I had to pack ice on myself to calm the pain down.

I'm a stubborn chap at times and need to learn when to listen to my body, which I did for a change this time and held off of going out for a few extra days on top of my standard 2 day rest...but when I did lace up my trainers again it was to go for glory!

A family gathering at my brother's gave me the opportunity to have a running partner again, and seeing as my whippet-like sibling was currently in training for a marathon and a 10k race, I felt that now was the time to step to the plate; today I would attempt my first 10k.

http://www.walkjogrun.co.uk/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=EB883779-E8D7-ED1B-2069B9F52A5BF34B

This undulating route would include running on country roads, a stony and uneven canal path and a muddy field - so not the ideal route to worry about my time then.

My bro would run off occasionally, then double back and jog beside me for a while, which helped me to maintain momentum but virtually all the while I was suffering ankle pain; it seemed every time I switched gradients my ankles would scream their annoyance.

When I made it to the final downhill slope I was ready to beg for an ice bucket, but I still had the ever-familiar sprint to the finish line. My tiny counterpart clicked the stopwatch and breathlessly declared 'Well done, one hour five minutes and thirty six seconds.

The Athletics Challenge: The Everyman Olympics Decathlon Day

2011-08-21T11:57:00.000-07:00

On the morning of the big day back in September 2010, I rolled into the empty car park of Saffron Lane Stadium in Leicester and waited nervously in my car for the other competitors to arrive for The Decathlon Challenge.

I'd been doing what training I could at Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre and though I was still carrying a lot of weight I had managed to get some training tips from local Decathlon legend, former Olympian and Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, Dean Macey.

Coach Macey: Commonwealth Decathlon Gold Medalist 2006

First to turn up was my girlfriend's father Chris and his lovely wife Elaine, Chris had recently completed an incredibly tough challenge of his own in an impressive time frame; LEJoG - the Land's End to John o'Groats bike ride.

Soon afterwards the other contenders and some much appreciated helping hands arrived so we entered the stadium and met up with Clive, the manager of the facility, who'd very generously given us the opportunity to use the stadium for surely the only amateur Decathlon he'd ever hosted.

We set the track up for the first event and I gathered the athletes together to inform them on how the morning's events would work - we only had 4 and a HALF HOURS to complete the challenges.

With only 8 lanes and more than 10 athletes taking part in most of the events, we would go in heats and scores would be awarded for times and distances so that we avoided having 'mini finals' - this would mean that the best athletes wouldn't have to run/throw/jump in more than one round per event.

10 points would be awarded for the best athlete, then 9 for second place, 8 for third and so on...I'd brought stop watches which Elaine and the girls (& Ryan) would use to time us for the races.

110m Hurdles

After much grumbling from the other competitors that using the hurdles at the correct height would be too tough and dangerous (wussies), we agreed to set them fairly low and off we went...

110 Hurdles Heat 2 gets set to start, I'm the chap in the red tee, middle lane.

Ten athletes competed this event - I blame my having trained on hurdles at near competition height for my downfall here...there's no way I'd have come 9th if the others had shown more grit!

James braves the mini-hurdles en route to 2nd place and his first 9 points

John Santamaria took the field by storm, finishing the first race of the day in a time of 17.75 seconds, over a second ahead of the rest of the field.

Long Jump

'I was having a little look at the long jump (pit) and it didn't quite seem long enough' - Will stakes his claim for supremacy on the sand.

We split into groups and while some tackled Long Jump, others were busy throwing Shot Put.

Will's early comments didn't quite translate to his distance...finishing 5th and off of the podium.

Santa (as John likes to be called) had proven his ability to run and jump hurdles, now he demonstrated his ability to run, then jump - landing himself another 10 points with a distance of 5 metres 11centimetres.

Having been *unable to train for an event which I was hopeless at back at school and hadn't tried since, I demonstrated that fat lads can't fly - managing just 3 metres, I claimed only 2 points.

*The venue for my training - Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre - was excellent for track facilities but due to the sandpits being covered, I was unable to practise Long Jump.

I re-enact a scene from Saving Private Ryan

Will mistakes the sandpit for a swimming pool and opts for the dive bomb technique

Shot Put

Keedy chose this moment to enter the fray - the big man had been watching on the sidelines due to an injury up to this point, now there were 11 contenders...

As a chubby kid that was big for his age I used to throw Shot Put in my senior school days, albeit not very well but I did used to have a go...I kept this quiet because I had no idea if I had retained any knowledge from the sport - due to health & safety madness I had been *unable to train this event either.

*The venue for my training - Southend Tennis & Leisure Centre - was excellent for track facilities but due to insurance cover, I was unable to practise the Shot Put or Javelin or Pole Vault.

Ginger Ward attempts the tricky 'Camp Wave' technique

Santa was a good lad whom most of us had only met that morning when Henry had brought him along, though he wasn't going to make friends by winning everything - he launched the canon ball over 10 metres to claim maximum points...again!

400m

This would be the event to separate the men from the boys, the tension was palpable as fears that poor tactics and application of speed here would damage your chances of truly being a contender.

Again I'd sought some training tips from the top of the sport, via Twitter I'd kindly received some advice from the strikingly-haired owner of the UK 400m record, former Olympian, and European & Commonwealth Games Gold medalist, Iwan Thomas.

Coach Thomas: 400m European & Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist 1998

Chris would step out of this one having aggravated a hamstring in the hurdles, he'd sit out most of the remaining events - I was gutted for him, not least because this set me firmly at the bottom of the pack.

Finally someone else took the top spot...

400m: Henry beats Santa to the line

Ginger Ward, Tone and myself battled it out for last spot - I won! (Last spot that is...apologies Iwan, my belly and legs let me down).

High Jump

Back in the 60's Amercian Dick Fosbury spent months perfecting a revolutionary technique which would eclipse the straddle method and earn him gold in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic Games, 10 British lads took 20 minutes coming nowhere near to displaying the required grace and poise to do a Fosbury!

Mike attempts to scare the bar into staying put

Failing to realise that simply edging the bar up 5cms at a time would earn more points, we each went for glory by requesting high bars - Santa once again proved his versatility and bagged the best clearance of the day.

Santa displays mastery of Houdini's Levitation Technique

Javelin

Henry demonstrated good technique to the group - he would win this event hands down as he actually competed in it for real. So 9 points were up for grabs and we all had our eyes on them.

Chris casually launches his stick out of the stadium

Keedy chose his moment to step up to the plate, sending his spear 30 metres - just 6 behind the full trained Henry.

Keedy opts to launch his first throw at a passing crow

I finished 7th of 11, having gained some tips from 2 times Olympic Silver Medalist and former World Record holder Steve Backley (via Twitter) I was gutted that I hadn't been able to benefit from the practice of these tips before the main event.

Coach Backley: 2 Olympic Silver Medals (1996, 2000), 1 Olympic Bronze Medal (1992), 4 World Championships Gold Medals (1990, 1994, 1998, 2002), 3 Commonwealth Games Gold Medals (1990, 1994, 2002), 1 Commonwealth Games Silver Medal (1998), 3 World Records...OK maybe he's over qualified to give me tips.

The Everyman Olympian - not quite Steve Backley

100m

I think some of us may have missed our calling...or perhaps having 5 makeshift stewards turned time keepers with a stopwatch each to time 2 heats of lads having a go at running the glamour event of track & field for the first time since they'd left school was always going to bring about some unlikely results...because 8 of us clocked times of less than 11 seconds!!

Henry crossed the line first overall, in an astonishing 10.15 seconds - if that's accurate timing then I'm expecting him to be called into the GB squad for London 2012.

The runners were so quick we couldn't capture them on film.

Everybody seemed to be having a top time despite the events coming in quick succession.

'This is brilliant! I'd do this every weekend...this is better than most things' - Ginger Ward

Discus

Possibly invented by over enthusiastic guests at a Greek wedding, Discus is the perfect example of a sport that looks miles easier than it is. Each of us had 2 attempts to master throwing what looked like an early example of a plate made in a kiln...badly.

Tones had to be caged for our safety

Christmas may well have a slightly sour edge to it when Santa's name gets mentioned from now...yes, you've guessed it, the man named after the fat lad with an odd sense of celebrating Christ's birthday won yet again!

Discus: Big Dave gets in 'the zone' ahead of his throw

Pole Vault

Well I'll be honest, this was the event that I was looking forward to the least, and I think most of the lads would have bottled it had I been able to get the loan of a pole, but the truth is Saffron Lane have everything you need for Pole Vault, bar a pole. And they're not cheap - I search around to see if I could buy one but £300 would have been needed and at that value I couldn't justify the purchase or find someone to loan one from.

To be fair, our injuries list was pretty short (just Chris and his hamstring on it so far) and I'd guess that this wouldn't have remained the case had we found a donor.

So in effect this actually is the tale of The Everyman Olympics Nonathlon, we now move on to the ninth and final event...

1500m

When we used to play Daley Thompson's Decathlon on a mates Atari back in the 80's, this was the one event where the players would sustain injuries - played out in real time kids would get sore thumbs, bruised fingers and wrist strains from keeping the joystick in constant motion for the 3+ minutes it took Daley to run three and three quarter laps around the track. Great days.

As with at the real Olympics, we each now knew where we stood in the event's overall rankings, meaning we each had a clear picture of who we needed to beat in order to rise up the leader board.

The man with the close links to 25th December had done enough to fall over in his weakest event and still claim Gold (Well done Santa!!0, but other positions on the podium were still up for grabs:

Henry, James, Keedy & Will were all in contention for medals.

Tones, Ginger Ward, Dave and Mike formed the next group, giving them each a personal goal.

Chris was glad to be resting his hamstring.

I was in a battle with myself to complete the challenge and was chuffed as punch at having all my pals around and could see the delight The Everyman Olympics had brought.

A running commentary of the final event would have been ace but I spent my last lung-busting efforts focused solely on making it over the line.

All I can really recall is that at one stage a few of us were lapped by Will the Whippet with Mike (my bro) hot on his heals like he was being pulled along on a lead.

The Winners Podium: Santa (Gold), Henry (Silver), James (Bronze), Will (Pearls), Keedy (Silk), Tones (Leather Goods), Big Dave (Novelty Hat), Mike (X Factor Audience Tickets), Ginger Ward (Cuddly Toy), The Everyman Olympian (Half A Packet Of Peanuts), Chris (Dinner...well he is the missus Dad!)

Huge THANKS go out to all of those who took part AND the wonderful team of helpers who made this event possible:

Elaine, Jess, Vicky, Katie, Kate, Liz & Ryan - you're All Champions!!!

The Everyman Olympics Decathlon Team (minus Liz and Vicky behind the camera!)

If you'd like to get involved in any of the events for The Everyman Olympics please contact me.

Equestrian Challenge Training, Day 1 to Trojan

2011-08-20T03:44:00.000-07:00

Yestereve I rolled up at Wildwoods Riding Centre in leafy Tadworth (Surrey), there were youngsters learning to canter on real live horses but for me on Day 1 of training there was a metallic beastie awaiting me called the Trojan.

The best riding school I've ever known.

Sue welcomed me in and outlined the facts of my contract, and before I signed she made sure I was aware that real horses have their own minds and the chances of having a fall were high, 'Everyone does' she said - I loved her manner, no nonsense and really warm at the same time.

I waited outside Trojan's 'lair' as Sue found me a teacher.

The Stables

Hannah is a great teacher, once I was talked through the basics of how Trojan worked I was put straight into my first test - I had to try and maintain my weight in the right place while the robot horse went from Walk mode, to Trot, to Canter.

Giddy Up!

After my first test Hannah repositioned my legs and showed me how my posture needed to be corrected, looking in the full length mirror to my side I could see that I was doing quite a bit wrong.

The next task was to try and control my horse, taking tips from my instructor and learning how changes in posture and movement had a direct reaction from my stead. For this task the screen in front of me changed to show wide open fields, with a fenced arena ahead - my challenge was to direct Trojan into this area and maintain control as we rode around inside the fence.

The half hour lesson ended with a second attempt at the test to hopefully show progress - I've added the read outs below, the top is my first test where you'll see the red dot on the saddle is large due to my moving around too much.

I can't wait for my next lesson, hopefully I'll be the master of Trojan by the end.

AP McCoy's Got Nothing On Me

2011-08-18T10:27:00.000-07:00

Earlier this evening I took myself along to a great local store to get fitted up for some new togs, though these aren't the ones I've promised myself for reaching 5 miles running...these are for The Equestrian Challenge.

The Raleigh Equestrian was my shop of choice, after checking out their website I knew this was the one for me and when I rolled up, the lovely ladies there were of great help in getting me kitted out.

The Eskimos have departed, fearful of the Horsey Folk!

£87 later I was all fitted up with riding britches, a hat and some riding boots - watch our AP McCoy!

Looking Dapper

Tomorrow eve I shall trot along for my first lesson at Wildwoods Riding Centre, where I shall do battle with the mighty Trojan:

My Robotic Nemesis

Right now though I'm off to do a short run and some body weight exercises, think I'll get changed first...toodle pip.

The Fat Lad takes up a Brotherly Challenge

2011-08-14T10:50:00.000-07:00

Afternoon folks!

Yesterday I mentioned in Blood, Sweat & Beers that my brother - who I might add is in the latter stages of his fourth decade and runs marathons for fun - challenged me to run 5 miles in 55 minutes or less.

Mike threw the gauntlet down just after I'd told him of my achieving the 5 mile distance on Thursday's run, for the first time since he shepherded me to 5.1 miles on the last leg of The Running Challenge last Spring.

As you'd have guessed, I took up the challenge like a fat lad accepts the offer of cake!

Despite failing in yesterday's shopping trip to find fresh sports togs, this afternoon I donned my third favourite running tee and my other pair of running shorts and limbered up for the sub-55 minute mission.

Here's a link to my route of choice:

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=B9219BF2-ABD9-B83B-5A6637710FA21804

This route includes 2 laps around the site of the Summer Sundae festival in Leicester, it's definitely worth checking out. Who needs an ipod when you've got the music of live bands pumping out as you run?

Each time I passed the entrance for the festival I had to weave my way through an indie crowd at various stages of inebriation - the temptation to abandon my run and join in with boozing was almost overwhelming...but I had a time to beat, so I kicked on.

When I reached the London Road side of Victoria Park for the second time I was almost within sight of the end but having expelled extra energy trying not to look like a struggling heffer to the young and beautiful indie folk, I was almost out of gas.

My method of timing was very basic, given that I only had my mobile phone to use and I had no intention of holding it on the run, so when I got back to my missus I raced to check whether I'd beaten the target of 55 minutes...

...Victory to the Fat Lad! 49 minutes after setting off on my 5 mile run I was back, sweaty but early!

My brother congratulated me, then laid down another challenge: 10k in less than 1 hour.

It looked like cake to me, and I am a fat lad.
.

Blood, Sweat & Beers

2011-08-12T23:10:00.000-07:00

Hello there! Yes it's long over due that I popped my head in to say hello and give you an update on my endeavours to tackle a challenge in EVERY Olympic sport before London 2012, brace yourselves - I warn you this isn't pretty...

Having tried to knock my own head off during Race Three in The BMX Challenge, and then attempted to avoid being fatally wounded while playing with swords for The Fencing Challenge, I took a mini break up in the Lake District with my missus and some wonderful friends from Doncaster (you may know Chris & Trish from The Tennis Challenge and The Badminton Challenge...oh and The Table Tennis Challenge!).

June and July are months where my ability to make time for sporting tasks is challenged to the maximum, due to long long days at work and the desire to maintain my relationship with the best lass a fat lad could ever hope to snare.

During this time I've been away to Berlin for a trade show for work and tagged on a weekend out there with some pals - this involved a lot of testing of the local restaurants and draining of the hotel bar, though I did push myself into the gym for a punishing run the morning after one particularly taxing night on my liver.

Managed just 3 miles and felt like death

Don't let this convince you I'm not trying or going back to my old ways mind, I have been busy working my way up to running the furthest distances of my rather mediocre sporting life. In an attempt to build stamina for challenges like Football and Triathlon that I have ahead, I've set myself the mission of running three 10k's a week - a feat I feel will enable me to chat freely with 'proper' runners whenever I bump into them.

In addition I've noticed that my selection of sporting attire is starting to look a little shabby and so to further motivate me I set the task of reaching the 5 mile distance before I could earn the right to buy some fresh clobber.

The last time I ran 5 miles was with my brother on the final leg of The Running Challenge back in Spring last year, and despite the cuts and bruises sustained through The BMX Challenge, and an aggravated back muscle from the second of the weekend up in the Lakes, this Thursday I managed to finally nail a 5 miler!

Here's a link to my route:

http://www.walkjogrun.net/routes/current_route.cfm?rid=B9219BF2-ABD9-B83B-5A6637710FA21804

Here's how I looked after this mini achievement - you can see why I need new clothes!

My brother has now challenged me to run 5 miles in under 55 minutes, a task you know I shall take seriously.

I'll be back sooner next time, though you can see how I get on with this latest mini mission on Twitter here.

The Everyman Olympian

Man vs...Robotic Horse

2011-06-21T14:24:00.000-07:00

Yestereve after work I rolled up at Wildwoods Riding Centre in Tadworth, Surrey, I arrived in the hope of finding a coach for the Equestrian Events and left having experienced something that I'd never have dreamed of...and I have some pretty unusual dreams...

If Paco Robanne made a fragrance for Wildwoods then its scent would be best described as 'Horsey ~~Muck~~...(I mean) Musk' - sure fire winner with the English Aristocracy methinks.

At this stage I'd like to thank Samantha Lowe, yes you may well recognise the name from The Judo Challenge, well Sam being the joy that she is, only went and put me in touch with her pal Trix, who's also lovely and in turn made a few calls and pointed me in the direction of Anthea Chambers at Wildwoods. Thanks also go out to Trix!

Moving on...

Anthea and Office Manager, Jan Dulake, had a good chat with yours truly and we agreed that I'd pay for a block of lessons, during which we'll try and build in my Equestrian Challenges.

Then came the surprise experience...

Anthea led me to a stand-alone unit containing...you guessed it...a robot horse! Here's a pic of the beastie:

Penelope waited patiently for Trojan to get the signal to gallop off into the field...and waited...and waited...

Essentially the student (me) sits on the horse while the instructor (Anthea) gives instructions and operates the horse - you can make it trot, canter and no doubt gallop (they're stuck to the first too options). Meanwhile the screen in front of you signals how your weight is positioned and assessing your balance, and you can see yourself in a large mirror to your side, which helps with understanding your posture and position on the horse.

When Wild Wood first purchased the 'animal' it was one of only 4 such machines in the country. Its lifelike motions, shape and size aid new riders to accelerate their education in riding.

Just to add to the excitement of my first visit, Anthea's bitch Alsatian was being introduced to Henry, a male of the same breed who she's hoping will help bring pups. As I drove off the 2 dogs had legged it into a neighbouring field while the respective owners sheltered from the now pouring rain. I think maybe they'd left for some privacy.

I can't wait to get started on The Equestrian Challenges, Anthea and Jan made me feel so welcome and I'm sure the experience will be a keeper.

BMX Training

2011-06-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Evening y'all, have you been well? As ever I've been a busy bearded fellow (yes, it's starting to creep back) and I'm now balancing the very different sports of Fencing and BMX racing - can you think of two more distanced events?

I know I owe you the post on The Pistol Shooting Challenge (at this point I'll blame the missus as she's the one I'm waiting on for some photos from the big day) and yes I know I also owe you posts on Decathlon, Tabe Tennis and Swimming...stay with me folks, I promise they're be crackers when they arrive!

This evening after work I drove over to Dagenham for a second training session at BADBMX - the best BMX racing circuit I've ever seen! (Granted, it's the ONLY one I've ever seen, but I'm confident it is the best!).

Coach Seaman kitted me out with a bike and helmet and then I joined in with the evenings training session - I kid you not I was a clear 20 years older than most of my fellow BMXers.

To start with there were other folk on bikes who are legally old enough to drink, drive and get married but once the real work got underway they stayed at the starting line to practice gate technique - this is to say that they were there to hone their starting skills for the beginning of a race.

Myself and my mixed bag of new friends, ranging from 8 to 14 years of age, then leaping to me at 34, were put through timed drills at diffferent stages of the track.

In every section I was stone cold last.

At the end of the session we did individual laps. My first effort didn't go too well and I almost came off of the bike no less than 5 fives times. FIVE!

Starting my second and final lap I really was beginning to feel the warmth of this club and its youthful members, I'd completed lap 1 in 62.17 seconds - everyone else was managing to nail their second laps in less than 1 minutes more than their first, so I had 63.17 to beat in my bid for glory...

A smoother lap yet my legs felt so heavy on the bends that I needed every adrenalin raising shout of support to get me over the finish line. Once I'd rolled to a stop my breathing was so loud in my helmet that I missed part of what Coach Seaman shouted but I caught the important bit..

'63 seconds point ??...well done mate, that's less than a minute over!'

Connor (14) congratulated me. He'd rattled round in less than 45 seconds...

On Target

2011-05-20T09:00:00.000-07:00

This week I met up with Welsh International Shooter, Coach Morris for my final training session for The Pistol Shooting Challenge. But would I be on target?

The range we're using for practise is slightly shorter than the ones at a standard firing range, some would say this makes it slightly easier (those of you who shoot, for instance) but bare in mind that less than 2 months ago I'd never even seen a gun before.

This is a pic from a previous training session, before the beard came off

The aim of the evening was to get some final preparation time, make any minute adjustments needed to the sights of the pistol, and talk through range etiquette as well as the format for the event.

Range etiquette may sound a little like it's all about being polite and minding your manners, and in a way it is: this set of rules includes things like not pointing your gun anywhere other than towards the target wall, and never leaving a loaded weapon alone at your shooting point - seems obvious but as these unusual looking guns could be lethal then I for one am not willing to take any risks with one.

Coach Morris used the evening to go over the event in fine detail as well as see how I managed in a distracting environment, often talking all the way through my shots; while the range will not be full of people chatting, it will be full of my competition firing their pistols as and when they please during the 1hr 45 minutes we'll have to take 60 shots.

My personal goal for the evening was to shoot what I thought of as a 'clean card' - I'd never once shot all 10 pellets through the black centre of a target card (any hole that touches the black centre, counts as a 7 and above - the 'bullseye being a 10).

I shot 4 cards that evening, Coach Morris adjusted the sights twice. When it came to my final shot I looked down at the target, which was showing 9 'clean' shots and took a deep breath as I raised the gun...

Yahtzee!!!

I'd bagged a clean card in my training sessions at last, and with my final shot!!

As a reward Coach Morris allowed me a few rounds with the rapid fire mag in the pistol; 5 pellets slot into the loading chamber at once, when you've got your sights lined up you shoot all of the pellets in quick succession.

Blasting the hell out of the target felt great - better than any shoot 'em up game I'd ever played.

Here's the result:

As rapid firing goes I'm told this is pretty darn good for a first go - and that's coming from a Welsh International Shooter!

The Pistol Shooting Challenge will take place on Saturday 28th May at The National Indoor Shooting Centre, Wolverhampton. I'll be ready.

Living Legend: Dick Hoyt

2011-05-10T12:19:00.000-07:00

Folk deal with traumatic events in many different ways. Some run away from their problems, often causing bigger ones. Some crumble and accept defeat without hesitation, weakened with fear. Some access the situation and work out how to fight back. Dick Hoyt took the latter option to the extreme...

In 1962 Dick Hoyt's wife Judy gave birth to their son Rick. Complications in the birth caused deprivation of oxygen to the newborns brain, leaving their son to be born a spastic quadriplegic with cerebral palsy; Rick had no use of his arms or legs and would be unable to speak.

Medical specialists advised the Hoyt's to institutionalise their son as he would have no chance of a 'normal' life - Judy & Dick opted for a different path.

Raising the $5000 Tufts University required to create a computer which Rick could use to communicate was no easy task back in 1972, but once achieved the excited parents anxiously guessed what their son's first words would be; Judy plumped for "Hi Mom," Dick preferred "Hi Dad", but the staunch Ice Hockey fan opted for "Go Bruins!" - cheering on his beloved Boston team.

In the Spring of '77 this young sports fan told his dad he wanted to participate in a 5 mile benefit run for a Lacrosse player who'd been paralysed in an accident. Dick set about getting fit enough and the pair took part in the event, with Rick being pushed in his wheelchair, they came in next to last. That evening the teen must have brought tears when he told his father "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped."

Rick's clearly overjoyed to be in his first race with Dad, Dick

Taking these words on board, Dick strove to increase his fitness in order to gift his son the feeling of freedom from the body that imprisoned him, though I doubt even this doting father would have guessed just how far his own body could be pushed...

That 5 mile run lead to steadily greater distances...then came marathons...duathlons...triathlons...then they even entered Ironman competitions!

Dick Hoyt pushing his son, Rick, in their first Boston Marathon (1981)

Team Hoyt have never finished last. They have completed 6 Ironman events. And. Never. Came. Last.

Rick is the driving force that keeps Dick moving. Together they have competed in over 1000 races, travelling the combined distance equivalent of 3 times around the world.

34 years on, Team Hoyt are still competing today. You can find out more about this remarkable father and son team here.

I was lucky enough to see Dick Hoyt give a talk last month and believe me, their was barely a dry eye in the room...

The Everyman Olympian & Dick Hoyt (Centre)

The Shooting Challenge, Part One: Blasting Pigeons

2011-05-08T23:32:00.000-07:00

Two minutes drive North from Inverness Airport in Scotland, you'll find yourself in such leafy countryside that you'll wonder whether cities like London actually exist at all. Thanks to winning a competition prize on Dave Berry's former XFM radio show I found myself, along with my missus in this very situation. Yet I did have a challenge in mind...and it involved pigeons.

The morning had started with the usual rush to pack and load the car, but this time I wouldn't be going to work, I'd be going on a mini break with my girlfriend and the bill was being picked up by NDL Group thanks to a text I'd made to a radio station some 6 months previous.

We stopped for the now standard service station breakfast - show me a road trip that doesn't begin with one and I'll show you a naff road trip! Unfortunately we picked the worst hot food venue out there...

The laziest sausage sarnie...in the World!

We made up for this atrocity at the Apostrophe eaterie at Gatwick Airport before boarding our plane to Inverness.

Just an hour and a half later, having driven through some of the most glorious countryside in the UK, we entered the mile-or-so long driveway that leads to Alladale Wilderness Lodge.

Alladale is not just any lodge...

Oh my...

This amazing old hunting lodge is set in the grounds of Alladale Highland Wilderness Reserve; owned by visionaire Paul Lister, the son of the founder of furniture company MFI and himself the founder of The European Nature Trust (TENT).

Lister's aim is to create Europe's first every wilderness reserve - taking a 23,500 acre plot in the highlands of Scotland back to how it would have been some 300 hundred years ago (truly inspirational, you can read about this here).

Insert bears, wolves, moose, grouse, red squirrels, boars and bison here.

A Land Rover ride later we arrived at our private stone cottage, Ghillie's Rest Lodge.

Ghillie's done a lovely job with the place.

Once our bags were ditched and we knew where to find the food and work the various gadgets, our host Innes drove us straight off to my next sporting challenge...Clay Target Shooting.

Innes MacNeill is Reserve Manager at Alladale, but he's also competed at the World Championships for Clay Target Shooting - so as coaches go, we'd hit the jackpot.

Coach MacNeill introduced us to the shotgun we'd be using for this task, its twin barrels were mounted one atop the other to allow easier aiming and accuracy.

Due to cost restraints (I'll be honest The Everyman Olympics is costing me a fair wedge; I'm still entirely self-funded) we'd simply be emulating the Olympic Final of the Trap discipline used at the games.

Here's how The Clay Target Shooting Challenge would work:

25 Shots each, 1 point per hit.
3 separate traps: The Grouse (10 shots), The Pheasant (10 shots), Going Down The Line (5 shots).
The highest scorer would be the winner.

The Grouse

Standing in a large clearing, clay targets (or 'pigeons') would be fired towards and above us from approx 15 metres away - for this and indeed each of the traps, we'd have 1 shot to break the target and collect the point.

At each trap Coach MacNeill talked us through what was going to happen, then he'd ask us who was going first.

Thinking on my toes I suggested Jess should go first, so that I knew the score I'd have to beat and could get a look at where the clay pigeon would fly from.

Though Jess missed the first shot, she then bagged the next 4! Was my missus secretly an assassin and not a buyer at Next?!

Agent Fountain on the Grouse

Innes berated me for having put my girlfriend in first, saying that being over-competitive would be my downfall in this challenge; by not going first I'd have added pressure to perform and would be ignoring his instructions thinking I knew best...dammit he was right.

In my first five shots I only hit the second pigeon - I would stop moving the gun the millisecond I'd opted to shoot and this was disastrous every time, I think the one hit I did get was a fluke.

Jess hit a further two clays in her last five shots at the Grouse, which gave me a chance to calm down and pay more attention to Innes - not surprisingly this tactic paid off, I bagged 4 of my last 5 clays!

Spot the city boy in the countryside.

The Grouse: Jess 6, The Everyman Olympian 5.

The Pheasant

Moving up the hill to our second trap, Coach MacNeill delighted in pointing out the error of my early strategy, given that he was carrying a gun and clearly knew how to use it, I thought better of being a twat and biting at his jibes.

The Pheasant trap was mounted higher up than our first shooting position, on shouting 'pull' Innes would press a remote control which fired a clay target from the trap, this time rising in the air towards us and over our position at a slight angle, before landing in one piece behind us if we'd missed the shot.

Jess again went first, blasting her first pigeon out of the air like she was born to shoot...but then perhaps pressure to produce got the better of her because she missed the next four.

In her second stint on the Pheasant, Jess would manage just two more hits.

Luckily no aircraft were hurt in the making of this photo.

The Pheasant: Jess 3, The Everyman Olympian 5.

Going Down The Line

While feeling let down that this trap did not have cool bird-based name I got put in first by my girlfriend who claimed she had a slightly sore shoulder (I knew she was blagging it but what can you do eh?).

We'd have 5 shots from this last position, we were stood back down in the clearing, only this time the clays would race away from us, barely clearing the treetops and allowing only a short few-second spell in the light of the sky.

Jess had employed the strategic genius of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible, perhaps she was an assassin after all...

I struggled to get to grips with the movement and speed of the clay, only striking my final target.

Shooting clouds

Blasting her first pigeon out of the air like it had flown off with her favourite bracelet, I feared the worst...but I really didn't need to.

Going Down The Line: Jess 1, The Everyman Olympian 1.

Maybe it was beginners luck on this trap, maybe Agent Fountain thought better of showing off her skills just to win bragging rights, I'm not sure which but I wouldn't let these trivial matters get in the way of a win!

Final Score: Jess 10, The Everyman Olympian 11.

Afterwards Coach MacNeill remarked that getting double figures on our first ever attempts was actually really good. Adding that women often tended to do better because they listened more (he was still carrying the gun).

With special thanks to Coach Innes MacNeill - a top coach, guide and all round fella.

We really enjoyed our stay at Alladale Wilderness Reserve, the work that Paul, Innes, John and the team are doing is truly amazing and we'll definitely look to come back some day to see how it's coming along, and get a glimpse of how Scotland used to be.

If you'd like to check out Alladale yourself, here's their website: http://www.alladale.com/

The Judo Challenge: The Everyman Olympian Charity Day

2011-05-02T22:34:00.000-07:00

The day before The Judo Challenge I met up with Stuart at Camberley Judo Club for our final training session, this would be our last chance to size each other up, to hone our skills and devise our strategies. As Coach Skillcorn put us through our paces one thing became absolutely and unquestionably clear - we were both completely crap at Judo!

I think the pressure of the day ahead and the fact that we were attempting such a mammoth task on the back of so few hours in the dojo were taking their toll on us mentally - we were both thinking about the big day too much and this stopped us concentrating on all we had learnt.

Judo Central

The Everyman Olympian Charity Day

I arrived at Camberley Judo Club to find the place buzzing with activity; some of the girls had been busy baking cakes to sell for donations, a barbeque sat gleaming on the decking, and young judoka were already gathering on the mats for the training session they were about to receive from Sophie Johnstone - Team GB hopeful for the real Olympics.

Trust me these kids are streets ahead of yours truly

After the childrens technique session had finished they each took part in the Sponsored Throw Event; the older kids would do 20 throws in 45 seconds (how amazing is that!!), while the younger ones took turns to throw 'opponents' onto a crash mat - they all seemed to love it and managed to raise funds while they were having fun.

Youngsters eh? Just throw their money around!

Coach Skillcorn loves a bit of cooking so it was no surprise to see him providing lunch from the barbeque in the midday break. I stuck to pasta which I'd eaten earlier - it's all about the prep you know for us 'Olympians'.

The first adults session of the afternoon took part as the hot day reached its peak, we were melting in our thick gis and Coach Skillcorn wisely inserted water breaks between each exercise - though he didn't hold back, the session was full on.

After a tough session which included many training techniques, the sweaty group had a half hour break to cool down and catch our breath, outside my dad remarked, "last time me and your mother rolled around like that, we produced you".

With my ribs at 95% fixed I wanted to put them to the test before the fights - they didn't hold up very well but worse was yet to come...

Right from the outset Coach Skillcorn had been accomodating and helpful, and in fact he was the one that had come up with the concept of a charity day where we could benefit the club and adhere to my wish to base all challenges on the actual sports as they are played out at the Olympic Games.

Vince was also the one who'd convinced the lovely Stuart Baldwin to start a sport his son Oliver already enjoyed- just so that he could mirror my route to the event and fight me on the same terms in the final!

Here's how The Judo Challenge for The Everyman Olympics would actually work...

5 Fights each for Stuart & myself
The Final (the 5th fight) to be fought against each other
3 minute fights. Standard Judo scoring rules apply

By 3pm a crowd had gathered in the dojo (space had been cleared to allow spectators to be seated), as ref Coach Skillcorn announced the rules and the fights began...

Fight #1

Daniel vs The Everyman Olympian

I would start the competition off with a bout against Daniel, a Blue Belt in Brazillian Jujitso no less - I'd only just met the guy that day, he wouldn't be taking it easy...straight in at the deep end then.

Man against bearded boy

I got swung around till he found an opportunity to throw me - landing awkwardly on my left side I heard a crunch in my rib cage and feared the pain signalled the worst.

Needless to say I went on to lose the first bout in what may seem to Daniel as the easiest of wins. Slightly winded yet afraid of letting everyone down I gave Coach Skillcorn the nod that I would carry on.

Stuart vs Essa

England vs Finland as Stuart took on Essa - another newcomer to the sport, Essa had been on the mats for around the same ammount of time as us, though in truth we both felt Essa had taken to this like a duck to the wet stuff.

Essa (left) looks eager to get on the mat.

Essa used his strength to great effect...as Stuart retook his position on the sideline after the loss I can't say I was disappointed he'd had almost as bad a start as me (sorry mate).

Fight #2

Both of us fought Fraser Chamberlain, a double hard Judo Black Belt...he could probably have fought us both together but graciously took us on one at a time.

We BOTH managed to throw him! (I smelt unfair play but I wasn't about to acuse a black belt of anything).

I developed a new method of throwing for this one.

Fight #3

Matt Allen vs The Everyman Olympian

During my training sessions Matt (a Judo Yellow Belt) had often been a source of advice and guidance, today though we'd be enemies (well at least for 3 minutes).

Matt threw me with the consumate ease of a chap puttin his rubbish out for the bin man. But I managed to fight back...and somehow - don't ask me how - I actually won.

Coach Skillcorn confused us both for a sec by uttering something in Japanese

Stuart Balwin vs Stuart Brown

I'd come up against Stuart Brown during an earlier randori, he's as solid as a wall made by a British builder, I didn't fancy Balwin's chances.

Stuart put in a good fight against Stuart but in the end Stuart won...I'll let you guess which Stuart was the victor, but let's just say that my suspicions proved fairly acurate.

Fight #4

Oliver vs The Everyman Olympian

The crowd may have enjoyed the fact my opponent was of the slightly shorter variety but I'd seen Oliver do 20 throws in 45 seconds, and I was bricking it.

I too was thrown in record time.

Even the great fall you know.

Stuart vs Toby

Stuart gave an equally pint sized opponent a tougher test than myself but he too was dropped in a heap, much to the delight of audience.

The Final

Stuart Baldwin vs The Everyman Olympian

Earlier in the day we'd sized each other up like a couple of angry lads arguing over the last pint in the barrel...

Both shattered from the mix of the hard early afternoon training session, the sweltering heat and the speed of the competition we stepped up to the mat and bowed for one last battle.

Stuart opted for the fast and aggresive approach, while I banked on him burning up his low energy reserves which was a dangerous tactic and lead to him getting the first throw in - though I managed to redirect the flow of his throw and this would be prove a deciding factor.

Twice we hit the deck and had to be restarted - the second time Stuart opted for the defence of pinning himself face down on the mat and to be honest I didn't have the skill or the strength left to maneuver him.

With 15 seconds left on the clock we were again restarted, I hadn't a clue who was leading, all I knew was that inside I felt overjoyed...

We'd managed to raise over £1000 for charity, the club had put on an excellent show, Coach Skillcorn's teachings and effort to aid his beloved team and myself had been amazing throughout, Stuart was clearly loving a sport he'd promised himself to start a number of times (I genuinely feel this will be a life changing moment in the Baldwin household - maybe not Hollywood-esque but definitely diffferent to before), I'd learned from a former National Champion and fought in front of actual Olympians - The Judo Challenge was already a massive success, regardless of the outcome of the final.

Wiery yet buzzing we saw out the last quarter of a minute with little on show in the way of skilful technique but when Vince called time we hugged and knew that we'd given this everything.

Then Coach Skillcorn put the icing on the cake when he raised his hand to indicate that I had claimed the victory!

Overwhelmed I thinked I hugged Mr Baldwin once more...The Judo Challenge Achieved.

All this and I've not even mentioned that between Stuart and my own bouts, we got to see the other judoka fight one another, there were some really great moments, not least from Tony Baxter & Big Matt whom neither of us newcomers fault.

From Left: Fraser, Daniel, Essa, Toby, Big Matt, The Everyman Olympian, Coach Skillcorn, Stuart Balwin, Oliver, Matt Allen, Stuart Brown, Tony Baxter.

The day needed no other highlights but an unexpected one came my way, and it came from a geniune Olympian:

Olympian Karina Bryant presents me with a Team GB top from the 2008 Beijing Olympics

With huge personal thanks to:

Vince Skillcorn - What a Coach! Check out his blog here Good Luck in London 2012!

Stuart Baldwin - Top Man! Really appreciate you taking up Judo for this crazy idea.
Samantha Lowe - Couldn't have done this without your help, good luck at London 2012!

Sophie Johnstone - Inspiring work with the young judoka, good luck in London 2012!

Luke Preston (Head Coach at Camberley Judo Club) - Thanks so much for the hospitality of your great club!

Karina Bryant - Wow! Still shocked at the generousity of that top, good luck in London 2012!

Fraser Chamberlain and Nathan Burns - thanks for the tips gents and good luck in London 2012!

My opponents on the day and supporters throughout The Judo Challenge:

Daniel, Essa, Big Matt, Toby, Oliver, Matt Allen, Stuart Brown & Tony

A really great bunch and I hope to see you all training hard in the future (while I watch on from the sofa if you don't mind ; )

Ash Stocker for the sports massage after the fighting was over, which helped me feel normal again.

Eagle FM

2011-04-21T11:08:00.000-07:00

Coach Skillcorn and I arrived at Eagle FM yesterday with very different feelings towards our interview with Chloe Musson, yet with one joined aim: to promote The Everyman Olympian Charity Day for The Judo Challenge.

I'm starting to enjoy these little talks with local papers and radio stations, so bring on the nationals!

Coach Skillcorn on the other hand is a very modest and somewhat nervous talker when sat in front of a mic - the polar opposite of when he's educating myself and other students on the judo mats.

Chloe made us feel right at ease, asking all about The Everyman Olympics; how it's going and how it got started, and we both harped lyrical about The Judo Challenge and upcoming event at the hotbed of judo that is the Camberley Judo Club.

Coach Skillcorn, Chloe of Eagle FM & The Everyman Olympian

You can listen to our interview on Eagle 96.4 FM this Saturday (23rd April) and why not come along to The Everyman Olympian Charity Day on Saturday 23rd April?

Here's a rundown of events at The Everyman Olympian Charity Day:

Children's Section

10am - 11am Session* with Sophie Johnstone, GBR No.1 at -52kg

11am - 12:30pm Sponsored throw event

*Session price is £5 (free of charge if you've raised over £30 sponsorship)

Adult's Section

1pm - 2:30pm Technique / Randori Session** with Vince Skillcorn former National Champion at -66kg

3pm - 4:30pm The Judo Challenge - A fight off for me & Stuart before the Final Battle between Stuart & The Everyman Olympian.

4:30pm - Onwards Beers & Nibbles

**No charge for the session or fight off but a donation to the charity will be very much appreciated.

SPECTATORS WELCOME!!! No charge, but donations to the charity welcome!

The Everyman Olympian Charity Day takes places Saturday 23rd April at Camberley Judo Club, Deer Rock Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 4EP from 10am.

Any enquiries? Please contact Natalie: info@cambeleyjudo.co.uk

If you're unable to make but would like to make a donation to the charity please contact Natalie: info@camberleyjudo.co.uk

The London Marathon...The Race for Awesomeness

2011-04-17T04:55:00.000-07:00

After my first 8hr+ sleep in weeks I'm sat here with my running gear on, watching in awe as Londoners and folk from the World over cheer the runners on for the 2011 London Marathon.

36,500 Runners...26.2 miles...Hundreds of Thousands of Spectators...and 1 Man running the whole way Backwards!!

2011 London Marathon - Amazing scenes

It's fair to say that I'm in complete awe of every one of them; the pain barriers they'll each have to break will be well worth it for the millions in funds that they'll raise for good causes.

Over 100 marathon world records are being attempted, amongst them is the Fastest Marathon Run Backwards - good luck to the crazy trainee PE teacher that is Karl Twomey!

Mary Keitany won the Elite Ladies race in a unofficial time of 2hrs 19mins 17secs and fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai won the Elite Men's event in a course record of time of 2hr 4mins 38secs - both of them now becoming the 4th Fastest Marathon Runners (in their categories) Of ALL Time!

Britain's David Weir became the most successful Wheelchair London Marathon Racer of ALL Time with his win in this years London Marathon - Great Job!!

As the fun runners continue making their way to the famous finish line dressed as all sorts of characters and even Prince William and Kate Middleton it's clear that this is ultimately The Race for Awesomeness.

You can read up on my own efforts in The Running Challenge here

Jetlagged Peddler

2011-04-12T03:39:00.000-07:00

Here in Boston for work this week I'm suffering from what's medically known as desynchronosis a physiological condition caused alterations to my bodies circadian rhythms - in other words: I'm double jetlagged!

I've woken at 4am(ish) every morning since my arrival on Saturday and had little joy in getting back to sleep.

This morning was no different so after a few minutes rolling in bed and not being able to get off again, I headed to hotel gym...it was 4:45am.

Bizarrely a fellow worker for the same business, himself hailing from Japan, also stepped out into the corridor at the same time as myself, though he headed off into the morning light for a run.

The gym was deserted when I entered, so as I'm still recovering from cracked ribs I plonked myself onto the only machine which doesn't require torso movement or strenuous upper body use and got peddling...

Perfect for my requirements but I haven't a clue what it's called.

By the end of the hour I was soaked in sweat, had used over 500 calories and either 10 or 17 miles - why do gym machines always leave it ambiguous as to which distance measurement they use for *@~#?!! sake!

Every machine in this small but ample gym was in use when I left and on the escalators heading out into lightening day were another 4 runners...clearly, I'm not the only one here suffering from jetlag.

New England for New Ribs?

2011-04-10T05:52:00.000-07:00

Hi Y'all,

I'm currently plonked in my hotel room here in Boston, Massachusetts with an annoying dilemma:

My ribs are still recovering from being cracked one side some 5 or so weeks ago, and then on the other side 2 weeks ago - they seem to be taking forever to heal and to make matters worse I'm sliding back with my sporting plans all the while.

The dilemma I have is that while I can't really do any training on my stomach or back I actually feel OK everywhere else and want to get out and do some sport - is it possible for me to still go running? Or will this hamper my recovery? That is my dilemma!

Like most other fellas I like to bypass the doctors visit, self diagnose and ignore long recovery periods by getting back on with exercising well before I should but in this case I have a fixed date that I need to be ready for...Saturday 23rd April.

I have searched the net and apparently rest is the best cure...for up to 6 weeks...I'm gutted.

If you've got cracked ribs yourself, read this.

What are you doing Saturday 23rd April by the way? You're all invited to come and watch The Judo Challenge take place at Camberley Judo Club!

I'll be getting involved in bouts on the mat with Coach Skillcorn's other students from 1:30pm, then later in the afternoon I'll be fighting Stuart (see pick below) for the Final of The Judo Challenge for The Everyman Olympics.

Stuart, Coach Skillcorn and The Everyman Olympian

Earlier in the day they'll be Kids Judo demonstrations too - it would great to see you there!

For directions to Camberley Judo Club in Surrey, click here

I hope you can make...I hope my ribs are ready!

Shooting: The North Wales Open & My 2nd Shooting Session

2011-04-05T12:56:00.000-07:00

Coach Morris had invited me up to the North Wales Open to see how an Olympic shooting event would take place, I wasn't going to let a mere 200 miles get in the way...

The event was being held at the illustrious Ellesmere College Shropshire, a private school so grand it'd almost make the pupils of JK Rowling's self-imagined Hogwarts look standard.

Ellesmere College: Impressive building, poorly photographed

Once I'd found the sports hall, thanks to the help of proud parents as they watched their lads cricket training on one of the college's many fields, this is what I saw:

The Final of the Adults Rifle Competition

Here's how this event works:

The 8 Finalists stand on the Shooting Line with their rifles and pellets and adorned in protective clothing including shooting frames (like specs though without lenses, instead they are designed to enable the shooter to focus with only one eye).
The Judge calls their attention and when he says 'Start' there is total silence - the competitors now have 75 seconds to take one shot at a target 10 metres away.
Each competitor has a personal Spotter who holds their arm up until their Shooter has shot, they then lower their arm to indicate this to the Judge.
Once all competitors have shot OR 75 seconds have elapsed, the Judge calls 'Stop'.
The Shooters then retract their target sheets and a Steward collects all of the target sheets (you can see Coach Morris playing this role in the above photo), who then hands them to another official who feeds them into a specially designed scanner.
The individual target sheets are scanned and images of them all appear on a projector screen - the machine also calculates the exact accuracy to one decimal place and the Judge calls out the results.
There are 10 rounds in the final, the winner is the shooter with the highest total.

The projector screen relaying the results from one of the rounds

I watched in awe as the leaders in the competition regularly hit 10's - 10 equates to a Bullseye in this target sport.

After the Adults Rifle Final I also caught the Youth Rifle Final, unfortunately I'd missed the Pistol events but I did get to see the competition medals being handed out for the whole event (including 2 medals being collected by Nicola Wilson, the first Shooter I met through Twitter - congrats!)

The next evening Coach Morris enabled me to get round to his for my 3rd ever lesson...

After a tough day at work my mind took a while to settle, my first practise card clearly showing that a few weeks off from shooting may have taken their toll.

Sign of shaky hands

Due to time constraints I would only have 3 more target sheets, each of 10 shots, to get myself back on the path to consistency.

Coach Morris was calm personified, after each shot for the next 2 target sheets he'd point out the good and bad points of my technique.

For the final 10 shots of the evening, I was left to me devices - sink or swim time.

This is my final target sheet:

I think we all know I left with a smile slapped across my face - Game On!

You can listen to the podcast recorded by Coach Morris at the North Wales Open here

Return of the Mat

2011-04-01T23:11:00.000-07:00

Two weeks in Sri Lanka should have sorted me right out: I left with the usual feeling of work getting on top and had a busted rib or three from my first training session with Stuart (my opponent for The Judo Challenge).

But this is me folks - I have returned fully chilled and recharged but guess what? While I was away I managed to get another cracked rib!

The story of how I got this latest injury shall remain a mini mystery (email me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com if you really want to know) but lets just say that in a weird kind of way I enjoyed getting it, and leave it there.

Four days after landing back in the UK I returned to the scene of the first rib injury - Camberley Judo Club, where I learnt yet more techniques from Coach Skillcorn albeit mostly from watching...and thanks to the help of Matt & Big Matt - cheers lads!

Coach Skillcorn's just recovering from keyhole surgery on his knee but was still clearly the most dangerous man in the room, you can check out his blog and wish him well for his road back to fitness here.

How was Sri Lanka? Well to be honest I'm still missing the place and think I will be for some years to come, its glorious over there, you really should visit.

While away my bowels got jealous of the attention my ribs were getting and rebelled, causing me to have the Sri Lankan equivalent of Delhi Belly for a number of days.

By Day 4 I decided to fight back by drinking and eating whatever I pleased (so long as I was near a clean toilet), 'to hell with it' I thought and though I won the Battle Of The Bowels my ribs fault to regain my attention by cracking on the other side from before on Day 11...gits.

Highlights of the trip with my lovely missus include:

Seeing our cherub of a pal, Abs (or Abigail as she's come to be know over there...shhh she doesn't actually like being called anything other than Abs) - thanks for putting us up and putting up with us!
Meeting new friends; Mark, Archie, Hailey, Olena, Chris, Lucy, Tim & Rachel .... great folk one and all.
Sundowners at the Galle Face Hotel in Colombo.
Travelling by Plain, Train, Car, 4x4 and Tuk Tuk (and seeing Tuk Tuk the brand - check it out here)
Dancing in the isles of a diesel train with 3 smashing Lankan lads & 3 great Dutch gals.
Toga Tours - surely the best way to see Kandy in a day.
Being surrounded by 20 or so local school kids (we took it in turns to sing songs) at Peradeniya Botanic Gardens
Staying in a suite with 9 rooms at a Bawa designed Lighthouse Hotel in Galle (upgraded for our 'anniversary').
Catching the views from Little Adams Peak, in Ella.
Visiting a turtle sanctuary, seeing local fishermen spearing for fish, going on safari at Yala National Park where we saw buffalo, lizards, a crocodile, numerous exotic birds, deer, elephants and not one but TWO leopards...all in one day out from Unawatuna.
A mini bike ride thanks to ex pat Alex and his local lads.
Chilling at Wijaya Beach - there's no place better in the World to chill folks!

Also while I was away I managed to fully read one book and start a second, both are completely different and having now finished the latter I can recommend them both:

'What On Earth Evolved' by Christopher Lloyd - the 100 Most Influential Species the World has ever seen.
'Flight from Deathrow' by Harry Hill - the bonkers first novel by one of the finest comedians ever to don a shirt.

If you've not already booked your ticket to Sri Lanka then now's your cue to do so...

Judo Challenge Training: First Randori

2011-03-07T02:28:00.000-08:00

Waking up yesterday morning at my brothers house was not unusual, I wasn't there because I'd had a fight with the missus...but I was there for a fight, several in fact - this is the tale of my first Judo Randori.

Arriving at Camberley Judo Club we (I'd taken my brother along to take photos) met up with Coach Skillcorn and were introduced to Samantha Lowe - we were in the company of 2 of GBs finest so I couldn't let on that I was nervous about the next few hours.

Shortly after we arrived my fellow students rolled in, each sporting a gi (the name of the kit worn by these double hard dudies) with a different coloured belt, clearly they'd done this before.

We started with the same drills as per my first lesson, hidden within the warm up exercises were the building blocks to many judo techniques.

Honestly, I wasn't parping in this photo...I wasn't!

Within the warm up we played touch American football - this enabled us to get the heart rates going, worked as an ice-breaker between myself and my fellow students and incorporated some of the ducking and weaving skills that we would need for what was to come.

Next we were placed into pairs and the randori began...

I get pinned down during the floor work

Randori is a term used in many martial arts, in judo it refers to one-on-one bouts, while in other disciplines one player may be attacked by any number of opponents, one at a time, with the central player tasked with defending different attack methods.

For the next two hours the randori evolved to the wishes of Coach Skillcorn; periods of bouting would be punctured by fresh skills being taught, which we then looked to apply as the randori developed from floor level to standing combat.

Learning how to throw and be thrown

While I managed to get involved in most of the lesson, there were stages which I sat out and during these I looked to watch and learn from my peers while I mopped sweat from every pore and tried to catch my breath.

During one of the final pairings I managed to drop a big buy ( I think he may have let me), but my sweep on his hampstring left me with a dead leg - he was built like Arnie I swear.

Once the randori was over I met my rival for The Judo Challenge - keep April 23rd free in your diaries folks, more on that to come later.

Stuart, Coach Skillcorn and a fat bearded lad some call The Everyman Olympian

Coach Skillcorn had convinced Stuart to take part in my challenge, he'd been bringing his son for lessons at the dojo for a few years and had often mentioned he'd like to take up the sport.

He seemed like a really sound chap, though we weren't here just to get acquainted, with sweat still dripping from my brow we started a lesson that would last over an hour - covering some basic floor moves, including techniques which were new to myself.

Pain shot through the centre of my chest and in 2 areas just below my shoulder blades, we'd been practising a method of rolling your opponent when I felt and heard bones crack as Stuart practised the move on me.

Not wanting to make much of a fuss yet in pain, I took a break out of the next few moves, the pain subsided but I wasn't sure whether there was any damage.

Last nights sleep I can tell you was not the most comfortable.

My day finished with frozen veg on my dead leg & 2 more packs on my ribs but I loved it!

More to come on The Judo Challenge day at Camberley Judo Club on April 23rd in the coming days.

Training: Week #54ish

2011-03-05T03:23:00.000-08:00

After a 4 mile run around my brother's home village of Hook in leafy Hampshire the evening before, I was feeling chirpy though slightly anxious as I set off in the car with said brother to start my training for The Judo Challenge.

Saturday 26th February

I'd managed to meet Coach Skillcorn the week before and he'd assured me that I wouldn't simply be used like a rag doll into the dojo (the name of the room where you practice Judo is the same the world over).

My little/older/wiser/marathon running/brother had come along to take some photos and possibly drive the car back if I was a broken man at the end.

The hour long session started with exercise drills that would later prove to incorporate actual Judo techniques - I hadn't realised at the time I was sliding along on the mats that I was already starting on my path to Judo mediocrity.

Sweating from the warm up drills I then began to learn basic Ne Waza (kneeling techniques) and Osae Komi Waza (holding down techniques) before moving on to escaping methods, Kensestu Waza (arm locks) and Shime Waza (strangles and chokes)...there Waza lot to remember! (apologies Coach).

Coach Skillcorn shows me how to taste my own Adam's Apple

I'd started training for Sport 13 and found another one I instantly liked!

Sunday 27th

Coach Skillcorn had kindly emailed me some training tips which I could do away from the dojo and in the hotel gym as I was away all week, so that eve I was back on a rowing machine for the first time in a while.

Set to Level 7, I did 10 1 minute splits: 1 minute hard rowing, followed by 1 minute going slow x10.

I maxed out at 340 watts on the first minute and struggled to hit 250 watts regularly on the 10th set - this was before I found the Average Watts setting.

The idea of recording the watts was to gauge stamina - the aim being to maintain similar levels throughout the rowing session, clearly I had work to do.

Afterwards I got on the cross trainer for a bit, then hit the showers.

Monday 28th

In the evening I joined my workmates for 5-a-side footie, had a cracking hour (literally - shins clashed with my closest colleague, bruised bones) and managed to score a goal - I'm no player as my mates will testify so I was over the moon.

Tuesday 1st March

On the treadmill early bells and managed to get a new PB for 3 miles before work, 26:26 - not rapid I know but as a fat lad I was chuffed!

Personal Best's don't always look pretty!

In the evening after work I headed back to the gym and repeated my rowing training for Judo, this time I used the average watts setting and managed 257watts on my first set, 191 watts on my 10th at Level 7.

Wednesday 2nd

My tweet after the morning session in the gym said it all:

'Could only manage 2 miles in 18,24 today...shins, calves, knees, toes - all aching with different pains. Gutted'

In the evening I drove to Wrexham to meet Coach Morris to begin The Shooting Challenge...

The hospitality of Coach Morris & his wife Karen was so welcoming and a real treat after nights alone in my hotel, I felt very humbled in the presence of two such prominent folk in the world of Shooting.

During my first lesson I was shown the precious, hand crafted guns used for this technical event, had my handle shaped to suit my hand (amazingly they are made of wood!), discovered I would be able to use the very gun Coach Morris himself hopes to use in the Commonwealth Games 2014 - how generous and cool is that!! - and all the while I wore the shooting frames to enable me a chance to get used to only using my shooting eye.

My 1st Shooting lesson with Coach Morris

2 and a half hours later I left with the confidence that we could do this, I had homework and a method of mimicking the shooting frames - game on!

Thursday 3rd

A morning visit to the hotel pool to test out whether 20 years away from front crawl (freestyle) had taken their toll didn't go so well - the pool was more suited to leisurely souls and too busy to really get any lessons learned, so I opted for 20 mins in the sauna instead.

Feeling disgruntled with my last 2 gym visits I was determined to improve on my rowing, so I upped the difficulty to Level 10 and the attitude paid off: I managed an average of 235 watts in Set 1 and finished Set 10 with an average of 221 watts.

Friday 4th

I looked down at the clock as I hit the 3 mile mark on the treadmill, I'd felt like poop for the last ten minutes but a smile broke out when I saw I'm equalled my PB of 26:26.

Happy Days

Crouch, Touch, Pause...Engage!

2011-02-28T12:44:00.000-08:00

I spent a day at Warrington Wolves stadium this week - I know, Rugby is not a sport in the Olympics, but read on and you'll understand why...

While I was at this Rugby League ground because the company I work for were using their meeting rooms to host an all-dayer to preach to the foot soldiers like myself I couldn't help but think of the wisdom issued by referee's prior to scrums in their rival sport, Rugby Union...

I'm not going to use this as a forum to debate the merits of League vs Union or vice versa, all I'm saying is that the strategy voiced in Union's four words: Crouch, Touch, Pause, Engage, cannot be overlooked for its simplicity and greatness.

Crouch: Prepare yourself.

We've all heard the old adage 'Failure to Prepare, is Preparation for Failure' - surely not a truer statement has ever been made?!

When was the last time you charged into a situation without thinking about it first and come out with a 100% successful conclusion?

Touch: Confirm your position.

Know where you stand and how you fit in to the area where you want to gain success.

When you research a subject you should also look to research yourself; What factors are required of your chosen field? Which attributes do you have that suit these factors?

Pause: Check your information, then check it again.

Think through your plan of attack, is the information you've referenced to form your strategy complete? Is it correct? (never rely on just 1 source for information).

Engage: Go for it!

With the other steps adhered to you're now best equipped for success - but if you do fail use the lessons you've learned to plan your attempt...true success is born of the lessons learned from failure!

Righto, enough preaching from me - back to the fun and sport and meetings of interesting peoples...

The Everyman Olympics 1st Birthday!

2011-02-25T20:39:00.000-08:00

Some Birthday candle eh?!

I began my mission to tackle every sport in the Games, rather conveniently on my 33rd Birthday, this week I turned 34 on The Everyman Olympics 1st Birthday!

Personally I believe that when most of us arrive at our 30's we take an introspective look at ourselves, reminisce on what we've done so far and reassess what we want to achieve - then work out how to get it.

I guess I took a little longer than most to work out my goals; What would I like to do with my life? (Probably the only question we ALL share).

When I started out with the idea for The Everyman Olympics I didn't do any regular sport, had the dietary habits of a fast food restaurant employee on the late shift who happened to like a drink straight after work, and the hand-eye coordination of an elephant...I looked like this:

I weighed 14 stone 4 pounds (200lbs / 90.9kg) and had the physique of a bag of spuds.

The facial hair may have calmed down since then (though if you follow me you'll know that at one stage I had a ginger hedge for a head), I now look like this:

I weighed 13 stone 7 pounds (189lbs / 85.9kg) when I stood on the scales the morning of my 34th and while I'm still chasing the original goal of losing a stone, my physique is starting to look more toned (less spud-like) and there are firm bumps where loose lumps once roamed.

I've met some very excellent people along my journey from swimming pool attendants to former World Record holders, but I've still got miles to go!

So far I've tackled Rowing, Badminton, Running, Weightlifting, Road Cycling, Tennis, Canoeing, Decathlon, Swimming, Table Tennis, and am midway through Water Polo and Fencing...oh and now I'm starting Judo tomorrow!

Judo will be my 13th sport of 38, making me officially a 3rd of the way there...and it only took 1 year.

Please check out this page and if you can help with a sport I've yet to achieve or want to get involved then please get in touch:

Twitter...Facebook....Email

Or if you simply want to wish me a Happy Birthday! then add a comment below...Cheers!

Sprint advice from Team GBs finest

2011-02-13T00:47:00.000-08:00

In my quest to perfect my training techniques as I look to do each sport for The Everyman Olympics justice I was able to meet up with Team GB's 400m ace Martyn Rooney today.

After waking up early at the missus in the Midlands I logged onto Twitter and couldn't believe my luck when Martyn replied to tweet of mine - he'd be training at Loughborough University's HiPAC - High Performance Athletics Centre.

Rooney is a Double Olympic Finalist & World Medalist, so I figured he could teach me a thing or too about the most dreaded of track events - the 400 metres sprint.

Martyn Rooney: Double Quick

I know what you're thinking - I've already completed The Decathlon Challenge (I just need to post the report...it is coming....honest!) BUT I've recently managed to get the opportunity to do another one - against real Olympians!!!

This next Decathlon will happen in Summer...hopefully...I'll keep you posted.

When I arrived at HiPAC Martyn was coming towards the end of a training session on the outdoor track, so I introduced myself as he walked back from one of his 150m sprints and then popped back inside the impressive building to wait for him to finish.

While I waited I had a chance to watch some of GBs finest talent train hurdles, sprinting and javelin - I know the latter sounds weird indoors but in the centre they have a purpose built area for this and use javelins without a point on them.

We spoke for around half an hour about everything from running technique to competing at the Olympic Games to legends Martyn knew and had trained with to the difference in training facilities here and in the US to preparations for London 2012.

I was buzzing when I left, I knew how to approach the toughest of the Decathlon races and I think there was even a mutual admiration as Martyn had asked about my quest and seemed to really like the idea of someone willing to attempt every sport.

It was a real privilege to meet a great athlete and a top bloke, I wish him all the best with prep for the World Championships in South Korea this August and come the Olympic Games I aim to be in the stadium cheering him on.

Martyn meets a massive beard wearing a fat lad

The Decathlon Challenge: Training

2011-02-07T22:43:00.000-08:00

Aged 33 I have 2 distinct memories of the sport of choice I had in mind for this challenge, undertaken back in September, and they both involved the same man...

Watching arguably Great Britain's Greatest Ever Olympian at global athletics events on the tellybox as a nipper ...Daley Thompson.

What an Athlete!

And playing Daley Thompson on the game named after him on my old computer: Daley Thompson's Decathlon - the 1500m final took place in real time! You had to keep the animinated DT running for nearly 4 whole minutes - kids got blisters just getting the great man through this one event!

During The Canoeing Challenge I met a really sound chap called Henry - I'd later knock him off of his canoe but that's another story - he's a chilled fella who it turns out, happens to also be really good at the javelin.

Once I'd found this out I quizzed the man and he hooked me up with Clive, the man responsible for running Saffron Lane Sports Centre in Leicester.

Clive was probably a touch bemused by the request I made but nevertheless agreed that a few mates and I could come down to the club one Saturday in September and attempt to compete in our very own Decathlon.

There was just one issue he did highlight though: while the club owned the equipment for the Pole Vault, they didn't actually own any poles - not a problem I thought, I'd just get in touch with someone and borrow one...that'd be easy, right?!

Having booked a date I set about recruiting competitors; I asked friends, friends of friends, and spread the word on social networking sites.

I also made an effort to get in touch with actual athletes who might be able to provide tips for training and technique, in this respect I didn't get on too badly...

I broke the events down by category, thinking this would help with training:

3 Throwing Events = Shot Put, Javelin & Discus

3 Jumping Events = Long Jump, High Jump and Pole Vault

4 Running Events = 100m, 110m Hurdles, 400m and 1500m

I figured that if I could build a good pace for the 1500m, then shorten the distance and increase the pace that I'd soon nail the flat sprints...

I'd emailed local legend Dean Macey, Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist for the Decathlon in 2006, here's his advice on this matter:

'First thing with training for the Decathlon is to remember that most of the events need power and speed, so don't waste to much time on training for the 1500m as its only one event in ten'.

Local Legend Dean Macey, with his Commonwealth Gold Medal

Ah...

I ditched my plans to run 1500m sets along the sea road at this point and relocated to Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre (which has an actual athletics) track from then on, where they had the equipment required for all 10 events.

'Power and Speed', Deano's words rang around in my head...thinking I had more power than speed already, I opted to train on my sprinting ability - as a 16 sec/100m guy at school I knew I'd need to put the work in...

I'm pretty sure that 100 metres never looked so long before. On my first attempt I started to fade after the first 40 metres - this was gonna be harder than I thought.

The view as I trudged back from the Finish Line

Twitter came in handy once again - this time I asked former European & Commonwealth 400m Champion Iwan Thomas MBE for some sprint training tips which sounded ace but to be honest I simply wasn't fit enough to follow them to the letter.

Iwan Thomas MBE: Double Quick

With a few weeks till the day of the Decathlon I looked to increase my focus on the other events, first up I borrowed a set of hurdles from the very helpful team at the sports centre.

I'm mythed how the pros manage this! I'm not kidding - even at 6ft tall, with hurdles set to competition height they're up beyond my hips...its like doing 10 High Jumps at speed, head on!

Keeping the sprint and hurdles training going (albeit with the hurdles set a few notches lower), I looked to add in some of the field events...

I used to throw Shot Put for my school as nipper so I had some idea on what to do with one, while the discus would take some effort to learn and I sought advice from the very best on the Javelin...

No, not from Henry as you may have thought but from former World Record holder (not to mention Olympic Silver & Bronze medalist, European & Commonwealth Champion!!!), Steve Backley OBE.

Steve launches another rocket.

Armed with tips I again went back to the great folk of Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre and asked to borrow the three items that would help me train for the field events..and was denied!!

Seems for 'Health & Safety' reasons I needed to have certain athletics qualifications to use the blooming equipment - I was gutted, but I gather their insurance wouldn't cover them I speared myself / dropped the shot on my foot / smashed my teeth out with the discus...so I couldn't complain, they were simply doing their jobs.

I would have to learn a hell of a lot from my first attempts on the Big Day...

...to be continued...

Water Polo: Great Britain vs Israel, European Championship Qualifier

2011-01-30T00:12:00.000-08:00

Yestereve I was privileged to be the guest of British Swimming at an International Women's Water Polo European Championships qualifying match between Great Britain & Israel.

Being mid-Water Polo Challenge I couldn't resist the offer and when the venue changed from Liverpool to Loughborough a 10 hour round trip was halved to make it even more appealing.

Lauren Sanderson of GB Water Polo kindly offered me the ticket and was the perfect host; meeting me at the busy entrance and even sitting with me during the game - while she multi-tasked and wrote notes for her own report on the match on her laptop, poolside.

I heard that Israel hadn't played Women's International Water Polo since 2004 and when one of the GB girls announced she was confident of a 10 point-clear-win I wondered whether the Israeli team had secretly been mastering this aqua sport from behind closed doors for years - would Team GB be eating those words?

Team's GB & Israel line up for the National Anthems

The tie 'kicked off'' with a storm of activity as both teams raced towards the ball in the centre of the pool which looked to have been held there by a bucket on a wire rope.

Nerves then appeared to take the better of them but in hindsight it just seemed like the home team were trying to suss their opponents out.

Once Team GB opened the scoring the floodgates opened and poor Israel looked to be shocked by the ferocity of the home nations play.

Water Polo is not like Netball in a pool. Water Polo is more like American Football meets Cage Fighting, meets Sprint Swimming - its fast, furious and not for the feint hearted.

In goes Goal No.4!

By the end of the first quarter GB were 6-0 up, and the visitors had yet to score.

Beckie Kershaw opened the scoring in the 2nd quarter, just as she had done in the first!

In flew goals 8, 9 and 10 - Israel looked like a group of friends on holiday that hadn't bargained for the feisty British locals in the pool.

By half time the hosts lead 13-0, but they were in no mood to settle for anything less than utter domination - almost as soon as the whistle had signalled the 3rd quarter GBs aggressive start saw a hand in the face of an Israeli and another goal.

4 more goals in the 3rd quarter yet the flow was slowing down, had Israel finally got to grips with organising their defense?

No! GB flew in 8 goals in the final quarter, including a bouncer for the 25th but unbelievably a lapse in concentration saw Israel regain a minimum of pride with a breakaway goal in the final second of the match!

This European Championship Qualifier ended: Great Britain 26 - Israel 1.

Robyn Nicholls was immense in goal for our girls - organising the defense and spearheading a large amount of the attacks.

At the end, in true British understatement Fiona McCann said, 'It was a relief'.

Bless you and your humble ways Fiona - it was a Demolition!

Members of Team GB get to meet a fat lad with a beard.

Find out more about the GB Water Polo Team here.

The Water Polo Challenge continues...

Fresh Legs

2011-01-11T22:54:00.000-08:00

First things first...

Happy New Year!

I hope you're all well and the fatlad with the white beard and dodgy red outfit didn't just eat your mince pie and neck the brandy you left him but actually left you some of the gifts you'd asked for too.

I've been quiet of late, apologies for that - I promise I'll be updating you regularly on here, on Twitter ( @EveryOlympian ) and on Facebook (Search The Everyman Olympics) from here on!

Just so you know I've not given up, here's how my December panned out:

Early in the month I tried to get The Fencing Challenge up and running; Karim of Catch Sport was kind enough to supply me with some contacts - he's a former International Fencer himself and runs a great company that aids athletes in gaining financial support, so he's very well connected.

Unfortunately I didn't hear back from the Fencing contacts, and with time ticking by I put the feelers out for The Football Challenge.

A wonderful lady who called Una, who it turns out trains people in the South West to do Synchronised Swimming, suggested I contact the local Football Association (FA) representatives who could provide me with contacts for local teams.

Though as I sent out a cartload of emails to cover the areas I'd be traveling to during the coming weeks, bad weather arrived in the UK and snow began to be forecast - even Premiership football matches began to get cancelled and those stadiums have heated pitches...it wasn't looking good!

Disaster struck care of yours truly when at my works Christmas Party I got coaxed into drinking games - before I knew it I was running around a broom 3 times before trying to catch a colleague to tag for their turn when I drunkenly ran knee-first into a solid wooden chair.

The resulting lump on my kneecap put me out on the sidelines for the remainder of 2010.

I snapped out of the Christmas eating binge around the 28th December and tentatively entered a gym in Northamptonshire to begin testing my knee on the treadmill...

Thankfully I survived the treadmill test, and the cross trainer, and the exercise bike - I was back in the game!

Yes, yes, I know I owe you write-ups for The Decathlon Challenge, The Table Tennis Challenge & The Swimming Challenge - I'm currently going back over my notes and will have them out shortly...I've just become distracted with The Water Polo Challenge!!!

Exercise for LIFE

2010-12-05T12:10:00.000-08:00

Since beginning The Everyman Olympics I've noticed a few things about exercising - it turns out it's mostly good for you, and here's why:

L is for Love. It's also for Libido

Ever wonder why the the other chaps in the gym all have hungry eyes? Exercising regularly raises your A Game in the sack and also makes you as horny as a pube-sprouting teenager.

Lance Armstrong's Live Strong campaign site have researched the researchers and relayed the scientific facts behind this claim, here's a link:

http://www.livestrong.com/article/12125-boost-sex-drive-with-exercise/

The race is on for another boner

I is for Intelligence
Not only will doing exercise improve your basic maths (3 sets of 15 reps = 45 reps in total) but it'll also increase your brain power in other ways too...

The bods at the University of Illinois did some tinkering with the lives of 100 couch potatoes and found that these thick twats were capable of more than just using the remote control when pushed to simply go for the odd walk:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/healthnews/7967836/Gentle-stroll-can-help-boost-intelligence.html

Though I'm not sure I buy into the rumour that Professor Stephen Hawking's physical state is down to him unsuccessfully attempting a 200kg Clean & Jerk without spotters!

Arnie had nothing on me

F is for Fashion

Get to work on ditching the wobbly bits and you'll find you don't need to appear as if dressed like a sack of spuds.

Once the loose lumps turn to firm bumps you'll be wanting to buy some new trendy togs to go with the new slimline you.

All that money you save on not eating fatty nonsense will come in handy.

Not exactly Harvey Nichols

E is indeed for Ecstasy (though not the kind the Shamen harped on about in the 90's)

E is also for Endorphins...Energy....and Ego

All of these E's are boosted when you Exercise!

Why diets work better in Winter...ish

2010-12-04T01:13:00.000-08:00

OK so on first glance this argument may appear irrational and misguided, surely the Summer months are better for shedding the pounds right? Wrong! Here's why diets work better in Winter...ish

Social Gatherings

Social Gatherings add pounds - bring people together in groups and they'll inevitably involve food and most likely alcohol to the occasion. Both of which are packed with calories and both of which you're likely to over-indulge in.

Seasons may be the result of the yearly revolution of the Earth around the Sun and the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to the plane of revolution but as simple folk we like to put a date on them and hence regardless of which Premiership Church Team you follow, for the foreseeable future there is only one 'must attend' big bash in *Winter, and that starts right at the beginning - so you've almost the whole season to redeem yourself on the dietary front!

*Refers to Northern Hemisphere

Don't worry fella, there's time to shed those Christmas pounds!

Going Places

Jack Frost will inevitably show his ugly face some time in Winter, and usually he brings along his pals Snowy Dave & Cold-As-Ice Carroll: together they set about covering everything in monotone glory before mixing it all together to form a nasty brown mush before Spring turns up for The Big Clean.

The arrival of Jack and his mates signifies a period where your chances of travel dive like your libido in a cold snap.

Going Places always involves extra snacking and not in a healthy way; show me a service station that has a juice bar rather than a fast food chain outlet?! Hence not Going Places reduces the likelihood that you'll snack.

Getting Stuff

Linked heavily with Going Places - when the snow and ice take over your travel plans, you first cancel going to work, then you cancel going to unnecessary Social Gatherings, then you cancel going to the shops in favour of finding out what's at the back of the kitchen cupboard (always the healthier 'less exciting' food stuffs), then when you've finished eating the tins of tuna with remarkably long shelf lives, you venture out to the corner store only to find that their deliveries haven't arrived, or they couldn't be bothered open the store that day.

Getting stuff becomes a chore, especially when you have to spend half an hour layering up with hats and coats and scarves and wellies before you even leave the comfort of your nice warm home....mmm it's nice and warm here...do I really need to go to the shop?...I wonder what's at the back of the kitchen cupboard!

Winter Warmers

2010-11-28T00:41:00.000-08:00

With the weather here in the UK looking to show early intent that we're in for a harsh and drawn-out Winter I'm looking to move my focus to indoor sports, so what sporting options do I have available for The Everyman Olympics?

Swimming I've just bagged (report to follow soonish...I know I owe you a few) so what else do I have left to tackle in The Great Indoors?

Fencing - a sport I've been keen to start for a while; its got swords and cool outfits, plus the added benefit of decent war wounds - what more could a lad ask for? Having just noticed I'm being followed by @britishfencing on Twitter I've sent them a message, fingers crossed they'll come back with a way for me to get started!

Wrestling - I've a tenuous link to this one: a pal of mine works with someone connected to the GB team for Greco Roman Wrestling - if you read this Chris, lets talk more on this when I visit Friday.

Basketball - 'Pat Ball' as my ol' Grandad used to say (bless him). Apparently a girl very close to me knows someone who may know someone who can help, but you know how those kind of contacts tend to go...

Football - OK so really this is an outdoor sport but I'm up for a game of indoor footie soon if YOU are? (Hoping to bag this one in December)

Water Polo - @GB_WaterPolo have got back to me on Twitter and I may be able to hook up with the actual GB teams in late January (thanks to both Ollie from the BBC, @BBCSport_Ollie.and Una - @aqua2swim - for the contact via Twitter)

Diving & Synchronized Swimming - here's hoping Una and Lauren can help me here too x*

*Over-friendly kiss - hoping it helps!

Handball - I've no links whatsoever for this one...HELP!!!!

Boxing - Rocky famously trained outside on some occasions but the beatings usually take place in a warm and 'cosy' ring (Pete Puma - insert gag 'here')

Track Cycling - I'm in need of getting to Manchester Velodrome, or waiting till the actual Olympics one is finished in nearby London - then hoping the very helpful Karim of @catchsport can convince Lord Coe to let me use it (I see the great man follows you on Twitter)

Taekwondo - If you're out there and can help with this one, please get in touch!

Gymnastics - Artistic, Rhythmic or Trampolining - I'm even up for these if you can point me in the right direction y'all?

Volleyball - Isn't this just Netball for boys? (Just kidding ; )

So if you can help me with these Winter Warmers please GET IN TOUCH... email me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com or send me a tweet on Twitter

I look forward to hearing from you soon x*

The Big Debate: Trunks or Swim Shorts?

2010-11-22T11:39:00.000-08:00

Yes it's been a while and Yes I am still marching on with the challenges for The Everyman Olympics and Yes I do owe you the write-up on The Decathlon Challenge and The Table Tennis Challenge but while work has managed to soak up almost every spare minute of my time lately, this past week I've been able to start The Swimming Challenge, thus sparking The Big Debate: Trunks or Swim Shorts?

Lets be honest, when it comes to pool or seaside fashion us Brits are not exactly known for our taste in garments; knotted handkerchiefs on heads and white socks in sandals to name but 2 of our faux pars.

Our swashbuckling European neighbours are far more at home with flaunting their tanned limbs though is it true to say that ALL of those on the Euro mainland vacuum pack their giblets into shiny nacker sacks?

As a dapper English chap in possession of many national traits, including reservedness, I'm not one to strip to the waist the minute the sun comes out and neither will you see me reach for the Speedos when its time to take a dip in the pool, but my own bloodline is a cocktail made up of Italian, French & English so surely my personal choice in aqua-wear is exactly that: a personal choice.

So what say YOU? Trunks or Swim Shorts? Debate.

The Everyman Olympics: Re-Galvanised

2010-11-07T12:10:00.000-08:00

How 12 Events became EVERY Sport in the Olympics...

As the buzz of The Canoeing Challenge settled I started to envision putting together an event around my next task, so as to get more people involved all together in one glorious day...though this wasn't the only thing taking up my spare time: word of my tasks had started to get me noticed and this attention lead me to re-think the core idea at the very heart of my challenges - this is the story of how The Everyman Olympics became Re-Galvanised.

As you may know, this is how I first layed down the rules to myself:

One challenge to be set every month for a year, based on a different Olympic sport

Because I work in a job where I travel around 35,000 miles per year by car, and have various trips abroad and would be organising the whole thing myself I thought that this would in itself be plenty to keep me busy.

You might also recall that my reasons for doing this series of tasks were purely targetted at weightloss - more specifically I wanted to lose a stone of the fat stuff.

Oh and there was the slight matter of beating my pal Carl in the race to lose this stone....some of us will already know how that story ended.

Back to the point in hand...

A few days after hooking up with Graham, who I'd met on The Cycling Challenge I received a phone call from Mike Miners, a journalist for the local paper - The Evening Echo.

Mike had heard of my sporting challenges through a mutual friend of his and Grahams and wanted to write a report on me.

I was already in training for my next event at the time and so after a telephone interview we agreed to meet at Southend Leisure & Tennis Centre for some photos to be taken of me in action.

The Everyman Olympian (Me)

A few days later I was staring at myself on Page 5, here's a link to Mike's great article:

http://www.echo-news.co.uk/news/8382831.Olympic_Games__I___m_in_training_for_every_event/

Literally the day after this came out I was contacted on Twitter by the very delightful Shana Pearlman, a producer for BBC Essex Radio no less!

Shana invited me onto the Dave Monk Show to be interviewed live on air - naturally I lept at the chance (being an 'Olympian' and all).

(Unfortunately for some stupid reason Blogger won't allow me to upload the recording I have of this interview - if anyone out there has any tips on how to get this on, please let me know)

Before I did this chat on the radio I looked back at the interview for The Evening Echo and realised that Mike Miner's had printed a quote from me which I hadn't really taken in:

“Originally it was a 12 month project, but now I hope to try every sport before the 2012 games in London.”

EVERY SPORT??!!!....I. Must. Be. Bonkers!

Realising that I'd clearly got excited in the moment, I took the bull by the horns, marched into BBC Essex Radio HQ and ran with it.

So there you have it, the London Olympics in 2012 will feature 26 Sports (though some are broken down into more events) - I've now completed 8 of them and have 20 months left to do the rest.

Here's a list of the sports I've yet to tackle:

Archery
Basketball
Beach Volleyball / Volleyball
Boxing
Diving / Swimming / Synchronised Swimming / Water Polo.
Equestrian - Dressage / Eventing / Jumping
Fencing
Football
Gymnastics - Artistic / Rhythmic / Trampoline
Handball
Hockey
Judo
Modern Pentathlon
Sailing
Shooting
Taekwondo
Triathlon
Wrestling.

If I'm going to achieve this I Need Your Help - leave your details in the comment box below or email me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com to find out how YOU can help me and get involved in The Everyman Olympics.

Thanks in advance,

The Everyman Olympian

Hello Culture!

2010-10-23T22:04:00.000-07:00

In the distant memory of the time before I started the adventure of The Everyman Olympics I recall a period where I would go walking in an effort to start the momentum I knew was needed in order for me to begin shedding the pounds, nothing unusual in this you might say but I do recall being mythed at the amount of times complete strangers said 'hello' to me just because they were out walking too - this is the story of how I came to recognise outdoor exercising's Hello Culture!

I first encountered the existence of this polite exercising etiquette whilst walking along the coastline of South East England - random folk out with their dogs or out walking for fitness would voice this greeting to me as I passed in the opposite direction.

To start with I was so flummoxed that before I'd managed to utter a mirrored response they'd already passed by and now I looked like a mumbling fool who uttered polite abuse at strangers backs.

Call me cynical (though please refrain from doing so while I'm out walking - that'd just freak me out) but as a shy and retiring Brit who used to work in retail I think people who say hello to folk they don't know are after something for their own gain.

4th Grade Jack explains it better than me - but then I'm a cynic and believe this clip to be the marketing tool of a corporate machine rather than a smoothly edited home video posted on YouTube by a well meaning seven year old:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcz9V-4QI2M

Before I could control myself I'd joined the 'hello movement' and was busy saying hello! to virtually everyone I could when I was out on one of these fast walks - I'd greet all and sundry, be they fellow fleet-footed fitness fanatics, people on their way to work or the paper shop, or even happy drunks on their way to bed after a cracking night out.

I was like a polite man possessed! And to this end I didn't really pick up on why some folk would respond and others would simply blank this twatful greeter.

It was only when I started The Running Challenge that I noticed the differences between the respondies and the non-responsive and only when I used my wheels for The Cycling Challenge that I realised the hierachy to the Hello Culture!

Here's how the Hello Culture! works:

People just out walking as a means of getting from A to B DO NOT say hello! to Walkers
Dog Walkers often DO say hello! to Walkers, though it's not a given
Walkers DO say hello! to other Walkers, unless they're rude or new or too shattered to say hello
Joggers DO NOT say hello! to Walkers unless they look like they're actually Joggers who are just taking a break
Joggers DO say helllo! to other Joggers (see No.3 for reason's that some don't)
Cyclists DO say hello! to other Cyclists but only respond if they are in the same category of Cyclists (rules of Cyclists to follow)
Cyclists DO NOT say hello! to Joggers or Walkers
Cyclists DO NOT say hello! to other bike users who are simply cycling as a means of getting from A to B
Cyclists seeking fitness but not part of a club DO say hello! to other Cyclists of the same nature
Cyclists seeking fitness but not part of a club DO sometimes say hello! to Club Cyclists but DO NOT often get a response
Club Cyclists DO say hello! to other Club Cyclists, it would be impolite not to wouldn't it?

I've not worked out the Hello Culture! rules yet for Horse Riders, Sailors *insert 'hello sailor' gag here*, or Mountain Bikers...but I'm working on it.

Next time you see me out exercising DO say hello! but only if we are both Walking, or Jogging, or Cycling and we're of the same standard - otherwise I'll blank you, you mumbling fool.

Numbers Game

2010-10-22T13:40:00.000-07:00

The Mathematics of Exercise

You may put your physical prowess down to hard work, you may put your sporting success down to natural ability, but really...its a Numbers Game.

The Power of One

It just takes One motion to get you started...

One step One lift One push One pull One throw One press One leap One stretch One...Nike's marketing team weren't paid gaziliions for the slogan 'Just Do It' for nothing - the sooner you stop lingering on Zero and upgrade to One, the sooner you'll achieve your goals.

As I've mentioned before...personally, training in a gym towards no specific end target is dull and boring - but it's here that the mathematics of exercise are at their purist!

Divide and Conquer

Struggling to get through that hour of pain you've set yourself? Simply divide up your workout into manageable chunks and you'll nail it in no time - work out when you're 10% through, when you've hit half way and then reduce the percentages from 50 down to 5 and you'll fly through it (distract yourself with the maths).

Go Forth and Multiply

When you've done One, do another One, then another One, repeat and repeat until the old tubby you has turned into the new fit-as-a-fiddle you.

It's obvious really but just to make it sink in, here's a simple equation to follow:

(Reps x Sets) x Frequency Per Week = Success

You do the maths.

The Canoeing Challenge: Blazing Paddles

2010-10-13T23:13:00.000-07:00

The Canoeing Challenge for The Everyman Olympics fell onto my lap easier than my missus manages to knock things over - believe me she is double clumsy (bless her); a group of pals from Leicester were off on their annual canoeing trip to the English/Welsh boarder and invited me along.

After a briefing Wyedean Canoe & Adventure Centre which frankly we all should have listened to more, the 12 of us paired up, loaded our gear into 6 Canadian open canoes and then launched off into the River Wye.

The River Wye

There are 2 different canoeing events at the Olympics - Slalom & Sprint, the Slalom is a timed run down a white water course with up to 25 gates to negotiate, the Sprint is...erm...a sprint and can be done over 200 metres, 500m or 1000m - simples.

The Canoeing Challenge:

Slalom

Distance: 39 miles, including White Water Rapids
Time: 3 Days

Sprint

Distances: 500m & 1000m(ish)
Time: As quickly as possible, obviously!

It soon became apparent that most of us had missed the part of the briefing where we got taught how to steer...

The boys were being boys and in that very first leg we each established that none of us wanted to be last, though this was counterbalanced by the girls being girls and not being arsed about the pecking order so long as they could chat with each other along the way.

Toilets breaks had to be approached with all the tactics and skill of a military campaign: every time the shout went out that someone needed a call of nature the lead canoe became the scouts for a place to stop, what followed was essentially the sight of 6 canoes crashing into any riverbank we could all get to, then a scramble of people each trying to help the most needy to secure their vessel from moving off down the river while others urinated in bushes or against trees - a real sight to behold.

One bathroom break was less successful than most: we'd unwisely opted to stop at a muddy bank - having wedged our 'boats' into the mud as best we could, there was a 4 foot high step onto the brown squelchy stuff, followed by a brief climb up yet more mud to get onto the bank.

On the way back down to the canoes Sophie slipped into the river and was dragged off by the current, the rest of us rallied to get her safely into a canoe but this came at a cost - 'I've lost my shoe'.

For food we would moor up at the regularly positioned pubs along the riverbank and occasionally we'd treat ourselves to a beer - just the odd one as I'm sure you can imagine (I didn't accumulate the belly I had before The Everyman Olympics without knowing my way around a pint glass).

Of an evening we would pitch tents at prebooked locations under the watchful eye of our leader,Will - an ex-marine; in our collective minds eye he could deal with any situation we encountered: if a pack of lost wolves attacked as we slept - Will would organise us in a ring of fire and we'd fend them off...if hippies in neighbouring tents persisted in playing Janis Joplin right through the night - Will could cut off their power supply...if we discovered the campsite toilets had no loo role all-too-late - Will would wipe our...

Janis Joplin - Will could take her.

On the morning of Day 3 we'd already travelled 30 miles and had bonded as a tightly knit, expert rowing unit, yet now we were to be briefed on a new and dangerous turn in our journey - the White Water Rapids...

The briefing lasted 20 minutes.

The White Water Rapids lasted 3...minutes.

I. Kid. You. Not.

Disappointed and barely endangered enough for any amount of adrenalin to kick in we ALL felt cheated.

Tones and Kate had shot off when the heavens opened - leaving 6 of us lads to wave good bye to Jess, Katie, Laura and One Shoe Sophie as we drew twigs to work out teams...it was race time!

Will & Ali were favourites - Will being the ex-marine and Ali being a big lad, the Dave & Henry combination looked challenging - Dave with his never-say-die attitude and Henry who looked chipper after spending each day in his canoe with a different lady...which left Ryan and I - me being the newcomer to canoeing and Ry with his iffy steering skills.

We guesstimated the 500m point and lined our vessels up, it was tense...'GO!' I yelled - disaster followed.

All 3 crews headed towards the exact same spot - Will & Ali crashed into Dave & Henry and so did we! Both men were thrown into the river - then we nearly crushed Henry, missing only by inches.

By the time they were safely back into their metal racer they were shattered, so the rest of us took advantage.

Pulling us back to gain unfair advantage Will & Ali paddled off to victory.

2nd place is nowhere in a 3 team race, so me and Ryan had our honour at stake as we lined up for the final event - the 1000 metres(ish).

The race started and this time we meant business...till I saw the chance to get revenge on Will & Ali, which backfired on both teams, leaving Henry & Dave a clear run to the finish line and glory...damn me!

We had to cruise the final 2 miles of our 39 mile Slalom listening to the other crews chirping about their wins...I'd completed another challenge for The Everyman Olympics but was wet and gutted.

With Special Thanks to:

Jess, Kate, Katie, Laura & Sophie - without you ladies it would probably have been a testosterone-fueled canoe race to the death (or the pub...whichever came first)

Tone 'Skimmer' Curran - shame you missed the race because you didn't want to get your hair wet ; )

Will & Ali - Cheers for organising the whole thing Will - much appreciated by all! Oh and congrats on the win chaps, albeit by dodgy means, grrrrr

Dave & Henry - Apologies for trying to kill you

Ryan - A valiant team mate (who must work on his steering).

What a top weekend!

The Hybrid Games #1

2010-10-09T13:34:00.000-07:00

The Modern Olympics were founded by eccentric and interestingly-named Greek philanthropist Evangelis Vasileiou Zappas back in the mid 19th Century, as well as relighting the Olympic torch he also added in his own version of the Pentathlon: the Modern Pentathlon; an event which sandwiches together 5 events with seemingly as much connection as a mobile phone in the Sahara Desert - this got me thinking, what other sports could be combined to make fresh Olympic events?

Garcling

OK so Gardening isn't strictly a sport but let me tell you I've been laying paving in my garden these last few weekends and there's no shortage of lifts, stretches and reps involved - I woke with badly aching limbs last Sunday morning before going off with the lads on a 34 mile bike ride and while trying to keep up I got to thinking - this combination could be a winner...

Garcling = Gardening & Cycling

How would it work?

One idea would be to do a 5km BMX sprint, followed by digging a trench, then a 10km off road mountain bike trek, followed by chopping down a tree, and finishing in a 40km road bike race, split by a hedge sculpture challenge...now think it sounds easy?

I'm willing to offer my garden for use in London 2012 - save me the job

Sweights

Weightlifters work hard for the right to go to the Olympics and show everyone how strong they are, but once they're there they get off lightly and don't even have to place the weights on the bars themselves - but what if these lazy muscly dudes (and dudettes) did have to load the weights on themselves, and what if instead of the weights being handilly on a nearby rack, they were laying on the bottom of a pool?

Sweights = Swimming & Weights

How would it work?

Racing against the clock, the musclemen and women would have to dive for the weights, load a barbell to the required amount and then complete the legal lift before the bell rings.

Warning: You may look like a tit during training

Cliving

No this is not some random new sport where contenders round up as many people called Clive by any means possible within a set time limit (sadly), but instead works along a similar principle to Sweights...

Cliving = Climbing & Diving

How would it work?

Athletes have to climb up a cliff side, then dive off of the top in as stylish a manner as possible - how sexy a combo is this?!!

'Oh bugger I've left me climbing boots up theeeeeerrrrrrrreeeeeee'

Vote Now!

2010-10-04T12:04:00.000-07:00

The BBC are looking for Sports Unsung Hero to give them an award for their endeavours alongside current professional stars at this years Sports Personality of the Year Awards and I think that could be ME - I just need your help!

So what are The BBC looking for?

'We want to know about an individual who, on a voluntary basis, makes a real difference to sport within their area.' The BBC

I'm not paid for The Everyman Olympics. And I cover a large area - so far I've ventured as far East as Southend, as far West as Basingstoke, as far South as Hove and North as Doncaster...but I'm willing to go so much further! Scotland, Wales, Ireland, the States, Australia...just invite me!*

*And provide travel and accommodation.

What else do the organisers want?

'This person will give their time and talents to enable others to participate in sport.' The BBC

I give loads of my time over for this very reason...and to beat Carl of course (struggled there), you are ALL welcome to play a part in my challenges - simply email me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com and let me know which sport you want to get involved in.

Any last requests from The Beeb?

'This may be helping an individual, team or teams'. The BBC

Let's see - I've so far battled individuals at badminton and tennis and the decathlon, got other individuals out with me running, done weights with one of the country's finest athletes, and I'm part of 2 cycling teams, AND I'm part of a canoeing team! - to date in helping myself I've also 'helped' over 40 individuals and counting!

I rest my case.

To VOTE FOR ME to be BBC Unsung Sports Personality of the Year 2010 simply:

Download and complete the Unsung Hero nomination form (Word) at the bottom of this page: http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/sports_personality_of_the_year/8913207.stm

And email this completed form to: sportsunsunghero@bbc.co.uk

My contact details: theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com

With gratitude,

The Everyman Olympian

The Tennis Challenge: Smashin'

2010-10-02T14:19:00.000-07:00

As a kid I'd say that my sporting prowess was limited to two events, yes I dabbled in Rugby and Weightlifting in my teens but that was mainly because I was big for my age for a few years; our PE teacher most likely picked me for the pack due to a lack in numbers and my chunkiness rather than my skill with an oval ball and I most likely picked lifting weights because it'd make me even bigger and that'd serve to protect me from the odd bully at school, but my real sporting interests started early in the pool and later evolved during the summers when I worked hard to emulate my Wimbledon heroes...this is the tale of The Tennis Challenge.

The Tennis Challenge

Play: 6 (Matches (Each best of 5 sets to add fitness value)
Time: 8 Days

Feeling slightly under the weather I met Tones one glorious Sunday afternoon in July to start this challenge on some concrete courts in Middle England.

While it had been the best part of a year since I'd last played this game of wits, skill and physical fitness, I believe it had been a while longer for the chap on the other side of the net - who turned up to play with his girlfriends racquet.

The best thing about my route to victory was that despite the scoreline - which was more flattering to me than the match felt (6-1, 6-2, 6-2), I can honestly say I had to fight for it - Tones played with heart and guile; a number of my passing winners were narrowly missed by a man hurling himself through the air with no thought for his closeness to the metal mesh outer fencing or the hard deck below...

Think this is gonna hurt? Now picture Tones in the same position above concrete and hurtling towards a metal mesh fence!

My pal Big Pete is not exactly built for tennis (he resembles a cross between Michael Chiklis and Ben Grimm, the character he plays in The Fantastic Four movies) but like a true friend he agreed to meet me the next day back at home for Match 2.

Having discussed venues and come to few conclusions, in true British fashion we ended up going to the pub, but not just any pub - this was a pub with a tennis court.

It's no detriment to the big man that I beat him 6-0, 6-2, 6-2 and in fairness probably gave him a few of those points, because sadly his tennis racquet wasn't exactly built for a man not exactly built for tennis either (he'd borrowed it off of his niece), and despite the cheering support of his lovely wife Debs he was unable to learn and master an unfamiliar sport within the short time we had on court.

In either form this dude's hardly the new Roger Federer

After 45 hours away for work, the late afternoon of Day 5 arrived and it was a must play situation: but I was struggling with a sick feeling in my stomach during the day and before I left to get to Mopsies Courts in Basildon, I had to convince myself I'd be OK...

Old foes always endure great battles, think Senna & Prost, Vader & Obi-Wan, Kermit & Miss Piggy...OK so scrap the last one but you get the idea - Snelly & I were no different, we'd played many times in the past and both of us wanted to claim the trophy*.

*A few years back Snelly and I had come up with a concept by which we played Squash in the Winter, Badminton in the Spring and Tennis Summer to Autumn, whoever dominated each season owned the trophy for that sport - we never actually bought trophies for this, it was just the tern of accolade the overall winner of each event could claim.

For 3 and a half hours we clashed like titans, till eventually I held the trophy aloft; winning 4-6, 7-6 (8-6), 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) - victory was mine!!!

'I'm gonna look after this for a while'

Less than 24 hours later and feeling knackered still quite frankly, I arrived at some courts in Leicester to play a man they call: Ryan Devlyn.

Ryan Devlyn

He may not have played of late but pre-match he warned me that if his serves started to come good then he'd punish me with them - luckily he took the first set to settle in, I won 6-1 by using my recent experience to focus on accuracy and gave the lad the run around.

Then his serves started to kick in - they were low, quick and accurate and indeed they did punish me.

4 aces later however, I regained my attacking in-game play and took the second set 6-2, which seemed to have a diverse effect on my sturdy opponent and while he reeled from my improving returns he was unable to up the other elements of his game - victory came swiftly with a 6-love win to seal it in straight sets.

Joy in my heart and bruised muscles in my legs, just 12 hours later I cruised through the gates of what can only be descibed as a manor house - I hit jackpot on Day 7 when my mate Chalky agreed to play me on the private court of his father-in-law-ish.

It was then that I took the biggest beating since Bruno vs Tyson '96 - as yet another ace flew past me I asked whether Chalky had played much before:

'I used to play for my school a while back, had coaching for a few years...oh, and I might have played a bit of County'. Cripes.

I can honestly say that I only really won half a game, the 6-2, 6-2, 6-0 victory for my classy opponent didn't do him justice - as we walked off 'centre court' his breathing was calm and controlled, I was a broken man.

Chalky beat me like the big softy I am

'Slight problem old chap, my uncles not got a racquet with him'. I looked at my phone in disbelief. Bo***cks! Suave's news could not have come at a worse time - I now needed a final day opponent and didn't have a clue who'd be up for playing on such short notice, I was in danger of failing The Tennis Challenge.

Post call there ensued a melee of madness - I called John, Kelly, Matt, Ma, Glen...Mark, Brian, Mike, Paul, Si...nothing! I hopped in the car and headed to the M25 in the hope of being best positioned to get to any game, anywhere in the UK and continued to make and take calls - those who couldn't play me I made be scouts for opposition and they would report back - I was desperate for an opponent.

By 1pm I was sat in my car at a service station and distraught, I'd made over 40 enquiries for fresh opponents and had scouts covering everywhere South of the North of England, the gamble of heading away from home had even meant I'd missed out on a match I could have played near home but my potential opponent had to be finished my 2pm - there was no way I could make it back in time.

A call came in through my cars speakers, ''Ey up bud have you found anyone to play yet?', it was Donnie Chris, he went on to explain that he was taking his missus,Trish, to her bosses house in Northampton that afternoon and could pack a racquet and shorts if need be - if need be?!!! Hell Yes I needed be!!

We arrived at the oddly named 'Race Course' to find a large field with no race course but it did have courts galore, and room for football and basketball too - the final match began at after 5pm on the last day of the challenge, on a grass court that had seen much much better days.

Actual picture of playing surface

At two sets down I'd had enough of this comedic farce - I'd guesstimate over half the shots we each had to receive bounced so ridiculously that chance and luck had more to do with the scoreline than pure tennis ability (though I would say that at 6-1, 6-1 down), so we moved onto a hard court nearby...

Some say that its the 'taking part that counts', and for the sheer fact that I've set these challenges up for the exercise value rather than to win every one I should agree - but I can't, fact is that losing in straight sets at a game I love is blinking annoying! (Chris took the last set 6-3, damn him!).

With Special Thanks to:

Tones - Cheers for turning up to start The Tennis Challenge the day after that day ; )

Big Pete - Nice one mate, let me know when you fancy a rematch!

Paul 'Snelly' Snell - The Tennis trophy is mine, next up - Badminton & Squash!!

The man they call Ryan Devlyn - Nice one fella, but next time keep them aces to yourself.

Chalky - A pleasure to lose to you sir, many thanks for the education!

Chris - Well done mate...Git.

The Cycling Challenge: Rollin' (Part Two)

2010-09-23T08:48:00.000-07:00

As you'll have noticed from Rollin' (Part One) I appear to have been in training for something and that's because I had, you see my cunning plan to complete The Cycling Challenge involved the first real effort of long term planning that'd been put into action so far - the remaining 54 miles would be nailed in one hit, for I had entered The London to Brighton Bike Ride!
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I'd be joined by my missus on this one and we in turn would join two seasoned veterans; Lee, a tall and wirey chappy with the added bonus of a mono brow which acted as the perfect cushion to his cycling helmet (almost perfectly evolved for added comfort on the road), and Glen - out on his 5th capital-to-bohemian-coastal-town annual adventure.
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Glen was the most seriously fitness fanatical of my pals; seemingly born for the gym and over many years he'd trained himself into a fine peddler of bikes too, the leader of our group - the locally legendary: Team Robblers.
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After a day of logistical mayhem which involved moving 4 bikes from varying addresses in the South East and Midlands, positioning 2 cars at the final destination on the South coast and all assembling in our nations great capital we were all tucked up in our respective beds at The Windmill on The Common public house by 10:30pm with bellies full of carbs and excitement in our veins.
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The London to Brighton Bike Ride is a charity event organised by The British Heart Foundation: a fine charity organisation set up to provide support for those with heart conditions and research into prevention solutions - so although I growled at the 5am alarm call, I was more than happy to be doing my bit.

Team Robblers

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The Starting Line
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Just before our 6:30am starting slot we headed down towards the starting line which was on the already busying Clapham Common, here we found that not just standard cyclists get involved in this charity event.
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Granny competes on a Segway

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Tactics
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As you'll know I'm a competitive little twat at times but those who know me away from this page will also agree that I'm an ol' fashioned gent at heart too...wouldn't you?
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Glen had made it clear that he wouldn't be hanging around; once through the starting posts he'd likely meet us down on the coast at the hotel, Lee was willing to give it his best shot (though he admitted he'd struggle to give our leader a run for his money), and Jess simply wanted to enjoy the route - which left me with a moral dilemma.
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I opted to stay with the missus (yet secretly hatched a plan to egg her on to greater speeds as much as possible), in the hope that we'd maintain a challenging pace and I'd have a whinge-free stay in Brighton.
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The Hill
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Just before what turned out to be the midway stage we reached the bottom of a hill, having kept up my gentlemanly conduct for the morn I told Jess I'd meet here at the top of the incline so I could give my leg muscles a mini workout and then we'd travel steadily on together thereafter.
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40 minutes I waited at the top of that pissing hill, with no sight of the lady whatsoever!
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Then I got a phone call...turns out she'd missed me in the crowds at the peak and opted to carry on looking - without calling and whilst cycling forwards...for about ten miles!!!
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That's not a hill, This is a Hill!
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Now feeling fresh and massively hacked off I'd decided, the race was on!
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With each rotation of my chain I ate up the competition like they were a row of grilled chicken and Mediterranean vegetable ciabattas from my local deli (I bloody love their lunches).
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I felt sure that I was going at least twice as fast as Lee and my missus and if I'm honest I thought that if I could catch them and 'accidentally not see them' as I whizzed past, that I would.
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Then I turned that corner and ended up at the foot of a proper hill - Ditchling Beacon rises to 248m. Bugger.
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To say I enjoyed that climb, having to walk a large section of it shoulder to sweaty shoulder with other entrants whilst being passed on the narrow road by far fitter cyclists (one of which was on his mobile, chatting without even a slight falter in his voice), would be to say that I'd enjoy tea-bagging my love tools into a vat of acid whilst being forced to listen repeatedly to Hey Macerena.
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Finishing Line
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The route from the top of Ditchlings Beacon was awe inspiring - back in the saddle I buzzed past slower competitors and as my buddies from the Sunday Cycle Gang had taught me, I peddled hard on the downhill sections too.
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Ok so maybe the climb took my breath away more than the view

As I came into Brighton I was amongst traffic, not all of the roads were especially closed off for us at this point and from an aerial point of view we must have looked like a swarm of trendy bees storming the city.

I crossed the line in what will have been an impressive 2nd half split time, just a shame the first half was soooo sloooowwww....

With Special Thanks to:

Glen 'Seasoned Robbler' Passingham - Finally took you up on the offer mate, well worth it!! I'll race ya next time!

Lee 'Mono Brow' Goddard - Good skills fella! Lets go again next year!

Jess 'The Missus' Fountain - Congrats on beating me, good tactics x

As mentioned before, YOU can get involved in The Everyman Olympics.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

.Suggestions or tips you have on which sports I should base an event on
How I can make the challenges realistic to the real thing and where I might find facilities to use
Stores where I can get good deals on sports equipment and kit
OR even if you’re available to play against me or in some of the team events!

Anyone who helps will be mentioned on the blog (Who knows, it may even make a book)

You can contact me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com

Or follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EveryOlympian

And now you can also see photo's and get the heads up on events by searching for 'The Everyman Olympics' on Facebook

The Cycling Challenge: Rollin' (Part One)

2010-09-12T23:49:00.000-07:00

Now, built like Arnie (from my local chip shop, not the Governor of California/Movie Star/Mr Universe) following The Weightlifting Challenge and having piled on the pounds whilst couped up in sweaty rooms I needed an opportunity that'd help me shed kilos whilst getting out in the open, I would also need a bike for:
The Cycling Challenge!

This is the story of how my previous favourite pastime crashed head long into my fresh, florishing, and worrying wholesome new favourite pastime.

Back in June...

Just 5 hours after leaving a bar at the end of last night I was stood outside a pub. But not just any pub. This, this was the wrong frigging pub. Bugger

This was the first time I'd been on a bike since the days when I drank in the Bull and a load of us regulars would go off on our wheels for cycling pub crawls in the Summer...*drifts off down memory lane to a purer time before mortgages and careers where for people like me*... ah the good ol' days when men drank beer, girls drank vodka and girls that drank vodka liked men that drank beer, and were on bikes.

My head pounding from a session that wasn't supposed to be a session (at least not for me) I gingerly hopped back onto the saddle of my new road bike and started to make the journey from one Railway Pub to another by the same name, only a mile or two further away, in a south easterly direction.

Mark looked annoyingly fresh. For 6:30am.On a Sunday. Git.

And that's how the first warm-up run for The Cycling Challenge went down; after a stage of booze pouring out of my open pores, retching on fresh air like I was a baby in a working mans club during those dark days when smoking inside wasn't payable by pain of death, alcohol switched to sweat and somewhere along the way I even learnt how to use my second cog of gears, till by the end of 32 albeit arduous miles I was buzzing like a battery-filled rabbit purchased from a retailer of explicit repute.

Beside the Thames estuary we breakfasted on vinegar-soaked cockles and smoked mackarel, washed down with tea - I coudn't have been more English at that moment if I'd rolled up on a Penny Farthing, wearing a 3-piece twead suit, whipped my pocket watch out and after stating the time aloud to anyone who'd notice in an accent boardering on the ridiculous I'd then saluted as I pledged my allegience 'to Queen and country!'.

I vowed never to drink before a cycling session again.

This lasted 2 weeks.

But it wasn't my fault.

Honest.

The Cycling Challenge

Distance: The equivalent of the London 2012 Olympic Games Road Race = 245km
Time: 22 days*

*22 days as I knew I could only spare time at weekend to actually ride

Bizarrely the 2nd time I awoke at with a hangover as the sun was climbing for the day and beckoning me to straddle my saddle I actually managed to climb the massive hill in Benfleet without stopping - this incline was so long and steep compared to the rest of a very flat area that you could even see the passengers on that bus route collectively doubting the ability of their carraige to make it to the top in one piece, let alone without stopping.

Graham was patiently waiting at the top with a camera at the ready to imortalise this monumentus occasion, I think he'd packed it along with energy boosters (sweets), a deckchair and the morning's paper which he could read on the roadside whilst sitting in comfort and waiting for me at the many points where he knew he'd have to.

No danger of me breaking the speed limit.

I on the other hand, only ever took a bottle of water - which I tactically drank as quickly as possible; so as to shed weight, and my house key. The latter of which I'd have even done without if possible to lighten my load and give me more of an 'edge'.

I'd only met Graham on the first day of The Cycling Challenge (proper), he was part of a mixed group which Mark had gathered in the hope of us gelling into a pack: Glen, Paul, Jude and Dave had formed the remainder of this collective.

Despite us losing Jude just after we left the first town (never to be seen again...well at least not that day anyhow), Dave battling through on a double heavy mountain bike which began to take its toll midway through, Paul coming off his racer on the coastal stretch and breaking a rib in the process - with only half the team nearby, and only 3 of us making it to the final destination, Mark still held out hope that we'd still bond. I loved his optomism.

As with all of my challenges I had to fit in training sessions around work and a personal life which involved a beautiful girlfriend who just happened to live half the country away.

This meant that on one occasion I had to bail out of meeting with the SCG (Sunday Cycle Gang) and instead form a mini breakaway cell with Glen on a Saturday, oddly we still chose to meet at silly o'clock on that morning.

However this very outing can be used as the perfect metaphor for something I'd come to realise in all sports, for we were of an equal-ish ability at the time and hence didn't, I felt, really stretch ourselves to the maximum:

With any sport you'll always find that you'll sit somewhere along the spectrum of say in this case a kid using stabilisers for their first time on wheels and Lance Armstrong at his peak, but the important thing is to learn and appreciate your level, then train with someone who's just slightly better than you - trust me, it'll give you that little bit of determination and grit in your teeth to strive for more, and you'll improve because of it.

A few further solo sessions also highlighted this very point. And the fact that I hadn't really been paying attention to the route we used at all; I got so lost on the second of these that I think I stumbled upon an as yet undiscovered part of Britain which even the supermarkets hadn't heard of and where the natives actually grew their own vegetables whilst living in perfected harmony despite their assorted colours, backgrounds and beliefs (all attributes of the people, not the vegetables)...though bugger knows where it is as I got lost even more just trying to get back to Raleigh.

To be continued...

With special thanks to:

Mark 'Scissors' Smith - SCG Founder, Mod, Styler of the Ginger Baboon
Graham 'Rafa' Hutson - Cycling Purist, Gardener, Lover of Fashion (in a masculine, good way), Writer of fine blogs: http://www.openzedoor.blogspot.com/ & http://www.bigleavessmallgarden.blogspot.com/

Glen: Sailor, Very Sound Fellow

Dave: Survivor on a Mountain Bike

Paul: Top, yet Injured Man.

Jude: Missing In Action

As mentioned before, YOU can get involved in The Everyman Olympics.

Here’s what I’m looking for:

Suggestions or tips you have on which sports I should base an event on
How I can make the challenges realistic to the real thing and where I might find facilities to use
Stores where I can get good deals on sports equipment and kit
OR even if you’re available to play against me or in some of the team events!

Anyone who helps will be mentioned on the blog (Who knows, it may even make a book)

You can contact me at theeverymanolympian@googlemail.com

Or follow me on Twitter: http://twitter.com/EveryOlympian

And now you can also see photo's and get the heads up on events by searching for 'The Everyman Olympics' on Facebook

We have a Winner!!

2010-08-25T23:35:00.000-07:00

As you'll recall the first post on The Everyman Olympics outlined why I'm doing these challenges, whilst my second post - The Very Exciting Subplot - focused on my competition with Carl and the race to lose a stone - this is an update on that sub-challenge, and yes ladies and gents, we have a winner!

For the last 6 months I've been focusing my spare time researching, setting up and competing in Olympic-events-based sporting challenges and by all means yes I mean to carry on, at least until I've completed an entire years worth.

So far in my quest I've been on the pull for The Rowing Challenge, suffered defeat to a girl in The Badminton Challenge, chased a gay-looking surfer-type dude around my home village for The Running Challenge, lifted heavy stuff in a bizarre manner for The Weightlifting Challenge, been beaten by a mountain in *The Cycling Challenge and lived like a millionaire for a morning in *The Tennis Challenge.

* These last two are yet to be posted - stay tuned, they're on their way.

My early results weight-loss-wise were pretty piss poor as I struggled to adapt from my beer guzzling, take-away-munching ways yet as I settled into dragging my sorry arse around parks, fields and up and down the coastline in what was essentially a jogathon during April I did start to shed the pounds enough to notice.

OK so may I was pulling the tape a little too tight

Meanwhile Carl had taken to adapting a more traditional approach and whilst I'm sure the blog he hasn't written, about how he gave up carbs and reduced his hitherto insatiable appetite for alcohol will I'm sure have been well worth a read (though we'll never truly know), to be fair he'd been steadfast in his new morals and was motoring along on the road to Slimsville.

Seeriouslee Frodo Oi'm gonna give up the booze right afta this pint

Ladies & Gentlemen, we have a winner!

I feel it's my duty to inform you that standing shakily on top of the one foot high podium is aforementioned (in The Very Exciting Subplot) hobbit-featured, sauerkraut-munching, sportswear/fashionwear designer...Carl

With annoyance in my eyes, body language and eyes I salute you, you little shit, for your triumph (so not bitter at all then).

Well done for emerging as the victor in the battle of Belly Shedington, may your unborn children share in your slim-ass family frame and may all who view you remark 'now there's a skinny hobbit'.

The prize of 1 free slap up dinner of your choice at my expense is yours to claim whenst we next meet and I'll have no gripes in shaking your hand and cheering 'for he's a jolly good inhabitant of hobbitan' over and over until the restauranteurs call in a wizard of a doorman to smash my lights out.

Congratulations!

My downfall? With gusto and vigour I'd fought hard to prove my exercising methods right, and I felt sure they'd prove the quick fix I needed to be crowned champion but I just could not refuse the thrill of being handed The Weightlifting Challenge; the joy of meeting and subsequently being trained by a real life title winning athlete, the happiness in gaining a link to said British medal winner through a body builder in the states - through a medium I'd just started tweeting on, and the opportunity to rekindle an old interest in pumping iron.

I'd channelled my enthusiasm to the point where I didn't want to let Coach Josie, Pete Puma, you the reader or indeed myself down, and so I didn't hesitate in drinking the chalky whey protein shakes which my trainer had recommended to aid recovery, even when I'd read that they would essentially help my body retain greater muscle gain from each session, and by which means directly aid my increasing in weight during a period when I was supposed to be losing it.

In one month I actually put on more weight than I'd lost in the previous 3 and it was then that I received this image from the man who I'm sure has very hairy feet:

He even shaved his feet for the occasion

It was a harsh blow to suffer and I knew instantly that I'd lost the sub-challenge in The Very Exciting Subplot, possibly due to my own insistence on taking up The Weightlifting Challenge but as another pal of mine says - life's a journey, not a race.

As mentioned before, YOU can get involved in The Everyman Olympics.
Here’s what I’m looking for:

Suggestions or tips you have on which sports I should base an event on
How I can make the challenges realistic to the real thing and where I might find facilities to use
Stores where I can get good deals on sports equipment and kit
OR even if you’re available to play against me or in some of the team events!