Ok, so things have progressed in getting ready for the trek which is now only just over 5 months away.
I've got the boots, and after a couple of months of pain, they are now fully warn in and feel reasonably comfortable..... they want to at that price. I've invested in a new camera so I can catch some decent memories of the event and even become the owner of the thickest pair of socks you can possibly imagine (thanks Sue!).
Most importantly though, I managed to secure my medical clearance for the trip, and it was all done above board, I didn't hide my knee issues so I feel comfortable now that I can take on the challenge. I am looking to book myself into an Altitude training centre in Soho over the next month or two, but have decided against buying one of the oxygen tents to sleep in.... Bon wasn't too keen ;-)
Training is going very well, although I still loathe the gym, I do seem to have developed a bit of an OCD when it comes to building up my quads to protect my knees. My legs are certainly the strongest they've ever been, but still no longer I'm afraid. Just starting to take on some walks too, and that's something I will be concentrating more on in the coming weeks / months.
Now the event is getting closer, I am hoping more kind people will start to sponsor me for this, and its been slow over the last couple of months. The Pickering Centre really is an amazing place and every penny is extremely gratefully received.
'til the next time.
KiliKev
Thursday, 8 April 2010
Friday, 29 January 2010
Oh dear, it's this year.
The knee is doing really well, zero pain now, just a bit clunky. The leg muscles are almost visible to the naked eye now too so that's got to be a good sign.
Had a bit of falling-over-in-the-snow moment which resulted in extremely sore ribs for both me (from the fall) and for the wife (from the laughing) which stopped me from training for a week or two, but no long term damage.
Going to the shops tomorrow to buy some walking boots, not a sentence I ever imagined myself saying/typing, but I've been advised from all angles that its essential I get them right and get them early and then wear them as much as I can..... hmmmm, I hope they do them with velcro fastenings, laces do my head in (no I'm not 5, just a smidge lazy).
Over £800 raised so far, which is a decent start, but still over £2.5k to go, so I've every intention to ramp up the fund raising activity now, I've even agreed to do a car boot sale which is second on the list of things I never thought I'd say. Why do they have be on so early, seriously, why?
So be prepared to be peppered for sponsor requests from yours truly, I don't apologise for it, its the only time I've ever done it and its for a bloody good cause so in the immortal words of Bob Geldof "give us yer fecking money" ;-)
The knee is doing really well, zero pain now, just a bit clunky. The leg muscles are almost visible to the naked eye now too so that's got to be a good sign.
Had a bit of falling-over-in-the-snow moment which resulted in extremely sore ribs for both me (from the fall) and for the wife (from the laughing) which stopped me from training for a week or two, but no long term damage.
Going to the shops tomorrow to buy some walking boots, not a sentence I ever imagined myself saying/typing, but I've been advised from all angles that its essential I get them right and get them early and then wear them as much as I can..... hmmmm, I hope they do them with velcro fastenings, laces do my head in (no I'm not 5, just a smidge lazy).
Over £800 raised so far, which is a decent start, but still over £2.5k to go, so I've every intention to ramp up the fund raising activity now, I've even agreed to do a car boot sale which is second on the list of things I never thought I'd say. Why do they have be on so early, seriously, why?
So be prepared to be peppered for sponsor requests from yours truly, I don't apologise for it, its the only time I've ever done it and its for a bloody good cause so in the immortal words of Bob Geldof "give us yer fecking money" ;-)
Thursday, 29 October 2009
Okay, so one month on and the training is going suprisingly well.
At least I thought it was until I popped into see the Fund Raising Manager at the Pickering Centre, the lovely Polly, and the walk up the three flights of stairs to her office half killed me. Hmmm, I'm guessing Kilimanjaro is a little higher.
5,895 metres to be precise.
I met a bloke a couple of weeks ago who had just returned from his own summit of Kili, and he described the last couple of days as "brutal", with only half of his group making it to the highest point, Uhuru Peak. He described heavy vomiting, tears, panic attacks and people being taken down on stretchers.
Wish I hadn't asked him now, to be honest.
The fundraising has started in earnest, up to £600 raised so far, a HUGE thank you to all those who have donated, every penny is greatly appreciated.
At least I thought it was until I popped into see the Fund Raising Manager at the Pickering Centre, the lovely Polly, and the walk up the three flights of stairs to her office half killed me. Hmmm, I'm guessing Kilimanjaro is a little higher.
5,895 metres to be precise.
I met a bloke a couple of weeks ago who had just returned from his own summit of Kili, and he described the last couple of days as "brutal", with only half of his group making it to the highest point, Uhuru Peak. He described heavy vomiting, tears, panic attacks and people being taken down on stretchers.
Wish I hadn't asked him now, to be honest.
The fundraising has started in earnest, up to £600 raised so far, a HUGE thank you to all those who have donated, every penny is greatly appreciated.
Sunday, 20 September 2009
A year to prepare
So, a year until I have to walk for 7 consecutive days up a great big hill, and back down again.
My starting position probably isn't the greatest. Apart from the extra pounds that seem to have grown from nowhere around my middle over the last few years without me even noticing (Do men suffer from water retention?) I had major knee surgery at the back end of 2008 and am still only about 80% recovered.
I have taken the first big step in my preparation though, by joining a gym. This was a huge step for me as a self confessed loather of gyms and "gym types"...... you know the ones I mean, those who bang on constantly about what their gym visit consisted of and think it perfectly normal to use words such as "reps" and "presses" in every day parlance.
Anyway, I have joined and I've even been..... twice.... so the preparation has started.
Oh and I've also got a hat......
My starting position probably isn't the greatest. Apart from the extra pounds that seem to have grown from nowhere around my middle over the last few years without me even noticing (Do men suffer from water retention?) I had major knee surgery at the back end of 2008 and am still only about 80% recovered.
I have taken the first big step in my preparation though, by joining a gym. This was a huge step for me as a self confessed loather of gyms and "gym types"...... you know the ones I mean, those who bang on constantly about what their gym visit consisted of and think it perfectly normal to use words such as "reps" and "presses" in every day parlance.
Anyway, I have joined and I've even been..... twice.... so the preparation has started.
Oh and I've also got a hat......
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