Rock Solid Race

The first big challenge on my 40 before 40 list has been done. 

Number 8 on my list was compete in a Tough Guy / Tough Mudder event. 

Yesterday I headed up to a very sunny Escot Park just outside Exeter with my support team (Rachel, Olivia and Bryher) to tackle the Rock Solid Race. 

The 10k obstacle race, which I heard several people say was actually 12k, took in mud, water, mud, water, more mud and some bonkers obstacles. 

After a warm up with a military fitness instructor, my wave set off at 1.20pm. 

The obstacles are now a bit of a blur, but we started with haybale hurdles (the big round ones), before heading off into the woods. 

At first I tried to avoid the mud and water, but after five minutes the only thing to do was to embrace it (my white running socks will never be white again ). 

Crawling on your stomach through muddy water and under barbed wire certainly got the adrenalin going, as did diving under a giant inflatable tube in a murky pond. I made the mistake of opening my eyes before surfacing, and can still feel grains of dirt under my eyelids as I type. 

The biggest challenge for me was the vertical cargo net. The height was okay, probably around 15 feet, it was the fear of falling that got me. 

I did it though, but the fear of falling off an obstacle wasn't helped by seeing a guy strapped into a stretcher waiting for an ambulance by one of the eight foot walls.

Tyres, more haybales, more water, wading through waist-deep mud, rope climbs, crawling through mud under a net, tunnels and more walls all were tackled, and enjoyed. 

I even took some strange enjoyment in diving into the skip full of iced water that resulted in the worst ice cream headache ever!

As I came into the final stretch I could see Bryher in the distance running around in her bright red all in one suit, before I saw Rach and Liv. 

This spurred me on for the final push where I jumped over fire, took on volunteers with Gladiator-style pugil sticks before, in true Rocky style, climbing haybale steps to cross the finish line. 

Having checked my time this afternoon I did the race in 1.50:08 and finished 271st out of 1880 finishers. I'm pretty chuffed with that for my first effort. 

I've also raised around £130 for CHICKS so far, which is the reason why I tackled this event. 

As well as my support team, I'd like to say a huge thank you to Felicia Sheingold, who has pushed me to my limits in my training sessions since January. The extra fitness made a huge difference. 

Bring on next year's race!

Post race burger in Exeter. 

 My race number, dog tag medals and Rock Solid T-shirt. 

Squash

Number 15 on my list was to try a new sport. 

So tonight I headed to the Sir Ben Ainslie Sports Centre in Truro and played squash for the first time. 

I was repeatedly beaten by my opponents and tutors, Ben Jones and Christian Ziar, and in the six or seven games I played I think I won about eight or nine points.

Three was the most I picked up in any game. 

I played a lot of tennis and badminton in my youth, and it did help a bit. But getting used to ball warming up and hitting ii off the side and back walls felt unusual at first. 

Despite my losing streak I did enjoy the game and will definitely play again. I liked the way it gets your heart pumping quickly. 

Thanks Chris and Ben (nice hat btw!)

Take part in a Tough Guy / Tough Mudder event

Number 8 on my 40 before 40 list is to 'Take part in a Tough Guy / Tough Mudder event'.

It was during a catch up meeting with one of our clients, the charity CHICKS (Country Holidays for Inner City Kids), that I noticed the Rock Solid obstacle race in Exeter on the charity's new event planner.

I had thought I would have a few months, to get in some training and prepare mentally for the event. 

Instead, I decided there and then to sign up and make sure I have no excuses for not doing an event like this over the next 12 months. 

So rather than a few months, I've now got just 13 days before I head to Escot Park just outside Exeter to tackle 10km of mud, barbed wire, mud, hay bale mountains, mud, fire, mud and running around with a sand bag. 

The running bit is fine, but I feel slightly nervous about the obstacles (my personal trainer has recommended that I head to my nearest DIY shop, buy a sandbag and walk / run with it for a few days to help with training!). 

It's good to know that there will be other CHICKS' runners on the day, so I'll look out for the yellow vests so we can support each other on the way round. 

Here's a video of the event, as well as some pics of my CHICKS' running best and some shots from today's off-road run.

Rock Solid obstacle race film