August Heatwave for 2010 Chara Challenge?
Just read that the UK may actually get a summer this year… whilst this is great news. The dates are not:
This year a two-week spell at the start of August is expected to be hotter than the UK’s highest ever temperature, the 38.5c (101.3f) recorded at Brogdale, near Faversham, Kent, on August 10, 2003.
Read more here.
This is not a Met Office prediction this is a Positive Weather Solutions forecast so I feel pretty confident this will happen. Perhaps Boots, Piz Buin or Nivea would like to sponsor the Chara Challenge or the Dead Technical team?
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Training for the Chara Challenge – Week 2
Week 2 of Chara Challenge training includes some running and walking as you might expect but has also included birdseed, compost, wadding, Eddie Izzard and Gurkhas…
So the miles continue to go on at a steady rate. I’ve given up my luxury life of taxis everywhere and replaced this with walking. The accountant, bank manager, environmentalists and Boris Johnson will be happy with this, the black cab men of London and Addison Lee not so much. The plus side other than additional mileage as part of my training is that I spend less time sat down and more time appreciating what a great city London really is. We have some beautiful buildings that you really can’t appreciate unless you walk past them or stop to take a look. In one day alone I increased my mileage by 5 miles, albeit without weight but I feel a lot better for it.
My proposed big day of Sunday training ended up consisting of two roast dinners, a long walk over the Army ranges, falling asleep in front of a dismal Chelsea draw and watching too much television. In fairness two programmes could be counted as training, the Gurkhas on Country File and Eddie Izzard – Marathon Man. Eddie Izzard, wow what an inspiration! The guy is more at home in 6 inch heels than trainers yet he managed to complete 43 marathons back to back with only 8 weeks training. Maybe I should invite him to join The Chara Challenge? The Gurkhas were equally impressive with there training on the Brecon Beacons. Some seriously tough terrain in equally tough weather conditions and they were carrying each other! Those guys really are some of the Army’s toughest in my book!
We have been debating within the Dead Technical team what the best filling for the backpacks is. Making up the weight of 35lb (15kgs) can be with anything but it is important it is comfortable once mounted. So far we have tried sand bags (too dense), compost (still a little dense and can smell a bit), bird seed (very dense but easy to manipulate and comes sealed at 28lbs) and finally punch bag wadding. The later two are my favourite at the moment but I guess time will tell what is going to work best. Any other suggestions?
The training for the Chara Challenge continues…
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Training for the Chara Challenge – Week 1
So training has started in earnest for most of the team… When I say training do I mean researching the internet in a blind panic for what we have let ourselves in for? Or is this just general procrastination, anything but actually train? I can only speak for myself but I think so.
John and I have already started looking at backpacks. All the gear no idea springs to mind!
In all honesty I think we are all looking at hitting 5 miles pretty comfortably as a starting point. Not too difficult is the general consensus but this is in trainers, without weight on our backs and nice smooth pavements.
We will be upping the ante at the weekend with our first runs nearing 10 miles or 2 hours which ever comes first in woodland / on rough terrain. This will be our first sign of how difficult a hurdle we face.
We embrace the Commando spirit… Nothing Impossible!
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The Chara Challenge
Dead Technical have entered the 2010 Chara Challenge! You are probably wondering what the Chara Challenge is so lets start there…
What?
The Chara Challenge was founded in 2009 after 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines returned from their third tour of duty in Afghanistan. During that tour 37 marines were killed in action and 167 were seriously wounded fighting the Taliban.
The Chara Challenge is a demanding 30 mile cross-country race across Dartmoor carrying 32 pounds (15kgs) of weight excluding food and water. It is basically the same route, distance, weight and conditions trainee marines are subjected to as part of the selection process. This selection process is recognised as one of the if not the toughest in the world. The challenge is to complete the route in under 10 hours! (Marine selection is under 8 hours and under 7 hours for officers.)
The race is a real test of mental and physical endurance and character. It is also fun, immensely rewarding and worthy – the 2009 event raised over £100,000 for the supported charities.
Why?
Two reasons…
1. We are simply bonkers but like a challenge and it seemed like a good idea at the time.
2. We went to help raise money for the dependants of our marines who will not be coming home and for the care of those who are suffering from the injuries they have sustained serving their country.
Who?
The Dead Technical team are:
James Bush
Richard Bush
Alex Gray
John Randle
Ross Edgar
Henry Iddon
When?
The Chara Challenge 2010 will be run on Sunday 8 August.
If you would like to support us in the form of sponsorship please go here:
http://www.justgiving.com/deadtechnicalcharachallenge
All proceeds go to the Royal Marines Charitable Trust.
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