November is going to be a bit of a write off for me blog wise as i'm off to South Africa, Botswana and Zambia in a few days for the wedding of one of my closest friends Mr Tristan 'Arab' Elder to the lovely Bianca Aveling followed by a safari. Should be absolutely awesome and i can't wait.
I plan to drink and eat as moderately as possible due to Everest training but when on holiday??? The main aim is to see Tris and recharge my batteries but the plans are extensive with Table mountain a must, Victoria falls, beach flexing workouts, hippo wrestling, England rugby viewing, cheetah racing, beach cricket in Cape Town and the start of serious training on my return we shall aim to stay in shape.
I look forward to welcoming the new members of Tenzing on my return and the fight for those places has been fierce which is great and a tribute to the fella's. I will be at the meeting and events on the 5th of December in the smoke and look forward to a catch up with everyone then and renewed impetous.
Bye for now, G
Monday, 10 November 2008
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Better Blogs
Howdy
Six god damn posts in October, comedy, poetry (of sorts), videos, inspiration, perspiration but not in the top 3 blogs of the month. What the? Is it because i'm VC or just that Mark, Blinky and Tooves are much more witty and eloquent than I????hhhmmm.
Anywho will raise my game once again on all fronts to showcase my talents, the ultimate downhill video is coming and I can always put together some Napoleon Dynamite dance move video if i'm really struggling........
On a serious note I was in the Oxford Mail twice last week with a nice report although i got ripped at work for my over use of the word Awesome. Love that word. Well if i do over use it, so be it, but for this trip it cannot be over-used so shove it Party 4 Didcot massive.
I had a wee glance at Curry on everest and see he is at 65% of his total so if your not on the trip and reading this please donate to help me near my goal and I will do something AWESOME on the blog when 50% and 110% are hit.
I also went to an Ironman evening the other day to scare myself so much that fear will drive me to training for 30 weeks, so failure is not an option. Some great input especially for the simple stuff, they say what is essential is writing down your goals (60% of people who write down their goals achieve them) don't know where u get facts like that but will be writing mine down soon. Planning is also very important to vary and dicipline your training, mine is starting to look like a part time job but hey. Lastly its about enjoying your training, having realistic goals and looking after yourself. When training hard the rest time is where you gain your fitness so make sure you train hard then rest hard. My moto anyway.
If your not already signed up for Santa pub crawl on 13th Dec its genius, so do and i'll see you around.
Six god damn posts in October, comedy, poetry (of sorts), videos, inspiration, perspiration but not in the top 3 blogs of the month. What the? Is it because i'm VC or just that Mark, Blinky and Tooves are much more witty and eloquent than I????hhhmmm.
Anywho will raise my game once again on all fronts to showcase my talents, the ultimate downhill video is coming and I can always put together some Napoleon Dynamite dance move video if i'm really struggling........
On a serious note I was in the Oxford Mail twice last week with a nice report although i got ripped at work for my over use of the word Awesome. Love that word. Well if i do over use it, so be it, but for this trip it cannot be over-used so shove it Party 4 Didcot massive.
I had a wee glance at Curry on everest and see he is at 65% of his total so if your not on the trip and reading this please donate to help me near my goal and I will do something AWESOME on the blog when 50% and 110% are hit.
I also went to an Ironman evening the other day to scare myself so much that fear will drive me to training for 30 weeks, so failure is not an option. Some great input especially for the simple stuff, they say what is essential is writing down your goals (60% of people who write down their goals achieve them) don't know where u get facts like that but will be writing mine down soon. Planning is also very important to vary and dicipline your training, mine is starting to look like a part time job but hey. Lastly its about enjoying your training, having realistic goals and looking after yourself. When training hard the rest time is where you gain your fitness so make sure you train hard then rest hard. My moto anyway.
If your not already signed up for Santa pub crawl on 13th Dec its genius, so do and i'll see you around.
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
IRONMAN
Does what it says on the tin.
I set myself the challenge of doing an Ironman before I was thirty when I started triathlon 2 years ago well with Everest and me being crazy I signed up to do it next June.
2.5 mile swim, 112 mile bike and then the marathon in the South of France in Summer heat.
No Worries??
Training like a mad man starting in the new year, no parties, no booze, no distraction just training to become Michael Phelps, Lance Armstrong and Heille Gebreselassie rolled into one. No under 12 hours and i'll be very happy.
2009 is a big year already...............
Sunday, 26 October 2008
3 Peaks aftermath.
Hi there,
What can I say, it wasn't meant to be. The conditions were impossible and we were told by firemen, local mountain walkers, family and everyone else that attempting 3 peaks in October was seriously tough . Our scouser driver repeatedly told us how many groups had tried and failed and that we were nuts
Well on arrival at Glasgow it was chilly and blustery and even at the foot of 1344m Ben nevis it was not apparent that the weather was going to get so treacherous. The team was positive and well prepared and we were in good spirits for the first hour and a half. It was pitch black but once on the main pathway we were moving steadily. The wind was picking up and the rain was constant and flowing off the mountains through the path.
After traversing the first part of our climb the wind picked up dramatically and was swirling around us. The wind was penetrating everyone's clothing with the wind increasing to 70-90mph and the wind chill factor was meaning every slight stop was making us cold. We pushed on for a further 45minutes but when we got to 900 metres the ground opened up and the wind was blowing us around like kites. We had 90 minutes plus to climb to the summit at best but the reality was that someone could easily be blown off the side of the path or loose there footing in the conditions and we had no chance of looking after them with everyone getting cold. So with everyone in agreement i said we needed to go bach down. I think any other decsion would have been irresponsible and it was not taken lightly. As we turned wind was into us like no-one had ever felt and it took so much energy and time to walk a short distance I was immeadiately sure it was the right decsion to turn back. At one stage we all locked arms to stop us all being blown around and Tooves ( our smallest member)could barely stand up. We were all worried and just wanted to get out of the wind asap. Coming down was seriously dangerous and the wind and rain was cutting us in two. It took us 90minutes plus to come down but with only a few slips and no injuries, I was relieved. All our gear was soaked through and we were cold to the bone.
When we had changed and warmed up we got reports Scafell and Snowdon were even worse conditions. We drove to Manchester and decided, to try any more walking was dangerous, foolhardy and not what we wanted to do the challenge for in the first place.
Unfortunately the challenge was over but we live to fight again and in fact the walking and mountains we not our victor it was the conditions. A huge thank you to the guys on the expedition for being so strong of mind and calm in the face of treacherous and barren conditions. We have gelled as a team in the face of adversity and do not take lightly to failure. We will be back.
See below for conditions and just add 800metres, a 5ft wide path and pitch darkness to understand the predicament.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4aB50qNoz0
What can I say, it wasn't meant to be. The conditions were impossible and we were told by firemen, local mountain walkers, family and everyone else that attempting 3 peaks in October was seriously tough . Our scouser driver repeatedly told us how many groups had tried and failed and that we were nuts
Well on arrival at Glasgow it was chilly and blustery and even at the foot of 1344m Ben nevis it was not apparent that the weather was going to get so treacherous. The team was positive and well prepared and we were in good spirits for the first hour and a half. It was pitch black but once on the main pathway we were moving steadily. The wind was picking up and the rain was constant and flowing off the mountains through the path.
After traversing the first part of our climb the wind picked up dramatically and was swirling around us. The wind was penetrating everyone's clothing with the wind increasing to 70-90mph and the wind chill factor was meaning every slight stop was making us cold. We pushed on for a further 45minutes but when we got to 900 metres the ground opened up and the wind was blowing us around like kites. We had 90 minutes plus to climb to the summit at best but the reality was that someone could easily be blown off the side of the path or loose there footing in the conditions and we had no chance of looking after them with everyone getting cold. So with everyone in agreement i said we needed to go bach down. I think any other decsion would have been irresponsible and it was not taken lightly. As we turned wind was into us like no-one had ever felt and it took so much energy and time to walk a short distance I was immeadiately sure it was the right decsion to turn back. At one stage we all locked arms to stop us all being blown around and Tooves ( our smallest member)could barely stand up. We were all worried and just wanted to get out of the wind asap. Coming down was seriously dangerous and the wind and rain was cutting us in two. It took us 90minutes plus to come down but with only a few slips and no injuries, I was relieved. All our gear was soaked through and we were cold to the bone.
When we had changed and warmed up we got reports Scafell and Snowdon were even worse conditions. We drove to Manchester and decided, to try any more walking was dangerous, foolhardy and not what we wanted to do the challenge for in the first place.
Unfortunately the challenge was over but we live to fight again and in fact the walking and mountains we not our victor it was the conditions. A huge thank you to the guys on the expedition for being so strong of mind and calm in the face of treacherous and barren conditions. We have gelled as a team in the face of adversity and do not take lightly to failure. We will be back.
See below for conditions and just add 800metres, a 5ft wide path and pitch darkness to understand the predicament.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4aB50qNoz0
Thursday, 23 October 2008
3 Peaks Inspiration
Men of Tenzing against the sky,
Three peaks is here the time is nigh.
Into the breech they say, the unknown, my British wilderness,
For Everest 'a test' an opportunity to invest.
Where we go one, we go all. A team together as one,
step by step until our success has come.
A sherpa he was who never gave up,
His name in our hearts, Tenzing Norgay what up.
Onwards and upwards with wings on our heels,
Wotsits and wham bars the General eats his meals.
But on any given Sunday, but the 25th for we special few,I
nches and teamwork won't separate me from you.
Twenty four hours the world turns a day, climbing three mountains the October way.
Hillary running around school halls in time to the bleep, and surely getting; much more sleep.
I call us together new friends and old, for an intriguing story to unfold.
Drop you co*ks and grab you socks, welcome gents to the school of big rocks.
Three peaks is here the time is nigh.
Into the breech they say, the unknown, my British wilderness,
For Everest 'a test' an opportunity to invest.
Where we go one, we go all. A team together as one,
step by step until our success has come.
A sherpa he was who never gave up,
His name in our hearts, Tenzing Norgay what up.
Onwards and upwards with wings on our heels,
Wotsits and wham bars the General eats his meals.
But on any given Sunday, but the 25th for we special few,I
nches and teamwork won't separate me from you.
Twenty four hours the world turns a day, climbing three mountains the October way.
Hillary running around school halls in time to the bleep, and surely getting; much more sleep.
I call us together new friends and old, for an intriguing story to unfold.
Drop you co*ks and grab you socks, welcome gents to the school of big rocks.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Hills, hills, hills (not u Hog, the smaller versions of mountains)
Hi folks,
Basically before I did a Ten Tors 45mile expedition at school we did a week of hill sprints the week before. Although i was a whippet 17 year old I definately noticed how much it benefitted my training. So here is a video example for you to absorb or take the piss out of.
I'm very lucky this hill is 300 metres from my hacienda but for you lot in the smoke you could run up the downwards escalator 6 times at nearest tube station? or simply use a park or treadmill, failing that run up a hill. Either way its a good form of training nearer the event. I'm doing it as we have 3 Peaks next weekend. Cheeers on, G.
Basically before I did a Ten Tors 45mile expedition at school we did a week of hill sprints the week before. Although i was a whippet 17 year old I definately noticed how much it benefitted my training. So here is a video example for you to absorb or take the piss out of.
I'm very lucky this hill is 300 metres from my hacienda but for you lot in the smoke you could run up the downwards escalator 6 times at nearest tube station? or simply use a park or treadmill, failing that run up a hill. Either way its a good form of training nearer the event. I'm doing it as we have 3 Peaks next weekend. Cheeers on, G.
Friday, 10 October 2008
Rage, Bulls and News.
Hi there.
Basically I have rage at not only missing the launch party for Everest but being made to work through the Vertigo talk in Oxford tonight. Rubbish week but hey the Bull incident made up for it.
So the morning after the Launch party I rose at 11am after and late shift ready to hit my cross country 6/7mile run hard to put a little something back for the team a personal bit of pride I thought. The weather was great and hot; the ground muddy, damp but fun and adds to the downhill slippy bits through the woods when it feels like Apocalypto?! So 20 minutes in I was running down a narrow hillside and a large bulloch with mahoosive horns came trotting into my view looking mean. It took one look at me running towards him and beelined for my soft bits. I had come through a kissing gate 60 metres back and had one option and a 60 metre head start. Basically I craped myself and moved faster than I ever have in my life backtowards safety. I half jumped and half hurdled the gate to safety and put my heart back into my chest. Unbelievable affect on my training as I sat looking backwards as I swear I could have been in the backs in rugby had I had some REAL incentive. I think the bull had given up quickly after I had craped myself but unknown to me. I shouted at him and went the long way round and missed a fastest time but felt very pumped. Good session thought i'd share it??
I have to pass on that i've had a decent response from South Today and Thames Valley news about the cause and following my progress. Great publicity and with my Sports Relief page now set up the pennies should come flying in, I hope.
Cheers for reading.
G
Basically I have rage at not only missing the launch party for Everest but being made to work through the Vertigo talk in Oxford tonight. Rubbish week but hey the Bull incident made up for it.
So the morning after the Launch party I rose at 11am after and late shift ready to hit my cross country 6/7mile run hard to put a little something back for the team a personal bit of pride I thought. The weather was great and hot; the ground muddy, damp but fun and adds to the downhill slippy bits through the woods when it feels like Apocalypto?! So 20 minutes in I was running down a narrow hillside and a large bulloch with mahoosive horns came trotting into my view looking mean. It took one look at me running towards him and beelined for my soft bits. I had come through a kissing gate 60 metres back and had one option and a 60 metre head start. Basically I craped myself and moved faster than I ever have in my life backtowards safety. I half jumped and half hurdled the gate to safety and put my heart back into my chest. Unbelievable affect on my training as I sat looking backwards as I swear I could have been in the backs in rugby had I had some REAL incentive. I think the bull had given up quickly after I had craped myself but unknown to me. I shouted at him and went the long way round and missed a fastest time but felt very pumped. Good session thought i'd share it??
I have to pass on that i've had a decent response from South Today and Thames Valley news about the cause and following my progress. Great publicity and with my Sports Relief page now set up the pennies should come flying in, I hope.
Cheers for reading.
G
Monday, 6 October 2008
VC, End of season and the winter months.
Well the big news is I have been made the Vice Captain of team Tenzing by the committee of the Everest Test, I will be there to support Haydn as the Main man. This was out of the blue for me and an utterly awesome surprise. I am well and truly inspired by the whole expedition; and how some many people have played their part and continue to help the cause. We are going from strength to strength and by adding the team captains and vices this can only help Wes and Kirt.
To be honest I am not even in the top half best cricketers in our squad and as I live outside the smoke and have very little corporate activity through work(Police) I didn't think I had much of a chance of being a leader on the expedition. But the more I'm involved and throwing my skills into the collective ring the more I realise the mammoth undertaking this trip has become and that everyones input is required. My knowledge of fitness, training, walking and the people involved togther with my teamworking are why i'm there and will now be put to the test and i want to step up my efforts.
We had a fantastic game in Sheen Park to celebrate the two teams coming togther on the field and Hillary were given a thorough drubbing by ourselves. With my Uni mate Jules being made Vice for the oppo and having him caught and bowled was a special moment!!!!! But bewteen now and when we play the game at Gorak Shep we our one expedition and I hope all 30 players make it up for the game and look forward to getting to know the Hillary lads and trektators a whole lot better.
So, the end of season is here and the winter months of training are not far away it will be getting harder but i'm confident everyone is aware of how hard our task is and that the majority are working hard to get themselves ready. Well we'll find out 3 weeks yesterday when on top of Ben Nevis at 6 in the morning.
Cheers to Wes and Kirt for the chance to be Tenzing Vice Captain. Bye for now.
To be honest I am not even in the top half best cricketers in our squad and as I live outside the smoke and have very little corporate activity through work(Police) I didn't think I had much of a chance of being a leader on the expedition. But the more I'm involved and throwing my skills into the collective ring the more I realise the mammoth undertaking this trip has become and that everyones input is required. My knowledge of fitness, training, walking and the people involved togther with my teamworking are why i'm there and will now be put to the test and i want to step up my efforts.
We had a fantastic game in Sheen Park to celebrate the two teams coming togther on the field and Hillary were given a thorough drubbing by ourselves. With my Uni mate Jules being made Vice for the oppo and having him caught and bowled was a special moment!!!!! But bewteen now and when we play the game at Gorak Shep we our one expedition and I hope all 30 players make it up for the game and look forward to getting to know the Hillary lads and trektators a whole lot better.
So, the end of season is here and the winter months of training are not far away it will be getting harder but i'm confident everyone is aware of how hard our task is and that the majority are working hard to get themselves ready. Well we'll find out 3 weeks yesterday when on top of Ben Nevis at 6 in the morning.
Cheers to Wes and Kirt for the chance to be Tenzing Vice Captain. Bye for now.
Tuesday, 9 September 2008
End of the Summer
Well
Could the weather and cricket have been much worse in July and August and could I care any less. On both counts NO.
Most will know about the weather but my cricket has been as ever with the Drovers cricket club and we have had a bit of a poor season and personally I have won one of the five games i have played this summer. But the best thing about it has been seeing other members of the everest family in action on the field and hearing about the hilarious kiwi team 'Your Mum's face'. Everyone is showing amazing enthusiam by organising and participating in any and all forms of training, fitness and sport for the cause. I have been inspired by this idea since conception but the team spirit and sheer application being shown by all those involved is truly AWESOME.
My latest efforts are that I have nailed down the Tenzing expedition to complete the 3PEAKS challenge and hopefully in under 24 hours. No mean feat. The expedtion consists of climbing Ben Nevis (1344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and mount Snowdon (1085m) with the 11 hours driving and October conditions thrown in to the mix. We are undertaking this on 24/25th Oct and there may well be snow in Scotland!!!!
Watch this space for tales of our efforts including probable sledging Tenzingers, frost bitten pink bits and some serious nappy rash between the thighs and cheeks. But what a treat being around the three highest peaks of the british Isles in one day with 11 other like minded old and new friends.
Until then.
Big Love. G
Could the weather and cricket have been much worse in July and August and could I care any less. On both counts NO.
Most will know about the weather but my cricket has been as ever with the Drovers cricket club and we have had a bit of a poor season and personally I have won one of the five games i have played this summer. But the best thing about it has been seeing other members of the everest family in action on the field and hearing about the hilarious kiwi team 'Your Mum's face'. Everyone is showing amazing enthusiam by organising and participating in any and all forms of training, fitness and sport for the cause. I have been inspired by this idea since conception but the team spirit and sheer application being shown by all those involved is truly AWESOME.
My latest efforts are that I have nailed down the Tenzing expedition to complete the 3PEAKS challenge and hopefully in under 24 hours. No mean feat. The expedtion consists of climbing Ben Nevis (1344m), Scafell Pike (978m) and mount Snowdon (1085m) with the 11 hours driving and October conditions thrown in to the mix. We are undertaking this on 24/25th Oct and there may well be snow in Scotland!!!!
Watch this space for tales of our efforts including probable sledging Tenzingers, frost bitten pink bits and some serious nappy rash between the thighs and cheeks. But what a treat being around the three highest peaks of the british Isles in one day with 11 other like minded old and new friends.
Until then.
Big Love. G
Thursday, 3 July 2008
Folks, friends, teamates, trekers, Neville and the curious, Hi.
I am Gareth Lewis and this blog is for the purpose of raising awareness for the greatest adventure expedition in the world!!
50 people, Mount Everest, 19 days, 1 World record, £250k for Comic Relief and the Himalayan Trust. Throw in a 3hour twenty20 game of cricket @ 5000 feet plus some blood seat and tears and you are somewhere near to the realisation of what is happening in APRIL 2009.
Ok this is the plan so how am i getting there?
Check out www.atestabovetherest.com for the concept and proof of this dream actually happening. Flights are booked all that’s left for me is to get the fittest I've ever been, raise a minimum of £1.5k (aiming for double at least), not to get altitude sickness and a little help from some friends and big G upstairs.
Why should you care?
The main reason is charity, the money we raise will make a difference worldwide. The Himalayan trust help Nepalese people out of some of the poorest and destitute conditions around. 30% of our total efforts will go to these people to help make a sustainable way to eat and live a realisation for years to come. The other 70% will go to Comic relief and help out poverty, sickness, drought and disease where it's needed most.
I will contact as many people as i possibly can to raise awareness of our campaign and send them to this blog as well as fundraising siyes so please check up on my progress..... it will be a rollercoaster.
Thanks for your time and be inspired and energised by this idea as it has come from one man aged 25 with a dream and passion to make a difference and I've jumped on board. You can too.
I am Gareth Lewis and this blog is for the purpose of raising awareness for the greatest adventure expedition in the world!!
50 people, Mount Everest, 19 days, 1 World record, £250k for Comic Relief and the Himalayan Trust. Throw in a 3hour twenty20 game of cricket @ 5000 feet plus some blood seat and tears and you are somewhere near to the realisation of what is happening in APRIL 2009.
Ok this is the plan so how am i getting there?
Check out www.atestabovetherest.com for the concept and proof of this dream actually happening. Flights are booked all that’s left for me is to get the fittest I've ever been, raise a minimum of £1.5k (aiming for double at least), not to get altitude sickness and a little help from some friends and big G upstairs.
Why should you care?
The main reason is charity, the money we raise will make a difference worldwide. The Himalayan trust help Nepalese people out of some of the poorest and destitute conditions around. 30% of our total efforts will go to these people to help make a sustainable way to eat and live a realisation for years to come. The other 70% will go to Comic relief and help out poverty, sickness, drought and disease where it's needed most.
I will contact as many people as i possibly can to raise awareness of our campaign and send them to this blog as well as fundraising siyes so please check up on my progress..... it will be a rollercoaster.
Thanks for your time and be inspired and energised by this idea as it has come from one man aged 25 with a dream and passion to make a difference and I've jumped on board. You can too.
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