Bob in the Desert

Has anyone ever written a book, or the first line of a film, that started with the line: “Today I met the man who will kill me…”?  I know ‘American Beauty’ came close with Kevin Spacey saying something about this being the day that he dies, but that’s not the same.

The reason I ask is that today I think I met the man who will kill me. His name is Pete and he is a fitness instructor at Esporta in Brockworth.  To be fair, he’s not going to really kill me (I hope) he’s taken on the challenge of getting me fit for the trip.

And heaven knows he’s got a job on his hands… Weighing in at a mighty 110 Kilos – in Gloucester rugby terms that’s just a shade under Marco Bortolami (and there the similarity ends) I reckon I need to get rid of – well lots really.

And that’s what Pete has worked out.

Starting with a gentle four mile (yes really) run, I’ll follow that up with a vertical mile on a step machine, then back to the tredmill for two more miles before going rowing for a mere 5,000 metres – or just over three miles.  And then he expects me to take on a load of weights.

So apologies to everyone who uses that gym – I think I am going to be groaning and sweating like nothing on earth.  If you do go there and see me suffering, please don’t speak, it’ll be as much as I can do to breath, let alone reply.

Thanks for all the donations so far!

Bob

… Since I put up the Just Giving site and made this site live, and so far my fund total stands at a massive £1,200!

I cannot begin to say how grateful I am. gobsmacked is probably the best I can come up with.  The generosity of friends, the Shedweb rugby community and others is humbling.

I am also very grateful to First Five Eight (http://www.firstfiveeight.co.uk/) the clothing company owned by Gloucester rugby stand off - or first five eight if you are from the Southern Hemisphere - Ryan Lamb and his centre partner Anthony Allen for their kind offer to kit me out in some cool gear for the walk - I may be sweating but at least I’ll look good.

I must also say thanks to ‘Tucker’ at Michael Tuck Estate Agents (www.michaeltuck.co.uk) for there donation of two ‘1873′ tickets for the Gloucester - Cardiff Heineken Cup clash in January.  I’ll be arranging an auction of these tickets on Shedweb (www.gloucesterrubgy.net) a little nearer the time.

Finally I’ve been busy doing the Media thing - interview on Radio Gloucester this morning, and watch out for a good piece in the Gloucester Citizen sometime soon.

Finally finally training proper starts tomorrow when Dave at the Esporta Gym in Brockworth is going to work out some sort of programme designed to increase my stamina and help with overall endurance stuff.  I’d like to say I was looking forward to it, but frankly it fills me with dread!  The boy is threatening to turn up and take pictures, watch this space - if you like pictures of undignified sweaty heaps, that is…

Thanks again to everyone for the sponsorship so far.

Bob

This site has been very kindly set up by my friend Duncan at Net9design (www.net9design.com) to support my fundraising efforts next March. It’s here to give a little more information about my trip and why I am doing it.

If you click on the ‘Why I’m doing it’ link you will understand why this is something I have to do. The challenge link tells you a little about what it is I am taking on.

I can also update this on my training programme, which considering my age and size could be an errr… interesting experieince in itself.

The link to my just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/bobswalkinthedesert

So stop by for more updates, and thanks for your support.