Trying to suppress the excitement! |
We got off to a good start with the place name - Gamecock Barracks home to the Queen's Gurkha Signals. Lots of giggling ensued. Definitely one to add to our list!
We managed to compose ourselves long enough to be introduced to some of the officers and to say hello to Tom from Oxfam. After grabbing a much need cuppa we sat down to hear tips and advice on training for the event and most importantly how to deal with the dreaded blisters! The pros and cons of Compeed and zinc oxide tape were explored. After hearing about a soldier who needed skin grafts after ripping off the tape we may give that a miss! Up side though - most people lose half a stone doing the event and some a whole stone!
Don't lean back! |
Armed and very nearly dangerous! |
We all needed a good stretch after this. Sue's wobbly leg was playing up a bit so she needed the support of the young, seriously fit physical training instructor to keep her upright! (Any excuse...!). Sue we are spending only 15 mins at each
checkpoint including Gurkha massage time!!
Squats! |
Fortunately, we could now smell the wonderful aroma of curry floating across from the mess tent. Unfortunately ,we still had to do the Circuit Training and Aerobics before lunch which had filled us with dread since we received the invitation! We think they were very gentle with us really. About 10 minutes of running (WE DO NOT RUN - EVER!) and then the circuits. We all managed to plank for 30 seconds and Sandra managed the Mexican wave several times (not strictly an exercise at all!). It was a lot of fun and, judging by our inability to laugh with out pain for the next few days, very good for our fitness levels!
Definitely liking our technique! |
Too beautiful to eat! |
First up a potted history of the Gurkhas and their involvement with the British Army. Only Nepalese men born in Nepal can serve in Gurkha regiments and they take just 150 or so young men each year after a rigorous selection process. Then pep talk from a Gurkha who has run Trailwalker in a ridiculously short time! When a soldier is picked to do this challenge they devote 6 weeks solely to training for the event! Civilian challengers be afraid! The best part though is that he recommends we eat a choccy bar every hour to keep our energy levels up! Brilliant - that's 24 choccy bars in the bag!
It was time to say farewell (after another accompanied visit to the loos!). We had met some lovely people including the other teams present: The Bun Loving Criminals, Mental Orientals and The Red Harrows. The Gurkhas were amazing. They were so polite, modest and strong.. We should all be honoured that they want to serve our country! We hope that in completing this challenge we can give a little bit back.
thankyou sooo much to the ghurkhas. i had an abosulutely amazing day. really good fun .. can't wait for the day now. I really do think we owe them alot. they are amazingly FIT
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