Moving to Bath....

I have now recently moved to Bath and started my new job as a consultant rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases. Took advantage of the break in the wind yesterday to paddle out to Old Harry Rocks and back. Only 111 days til my challenge starts....

Here is another online article...

http://www.familypracticenews.com/news/more-top-news/single-view/heart-of-a-lion-rheumatologist-holds-fast-to-his-charitable-plans/e8652ad3c4.html

A few more miles...

Clocked up a few more miles running the Bristol and New Forest Half Marathons. Training (and race times) have been hampered by injury (piriformis syndrome) that has required an injection, some physiotherapy and lots of stretching. Fundraising efforts continue....

Hit the £2,000 Mark!

Fundraising has reached £2,000 (almost £2,400 including gift aid). Only another £98,000 to go!...

Internal Medicine News Publication...

http://www.internalmedicinenews.com/news/rheumatology-immunology/single-article/young-rheumatologist-plans-to-kayak-for-charity/2f7b93b111.html

World Medical Football Championships

Just returned from playing in the World Medical Football Championships in Manchester. Unfortunately we were beaten in the final by Spain... on penalties.

Better news is that I have a job as a consultant Rheumatologist at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Disease in Bath starting in December and have been granted a sabbatical for my kayaking challenge

Torbay Half Marathon and Launceston 10 Mile

I've managed to sandwich a cheeky holiday in Greece in between the Torbay half marathon and the Lanceston 10 mile today. Had a lovely paddle yesterday. Next stop the World Medical Football Championship in Manchester in a few weeks....

Poole 10k (and some extra sponsorship)

Ran the Poole 10k last week in a decent(ish) time and have got the Torbay half marathon next weekend, which I assume will be hilly ):

Big thanks to UCB who have sponsored me £750 and to Wesleyan who have added another £100 Good stuff!......

Plymouth Half Marathon

Training continues...


After a busy week of networking for sponsorship at EULAR, I ran the Plymouth half marathon this morning.

Exeter Half Marathon

Training over the last month has NOT been going well :( due to one cold after another....

So now I'm on lots of vitamins and supplements that have no evidence base what-so-ever but will be part of my diet until August next year.

Due to the lack of training I struggled with the Exeter half marathon last weekend and posted my slowest ever half marathon time (it wasn't over 2 hours...)

Plymouth half marathon in 4 weeks - I promise I will do better!

Plymouth Herald Press Shots

Training

Training going fairly smoothly. Had a good run on Saturday and paddle on Sunday although the sea fog made reaching my intended target of Eddystone lighthouse impossible. Running the Poole Bay half marathon on Sunday.

Completed the Bideford half marathon on Sunday which was nice and flat and nice and sunny. Pretty tough last 2 miles though - need to step up the training! Next runs are the Plymouth 10k in a fortnight and the Poole Bay half marathon on Mother's Day.... T-shirts and running shirts have arrived and look great.

Bit quite on the corporate sponsorship front at the moment, lots of letters have been sent and am waiting for replies........

Plymouth Hoe 10 mile

Completed a relatively gentle 10 mile run on Sunday and working towards the Bideford half marathon next on Sun 6th March. Planning the challenge is taking up LOTS AND LOTS of time but is worth it as donations are starting to come in.

A few interesting fundraising ideas in various stages of planning. Watch this space...

Tough Guy - Done but not forgotten

Completed tough guy last weekend. It was tougher than I thought! It's amazing how your muscles don't work when they are so cold. Highlights (ie. most painful!)? 1. Swimming underwater through tunnels in freezing mud lakes (ie. with lumps of ice in) and repeatedly falling over on the way out due to brain freeze. 2. Crawling underground in pitch black tunnels with people screaming all around you as you bump into electrified cattle prods that make you feel as if you have been kicked by a horse everytime you make contact with them.

I'll try putting up a few photos....

Next stop is the Plymouth 10 mile run on 20th Feb...

Tough Guy eh?

The first blog on the website (and the first time I've ever 'blogged').

Training has started for the kayaking challenge. I completed a Plymouth 10k this month and have half marathons lined up on a monthly basis and a full marathon later this year.

On Sunday I am competing in the 'Tough Guy' challenge in the Midlands with my friend Dean. My main concern are not the fire fields, cattle prods, barbed wires, electric fences etc. but suffering hypothermia! Here's hoping for that the weekend is not sub-zero!

Interested in what the tough guy challenge is?....

Go to You Tube: Tough Guy 2010 - A tough Guy's Perspective

www.toughguy.co.uk

Martin