Water Wipeout

Run 3 of 3 in 3 weeks. This is the fun one of the three, after a Half Marathon and then a 10k this is a 10k mud run, or should I say water run!

This is my 3rd of the 4 events by X Runner, earlier in the year I ran (froze) doing their Winter Warrior, last September I ran their Wild Warrior, now it's the turn of Water Wipeout! I was looking forward to this until I saw the course and the obstacles. Normally these events don't bother me but when I saw 100m swim, 30m swim, wild rivers - moving water swim, and 30m swim, doing them twice with the two laps made me think why sign up for this? I might enjoy almost everything health and fitness but I'm no swimmer. Being very short sighted from a young age, school swimming lessons weren't enjoyable at all as I couldn't see the other end of the pool so ended up panicking. The only time I enjoy swimming is on holiday with a snorkel and goggles watching the fish but this event doesn't include nice fish, just a Ford Capri.

The course.

I really didn't need to worry about the water obstacles as they weren't anywhere near as scary as first thought, in fact it was a brilliant event! I would happily do it again next year. The rapids were brilliant fun and I wish I had my gopro camera with me to film it. The reason I didn't is I didn't have the float in case I dropped it (currently on ebay buying one).

I was running the event with Rob and Danny, Jo was also running it with some friends in the wave after us. So 4 members of IlsonGlowsticks were at the event which was cool. It was all of our first time running the event and it was Dannys first ever 10km and first obstacle run so a major achievement. His effort levels were amazing for the event even including a funny to watch fall on "boxed in". The three of us stayed together and finished in about 2 hours.

On a personal note I managed to finish 100% of obstacles, technically about 110% as after jumping over some incline walls I saw others struggling so ran back around to help them then jumped back over myself again.

Before the run, all nice and clean.

Obstacle no.33 and no.34, water slide to swim on lap one.

As I've already said the event is brilliant, the course was really well set out with a good mix of obstacles, The water did stink at times but what do you expect jumping into a pond and muddy water. Who cares it was great fun!

Post run  #IlsonGlowsticks we all stink!

Danny did this as his first ever 10k and his first obstacle run, the medal means so much to him but not as much as a donation to Crohn's & Colitis would mean, please visit his JustGiving Page.

Bring on Wild Mud Run in 2016 to finish the 4 XRunner events, but first I think I'm rerunning Winter Warrior with a couple of clients as a Postnatal treat!

Awsworth 5K

Once again I've been neglecting my blogging as this should have been written in May.

Sunday 10th May Awsworth 5K was a good day for myself and clients. in the 2014 5 clients entered the race all setting really good times. This year there was 7, including one who ran it last year walking this year while pregnant.

Read to go!

I went into the run with a 5km PB of 22 minutes 30 seconds from the previous year. The weather was warm but really nice for running. Once again it was a really well organised event down to the Notts & Lincolnshire Air Ambulance flying over to start the race.

I felt like I go off to a good start and by the half way point I was feeling good. However by the 3.5km point you hit the last hill back up to the finish line, clients all think the hill goes on forever! When you drive up it, it takes all of 2 minutes, running it is a different task. I was at a faster pace than last year and by time I hit the hill my legs were starting to feel it. At the end I had no sprint finish left which disappointed me but I managed to set a new PB! 21 minutes and 31 seconds, finishing 23rd of 566 entrants.

With my clients there were a few new PBs beating last years times, a few people setting their first ever 5k time and Jo walking it with Lauren in fancy dress while pregnant and Jack running around in his Lightening McQueen outfit.

Jack with his sprint finish in the style of Lightening McQueen.

Lauren, Jo & Bump!

Once again it was a brilliant run, and really well organised. Bring on 2016 for my 4th run at the event and some clients 2nd.

Awsworth 5k Facebook Page

My JustGiving page for Cancer Research UK.

Blacklight Run UK

Following on from last years random running events like Wild Warrior, Santa Dash and this years Winter Warrior it was time for the next adventure with clients while helping raise money for Cancer Research UK. Blacklight Run UK at Donington Park on Saturday 28th February was the challenge.

The Blacklight Run is a 5km fun run with neon paint thrown at you. The run taking place at night with black-lights so all the neon glows. Basically a variation on the Color Run at night.

Now we know after a few winters of outdoor training sessions I've got some clients who really don't care about getting wet, muddy, dirty in any way shape or form as long as they can have a laugh. That's sort of important for this type of event because you're going to get mucky.

A brilliant group of about 15 of us all met up picnics ready for a brilliant afternoon and evening. We had our neon clothing at the ready, face paints, and white tops. The rest was just pure carnage!!! Once the picnic had been eaten it was time to get ready, putting on face paints quickly ended up in a paint fight with hand prints all over the place, lots of hugging to mix paints and just a brilliant laugh.

Face paints went wrong!

Once it started to drop dark we went over to the main area for the pre-race party and enjoyed the blacklights and the way we looked. We may have got some funny looks but we didn't care we went for it and had a brilliant time!

Neon Happiness

Once we started the fun run we split into our little groups of joggers, jog/walkers and walkers. We made sure everybody had a friend for the 5km and we all got round the course  to the best of our abilities. It was a brilliant feeling being with the joggers seeing 3 people finish the 5km jogging all the way (apart from paint stations) and the achievement they felt after.

Post Run Mess!!

I do think there are too many running events now all trying to draw in the same target audience and some events will become watered down, or prices will go up as fewer competitors enter but hopefully this is an event that can keep going. We all had a great time and if they had another event in the East Midlands before the end of the year I think we would all jump at the chances to do it again.

Check out my GoPro video below of the post run party. That is just one of five videos made from the event. If you enjoy running, enjoy mucky fun, and want to do a 5km fun with with a difference I would recommend this straight away.

Winter Warrior!!!

On Saturday 31st January I took part in X Runners Winter Warrior and as expected it was freezing!!!

Yes doing a mud run in January in England should be cold but I wasn't expecting the wind to be the worst part of it. As I was driving to Donington Park Race Circuit where the race took place it started sleeting. Once I got there signing all the disclaimer forms in the ice cold wind made me question my sanity for signing up for such events but then I remembered one of the reasons for doing them is for Cancer Research UK - JustGiving.

I started at 11:00, Rob at 11:30 and Jo & friends at 13:00. Rob kindly stepped in and replaced another Jo who is now pregnant but I have a feeling she will be running this next year as pay back by Rob haha.

After the warm up I just wanted to get running to keep warm! The first few obstacles were ok, climbing over tyre walls, running in gravel traps and climbing fencing. The worst part was getting your hands cold for the first time and the icy wind. Around the back of the course there were a few cargo nets with mud and water (all the good things) under them. But once you got up and started running the wind just cut straight through you and it wasn't pleasant especially when you're then trying to climb up and over massive A-frames. The mud trenches were really good fun but Rob did manage to loose his trainer, then find it and then loose a sock in there. Jo had to just crawl on all 4s by her 2nd lap as the course was now just pure mud!

The climbing walls and slides were good fun too and to be fair to the weather the sun did try and come out while I was starting my 2nd lap but it didn't really make much of a difference once you was already freezing.

Apart from the wind the run itself was brilliant, good challenging obstacles, different terrains to run on, and most importantly loads of mud!!! I look forward to running it again next year and jsut hope it's a slightly milder January. Hopefully Jo will be able to join me next year, so she can enjoy the muddy good fun she missed out on this year while growing her little baby.

Post run in my foil blanket and it was needed badly!!!

I have now participated in 2 of 4 X Runner evernts, this and Wild Warrior. I have signed up for Water Wipeout in June and I'm contemplating Wild Mud Run in April if I can find somebody to run with.

If you think this deserves some money for cancer Research UK please visit my JustGiving page and make a donation, every £1 can hep make a huge difference. www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Santa Dash

So I thought after Men's Health Challenge I had finished with running events for the year with the posbikity of adding a Santa Dash.

" That's now 12 races down, 0 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014...... apart from a Santa Dash.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k - 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds.
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k - 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt "

Well I added a Santa Dash in Nottingham on Sunday 14th December organised by When you wish upon a Star. It was a cold morning but once you had an extra layer (Santa Suit) it wasn't too bad. 

It was a really nice 2.5km route around Forest Recreation Ground that you could walk or run 1 or 2 laps. We had a little group of us and some walked, some ran, either way we had a good time, fresh air and some exercise. Once again I wore the GoPro so I could get some footage of a group of Santa's running around Nottingham. 

It was a really well organised event and I will happily do it again next year. That takes me to 13 events and 172km for 2014 for Charity. I think 2015 will bring some different events as it's good to keep pushing yourself and finding new ways to raise money for charity too. 

Men's Health Challenge 2014

This was my 3rd year running this event, and with all the other events this year I was looking to smash a new PB for the event. 12km with loads of obstacles, water and mud. The first year I finished with s time of 1 hour 29 minutes 30 seconds, last year I finished in 1 hour 24 minutes. Looking back at the previous blog I also set myself a challenge for a sub 1 hour 15 minute this year - Men's Health 2013

When I arrived on site I could see a couple of familiar faces waiting anxiously to see their partners return from an earlier wave of the race. Unfortunately I didn't see them finish as my wave started before they returned.

Rob almost finished after climbing over the inverted wall, next stop the "Wall of Fame"

Rob and Tom almost at the finish line.

Rob, Tom and Simon all recorded really good times as it was either their first event, of injuries stopped their training being 1005%. I think they're all signing up again next year as they enjoyed it so much, even if the photos dot show it. Trust me while you're running it horrible, once you've finished and have the medal around your neck it's a brilliant feeling,

I got off to a quickish start in my wave, helped by getting really close to the start line. I soon settled into a nice pace between my 10k pb and half marathon pace. Before I knew it I was out at the 5/6km point and it felt like I had only just started running. However with the course for Nottingham 70% of the obstacles are on the return leg so I knew it was only going to get harder.

As each obstacle went I realised I hadn't seen many white wrist bands for a while which was for the wave I was in. As I approached the climbing wall I heard a voice "carry on mate you're setting a great pace for me here." It was another white wrist band who was following in my shadows, a nice little confidence boost as I hadn't been a pace runner for somebody before. As we waited patiently for our climb a girl who was almost at the top lost he footing and fell a good few metres but luckily her friends cushioned the blow and she didn't fulling hit the turf. She got back on the wall and tried again and had every single person there cheering her on, it was great to see every person willing everybody else on during the event.

Another few obstacle stations came and went and the home leg was in sight, Trent End came into view which means about 3km left. After the little trip up and down the stairs it was a run along the embankment to the last couple of exercises then job done!!

I could see just in front another white wrist band, only the 2nd I had seen for the last 30 minutes. I soon caught him up and we ran almost neck and neck to the finish line. I honestly can't remember who beat who in the end.

All I know is boom another PB and beat last years target time!!! I finished in 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

Wall of Fame - it doesn't get any easier each year.

Bath Time!!!

 I fancy a change next year so I'm thinking of being daft and entering the Elite 21km race they have started. It looks incredibly tough but something worth training for.

Bring on the "Elite" next year.

That's now 12 races down, 0 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014...... apart from a Santa Dash.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k - 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds.
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k - 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Wild Warrior

Last Sunday was X Runner's Wild Warrior at Wild Parks Derbyshire. A nice set of 64 obstacles over 10km with water slides, fire, mud pits etc. After the Isle of Wight Challenge it was nice to have a mess about event. Once I got there I bumped into a client who had just finished and was just a tad muddy and didn't smell too good. This meant one thing don't swallow any water on this course!!!

Pre-Run & Post-Run but both happy.

I didn't have any set time I would be happy with as a result for this race as it was the first time I had run it and didn't know how busy course would be or how tricky obstacles would be. 

By the end of lap one I realised I hadn't be overtaken by many people from the start line but knew a few had vanished into the distance too. The first lap was really enjoyable with everything being new and thinking what will be round the next corner. The second lap was more of a let's get to the finish now for a warm bath and shower. The water really did stink and wasn't pleasant at all but the course was brilliant. 

I ended up finishing 109th out of about 1880 which I was happy with but even better out of the wave of just under 300 I finished 4th. 

I think a wash is required!

In fact it was a shower, bath then another shower for myself to become clean again. My clothes had 2 or 3 washes too and the top still isn't fully white. Good job it only has to more races then it can be retired and I can try to get another one next year.

The last big push is on now with two races to go, the biggest being tomorrow for the Robin Hood Half Marathon followed by Men's Health Challenge in a few weeks.

That's now 10 races down, 2 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Color Run - Birmingham

This run wasn't about recording a fast time at all as shown by my time on MapMyRun - 45 minutes 38 seconds for the 5km. It was all about having a good time, getting nice and colourful and doing a bit of exercise. The run is advertised as "the happiest 5k on the planet" as it's all about fun.

A nice drive to Birmingham NEC where the Color Run was based, with the route going around the NEC complex. People turned up in the thousands all starting the day looking very white, but they didn't stay that way for long. The day got even better when we found the Dulux Dog!!! This really was going to be "the happiest 5k on the planet".

Such a soft dog.

Over the course there was 4 different colour stations then a massive paint party at the end. Each station you got covered in a different coloured powder paint. The volunteers at each station looked incredible as they were either bright pink, green, orange (Oompa Loompa style) or Blue (Smurfish). 

Time to be a Smurf.

Post run, gutted lots of the paint blew off in the wind. 

Nice shades of purple created on my back from the blend of different colours, Rob's just a mess haha. 

This was a nice relaxed little stretch of the legs before the hardcore events of the Isle of Wight Challenge and Robin Hood Half Marathon take place.

Bring on Color Run 2015 as hopefully I will have a massive group of clients all looking to paint themselves while exercising. 

That's now 8 races down, 4 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

York 10k

Just a couple of days after getting home from Glasgow and Whitby is was time to drive back up to York for the 10k.

Not idea preparation being on holiday and driving around 700+ miles. However I still managed a time of 46 minutes 31 seconds so I'm happy. This was never going to be a PB run after a week away so it was a nice training run ready for the next few longer distance runs/treks coming up.

This finished my three races in the Jane Tomlinson Run for All series with Hull, Leeds and York. All three races were totally different with amazing crowds all the way along the routes. I was very impressed with Hull and will be going back in the future.

For now it's the official 10k races for 2014 done for myself. A couple of longer runs, a couple of mud runs and a nice short paint run this coming Saturday.

A little rest post run with my medal. That's all three Yorkshire runs finished for the year.

For more photos from the weekend visit my Instagram account or Facebook page.

That's now 7 races down, 5 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Wollaton 10k

Less than a week since the Hull 10k it was time to change the standard running shoes to the trail running trainers for the Wollaton 10k. At School I didn't actually enjoy cross country, I preferred 100m, 200m, 4x100m and triple jump. But things change and I was really looking forward to a bit of cross country around Wollaton Park the home of Batman.

After Derby 10k being a PB at 45min 11sec, then Hull being slightly slower at 45min 46sec. I wasn't expecting a quicker time at Wollaton with it being a combination of grass and gravel paths with a few hills that are nicer to roll down as a child, not run along.

The weather was spot on for running, cooler than the weekend before in Hull with a nice light breeze. a much smaller event with 477 runners on the day rather than Derby and Hulls 5000+. There was still a great atmosphere and it looked as if we were all celebrating Holland's trashing of Spain from the night before in the VERY bright orange running tops we were given.



Tops provided by Sytner Nottingham MINI!

The run is organised by Bluecoat Academy PTA and they did an amazing job. Really well organised parking on arrival, friendly marshals and easy to follow route round Wollaton Park. Great seeing loads of kids there on stalls helping being involved with the run.

 

Once the run started I just tried to find my running rhythm, if I actually have one. I think I'm more Forrest Gump style just keep running. One of my aims for the year is to record my first sub 45 minutes 10k and with Derby I had been so close. I didn't expect this route to be a fast course with the hills and terrain.

- At the end of the first 5k lap I was at 22 minutes 30 seconds, bang on time for a 45 minute 10k.

- By 7km I was 31 minutes 20 seconds.

- Same as in Hull I seemed to hit a little wall around 8km and slowed slightly but I entered the last km with just over 4 minutes to finish to be around a 45 minute 10k.

- As I crossed the line running as fast as my leg could take me I saw the clock at 45 minutes 22seconds.

At first I was gutted to have missed out on a sub 45 minute by a small margin again! Then I realised that was the gun time and having not started the run at the front my chip time was going to be faster.

 

 

It was going to be a long wait to see the results posted online to see if I had managed a sub 45 minute 10k or not. Seeing as it was a nice day I had a walk to look around Ilkeston Carnival then down to watch Nubtrook CC 1st team in action. On about the 40th time pressing refresh on my phone the results were posted. 44 minutes 53 seconds!!! Whoop my first ever sub 45 minute 10k on a course I wasn't expecting to do it on. For the rest of the day I just had a huge smile on my face. The smile only went at 1am Sunday morning as England lost 2-1 to Italy, even then England lost but played very well and hopefully they can win the next two matches and make it out the group stage of the World Cup.

 

Just approaching the 5km point, feeling good so far!

 

Post run, sweating like a beast but that run felt good!

Quick change of top to show the reason for running. Support Cancer Research UK.

For more photos from the weekend visit my Instsgram account or Facebook page.

That's now 4 races down, 8 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45:11
Awsworth 5k - 22:20
Hull 10k - 45:46
Wollaton 10k - 44:53
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k.
Leeds 10k
York 10k
Birmingham Color Run 5k
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Awsworth 5km

Today was the Awsworth 5k and I was really looking forward to it. I don't think some of my clients were thinking the same, waking up to tx, tweets and Facebook comments of "Why did I sign up to this?" and "Have you seen the weather!"


Apart from the bottleneck out the gates when the race starts the course is really nice. The signage was great and the marshals were amazing. Especially considering it was throwing it down for a few minutes early on in the race.

Once the race started I think all the worrying vanished and the focus on finishing took over. For a couple it was their first 5km, others it was the first for the course. This meant there was some good PB setting happening.

Overall there were 425 runners which is amazing considering it's a small village and the events organised by the Primary School. It shows how last years successful event helped this year's be just as successful.

So the important part, how did we all do?


I finished 28th of 425 with a time of 22 minutes and 20 seconds. PB
Rob came in 94th in 28 minutes and 49 seconds.

Ian & sons 106th, 107th and 108th in 29 minutes and 50 seconds.

Joanne finished 118th in 30 minutes and 5 seconds. PB

Laura finished 268th in 40 minutes and 48 seconds. PB

Amazing results for everybody involved, I'm not only happy finishing in the top 30 but I'm thrilled to have clients who performed outstanding and really pushed themselves to limits they didn't realise they had. I can go to sleep tonight one happy trainer knowing my clients are amazing!






Just before the finish line.




Rob, Myself, Joanne and Laura.

                                                              



















That's now 2 races down 10 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45:11
Awsworth 5k - 22:20
Hull 10k
Wollaton 10k
Nottingham Colour Blast 5k - Cancelled so I will run a 5k that day and post my time.
Leeds 10k
York 10k
Birmingham Color Run 5k
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Derby 10k

On Sunday I ran the Derby 10k for the first time. It's a really good course and finishing in Pride Park or as it's now called iPro Stadium is brilliant. Running into the ground with a crowd of people cheering everybody on was such a great feeling!!! I am now even more envious of all the professional sports stars out there who get to walk out onto a court, pitch or field with thousands of fan cheering them on each week.

I ran the 10k in a PB time of 45 minutes and 11 seconds. Hopefully over the Summer I can shave a minimum of 12 seconds off that to hit my goal of a sub 45 minute 10k. Finishing position of 521 out of 4229 runners, I'm happy to be in the first 8th of all runners.

I've entered a total of 164km of runs/treks this year all for Cancer Research UK - Cancer Research UK check out the amazing work they are doing with your help and funding.

After Derby 10k

Derby 10k - 45:11
Awsworth 5k
Hull 10k
Wollaton 10k
Nottingham Colour Blast 5k
Leeds 10k
York 10k
Birmingham Color Run 5k
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

iPro Stadium

I will do a new blog after each run to keep updating the times for each event along with photos and updates with money raised.

Men's Health Challange - Survival of the Fittest 2013

A couple of weekends ago I took part in the Nottingham leg of the Survival of the Fittest with a couple of clients and friends. For the week running up to the event I had been suffering with a bad cold, so on race day seeing the rain pouring down wasn't the best start but I wasn't letting a cold stop me from running. It was a wet, cold and just dull day but who cares!!! The point of the run is to get wet and muddy while having a good laugh.

We started the run as a clean looking set of bloke, that didn't last long. Challenge was set could I better last years time of 1 hour 29 minutes which would also be a new PB for Dave, Ben, Lewis and Matthew as it was their first time for this run.

From left to right - Dave, Ben, Myself, Lewis & Matthew.

 

 

The next photo is at about 11.5k just a few hundred meters left in the run and we're in a big paddling pool. As you can tell by the colour of the water it really didn't help to clean us.

The end result 5 muddy, soggy blokes in need of a drink, food and a long warm shower or bath. All I know is after washing my hair 3 times all the grit was gone and I had one good nights sleep.

 

 

So the important bit did I get a new PB? Yes I did we finished in 1 hour 24 minutes. Next years target is a sub 1 hour 15 minutes maybe faster and hopefully I won't have a stinking cold like I did this year.

 

Bring on more mud runs in 2014 with different clients achieving different challenges.

 

 

Each run I do it's to support Cancer Research UK - If you wish to donate visit my JustGiving page thanks you :)

Underwood 10k

Yesterday morning I made the short trip from Ilkeston to Underwood for the 10k run. I set off wearing my glasses as it was Sunny at home, I knew rain was forecast but I was being optimistic it wouldn't rain too much and I wouldn't regret not putting contacts in.
By time I met up with my client for the run it was cold, windy and raining!!! Any hint of blue sky had vanished and the rain was set in. After our warm up rain jackets were taken off and the run started. By 6k I was running while holding my glasses as I could see more with them off thanks to the rain. I don't know how but I'm sure we ran up far more hills and longer ones than any we ran down haha (I put the route in mapmyrun.com once I got home and obviously I didn't appreciate the two down hills as much as I felt the 5/6 uphill sections.).
Once we finished with friends and family members clapping and cheering who cared about the wind, rains and hills. The 10k was completed it was time to relax and for myself an afternoon watching England lose to India in the Champions Trophy final from the comfort on the settee. Hopefully the women of Ripley Netball Club are proud of your achievement and appreciate your advertising running in your training top.





Seconds after finishing a photo is required apparently haha.




Had some water, realised we've done it and the smiles appear.

The 10k was done as a challenge for my client and me, just like the Awsworth 5k I ran with a different client last month. If you feel you wish to donate to Cancer Research UK for our efforts it is very much appreciated. www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Fitness for charity

The last two years I have held a Fancy Dress Circuit Training session just before Christmas and all the money from the sessions has gone to Cancer Research UK. I support Cancer Research UK for a number of reasons and probably feel the same as a lot of you out there, too many loved ones have been lost to cancer and it would be amazing to see a cure discovered in our lifetime. www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt
 
This year I've been recruiting clients who want to go that extra mile and really test their fitness level. Danny did amazing beating his target time for the Awsworth 5k and hopefully this coming Sunday I can help Eran beat her target time for the Underwood 10k.
 
Next month I will be trekking up Mount Snowdon with a few clients/friends, I think after the 10 mile trek our tents will look very appealing even if it is raining.
 
In August I will be hosting the first Fancy Dress Boot Camp, just to mix it up from the Christmas theme and that will be at Nutbrook Cricket Club.
 
I will hopefully manage to assemble a small team to do the Nottingham leg of the Men's Health Survival of the Fittest.
 
 



Fancy Dress 2011

 



Fancy Dress 2011

 
 



Survival of the Fittest 2012

 
 



Fancy Dress 2012

 



Fancy Dress 2012

 






Fancy Dress 2012



Awsworth 5k 2013



Photos from future events will feature on their own blog, so look out for a sweaty picture uploaded soon from the Underwood 10k.

If you wish to donate to such a good cause as Cancer Research UK please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt