The countdown has now well and truly started with just two weeks left to go before I wave goodbye to home comforts and head out towards the unforgiving Arctic. It might seem odd but I really can’t wait, with the very thought of the challenge ahead enough to get the adrenaline flowing.
My preparations are well advanced. An early hurdle has been overcome after a thorough medical revealed no health problems. A clean bill of health was vital because once we touch down on the temporary 900m runway at the Barneo ice station the nearest hospital will be over 1,000 miles away.
I’ve also been training with some vengeance, doing two hours of cardio resistance and core strength exercises five days a week in the gym, with day six taken up with running and walking. I then let my body rest before starting the cycle again. It’s a tough regime but a vital one if I’m to build up the necessary stamina required to pull a sledge all day, make camp and complete simple routines like cooking and boiling water which, in temperatures as low as -35oC, can really crunch calories.
One of the ironies of my existence over the past year or so is that I’ve really been watching the calories as part of my fitness regime. Now, as D-day approaches, I’m no longer studiously checking labels for low calorific and fat content. The physical demands on my body are going to be extreme so when it comes to calories, every little helps. That’s why I’m now seeking out the supermarket’s most calorie and energy laden foods. I’m going to need to consume 5,000 calories daily and will probably burn more so I’ve been testing out foods for the “munchy bag ” that will sustain me on the ice between breakfast and dinner. This ritual involves me testing how edible foods are once they’ve been frozen. Thumbs are up so far to chopped Mars bars, marzipan fruit cake, yoghurt covered apricots and banana, chocolate raisins and pork scratchings.
Indeed food is currently occupying a large slice of my thoughts. One of the joys in the weeks prior to departure is the need to embrace high carb, high protein foods to build up my reserves. This is my idea of dieting!
Also at the front of mind is the need to galvanise sponsors and raise funds for my chosen charities. I have launched two Just Giving sites to collect donations on behalf of Riders for Health and BASIC. The response has been tremendously encouraging with early debts of gratitude owed to Neil Utley at Equity Red Star, Paul Picknett at Groupama Insurances, Ed Fletcher of Fletchers Solicitors and Lucci Dammone of Hammonds Solicitors. The Newman clan have also pledged cash – no doubt looking forward to getting rid of me for a few weeks!
It’s a very promising start but I want to raise every last drop of cash I can for these two fantastic charities so if you can make a donation, no matter how small, please do. And don’t put it off – there’s no better time than now!
Just Giving pages -
http://www.justgiving.com/DavidNewmanNorthPoleRiders
http://www.justgiving.com/DavidNewmanNorthPoleBASIC
Please support me by visiting his Facebook or Twitter page and becoming a fan!
To join the Facebook fan page go to this link – (http://www.facebook.com/charitynorthpole).
To follow the Twitter page, see my tweets here – http://twitter.com/cn_northpole
Best wishes,
David.
From Michael:
All the best David!