Tag Archives: Tough Mudder

โ˜€๏ธ #57 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Blindman Tough Mudder” ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (2018)

The Blind Sightseers logo

Tough Mudder 5K

Good morning friends! Are you ready for a challenge?

Adie, Me & Josie at the start with smoke covering the landscape

โ‡ง From left: Adie, Me & Josie โ‡งย ย 

It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol! ๐Ÿคฃ ย 

Adie on my back as i carry him on the hero carry

ย โ‡ง Me carrying Adie on the โ€œHero Carryโ€ โ‡งย 

After jogging a little, we came to thisโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcomeโ€.

Adie, me & Vini on the scramble net

18JA3166

This was easily my favourite obstacle of the day as i could get my hands on it. Also it’s where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid.

My blindness helped me out for once as i couldnโ€™t see how high i was climbing and scrambling over the top. I heard a lot of fear from other people and a few of them froze going up and were glued to the spot. ๐Ÿ˜จ

ย Thenโ€ฆ.When getting to the bottom i hear โ€œYay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steveโ€ and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Me, Vini & Ashley cheering

ย โ‡ง Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team โ‡งย 

More joggingโ€ฆ.Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said โ€œI tried running with my eyes closed for a few stepsโ€ฆAnd there is no way iโ€™d try any of this if i couldnโ€™t seeโ€.

Thenโ€ฆ..ย 

โ€œWe’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other sideโ€.

Vini on top of the wall and me trying get my leg up to get grip for my pull up!

ย โ‡ง Ouch, my leg hasnโ€™t bent that far in about 20 years, lol! โ‡งย 

More Joggingโ€ฆ..

“This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong willโ€.

18JA3225

Youโ€™ve guessed itโ€ฆ..More jogging and thenโ€ฆ.

“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other sideโ€.

Ashley helping Josie

โ‡ง Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work โ‡ง ย 

Nextโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder stapleโ€.

Ashley at the top of the wall

Josie on the top of the wall with all of us cheering at the bottom

Vini helping Josie at the top of the wall

Yep, more joggingโ€ฆ..

Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got thisโ€.

Really didnโ€™t do well on this oneโ€ฆAnd i canโ€™t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!

Me on the rings

After a little more joggingโ€ฆ…ย 

“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the topโ€.

As Vini was making everything look so easyโ€ฆ..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasnโ€™t all too easy and he had to struggle too!! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿคฃ ย 

Vini & Ashley pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Vini, Ashley & me pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Pyramid scheme 1

Pyramid scheme 2

Pyramid scheme 3

AND NOWโ€ฆโ€ฆMY NEMESIS!!!!

ย “A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and overโ€ย 

I knew this was going to be difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie and Ashley kindly explained the processโ€ฆ.But i knew i just had to do it before i would really knowโ€ฆ.As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!

Here Goes Nothingโ€ฆ..

Me running at Everest

Me and Everest

I thought iโ€™d feel the incline of the ramp and know roughly where i needed to jump and reach out for the top. But i took 1 step too manyโ€ฆ.And before i knew it the hard wall was in my face! ๐Ÿค•ย 

“Awwww i was so close to reaching the ledgeโ€.

Me crashing into Everest

After hitting the wall i dropped down hard on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both kneesโ€ฆ.”Wow that stings!”

Time to regroup and recalculate! I could sense the crowd went very quiet, and i heard a couple of people wonder how iโ€™m going to get up there?

“Ok Steve, just do the same (not the face plant and flesh stripping knee thing) but with 1 step lessโ€. Here i go again! ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

18JA3410

18JA3425

Yay!! Now thatโ€™s better, and once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge i was solid, now i ย could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

18JA3400

18JA3400โ‡งย Ashley showing how it should be done!ย โ‡ง๐Ÿ˜Ž ย 

18JA3442

The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing.

18JA3449

Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay!

The Finish Line & The Headbandsโ€ฆ…

IMG 4397

Yayโ€ฆ..We did it!

ย 

With more than a week pastโ€ฆ.My knees are still scabbed and bruisedโ€ฆ..But iโ€™d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

ย 

A photo of the hard as nails team with our headbands on and our arms around each other

ย 

โ‡งFrom left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashleyย โ‡งย 

ย 

IMG 4417

โ‡ง When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! โ‡งย 

IMG 4427

โ‡ง Me, Adie & the headbands โ‡งย 

IMG 4432

โ‡ง Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo โ‡งย 

18JA3461

Wow what a journey!ย 

First…Iโ€™d like to give a stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarahโ€ฆ.The amount of love and encouragement was mind-blowing! And for the โ€œHard As Nailsโ€ teamโ€ฆ..โ€โ€œmy muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter whatโ€ฆ..We were getting over those obstaclesโ€.๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

Second… Iโ€™d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the โ€œCrazy Clappersโ€ team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

ย Thirdโ€ฆIโ€™d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to all of you guys for your donations to โ€œWorld Cancer Research Fundโ€ and encouraging me (and the team) every step of the way! Weย passed (and smashed my target) the whopping ยฃ1,000. “Intention isnโ€™t Preventionโ€ฆโ€ฆAnd you all have helped me spread the good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.โ€

Finally…A colossal amount of thanks to John and Sarah Atherton (from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us allโ€ฆ.Weโ€™ve got fantastic memories of the day which we simply wouldnโ€™t have without you!

Thanks for cheering me on around the course! Have you done anything like this before? ๐Ÿค”

Now i need a holiday! Wait a minuteโ€ฆThe โ€˜Blind Sightseersโ€™ havnโ€™t finished yet, Yippeeee! ๐Ÿ˜€ ย 

Weโ€™ll meet tomorrowโ€ฆSame timeโ€ฆSame place for another adventure!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐ŸŒด Next Day โžก

๐Ÿย Join us:

Start tour from beginning

โ˜€๏ธ #57 The Blind Sightseers “Escape The Lockdown” With Distant Memories: “Blindman Tough Mudder” ๐Ÿด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ (2018)

The Blind Sightseers logo

Tough Mudder 5K

Good morning friends!ย 

Adie, Me & Josie at the start with smoke covering the landscape

โ‡ง From left: Adie, Me & Josie โ‡งย ย 

It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol! ๐Ÿคฃ ย 

Adie on my back as i carry him on the hero carry

ย โ‡ง Me carrying Adie on the โ€œHero Carryโ€ โ‡งย 

After jogging a little, we came to thisโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcomeโ€.

Adie, me & Vini on the scramble net

18JA3166

This was easily my favourite obstacle of the day as i could get my hands on it. Also it’s where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid.

My blindness helped me out for once as i couldnโ€™t see how high i was climbing and scrambling over the top. I heard a lot of fear from other people and a few of them froze going up and were glued to the spot. ๐Ÿ˜จ

ย Thenโ€ฆ.When getting to the bottom i hear โ€œYay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steveโ€ and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

Me, Vini & Ashley cheering

ย โ‡ง Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team โ‡งย 

More joggingโ€ฆ.Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said โ€œI tried running with my eyes closed for a few stepsโ€ฆAnd there is no way iโ€™d try any of this if i couldnโ€™t seeโ€.

Thenโ€ฆ..ย 

โ€œWe’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other sideโ€.

Vini on top of the wall and me trying get my leg up to get grip for my pull up!

ย โ‡ง Ouch, my leg hasnโ€™t bent that far in about 20 years, lol! โ‡งย 

More Joggingโ€ฆ..

“This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong willโ€.

18JA3225

Youโ€™ve guessed itโ€ฆ..More jogging and thenโ€ฆ.

“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other sideโ€.

Ashley helping Josie

โ‡ง Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work โ‡ง ย 

Nextโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder stapleโ€.

Ashley at the top of the wall

Josie on the top of the wall with all of us cheering at the bottom

Vini helping Josie at the top of the wall

Yep, more joggingโ€ฆ..

Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got thisโ€.

Really didnโ€™t do well on this oneโ€ฆAnd i canโ€™t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!

Me on the rings

After a little more joggingโ€ฆ…ย 

“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the topโ€.

As Vini was making everything look so easyโ€ฆ..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasnโ€™t all too easy and he had to struggle too!! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿคฃ ย 

Vini & Ashley pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Vini, Ashley & me pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Pyramid scheme 1

Pyramid scheme 2

Pyramid scheme 3

AND NOWโ€ฆโ€ฆMY NEMESIS!!!!

ย “A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and overโ€ย 

I knew this was going to be difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie and Ashley kindly explained the processโ€ฆ.But i knew i just had to do it before i would really knowโ€ฆ.As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!

Here Goes Nothingโ€ฆ..

Me running at Everest

Me and Everest

I thought iโ€™d feel the incline of the ramp and know roughly where i needed to jump and reach out for the top. But i took 1 step too manyโ€ฆ.And before i knew it the hard wall was in my face! ๐Ÿค•ย 

“Awwww i was so close to reaching the ledgeโ€.

Me crashing into Everest

After hitting the wall i dropped down hard on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both kneesโ€ฆ.”Wow that stings!”

Time to regroup and recalculate! I could sense the crowd went very quiet, and i heard a couple of people wonder how iโ€™m going to get up there?

“Ok Steve, just do the same (not the face plant and flesh stripping knee thing) but with 1 step lessโ€. Here i go again! ๐Ÿ˜ฒ

18JA3410

18JA3425

Yay!! Now thatโ€™s better, and once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge i was solid, now i ย could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

18JA3400

18JA3400โ‡งย Ashley showing how it should be done!ย โ‡ง๐Ÿ˜Ž ย 

18JA3442

The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing.

18JA3449

Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay!

The Finish Line & The Headbandsโ€ฆ…

IMG 4397

Yayโ€ฆ..We did it!

ย 

With more than a week pastโ€ฆ.My knees are still scabbed and bruisedโ€ฆ..But iโ€™d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

ย 

A photo of the hard as nails team with our headbands on and our arms around each other

ย 

โ‡งFrom left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashleyย โ‡งย 

ย 

IMG 4417

โ‡ง When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! โ‡งย 

IMG 4427

โ‡ง Me, Adie & the headbands โ‡งย 

IMG 4432

โ‡ง Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo โ‡งย 

18JA3461

Wow what a journey!ย 

First…Iโ€™d like to give a stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarahโ€ฆ.The amount of love and encouragement was mind-blowing! And for the โ€œHard As Nailsโ€ teamโ€ฆ..โ€โ€œmy muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter whatโ€ฆ..We were getting over those obstaclesโ€.๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

Second… Iโ€™d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the โ€œCrazy Clappersโ€ team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! ๐Ÿ˜Ž

ย Thirdโ€ฆIโ€™d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks to all of you guys for your donations to โ€œWorld Cancer Research Fundโ€ and encouraging me (and the team) every step of the way! Weย passed (and smashed my target) the whopping ยฃ1,000. “Intention isnโ€™t Preventionโ€ฆโ€ฆAnd you all have helped me spread the good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.โ€

Finally…A colossal amount of thanks to John and Sarah Atherton (from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us allโ€ฆ.Weโ€™ve got fantastic memories of the day which we simply wouldnโ€™t have without you!

Thanks for cheering me on around the course! Have you done anything like this before? ๐Ÿค”

Now i need a holiday! Wait a minuteโ€ฆThe โ€˜Blind Sightseersโ€™ havnโ€™t finished yet, Yippeeee! ๐Ÿ˜€ ย 

To be continued…

โฌ… Previous Day ๐ŸŒด Next Day โžก

โ˜€๏ธย Start tour from beginningย ๐Ÿ Or join at:

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 25 – “Rest Again”

DSC06213

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

ย 

Wow yet another week in lockdown has passed alreadyโ€ฆTime flies when your boxercised!

ย 

Itโ€™s time to rest yet again, and we can spend this time pampering, sleeping, eating, playing and most of all posing for a good portraitโ€ฆVery important and it keeps the treats rolling in from the humans who now have some nice photos of their stupendous furry angel! ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Also letโ€™s think once again about rest and sleep. Itโ€™s vitally important to take a day of rest to give your body a chance to heal, it helps toย de-stress, and also helps our minds focusโ€ฆOn FOOD, lol! ๐Ÿ”ย 

ย 

Fun Quote…โ€œA well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.โ€

ย 

๐ŸŽถ Remember our happy singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

ย 

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐Ÿพย Next Dayย โžกย 

ย 

ย ๐Ÿพย Begin Boxercise class fromย Day 1ย ย ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 24 – “Long Jumps”

Bruce leeping away from the camera towards tohe sea with his front legs out stretched

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œLong Jumps”

Letโ€™s paws for a moment (before you start your long jumps) to have anย informed discussion about safety. When weย ย prepare to explode into take off, we shift weight back into the large muscles of our back legs and onto the back-leg joints.

This activates our muscles and propels us up and forward like a coiled cobra, the action requires a full range of motion in the back leg joints including the stifle and the hip and tarsal (hock), and of course, activation in all the supporting muscles. When we come to land, our front legs are mobilised, flexing and extending to brake and steady us.

These actions are perfectly natural and it takes more out of our joints than walking or running around on level ground. So the lesson isโ€ฆBe careful with all of the increased load on your bodies! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ย Dwight D Eisenhower

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐Ÿพย Next Dayย โžกย 
ย 
๐Ÿพย Begin Boxercise class fromย Day 1ย ย ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 23 – “Guess The Face”

Portrait of Bruce pulling the most crazy face

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œGuess The Face”

This is a great teachable momentโ€ฆBeing the best of the best and the complete stupendous Dog that you are, takes time and effort. However one of the most important aspects(the glue that holds it all together) isโ€ฆLaughter! One of our main tasks is to make the humans cry with laughter and this can be done by pulling a silly face!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

If you are a human reading thisโ€ฆPlease look again at the photo of me pulling a silly face and then comment below with what you think iโ€™m thinking? Or what makes you laugh about my face?ย 

Iโ€™llย be chewing on aย โ€œJumbone” and waiting for theย โ€œย bbrrrriinnggg” of the humans WordPress iPhone apps notification alert sound to read your comments!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ย Dwight D Eisenhower

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐Ÿพย Next Dayย โžกย 
๐Ÿพย Begin Boxercise class fromย Day 1ย ย ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 22 – “Noses”

Bruce moving in from the left of the picture with a football in his mouth but his nose is nice and clear

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œNoses”

I forgot to mention in postย โ€œSeek & Destroyโ€ that whilst you are running with a large ball in your mouthโ€ฆAlways make sure your nose is clear so you can still breathe and not pass out!ย 

Here are a few factoids…

  1. Dogsโ€™ olfactory abilities are anywhere from 10,000 to 100,000 times more powerful than humansโ€™. In fact, we have roughly 50 smell receptors compared to the humans measly one.
  2. Our nose can breathe air in and out at the same time.
  3. We have a special scent-detecting organ, called the vomeronasal organ that humans donโ€™t have. This organ helps us detect pheromones secreted by other animals.
  4. Each of our nose prints are unique, like each humanโ€™s fingerprint.Flat-faced, short-nosed dogs, such as the Boxer, Pekingese, and Pug, have fewer scent-detecting cells than dogs with longer snouts, like Bloodhounds and German Shepherds. But what we lack in scent-detectors, we gain jaw power and can grip for hours without our big nose getting in the way, lol.

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ย Dwight D Eisenhower

ย 

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐Ÿพย Next Dayย โžกย 
๐Ÿพย Begin Boxercise class fromย Day 1ย ย ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 21 – “Long Runs”

Bruce running towards us with the sea on the right, cliffs on the left and a big sandy beach which is empty in the centre

โ‡งย Bruce demonstrating a long run โ‡ง ย ย 

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œLong Runs”

Since weโ€™ve already gotย โ€œShort Sprintsโ€ in our arsenal, itโ€™s time to stretch out that drill into aย โ€œLong Run.”

This can be really difficult during lockdown and itโ€™s vital to keep social distancing as youโ€™ll be running for a long timeโ€ฆSo be vigilant, and most of all safe!ย 

I hope you find a place where you can practise this drill because…

A long run burns calories, strengthens/hardens muscles, and tones the body, but more importantly ย a long run really pushes you to discover your full athletic potential!

ย ๐ŸŽถ โ€œDonโ€™t let nobody drag your spirit down” –ย Eric Bibb

โฌ…ย Previous Dayย ๐Ÿพย Next Dayย โžกย 

๐Ÿพย Begin Boxercise class from Day 1ย ย ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 20 – “Pawly”

Bruce Poorley

โ‡งย Bruce feeling sad after his ear operation โœž ย 

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œPawly”

I wanted to paws and take a little time to talk about accidents, or if you are pushing too hard on your drills…

If you have been to the vets(no idea why they are called this, theyย havenโ€™t spent anytime in combat) and they have forced you into theย โ€œHelmet Of Shameโ€โ€ฆDO NOT be cast down, but keep your chops held high!

There are other drills and exercises we can do e.g…

Dancing, Yay! Like yesterdays drillย โ€œBust A Moveโ€ donโ€™t beย afraid to dance through the storms of life!!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Bruce dancing

โ‡งย Bruce dancing in the storm! ๐Ÿ˜€ โ‡ง

๐ŸŽถ โ€œDonโ€™t let nobody drag your spirit down – Eric Bibb

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 19 – “Bust A Move”

Bruce looking straight at the camera whilst stood up and looks like he is dancing

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œBust A Move”ย 

All of us dogs have a very individualistic personality, just like the humans do.ย While this varies from breed to breed, a lot of us respond to music based on the genre. You all know what i mean, when that songs starts playing and you just have toย โ€œBust A Move!”

Depending on your groove, and how funky your routineโ€ฆThis will leave your human in stitches, they will laugh their heads off! ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

At this point, i should tell you some benefits of busting a move…

Dancing is a great way to stay combat ready for dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes. It has a wide range of physical and mental benefits including:

  • Improves condition of your heart and lungs
  • Increases muscular strength, endurance and motor fitness
  • Increases aerobic fitness
  • Improves muscle tone and strength
  • Helps weight management
  • Stronger bones(thatโ€™s our bones and not the bones you normally chew.)
  • Better coordination, agility and flexibility
  • Improved balance and spatial awareness
  • Greater self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Better social skills.

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œHit the floor with those groovy paws!โ€ย ๐ŸŽถ

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 18 – “Parrot Rest”

Bruce and his fluffy toy Parrot

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruceโ€ฆYour fave Boxercise instructor!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Wow yet another week in lockdown has passed alreadyโ€ฆTime flies when your boxercised!

Please meet my good friendย โ€œParrot”ย 

Itโ€™s time to rest yet again, so go and grab your favourite toy of the moment and take a day of well earned rest..With plenty of sleeping! ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Also letโ€™s think once again about rest and sleep. Itโ€™s vitally important to take a day of rest to give your body a chance to heal, it helps toย de-stress, and also helps our minds focusโ€ฆOn FOOD, lol! ๐Ÿ”ย 

Fun Quote…โ€œA well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.โ€

๐ŸŽถ Remember our happy singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 17 – “Posture”

Bruce sitting up nice and straight and looks like he's observing someone. He is sat on a wooden porch with the door behind him

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œPosture”ย 

It’s normal for us to instinctively guard the resources that are important to us. This may includeย our food, our toys, our beds, our humans and our territory!

‘Territorial aggressionโ€™ย is important ย 

First exhibit warning, then perform defensive and offensive behaviorsโ€ฆYourย โ€œWar Faceโ€ is essential at this point!

ย If the enemyย proceedsโ€ฆContinue barking, Growling, doing your โ€œShort Sprints” up and down the perimeter…

If they move even closerโ€ฆCharge, bite, gnaw, rip, twist whoever or whatever is invading your territory, until the threat is neutralised!! ย 

ย This is why the correct posture is vitalโ€ฆLook harmlessโ€ฆSpring with power!

Here are some benefits of good Posture:

  • It keeps bones and joints correctly aligned so our muscles are being used properly.
  • Stopsย excessive wearing of joints.
  • Decreases the stress on the ligaments holding the joints of the spine together.
  • Prevents the spine fixing in abnormal positions.
  • Prevents fatigue because muscles are being used more efficiently, allowing us to use less energy.
  • Prevents backache and muscular pain.ย 
  • Contributes to a good appearance.

Awareness of your own posture is key, you can even practise in front of theย mirror if you likeโ€ฆPractise makes better!ย 

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ย Dwight D Eisenhower

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 16 – “Aerobies & Frisbees”

Bruce with an areobie in his mouth and showing his teeth. the aerobie is over his head

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œAerobies & Frisbees”ย 

โ€œWhen will my humans learn that this is my Aerobie…Go and fetch your own if you want one, stop taking this one and throwing it, lol!โ€ย 

If you listen to the humans, they will call this ย a โ€œSportโ€โ€ฆBut it’s a โ€œDrill”

Theย reason this drill is important: It givesย you a good workout and improves your speed, gives youย fantasticย muscle tone, increases paw to eye coordinationย and quickens your reflexes! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ย Dwight D Eisenhower

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 15 – “Eyeballing”

Portraint of Bruce not looking impressed

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œEyeballing”ย 

โ€œAre you eyeballing me?! Donโ€™t eyeball me! Never eyeball me!! Keep your eyes front and donโ€™t move them until i call them!โ€ย 

You may have thought iโ€™ve been going soft on you as the last few posts have been a little squishyโ€ฆBut that ends nowโ€ฆGo hard or be soft! ๐Ÿ˜–

The burning pain of discipline is nothing to theย anguish ofย disappointment!ย 

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œWhat counts is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight; itโ€™s the size of the fight in the dog.โ€ Dwight D Eisenhower

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.”ย Japanese Proverb!ย 

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 14 – “Steve’s Birthday”

portrait of me(left) and Bruce looking into the camera

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œSteveโ€™s Birthday”ย 

As it’s Steve’s birthday today i think we should all take a little time to grab one of our fave treats(as he wonโ€™t share any cake) and sing out loud on his special day! ๐ŸŽต

Remember: Humans are fragileโ€ฆSo itโ€™s important for us to give them love that they can onlyย receive from us! โ™ฅ๏ธ

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œI have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.โ€ Doris Day

๐ŸŽถ Birthday singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, even your birthday cake Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 13 – “Ears”

D2X 7476

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œEars”ย 

Letโ€™s paws for a moment to talk about ear placement. Some of you will be aware that whilst running really fast during your drills, your ears flop around like crazyโ€ฆThis will not apply to some breeds, and will definitely not apply to those of you who are too lazy to hit full speed. It is vital to keep your ears disciplined!ย 

Iโ€™m only mentioning this as some of us(like me) have owners that are obsessed about capturing our photo to keep for sentimental purposes or something even more soppy like posting on WordPress etcโ€ฆIf youโ€™re going to spend all of this time training, you might as well give them a nice photo! ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

So just be awareโ€ฆThe cameras are out there and theyโ€™re pointed at you!!

๐Ÿ’ฌย โ€œIf you think us dogs canโ€™t count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then giving us only two of them.โ€ย 

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.”ย Japanese Proverb!ย 

๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 12 – “Choir Of Cadence”

Bruces head shot of him howling, his muzzle pointed straight up

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œChoir Of Cadence”ย 

Letโ€™s paws for a moment to talk about singing. Many humans are uneducated on this topic and say that we howlโ€ฆwhat a vulgar display of ignorance!ย 

Our choir of cadence can also be used when we train and that is exactly what i want you to do during all of our drills. Please revert to singing your fave songs on Sundays which is your day of rest.ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Here is a shortย cadence to help with your PT…

1, 2, 3, 4, let me run with every pawโ€ฆ.1, 2, 3, 4, let me run with every paw

1, 2, 3, 4, I wonโ€™t quit give me some moreโ€ฆ.1, 2, 3, 4, I wonโ€™t quit give me some more

I wonโ€™t slouch until iโ€™m illโ€ฆI wonโ€™t slouch until iโ€™m ill

I just want myย favourite drillโ€ฆI just want my favourite drillย 

If you can extend this cadence please leave some suggestions in the comments, iโ€™d love to hear your ideasโ€ฆAnd it will help extend your PT!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Here are some physicalย Benefits of Singing…

  • Singingย strengthens the immune system. …ย 
  • Singingย is a workout. …ย 
  • Singingย improves your posture. …ย 
  • Singingย helps with sleep. …ย 
  • Singingย is a natural anti-depressant. …ย 
  • Singingย lowers stress levels. …ย 
  • Singingย improves mental alertness. …ย 
  • Singingย can widen your circle of friends.

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.”ย Japanese Proverb!ย 

ย ๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 11 – “Paws For Reflection”

A close up side profile portrait of Bruce looking left with his tongue hanging out

ย 

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruceโ€ฆYour fave Boxercise instructor!ย ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

ย 

Wow another week in lockdown has passed alreadyโ€ฆTime flies when your boxercised!

Letโ€™s paws once more and think about how much youโ€™ve achieved in just one week.

Also letโ€™s think once again about rest and sleep. Itโ€™s vitally important to take a day of rest to give your body a chance to heal, it helps toย de-stress, and also helps our minds focusโ€ฆOn FOOD, lol! ๐Ÿ”ย 

Fun Quote…โ€œA well trained dog will make no attempt to share your lunch. He will just make you feel so guilty that you cannot enjoy it.โ€

๐ŸŽถ Remember our happy singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake, every bite you take, chocolate or cake, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 10 – “Legacy Of Love”

I love the look of complete adoration in Bruce’s eyes for Sarah! ๐Ÿ˜

Bruce looking into Sarah's eyes!

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œLegacy Of Love”ย 

As it’s Sarah’s birthday today i think this photo can better express my feeling for her and what it means to leave a โ€œLegacy Of Love.โ€

Take time today to work on leaving your own โ€œLegacy Of Loveโ€ your owners will be blessed for years and years. โค๏ธ

ย ๐ŸŽถ Birthday singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, even your birthday cake Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 9 – “Snow Dives”

Bruce diving in the snow with front paws kicking up lots and lots of snow

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drillโ€ฆโ€œSnow Dives”ย 

Before you start to complain and make excuses because there is too much snow around, or you live in cold climatesโ€ฆGet out of your warm home and start drilling your laziness!

First things firstโ€ฆPlease make sure your owner is appropriately dressed for the cold weather, as a lazy owner is detriment to your health! ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

Snow dives are fantastic at burning calories, stretching muscles and above all they are fun.

Donโ€™t forget at the end of this exercise you can combine some of my other drills. Theย โ€œWet Dog Shakeโ€ is a perfect one to finish and youโ€™ll make it snow for anyone whoโ€™s nearby…Fun for the whole family! ๐Ÿ˜€ย ย 

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.”ย Japanese Proverb!ย 

ย ๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 8 – Seek & Destroy

A photo of Bruce running towards the camera with a huge burst tennis ball in his mouth

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Todayโ€™s Drill…โ€œSeek & Destroy”ย 

Seeking and destroying oversize tennis balls, footballs, rugby balls etc is a fantastic way to strengthen our already powerful jawsโ€ฆOoohh that popping sound, or the slow hiss of death. Nothing feels much better than when we conquer a ball! ๐Ÿ˜€

Bewareโ€ฆIf you like the oversized tennis ball(like me) or tennis balls of any size, they can sometimes bite back.

The ball itself can be a choking riskโ€ฆBut some of us enjoy shredding the yellow-green fuzz that surrounds the tennis ball. Eating this fuzz can lead to increased choking hazards and intestinal blockages that could require surgery. Do not let this happen, just paw your owner until they get you another ball! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.” Japanese Proverb!ย 

ย ๐ŸŽถ singalong with meโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 7 – Let Me See Your War Face

Bruce sprinting face

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Today letโ€™s talk about your War Faceย 

To make sure you get every drill performed each day…is to make war withย laziness! There is no better way to do this than to show your war face.

Show me your war face! Now show everyone your war face!

Letโ€™s come together and destroy laziness! ๐Ÿพ

ย ๐ŸŽถ Remember our happy singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

ย 

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๐Ÿพ Pawing Away The COVID-19 Lockdown Blues With “Bruce THE Boxer” Day 6 – Short Sprints


Bruce on the move 1

Welcome back to your daily lockdown drill brought to you by Bruce…your fave Boxercise instructor!ย 

Attention!! Today is my faveโ€ฆShort sprints!ย 

The benefits of sprinting are endless. It is an excellent cardiovascular exercise, it increases your stamina, burns lot of calories in a short time and moreover, it gives a boost to your metabolism so even when your workout is over, it keeps on burning caloriesโ€ฆMmmm so make sure your owner keeps the treats coming! ๐Ÿพย 

Sprinting releases surges of happy endorphins called dopamine, meaning we too can experience a ‘human runnerโ€™s highโ€™.ย 

If we are under stimulated and under exercised, we can be prone to destructive behaviours such as chewing, digging and rubbish rummaging. We can become hyper, overly excitable and restless at night. It can be the cause of attention-seeking behaviour, like whining, jumping up and barking. Do not let this happenโ€ฆDrag your lazy owner outside and get them moving! ๐Ÿพ

๐Ÿค” “A lean dog shames its master.” Japanese Proverb!ย 

ย ๐ŸŽถ Remember our happy singalongโ€ฆ”Every snack you make, every meal you bake. Every bite you take, Iโ€™ll be watching you.โ€ย 

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Blindman Tough Mudder 5K – The Big Day!

Yayโ€ฆ..We did it!ย 

With more than a week pastโ€ฆ.My knees are still scabbed and bruisedโ€ฆ..But iโ€™d like to give an Elephantine amount of thanks for everyone involved! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

A photo of the hard as nails team with our headbands on and our arms around each other

โ‡งFrom left: Adie, Vini, Me, Josie & Ashleyย โ‡งย 

First, Iโ€™d like to give aย stupendous amount of thanks to my lovely Wife Sarahโ€ฆ.The amount of love and encouragement was/is mind-blowing! ย And the โ€œHard As Nailsโ€ teamโ€ฆ..โ€โ€œmy muscles were fading but the sense of team work was overwhelming and no matter whatโ€ฆ..We were getting over those obstaclesโ€.๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

Second, iโ€™d like to give a monumental amount of thanks to the โ€œCrazy Clappersโ€ team. “When i’d finished an obstacle and was about to collapse……I’d hear the Cheering Team and you’d put a big grin on my face to remind me it was alright and to keep going! ๐Ÿ˜Žย 

Third, iโ€™d like to give a gargantuan amount of thanks toย all of you guys for your donations to โ€œWorld Cancer Research Fundโ€ and encouraging ย  me(& the team) every step of the way! “Intention isnโ€™t Preventionโ€ฆโ€ฆAnd you all have helped me spread the good ย news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.โ€ย 

Fourth, A colossal amount ofย thanks to John & Sarah Atherton(from the Epsom Camera Club) for giving up your Saturday and taking the amazing photos of us allโ€ฆ.Weโ€™ve got fantastic memories of the day!

Finally, I’ve already passed the whopping ยฃ1,000! The fundraising page is open for another 3 monthsโ€ฆ..So if you havenโ€™t donated yet or youโ€™d like to donate again(now you know iโ€™ve managed it) it would be amazing to smash more obstacles and raise as much as i can! ๐Ÿ˜Ž ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

Tough Mudder 5K – Saturday 13th Octoberโ€ฆโ€ฆ.Here Goes!

Adie, Me & Josie at the start with smoke covering the landscape

โ‡ง From left: Adie, Me & Josie โ‡งย ย 

Adie on my back as i carry him on the hero carry

ย โ‡ง Me carrying Adie on the โ€œHero Carryโ€ โ‡งย 

It was amazing to have my friend of nearly 30 years Adie Monk join our “Hard As Nails” team. I thought we’d sit and catch up over a coffee….I didn’t have this in mind, lol!

Thanks John Atherton for taking another great photo. I can’t thank you and Sarah Atherton enough for giving us all these memories to cherish! ๐Ÿ˜Ž ย 

After jogging a little, we came to thisโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“At over 2 stories high, this is one of the most impressive obstacles in the UK. It is a giant A-shaped cargo net that you and your team will have to scramble up and over it. Working together will be the only way to overcomeโ€.

Adie, me & Vini on the scramble netย 

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This is where my new trainers just hooked perfectly around the rope and it felt completely solid. Also my blindness helped me out for once as i couldnโ€™t see how high i was, and didnโ€™t freeze like a couple of people i heard up there!

ย Thenโ€ฆ.When getting to the bottom i hear โ€œYay, Whoop Whoop, Steve, Steve, Steveโ€ and the sound of the plastic clapper hands were going crazy! What a feeling to know my lovely Wife Sarah and the Crazy Clappers team were cheering me all of the way, a great feeling! ๐Ÿ˜Ž ย 

Me, Vini & Ashley cheering

ย โ‡ง Me, Vini & Ashley biggin’ up the cheering team โ‡งย 

More joggingโ€ฆ.Adie and the team were excellent at guiding me when jogging. Moving low hanging branches, telling me of tree roots and pulling me in the right direction. Adie said โ€œI tried running with my eyes closed for a few stepsโ€ฆAnd there is no way iโ€™d try any of this if i couldnโ€™t seeโ€.

Thenโ€ฆ..

โ€œWe’ve taken the 10′ Hero Walls and tilted them right at you. By removing the ability for you to climb up and over this wall, you will have to form a strategy with your team, work together and boost each other to the other sideโ€.

Vini on top of the wall and me trying get my leg up to get grip for my pull up!

ย โ‡ง Ouch, my leg hasnโ€™t bent that far in about 20 years, lol! โ‡งย 

More Joggingโ€ฆ..

This obstacle will have you crawling on the ground, pinned down by a giant cargo net. Working your way through this one will require lots of communication, teamwork and a strong willโ€.ย 

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Youโ€™ve guessed itโ€ฆ..More jogging and thenโ€ฆ.

“The aim of the game is to get your team up and over this stack of super-sized hay bales. There is no right or wrong way so boost, shove or yank every last team member over the other sideโ€.ย 

Ashley helping Josie

โ‡ง Ashley helping Josie in a display of team work โ‡ง ย 

ย Nextโ€ฆโ€ฆ.

“Can’t go through it, can’t go round it, you’ll have to go over it. Work together to boost and shimmy your teammates up and over this 10′ Tough Mudder stapleโ€.

Ashley at the top of the wall

Josie on the top of the wall with all of us cheering at the bottom

Vini helping Josie at the top of the wall

ย Yep, more joggingโ€ฆ..

“Time to get swinging. Grab on, hold tight, feel the momentum and swing yourself from ring to ring like a regular Tarzan. This obstacle will test your strength, coordination and flow. Hang in there, you got thisโ€.

Really didnโ€™t do well on this oneโ€ฆAnd i canโ€™t really blame my sight for lack of strength, lol!

Me on the rings

ย After a little more joggingโ€ฆ…

“One of the most teamwork-inducing obstacles in the Tough Mudder portfolio, this obstacle is difficult to complete alone. You’re going to have to work together to form a human pyramid and, like its namesake, climb up and over your fellow Mudders on the way to the topโ€.

As Vini was making everything look so easyโ€ฆ..It was great to look at the photos afterwards and see it wasnโ€™t all too easy!! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย ย 

Vini & Ashley pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Vini, Ashley & me pulling Josie up the pyramid scheme

Pyramid scheme 1

Pyramid scheme 2

Pyramid scheme 3

ย AND NOWโ€ฆโ€ฆMY NEMESIS!!!!

“A true Tough Mudder legend. Everest will challenge participants to run up a quarter pipe to reach the summit. Can’t do it alone? Not to worry – teammates are encouraged to hang over the top to pull their new friends up and overโ€.

ย I knew this was going to be more difficult for me as i needed to try it and get hands on before i could calculate what exactly i needed to do. Adie & Ashley explained the processโ€ฆ.But i knew i just had to do it before i would really knowโ€ฆ.As running at a half pipe wall thingy when blind is going to be interesting!

Here Goes Nothingโ€ฆ..

Me running at Everest

Me and Everest

I took 1 step too manyโ€ฆ.and before i knew it the wall was in my face! Ooooo i was so close to reaching the ledge. ย 

Me crashing into Everest

After hitting the wall i dropped down on both knees, and as the obstacle was made of hardish tyre rubber, it simply burned and ripped the skin off both kneesโ€ฆ.Wow that stings, lol. Time to regroup and recalculate!ย 

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“Ok Steve, just do the same but with 1 step lessโ€. Here i go again!

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Yayโ€ฆ.Thatโ€™s betterโ€ฆ..And once i had my talon trainers gripped to the ledge, i could just heave myself up. Wow i made it! ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

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18JA3400โ‡งย Ashley showing how it should be done!ย โ‡ง๐Ÿ˜Ž ย 

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ย The team were fantastic and we all made it up. No-one was being left behind and you could just feel the team growing closer with each obstacle, it was amazing.ย 

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ย Now the final obstacle was overcome, it was time for a short jog to the finish line,Yay!ย 

The Finish Line & The Headbandsโ€ฆ…ย 

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ย WE DID ITโ€ฆ…ย 

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โ‡ง When words fail to say how thankful you are!!! โ‡งย 

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โ‡ง Me, Adie & the headbands โ‡งย 

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โ‡ง Adie, Vini & Me for a final photo โ‡งย 

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WOW WHAT A JOURNEYโ€ฆ…

I hope after getting this farโ€ฆ..Youโ€™ve enjoyed this journey with me and the team too? They are already talking about doing a longer and more muddier one with more obstacles for next year. What do you think? Should i go for it? Would you like to see the Blindman take on a greater challenge? Let me know in the comments section what you think!

I canโ€™t thank everyone enoughโ€ฆ.

Blindman Tough Mudder Update – 5 Days To Go!

Oh noโ€ฆโ€ฆWith only 5 days left until โ€œTough Mudderโ€, Sarah and i went into the woods to try out my new trail shoes and also try and get some photos of me jogging/training for World Cancer Research Fund as they want some promotional shots.

Sarah did an amazing job getting me to run in a straight lineโ€ฆ..She had to walk with me to get into positionโ€ฆ.Then walk away until she was in position. Then after Sarah shouts โ€œGO!โ€ I hopefully run in a straight line towards her(not through her) and she can get some shots.

Iโ€™m not sure how she did itโ€ฆ..But it looks like iโ€™m jogging on my own and also looks like iโ€™e been jogging for miles, lolโ€ฆ..Not just 50 feet at a time! ๐Ÿ˜Ž ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย 

Me running through the woodsย 

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Bananaman Is Back!! ๐ŸŒ

Wow….Bananaman is backโ€ฆ.I really enjoyed wearing the superhero suit and cheering on the excellent runners at the Richmond Half Marathon forย World Cancer Research Fund UK! It was a fantastic day out with the team showing our appreciation for all of the wonderful fundraisers!

With only 27 days to go until my Tough Mudder and needing all of the cheering i can getโ€ฆ..Iโ€™ll see if iโ€™m still laughing, lol.ย ๐Ÿ˜Žย 

Me wearing the bright yellow banana suit and cheering on the runners

one of the runners giving me a thumbs up as i cheer him on in the background

Richmond Half 3

See also:

Blindman Tough Mudder Challenge

Blind Man Tough Mudder Challenge For World Cancer Research Fund

Me waving wearing my World Cancer Research Fund T-Shirt while walking alongside a lake

Hi all!

People who know me?! know that Iโ€™ve been struggling and fighting all kinds of obstacles for the past 18 years since being registered blindโ€ฆ..BUT Iโ€˜ve never faced obstacles such as these.

I was recently challenged to do the Tough Mudder 5K by Sarahโ€™s nail tech/artist Ashley, who works atย Ooh La La Hair & Beauty Salon.ย I chose the team name HARD AS NAILS and I’ll be competing and raising funds for one of my favourite charities –World Cancer Research Fund

World Cancer Research Fundโ€ฆ..

My lovely wife Sarah works forย World Cancer Research Fundย and I was stopped in my tracks by one of the statistics she showed me –ย That a third of all cancers can be prevented…ย that’s over 80,000 casesย each year in the UK alone. This totally blew my mind!

โ€œWhat??? There are Cancers that I can prevent? I thought Cancer was something that you just got!”

The light switched on for me and I thought โ€œWhy didnโ€™t I know this?ย 
I want to share this good news with everyone so we can all be aware and empowered to start fighting the cancers we can prevent.”

Since then Iโ€™ve been following World Cancer Research Fundsย recommendations and have never felt more healthy and energised (even thoughIiโ€™m on beta-blockers). Most of all I know Iโ€™m not digging my own grave with my own knife and fork!

World Cancer Research Fundย are the UKโ€™s leading cancer prevention charity funding global research into the links between diet, weight, physical activity and cancer. Their work empowers people to take action to lead healthier, happier, cancer-free lives.

Cancer is a terifying disease and most, if not all of us, either know or have known someone who has had or been affected by cancer.

Many believe that getting cancer is down to your genes, fate or just bad luck, but there are so many things you can do to reduce your cancer risk.

What you eat and drink, how much you weigh and how physically active you are can all make a big difference.

With our support World Cancer Research Fund will be able to learn more about how to prevent cancer – keeping loved ones together for longer.

ย Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity. So it’s the most efficient way to donate – saving time and cutting costs for the charity.

ย 



I have added a JustGiving sponsor button below, and at the top of the sidebar on the right hand side, this links directly to my fundraising page. Even if you donโ€™t want to sponsor meโ€ฆ.please take a look and have a read about World Cancer Research Fund and the great work they do. ๐Ÿ˜€ย 

P.s….Just to addโ€ฆ.If you are in the UK, you can sponsor ยฃ1, ยฃ2, ยฃ3, ยฃ4, ยฃ5 or ยฃ10…..By texting WCRF77 ยฃ3 (yourย preferredย amount) to 70070. Every ยฃ helps to power up against Cancer!ย ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผย ๐Ÿ˜€

Thank youโ€ฆ..

Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my challenge. I will keep you updated here, and on my other social media (see sidebar on right). ๐Ÿ˜€ ๐Ÿ’ช๐Ÿผ

Please click the button and sponsor Steve Rebus for this Tough Mudder challenge to raise funds for World Cancer Research Fund

ย 

Carrying A Princess

I thought iโ€™d just share a couple of photos with you guys of my fun afternoonโ€ฆ.Giving my lovely wife Sarah(Princess) a lift around our local common. I keep saying to Sarah โ€œItโ€™s great to finally give you a lift, as i havenโ€™t driven a car since i was registered blind 18 years ago! lol. ๐Ÿ˜

In case youโ€™re wondering whyโ€ฆโ€ฆIโ€™ve been challenge by Sarahโ€™s nail tech/artist to do a Tough Mudder 5K on 13th October 2018 One of the activities(called Hero Carry) is to carry someone for a quarter of a mile.ย 

Sarah as my Backpack

Sarah as my Backpack 2

Big thanks to our friend Sara for capturing these fun photos. ๐Ÿ˜ย