I had to go to the doctor today for a health assessment so that I could be signed off as fit and healthy for the race. This was a particularly good day for it because I just happened to have done a 3 mile run this morning and then met with EJ, the personal trainer who kindly gave me her time for free. This is so that I can start to build up some muscle strength because right about now I battle to get the lids off kids’ medicine bottles much less hoist heavy sails up masts.
Son 1 wanted to come to the doctor’s with me and given I’ve barely spent a moment with them this half term, I said yes under pain of death that he was good and quiet. He was both. Exceptionally so. So quiet in fact that he got to listen to the whole conversation between the doctor and I. Which just happened to talk about the fact that I was planning on sailing on a boat.
Nothing gets by a five year old. The minute we left he wanted to know why we were talking about boats. I have mentioned the trip to him before but it was all theoretical then. So I explained that I was going to go sailing for a while but only in September.
He promptly said: “I don’t want you to go, who will look after us?” Sigh.
So I said: “Daddy and we’ll get a nanny, someone really, really fun and lovely who will spend loads of time playing with you guys.”
“I don’t want a nanny,” he said. Sigh. “Who will take us to school?” he continued.
“The nanny will,” I said gently.
“But she doesn’t know where the school is,” said he, and melted into tears.
This is why this is a challenge. Not the sailing. This. Right here. The guilt.
We had a long chat and he seemed to warm to the idea when I explained that the nanny’s only job would be to play with him and his brother.
Later at bathtime I asked him what he’d like in a nanny.
“Someone old,” he said.
“Why?” I asked.
“Because I want to know what old people do,” he said very philosophically.
“What do you think old people do?” I asked.
His 3 year old brother listening to all of this earnestly said: “They die.”
Son 1 and I looked at each other and fell about laughing. Classic chirp from pipsqueak.
I fear we have many, many of these conversations to come.
P.S.
I got my first donation today (thanks Vicks!) and first offer of a corporate ad. Yay! Plus lots of offers of promotional support. So thanks to everyone.
Tags: doctor, guilt, personal trainer, son1, son2
February 18th, 2009
I am really happy to unveil my new blog created to track my progress as I prepare to sail from the UK to Brazil as part of the Clipper Round The World Race. I hope that once I get my head around Wordpress it’ll have far more lovely features - like some video and plenty of pics as the countdown to the training and race begins.
Since signing the contract things have moved fast. I’ve been sent all sorts of exciting bits of mail. Let’s see, there was the doctor’s letter that had to get signed to prove that I’m fit and able to take part. I assume by that that they don’t require a lean set of six pack abs. I have a six pack alright, it’s just made of sponges that cascade over the top of my trousers in an attractive muffin like fashion.
There was also the letter requiring me to pay insurance so that if I lose a limb or die at sea I was covered. That was comforting. I readily signed that cheque.
Then there was lots of information about marketing and sponsorship - which is how come this blog is now live.
There was the strange email asking about what size wet weather gear we needed, without having seen the sizes they come in. And a list of the myriad of things we’d need for training, with the caveat that we shouldn’t rush out and buy things specifically as we may decide that smashing our way through freezing cold oceans and living inside very cramped quarters isn’t really our bag after all. Whether it’s my bag or not, I’m in it for the long haul now.
My favourite bit of correspondence was the newsletter just for girls. It went over some of the issues that the gentlemen taking part in the race might not be too concerned about (and indeed might turn green thinking about). It covers subjects like:
- knickers (choose cotton to avoid nappy rash and dark as opposed to white which get seriously grey apparently)
- periods and how to deal with them on board (you don’t even want to know really)
- women’s issues (like the fact that not showering for weeks on end might result in cystitis or thrush and what to do about that)
- what to wear for best breast support while hoisting sails but which is still comfortable to sleep in and lastly,
- how to clean yourself thoroughly with baby wipes (because you ain’t going to be having a shower anytime soon).
It really doesn’t matter. The more I know about it, the more I want to do it. My first training session is booked for 5 - 12 April. I have to start honing my spongebob six pack belly before then, so am meeting a lovely personal trainer tomorrow (thanks EJ) who has agreed to give me some of her time for free to come up with some exercises to help me prepare.
And the marketing campaign will be kicking off in earnest soon. In the meantime, anyone who fancies sponsoring me can have a go. Be the first! Tell me the link works.
A special mention here to Helen who has helped me create this blog and is hosting it for me. And a big thank you to Tasha who created the mum in the washing basket logo for me.
I’m overwhelmed at the support I’ve already received from people about this. You’re all brilliant shiny stars!
Tags: blog, doctor, insurance, marketing, support, women's issues
February 17th, 2009
