Good Admin!

Though training has been on trickle for the last 3 weeks, I’ve managed to average over 8000cal a week between running, exercise bike, rowing and circuits. I’m back on to 10 milers with weight and am now running as fast with the pack as I am without. Chris and I ran the Riyadh Road Runners’ 10 mile race at Aramco Farm last weekend and we got around together in 1hr 26mins. I also had the pleasure of meeting another Ian from BAe Systems at that race, who is also running in this year’s MdS. He is a racing snake and will be leaving me for dead, but at least we can compare notes and share a few sand dune training sessions together. As well as Ian, I have made contact with Ben from my Corps, who is based back in the UK. He and another officer are participating, so it will be good to get to know them by Facebook and email.

I have tested the Pico Freeloader solar charger. After 7 hours on a rather dull Riyadh day, the Pico had charged my flat-batteried MP3 player to 93% charge. It may have done it quicker, as it stayed at 93% after charging in my laptop for another hour – so not an entirely scientific experiment owing to the poor software I think, but enough to give me confidence in the little charger! At 49g; it is well worth taking along if it means music for more than a couple of stages.

I received my delivery from Racing The Planet, which my boss Peter very kindly picked up on his return from the UK. I now have 21 freeze dried meals to use for the race and training. The Expedition Foods 800cal range offers a selection of menus at no more than 205g/meal; some are as light as 175g, which has had an effect on my choices. Amongst other bits and pieces, I also got a packet of 9 ‘tablet towels’ – white tablets about 15mm across which expand out into small flannels when water is poured onto them, these should be better for my skin and more refreshing than the wet-wipe alternative.

I have been working my way through some essential military admin over this week. I applied for Diplomatic Clearance through the FCO office in Morocco, applied for duty status for the event from the Army Sports Control Board, and applied for a grant from the Berlin Infantry Brigade Memorial Fund which may contribute £100 towards the cost of entry. Once I have written permission from the Control Board; I can send off the Army Sports Lottery form and apply for a further £300 towards the flight from KSA to London. I will be trying to obtain those flight tickets from BA as a donation, in which case the £300 would have to be returned.

This weekend will be mostly spent with the girls before they return home, but it will be all systems go from Saturday afternoon. My weight is settling at just under 90kg, but should take another drop over the next few weeks.