August Newsletter 2009






Dear All

Hope this August newsletter finds you all well. I am sure some of you are still nursing bumps and bruises after last weekend's 3 Peaks Challenge (not that it's stopping you from training!)

Lots to report on this month, so I'll get straight into it!

Ironman Triathlon

Most of you will be aware that I completed the Ironman Triathlon on August 2nd (2.4 miles swim, 112 miles bike and 26.2 miles run) in 13 and a half hours.

It was a long day but nothing beats the feeling of crossing that line. The preparation started the day I booked the triathlon and I wouldn't have been able to the complete an Ironman then. I could barely swim in the open water and I had to stop for a rest the first time I rode home from work! 

I am not expecting you all to go out and start training for an Ironman but I hope my experience shows that although achievement doesn't come easy, you can achieve anything you want to.

I will do an Ironman again and I hope that in the future I won't be alone! If there is enough interest, I am looking at registering my own Triathlon club. The season is coming to an end but there will be a few sprint distance triathlons in September and October if anyone wants to give it a go?

Plus the London Duathlon in September (13th) more details below in the event section of newsletter.


3 Peak Challenge

Last weekend (7-9th) a team of 17 took part in the 3 Peaks Challenge. The challenge is to complete the highest mountain in Scotland, England and Wales in less than 24 hours. We sacrificed the time aspect and focussed on the completion although some of the group showed some serious determination to finish Snowdon on the Saturday while the rest of us went to the pub!

In summary most of the group completed all 3 of the mountains and some even in the 24 hours cut off. Most importantly though, everyone enjoyed the experience and are looking forward to taking on the next challenge.

I have put a few clips into a video (you know how much I love a video!)

  

Challenge Central

You may well have wondered what exactly Challenge Central is and to be honest I haven't always known either.

I have been developing the concept of Challenge Central since the start of the year and I am now please to announce its true purpose!

For a long time I have been using challenges as part of my personal training business. I realised that people want to be fit for something and they like idea of a challenge or adventure as it gives them something to work towards and look forward to. The feeling of completing anything which at some point was considered impossible is truly amazing.

Challenge Central will serve 3 key functions:

1) Organisation of events such as the 3 Peak Challenge, Welsh 3000's, Bike challenges or boat races. These events will be organised and packaged by Challenge Central for members to purchase. Starting in the UK with the vision to build up to more serious events around the world - walking the great wall of China or climbing Kilimanjaro to mention a few.

2) Entry to large organised events. There are literally 1000's of excellent events around the UK. Not only will the club be entering the standard running and triathlon events but also supply organisation for team events such as the Tough Guy challenge, Grim challenge and the Survival of the fittest. This will give members the opportunity to take part in team events with other Challenge Central members. (all events just mentioned are linked below in the event section)

3) Forum. The Challenge Central website will also act as a forum to allow members to communicate about events and training. This should help bring like minded people together in a community of challengers where your own events can be organised and discussed. I have put together a basic forum, please go and leave a comment and let me know whether it is sufficient for the purpose.

Challenge Central Forum

Challenge Central and amc-training

Although there is an obvious link between the two businesses you will start to see a few differences emerge. As clients of amc-training you automatically get free membership to Challenge Central, so don't worry you don't have to do anything but new members will be charged a small annual fee to become part of the club.

amc-training will always plug into Challenge Central for its events and competitions but I want to open up Challenge Central to all members of active4less, other gyms and personal trainers. So tell your friends to get involved, you don't have to train with me... you just have to like a challenge.

As the two businesses move away from each other you will receive two different newsletters in September, one from amc-training and one from Challenge Central rather than hearing news from both at the same time. amc-training will be focussed on the personal training whilst Challenge Central will be focussed on events and challenges.

Clear as mud?

Health and Fitness Assessments

Just a reminder about the health and fitness assessment this Saturday (15th August) if you want to get measured, weighed and tested the assessment will be running between 12-2pm. Please let me know if you are coming and at what time so I can manage timing effectively. I have 6 people booked in already so it should be a bit of a social as well as a time to ask any questions or discuss your current training regimes or nutrition requirements.

Next Events

Dragon Boat RaceEveryone has been asking 'what's next?' So I've got a few events to put into your diaries

Firstly the London Duathlon on the 13th of September. The duathlon consists of a 10k run, 20k bike and another 5k run. I'd imagine there can't may places left so if you are interested, book it asap!

The next 10k run will be the Standalone 10k on the October 4th.

I am also thinking about a weekend away in the Brecon Beacons combining some SAS selection routes with some kayaking in late September. Let me know if you are interested and I will look into it.

Other events in the pipeline are the Tough Guy Challenge in Jan, Survival of the fitness on the 10th October and the Grim Challenge on the 5th of Dec.

Challenge Central will also be looking to put together the list of 12 marathon for 12 months (12in12) by the next newsletter and also provisional plans for a bike ride to Wales. Again, please let me know who wants to do what. I work much fast if I know you're interested! 

amc & CC clothing

There will now be an option to purchase extra amc-training and Challenge Central clothing.

Everyone will still receive a free T-Shirt on joining Challenge Central or amc-training but extra T-Shirts, vests and hoodies are now available to buy from the Challenge Central Shop

Welcome Video

You have probably all seen this by now but just case anyone has missed it I have embedded the welcome video on the amc-training home page. Most of you appear on it so it's worth a watch if you haven't seen it.




I think that is enough for this month - If you have made it this far then I'm impressed - You have a better attention span than me.

Keep training,

Alan Cook
amc-training & Challenge C

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EVENTS & DIARY DATES
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6th Aug

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Personal Training Hertfordshire

14th Aug

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