BG Energy Challenge

In what can only be described as a massive overestimation of my physical and mental abilities, I have joined forces with some guys and gals from work and have entered the BG Energy Challenge.

The Challenge is described as a team building event where we may have to ride mountain bikes, canoe, run, solve puzzles, crack codes, climb mountains or orientate our way through dense forests.  I guess its a toned down adventure race with more thinking involved. Hopefully for us it will require a ton of thinking and not so much actual physical prowess.  I gotta guess we as a profession are not the most physically fit.  Long days and take out can't be the preparation.  We won't know exactly what the events are until they actually begin, so it makes training a bit difficult.  There is no way we will be able to practice everything so will have to hope the canoeing and orienteering are not the biggest parts.

There is a blog that provides helpful tips and hints for getting ready for the event.  Here are some of my favorites, which make me think that a very long weekend is in store for us:


'we suggest that you should be able to run about 5 miles without stopping and without having any detrimental impact on your health.'


'This year promises something different so get plenty of sleep and know your speed/distance/time calculations by foot, bike and canoe.'


This year's course will contain a mixture of disciplines (running, biking and canoeing) over different terrain (forestry, parkland, lakes and moors).  As you can imagine, a working knowledge of a compass and map will be a distinct advantage.' 


'One tip is that knowing your way around the Morse Code will greatly assist you early on in the event.'

I haven't run 5 miles in probably 15 years, and I don't even know what a moor is.  Can't be a good omen.

While we will look to have fun the real reason for the event is to support a couple of worthy charities.  We all will be raising money in addition to searching for some sort of fitness buried under years of overtime meals and endless cappuccinos.  If you are a frequent reader please take a moment and consider supporting me and 2 great charities at my fundraising page.

I will keep you all up to date on our training and the event itself, over the next 6 weeks.  I am sure that there will be some great stories and some epic failures as we embark on this adventure.