Today, I went back to my dojo for the first time in months, with one goal in mind - to figure out if my body can still move properly... The good news is that yes, it seems to be functioning just fine after weeks of booze and food and general inactivity. The bad news is that...erm...well, I sup...
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All in all, 2012 was a pretty good year for me. I tried to do at least one kickass thing for every month of the year. Here is what I managed: [gallery type="rectangular" ids="574,1181,932,894,850,1683,2235,1068,2238,1540,1333,981,1131"] Info: this year, I completed Tough Guy Winter 2012, won...
Continue reading ...Oh, by the way, I totally did some badminton! Apologies for not letting you know sooner, it slipped my mind because...well...it's badminton. I didn't actually set out to play badminton that day (12.11.2012); I actually drove to Reading Climbing Centre with my brother to use their bouldering wall a...
Continue reading ...Whether it be scaling a rock face to find a vantage point, descending into an abyss whilst hunting for treasure, or escaping up a tree or whilst being pursued by a wild boar, climbing is an invaluable skill for the freelance adventurer. Luckily for me, there are plenty of climbing walls within an ...
Continue reading ...Having noticed my blog was getting a bit text-heavy, I decided to wait a while for the photos from the Super Spartan, before writing an update. However, is has now been nearly three weeks since we ran the course and not a single photo has surfaced. To be honest, this is entirely typical of the Sp...
Continue reading ...A long time ago, some people promised to take me out on the River Thames and give me lessons in the sport of rowing. Sadly, however, it never came to be. Luckily, I happened to be in the Lake District over the weekend, so I decided to rent a rowing boat and row Lake Windermere instead. Granted...
Continue reading ...As part of my Gold Challenge, I had to do some form of swimming. However, figuring that anybody could just walk down to their local pool, jump in and splash around for a bit, I wanted to do something a bit more interesting. So I decided to do some open water swimming - to brace myself against the...
Continue reading ...Back when I started this challenge, I decided to cycle 100 miles for the cycling element. How hard could it be, right? So, I made a plan: Stage 1: Borrow a bike Stage 2: Borrow a helmet Stage 3: Put both in the garage, and leave to mature for 12 months Stage 4: Cycle 100 miles Frankly, the plan was ...
Continue reading ...[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MdAGqQi96I&w=420&h=315] At wrestling this evening, we worked on shooting for a double leg (a classic) and shooting a high crotch. A high crotch essentially involves going for a double leg takedown, with your head on your opponent's hip, but shooting your a...
Continue reading ...Last Monday and tonight make it three weeks back at boxing training for me, and I'm starting to get my eye in a little. There are a few old habits, however, that refuse to die. I blame them on wrestling. In wrestling, I stay low and circle my opponent, looking for a moment to catch him off guard ...
Continue reading ...After boxing on Monday night, I decided to spend Tuesday freestyle wrestling at Genesis Gym in Marlow. Although they have had their wrestling class running since early in the year, I haven't been able to attend very often because the class has been on a Friday night. Now, however, it has been move...
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Being Guildmaster of the Guild of Adventurers isn't easy. I mean, if I'm not adventuring, who the hell is?! I am obliged, by the Gods of chaos, exploration and revelry, to pursue adventure as regularly as possible. This is a vow I have taken, by the light of the moon. So it must be - not matter wh...
Continue reading ...OK, I know it wasn't specifically the Olympic version but, on my jousting day, I also spent a morning learning all about the history of archery and practising my hand at it. Given that not a single archery club has responded to my requests to try their sport, I'm going to go ahead and say that my...
Continue reading ...As part of my Gold Challenge, I am required to do a horse-based event. Given that I don't know how to ride a horse, however, that pretty much limits me to dressage...or something equally...well...y'know. Now, don't get me wrong here. Horse riding can damn cool. CAN BE damn cool. The stuff I see...
Continue reading ...As Champion of Murderbeers, my responsibilities are vast and never-ending. Quash a rebellion here, fend off the Ice Giants there; if it's not killing one thing, it's conquering another. So, when the Emperor looked out from Murder Mount and realised that England, Scotland and Wales ALL have tal...
Continue reading ...After shooting a successful series of BrewDog Beer Cocktail pictures for Zoo Magazine last week, they asked me back to photograph their brew day. Luckily, I was due to be in London anyway , so I was totally up for it. Unluckily, I woke up on a floor, after a night of partying in Brent Cross - damn...
Continue reading ...After much...doing of things, I have decided to take a week off to drink and sleep. I have chosen Portugal as the location for my drinking and sleeping. Of course, I'm not really very good and doing nothing. Luckily, nor is my dad! As such, I'm confident there will be running, football and fea...
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As I write is, I am standing just outside the Olympic Stadium for the London 2012 Games...waiting to walk inside and run the 100m. How exactly I have ended up here is unclear. I do, however, know it involved dozens of generous people, all of whom I can't thank enough for everything they have donate...
Continue reading ...As part of the Gold Challenge, I have to do some gymnastics. Officially, they want me to do trampolining, but it's just not as easy as you might think to find a nearby trampolining club that is also happy to let hairy, angry-looking men stroll in and 'have a try'. Instead, therefore, I set myself...
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