INSPIRESPORT PACKING CHECKLIST
With our Yorkshire 3 Peak Charity Challenge less than 2 weeks away, we caught up with a few more members of the inspiresport team who will be walking/hiking/climbing the 24.5 mile route across the Pennines.
This week, we speak to 3 of our Regional Sales Managers – Ian Baker (North West and North Wales), Sean Bishop (South East and South Wales) and Henry Walpole (London and International schools) to find out how their preparations for the 12-hour challenge are going.
It’s July – not long to go until the Y3Peak Challenge…how are you feeling?
SB: Ok at the moment! I do quite a lot of running in general so feel like I’m in pretty good shape to take on the challenge. I’ve done some hiking before so I have a good idea of what to expect.
HW: I’ve tried to complete at least 1 ‘long walk’ per weekend…by that I mean a walk of more than 20km, and so far it’s going really well! I’ve signed up to another challenge in the October half term break so the training I’ve done for the Y3Peaks has a dual purpose.
IB: I’m looking forward to it! I haven’t really changed my general activity too much – I try to get out on my bike as often as I can and aim for a couple of rides between 40 and 90 miles each week. The only ‘walking’ I do is with my dogs but that’s every day come rain or shine…great prep for whatever weather Yorkshire has in store for us!
Why did you decide to join the inspiresport Y3Peak team?
HW: As I mentioned, I’ve signed up for another challenge later in the year – I’m actually planning to climb to Everest Base Camp! So, the Y3Peak challenge will be a great stepping stone to this…and it’s a fantastic cause to raise money for alongside my teammates.
IB: I’ve completed a couple of charity cycling challenges over the past few years and felt joining my colleagues on this challenge was something I really wanted to do. It’s a great opportunity to ‘give back’ especially in difficult times, and the fact that we are supporting Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice fits well with what we do…I spend a lot of time in schools or out and about watching youth sport so it feels right.
SB: It’s a great cause and a chance to bond with the team outside of work. Yorkshire is in my blood – I might be biased but it has some of the best scenery in the UK on its day!
What’s your plan for completing the challenge?
IB: No real plan as such – I’m not really that competitive (outside of football at least!) so I’m quite happy to just pace myself and take things steady to ensure I finish the route without stressing my granddad knees too much!
SB: My plan is to pace myself and not push it too early on…just nice and steady! I’ll be making sure I take plenty of calories on board too. I’ll be getting lots of rest and carb loading for a few days before we start.
HW: I haven’t done any real research on the challenge but my strategy is to not stop walking! Very simple I know but I’ll just keep going to ensure I complete it.
What are you looking forward to…or not?
SB: I like not knowing too much about what to expect so haven’t googled the challenge other than to check out the equipment list…so the thing I’m looking forward to most is the post hike pint in the pub where we’re all staying after we finish! I’m really not looking forward to the drive back – we have a sales team meeting the day after at Chelsea FC, which might be tough.
HW: I’m just looking forward to getting out in the Yorkshire countryside and walking! How this event goes will give me a good indication on whether I need to up my training or not…hmm…maybe this could be what I’m not looking forward to as well!
IB: I am looking forward to meeting the other fundraisers and spending time with my team. As Sean said, I’m not looking forward to the long drive to Cobham either…or the aching body for days afterwards!
Why should colleagues, friends and contacts sponsor you and support Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice?
HW: We watched the video for Grace’s Place as part of our team meeting a few months ago and it was incredibly moving – sad but also uplifting at the same time. To help raise funds so the hospice can continue to provide care for children with life-limiting illness and their families is such a good cause to support.
IB: A lot of people are struggling at the moment financially, so anything we can do to raise money for charity is a positive. It might sound a bit cheesy but every donation to the hospice will make a difference, no matter how small…and just think of the pain we’ll be going through!
SB: This is going to be a really tough test but it’s for such a great cause. We’ve been sacrificing a few hours each week extra in training, but it’s nothing compared to what the families and children go through when they need help from Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice.
If you’d like to donate to the inspiresport Y3Peak team, head over to our Just Giving page.
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