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OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS WEEK: If you would like to support my challenge please do so by wearing pink every Friday for the month of October and donate any funds raised to Challenge the Channel on the justgiving link below, I will be wearing pink throughout the month. Thank you.

Autumn has arrived the weather is amazing, just right for rowing!

Our search for a main sponsor for the challenge day continues, if anyone is interested we can let you have details.

Developments Since the last update:

I met with one of our sponsors on Wednesday, Ideal Window Solutions, it was a real pleasure to meet Chris Palmer and Thom Emerson both of whom have been touched by cancer, two very kind and generous men and I am grateful for their support. We went on to Breast Cancer Haven so Chris and Thom could meet Heidi Rehman and have a tour of the Haven both the guys were taken by the support provided to those with breast cancer or who have just had a diagnosis or an operation, the peace and tranquility of the place is wonderful and full of healing, great to meet you Chris and Thom. The rowing kit has arrived courtesy of kit sponsors Alexandra Sports I'm extremely grateful for your support Dawn Taylor, we will post photos once I have an opportunity to catch up with Dawn who is a very busy lady.

It was lovely to meet Karen Tyrrell of Lakeside 1000, Karen and I had a lengthy discussion which proved very positive so please watch this space for further news, I am very excited about this.

On Thursday RGK Wheelchairs agreed to sponsor my wheelchair upholstery as the current upholstery is looking tired with all the training it goes through, RGK have been an amazing sponsor over the years in fact the chair was given to me by Russel Simms former founder of RGK, the chair has completed 80,000 miles through challenges, training and getting about, she’s stood the test of time which is proof of good quality engineering, Oh she reaches speeds of up to 35.5 mph downhill.

We have been working on getting the logos on vinyl stickers for the boat in time for the Bembridge to the Needles endurance training row (hopefully next Thursday or Friday Morning, weather and tides permitting).


Training:

Training has gone pretty well, 25 mph winds in choppy waters last week but we still managed a good long row. This week, in the gym on Monday for endurance training and on the water on Tuesday we covered 5.37 miles at 4.4mph in 1 hour 12 minutes, Thursday was by far the best and longest row of all, 8 miles in a steady state with an average of 4.7mph. Coach Mike Gilbert said what was most encouraging was the pace of 6mph with the tide, the weather was too perfect, hot and very calm which tested the rowing technique to it’s limits, we were even visited by the local seals. As there are no tides in Langstone next week the boat will be moved to a marine nearby so not to inhibit training. On Friday the technical session with Technical coach, Emma Gueterbock was very productive on the ergo (rowing machine), pace setting and splits were so much better.

I hope I haven’t missed anything or anyone out in the update, please contact us if we have.

Overall it’s been a good week!

Please visit the social media sites below for more frequent updates.

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ChallengetheChannel
Social Media Sites:
https://www.facebook.com/ChallengeTheChannel/
https://challengethechannel.blogspot.co.uk/
https://www.instagram.com/challengethechannel/

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Return to Training

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After picking up a virus two weeks ago and becoming extremely frustrated at the thought of not being able to train, Paul returned to training on Friday 14th September 2018. However because Paul lost the colour in his face his technical coach Emma Gueterbock stopped the training session after just 20 minutes, Paul admits that this was the right decision as it was clear that although he felt ok it was apparent that he wasn't out of the woods. After more rest over the weekend Paul returned to the rowing machine and gym work completing 1 hour 30 minutes on the rower and felt much better, Paul was excited that he was at last back on the road to full training. On Tuesday the 18th Paul's coach, Mike Gilbert had text to say that it was he who now had the virus so therefore training was suspended as he was too unwell to go on the water and the winds were too strong for Paul to go out alone. Back to the gym on Wednesday and Paul put himself through a tougher session than usual on the ergo (rowing machine) and came out on top, he was very buoyant and looking forward to Thursday's on-water session with Mike but concerned that the weather forecast wasn't looking good. Thursday morning arrived, Paul was given the green light to go on the water with wind speeds at 25 mph the sea was choppy Paul just took it on and completed 1.5 hours on-water training covering over 4 miles at a steady speed of 4.2mph which is extremely positive after a week off, he also learned how to deal with choppy water using a different technique of feathering the oars for longer and allowing them to run on the water to maintain stability. On Friday Paul met with Karen Tyrrell of Lakeside North Harbour to talk about how Lakeside could support his challenge, Paul was very pleased to meet Karen and very grateful to discuss many different options, he may even pop down with Epona (the open ocean scull) and row on the lake, watch this space. Overall it has been a good week, Paul is very excited about the positivity and we look forward to the weeks ahead. 

Best Wishes to you all and thank you for your kind support!

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Training Cancelled but it's not all bad!








Due to a cold that developed on Saturday 8th I have only trained today (Friday 14th) it’s been very frustrating not being able to just get on with it. Unfortunately the lack of training this week has affected the proposed endurance training row from Bembridge to the Needles 5/6/7 September so we are now looking at our final three dates of 5/6/7 of October to achieve this important session. 

 One good thing that has come out of this week is I met Rachel Morris MBE, Gold medalist rower from the Rio Paralympic Games. Rachel has asked if I would like company on my Bembridge to Needles session, we are pleased that she will be with us on the day we go for it!!!
Sponsors Required:

The challenge is still looking for sponsors to help Paul, if you know of anyone who maybe able to support Paul’s training he would really appreciate it. We will update you on sponsorship as soon as we have more news. Thank you so much for your kind support.


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Training and Sponsorship update 7th September 2018



Developments since the last update:

We are proud to announce that we have another sponsor onboard Challenge the Channel, On Monday 3rd September Paul received an email from Chris Palmer of Ideal Window Solutions, Fareham, Hampshire. After reading Paul’s story Mr Palmer promptly replied to Paul’s email to inform him that it would be an absolute pleasure for the company to sponsor training, Thom Emerson business partner with Chris was equally moved and inspired by Paul’s story and is in full support of the sponsorship. We would like to thank both Chris and Thom and those at Ideal Window Solutions https://www.idealwindowsolutions.co.uk for their kind support and welcome you aboard, Paul is absolutely delighted and looks forward to meeting you and your team in due course. Monday the 3rd of September just happens to be Paul’s mum’s birthday she sadly passed away as a result of cancer in May 1995 just as Paul was emerging from lock-in Syndrome,  so this news is also a way to celebrate her birthday and also helps bring this challenge closer to reality. 

After a successful on-water session on Thursday 6th September Paul arrived home and received a phone call from a company who are equally inspired by Paul’s story and fundraising efforts and are looking to support the challenge, we cannot reveal who the company are until confirmation of sponsorship has been received, watch this space.

Kit:

Paul hopes to take delivery of the on-water training kit shortly.

Fundraising total to date:

The fundraising total to date has now risen to £1,451. 

If you would like to donate to Paul’s fundraiser please do so by visiting the justgiving page below, this is the best way to ensure funds are correctly designated to the Challenge the Channel fundraiser in memory of Marjorie Anne Walker for Breast Cancer Haven. 


Training:

This has been a good week for Paul, his on-water training has gone really well, he has now reached a distance of 5.2 miles (8.36km) and a speed of 4.8mph (7.72km/h) in one row session, this after only 17 hours of on-water training, his coach Mike Gilbert is delighted with his progress as they prepare for the Bembridge to the Needles endurance row. There are 6 dates for this training row and they are 21st/22nd/23rd September or 5th/6th/7th October, after these dates there will not be enough light. The gym work which includes weights/core work and Ergo (rowing machine) training is also going well, with his Technical coach, Emma Gueterbock setting his sessions on the Ergo which Paul really enjoys.


Sponsors Required:

The challenge is still looking for sponsors to help Paul, we may have a main sponsor for the challenge day but if you know of anyone who maybe able to support Paul’s training he would really appreciate it. We will update you on sponsorship as soon as we have more news. Thank you so much for your kind support.

Social Media Sites: 

Very Best Wishes
Supporting Children and Teenagers with life threatening illnesses and people with breast cancer.

    

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