Phonebox Magazine 59
T
he fitness
experts at Olney
Health and Fitness
(OHF) proved
invaluable to
member Robert
Humphreys recently
when he set himself
the challenge of a
lifetime trekking to the summit of Mount
Kilimanjaro. When he's not conquering the
highest peak in Africa, 44 year old Robert
works as Head of Operations (FPD) for
insurers Lloyd's of London and had only
recently joined the gym. Robert explained
why he set himself such a challenge:
"I did it because it was something I have
never done before and it was therefore
something totally out of my `comfort zone'.
Although I have travelled extensively I had
never visited Africa before and therefore it
was a great opportunity to see (some of)
Tanzania and Africa."
Having recognised that he was indeed
stepping out of his `comfort zone' Robert
turned to OHF for professional advice and a
training programme.
Qualified personal trainer and MD of OHF
Martin Stevenson explained how they
helped:
"We discussed the challenge with Robert,
assessed his current fitness levels and
relative strengths and weaknesses. From this
we identified three crucial areas to work on:
upper body strength, lower body strength
and most importantly stamina.
The training programme we devised involved
three gym sessions a week, including cardio
work on the cross trainer, the running
machine and the rowing machine. Also to
improve his stamina and to get Robert's
body used to trekking long distances we
suggested long distance walking."
On September 9th, following four months
intensive training, Robert left behind the
comforts of home, his wife Jane and their
four children to tackle Kilimanjaro. On arrival
in Africa Robert and his two fellow trekkers
met with their guide. After a final night of
relative comfort in a local hotel Robert
started his journey to the summit of Africa
early the following day. Over the course of
the five-day ascent Robert and the team
trekked for up to eight hours a day through a
combination of muddy paths, steep climbs
and rainforest. On the morning of the sixth
day Robert and one of his fellow trekkers
achieved their goal by reaching the peak of
Kilimanjaro, some 19,430 feet above sea
level.
Speaking following his return home, a
justifiably proud Robert said of his
experience:
"The walking and climbing (especially at
altitude) was very demanding and this aspect
was much more challenging than I had ever
envisaged. The final climb from base camp
to the summit I found incredibly difficult.
When I reached the summit I was totally
exhausted physically and emotionally
drained. But I was
also proud of myself
for completing the
challenge and also
that I could tell my
wife and children
that `I did it'.
"There is no way
that I would have
completed the climb without my training at
the gym. My strength and stamina was
greatly improved and I believe that the
mental challenge to get fit and be structured
in going to the gym helped give me the
determination to succeed."
If you have something you would like to
achieve - from simple fitness goals to your
own `challenge of a lifetime' talk to the
experts at Olney Health & Fitness. Call us
today on 01234 241383.
OLNEY TOWN COUNCIL
T
OWN
C
LERK
V
ACANCY AT
O
LNEY
T
OWN
C
OUNCIL
To manage the Town Council office,
committees, services and staff
Salary in the range £21,937 £28,270
Dependent upon qualifications and experience
A
PPLICATION
F
ORMS FROM
T
OWN
M
AYOR
, O
LNEY
T
OWN
C
OUNCIL
,
T
HE
O
LNEY
C
ENTRE
, H
IGH
S
TREET
, O
LNEY
, B
UCKS
MK46 4EF
01234 711679
email: info@olneytowncouncil.co.uk
Closing date for application 19th December 2008
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Olney Health & Fitness help conquer Kilimanjaro