“Put me down for that”……….”aye, and put me down as well”. It trips easily off the tongue. It is however far easier said than done!  I am, of course talking about the “Rob Roy Challenge 2010”.  Commsworld have put in a team for this year’s grueling event.  A sojourn of 16 miles on foot followed by 42 miles on a bike through, what is arguably some of the finest scenery in Scotland.

Starting at Drymen, the course is off-road forest tracks up through Aberfoyle then on to Callander.  At that point we jump on the bikes and head up to Balquidder, and round to Lochearnhead before climbing the hellish zig zag up through Glen Ogle before the massive and enjoyable descent
to Killin.  From there it is an endless slog up hill after hill on the South Loch Tay Road before reaching the final destination of Kenmore.

So who are the runners and riders?  This is where it gets interesting.  Firstly there’s me, Mark Wright; a veteran of three previous Rob Roy challenges.  Training regime for the last 12 months has been fairly consistent - 5 spin classes per week and a couple of circuit training classes thrown in for good measure.  I am really looking forward to it.

Next up is Paul Moore….remember him from “Moore’s Law”.  Paul completed the event two years ago attaining a gold medal, in a time just over 12 hours.  No mean feat for the man from Coatbridge more akin to sitting on a yacht rather than a bike.  He dug deep last time, and judging by his expanding waistline he will have to dig deep again, however he has the mental strength to get there.

Then there is Jane McVey….another veteran from 2 years ago.  Jane is one of the Herbalife sponsored athletes’ on our team!  Last time Jane made a valiant attempt at gold, with only the worst blisters I have ever seen preventing her from attaining more than silver.  No fashion Prada trainers for Jane this year - proper running shoes have been purchased…..she means business and gold beckons.

Next up is Andrew Groves…..the founder member of the Herbalife training plan.  It involves no exercise at all, just a delicious shake for breakfast, a shake for lunch….and a “proper dinner” in the evening.  As a younger man Andrew should make it to Gold!
Next is my good lady wife Lorraine, again a veteran from 2 years ago.  With her training regime of 5 spin classes and two circuit classes per week she is looking forward to the event.

Next up we have the two chaps for whom the title of this blog applies “It’s easier said than done”! Pat McGuinness, another Coatbridge lad who has changed his lifestyle recently.  Quit the fags and the booze….well maybe not the booze.  Pat has the desire to succeed in the challenge and is determined to get to gold…running some 20 miles per week he could get there?  Pat is contemplating Herbalife to supplement his training.  Last but by no means is least David McDonald. What can you say about “Big Div”? A cross between a sumo wrestler and something else that is large.  Training regime is two bottles of wine on a Friday night….Herbalife may have come too late to help his training plan however the big chap will get to Callander and a bronze medal.

Why are we doing this event? Well apart from being great fun and extremely punishing, there are some great charities being helped by the Martin Currie Charitable Foundation namely NSPCC, The Princes Trust, Sight Savers and the PSYBT.  Commsworld are hoping to raise a minimum of £1600. If you fancy sponsoring the team, please click on the following “just Giving” link http://www.justgiving.com/commsworldltd 


Thank You in advance.
Mark Wright