Lowri's blog

February 2009 - Environmental chamber

As part of my training, I need to experience the heat and humidity out in the Amazon. Out in the Amazon, it'll be close to 40ºC and 90% humidity. I have gone to Bath University to train in an environmental chamber where the heat is turned up to 37ºC. It's unbearable - believe you me! I'm the first to admit that I enjoy a good long session in the sauna. I can cope with the humidity and heat longer than most but running in this chamber is unbelievable and is very uncomfortable. After 5 minutes I'm soaking - I've lost half a kilo during 30 minutes of running. At least that gives me some kind of idea how much I'll need to drink every half hour in the Amazon - half a litre every half hour.

January 2009 - Training with the Royal Marines

This is the hardest challenge I have ever had to face. I'm about to be hurled into the lion's den to train with the Royal Marines. I feel like a student going into an exam without having done the preparation. The ex-royal Marines and Special Forces soldier Nigel Thomas has decided to bring me here - he feels that I have no conception of what I'll be facing out in the Jungle Marathon.

I'm quite a competitive person and I do not want to disappoint myself on today's challenge. However, this is much tougher than I had ever expected.

I'm running 50 miles a week at the moment but even at this level of fitness, I'm finding the Royal Marines' course hard. As a result, I have never been as stiff as this, ever. Every muscle in my body aches.

The day has proved to be a huge shock to the system. I've learned that I do need to improve my strength and need to start working on strengthening my body.

I have 'enjoyed' this challenge but I now realise that I'm not as fit as I expected.