It’s been a week…

As the curtains draw the end of the week to a close, I find myself seated in a comfy armchair by a roaring fire and casting my mind back over the slightly extraordinary events of the past week.

Why? Oh my goodness me – WHY?!! I think the reality of the mammoth task suddenly drove up slap bang in front of me today and slapped me on both cheeks. It’s suddenly hit me – I’m running the marathon.

I wanted to run the marathon because I knew it would change my life. That’s quite a deep statement in it’s self and equally thought provoking. I still want to run it for that reason too.

And it’s that thought that drives me forward. Or that should read, “jogs” me forward. With each wretched step, with every drop of sweat that soaks my t shirt and every ache, cramp and blister – I focus on the end result. This will change my life.

So… I’m still going.

I’m also still going because I want to raise an absolute shed load of cash for a charity that I believe is worth doing this for. What I am enduring with my training is nothing but a droplet in the ocean compared with the sufferings they help relieve. They are the British Red Cross and I am enormously proud to be associated with them. They make lives better, they save lives, they quite simply get on and do it.

So for those two reasons and quite possibly for many more that are yet to be revealed to me, I look back on week one with a jaundiced eye but strangely find myself peeping through the keyhole of week 2 with a hint of determination that has surprised me and no doubt those who know me.

Yours,
Monty

The Next Day

Well, much to the amazement of anyone who knows me, my marathon training made it to day two. Incredible, I know.

To ensure proof was obtained that I was infact out jogging as opposed to a swift half in the local hostelry, my son had the pleasure of joining me and together we pounded the streets; a lion and his cub fighting their way through the urban jungle of sweat, tears and adventure…

The run was much boosted by the presence of an app that had been discovered on my iPhone. Gone, it would seem, are the days of needing to get in ones car and retrace steps with the milometer (as was the case on day one). Oh no, my friends! My marathon training has been injected with an invigorating dose of modern technology – the Runmeter app.

It’s the best £2.99 I have ever spent! I haven’t worked out how to get it actually running on my behalf yet, but i’m sure it’s just a matter of time. It measures distances, times, average times, plots ones route and location – which is vital if an ambulance needs to be summoned! I love it. Im sure it does much, much more but will look forward to finding that all out with each heavy stride and weary step.

Right – off for a hearty breakfast – am attempting a whole mile tonight, so keep praying

Day one…

Well. What can I say – apart from….HELP!!!

After an en exhausting weekend of training which involved watching the entire length of “Run Fat Boy Run” and gaining very useful tips, I thought today would make an excellent time to don the old trainers and hit the tarmac. Flippin heck!

After an exhaustive search for said trainers and old rag of a polo shirt were discovered, I emerged onto the streets, probably looking more scary than anything to be encountered this coming Halloween. Old ladies crossed the road, children hid behind wheelie bins, curtains not only twitched but were drawn and the lights turned off. Monty had begun his journey…

It seemed like I ran at least 10 miles. So as soon as I got in the front door and then picked myself up off the hall floor, I grabbed the car keys in order to retrace my steps and measure them on the car milometer. After quickly refuelling the tank with petrol, for this was to be a long drive and packing a flask of hot coffee incase the journey went on for more than one hour….I was slightly disheartened to discover I was back home slightly sooner than anticipated. The car trip milometer reading obviously was not working properly as it only read 000.8 miles. I did entertain the idea that possibly it had been round once already…? Maybe that was it…

So, with heaving chest and a large glass of chilled Rose to steady my quivering hand, day one has been completed. I have to say, I rather enjoyed it. Well, the first and last ten seconds at least. And the positive side is that I only have to multiply that distance by about 30 times and I will have completed the marathon.

Oh my goodness!

Monty’s Marathon

There is a clue in the title of this one…

Yes, my dear friends. I have entered the crazy world of jogging trainers, fitness schedules and sweaty socks. You guessed it – I am taking part in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon.

I still cant believe it – even seeing it in print!  I loathe running. I am terribly unfit – I get shin splints after walking five minutes – I love four hour lunches and gallons of wine! I am taking part in the 2011 Virgin London Marathon. O.M.G.

I am a huge fan of the work undertaken by the British Red Cross. They are stars – really, they are. They go into places of the world that most would flea; they hold hands with those we cross the road from and putting it simply – they make lives better. I have been truly humbled as I have learnt more about what they do. They are servants to the world and have been since the 19th century.

Earlier this year, I made a quickie video about them. Have a peep – it will only take a min:

So, my aim is to raise as much spondoolies for their work as I can. I can’t do it alone and if I am to stagger and drag myself 26 miles through the lovely leafy lanes of London – then I hope to be able to raise masses to help make it worth while.

I am not a finisher. I never finish things. I am a great starter – I start loads of things and rarely finish them. I want this to be different. I want to do it to prove to myself – and others – that if I apply myself, I can be dedicated and persevere and achieve. And finish.

So… you are very welcome to join me on this ride – no doubt I will tweeting about it and blogging my voyage. Its bound to have a few highs and lows – I’d be honoured if you joined me. And quite frankly, I can’t do it alone.

Thank you

http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/MontyEnglish

Van Gogh on your iPhone

I am a huge Vincent Van Gogh fan. I adore his work but equally love the story of this mans astonishing short life. He was quite simply incredible.

I am also a huge fan of my iPhone and iPad and so have been delighted to discover there is a fandabby dozie app that we can all enjoy for free – that really is a superb insight into this brilliant mans art and life.

It is the Van Gogh museum’s first iPhone application and rather aptly called – “Yours, Vincent.”

The app uses Vincent van Gogh’s letters to explore his life and times. You can listen to dramatic readings of the letters, get a closer look at his early sketches, watch his style develop from the scratches of a young artist to the powerful brushstrokes that became his trademark.

The application features many of Van Gogh’s sketches and paintings from the Van Gogh Museum collection, video interviews with the museum’s letters experts and new picture galleries that showcase his art.

It’s free and is quite simply a must have! Enjoy.

Visit www.discoverpentimento.com for a demo or download for free at the iTunes App Store.

Monty

TwycleBritain – Exclusive!

It was a rather nippy evening back in March 2010. The fire was crackling away and I was just slumping back into a trusty old armchair and pondering life, cars and whether to have a snifter of Caol Isla or the Talisker single malt. Rather rashly, I glanced at my iPhone and flicked onto twitter to check that all was well with the world. Oh my…

Before I go any further down that road, I need to pause, hit the rewind button and whisk you back about six or so months. On the recommendation of Duncan Bannatyne, the well-known businessman, I had started following on twitter an inspiring chap by the name of Callum Fairhurst a.k.a. @blackpigsweets .

Callum had tragically lost his 14-year-old brother Liam (www.liamfairhurst) to cancer. I will still never to this day fully know how awful that must have been for him and his family. Their bravery and courage and determination to carry on has spoken more to me about humankind than any other and I have been privileged and honoured to get to know them a little these past months.

There is an old saying that I adore and it kind of sums up Callum and I suspect his brother Liam too – “It’s better to live one day as a tiger…than a thousand as a sheep!”. In his short lifetime, Liam raised the staggering sum of £320,000 for Clic Sargent, the children’s cancer charity.
I’ll say that again – £320,000!! That’s a serious shed load of cash and I am in utter awe at what he achieved. Callum has taken up the fund-raising challenge and is one the most creative and entrepreneurial people I’ve ever met.

So, back to crackling fires and nippy evenings in March. Callum and I were randomly tweeting away about new fundraising ideas, as one does. I recall Callum saying that if he got to 500 followers on twitter by the end of the evening, then he would cycle from John O’Groats to Lands End. Well, of course, within an hour Callum had passed 500 followers and the rest is history… twyclebritain was born.

Within 24 hours of that evening, all kinds of offers flooded in from people neither of us had met or heard of even. Creative help, website design, logo creations, support cars, riders, PR & project managers… It was decided it would be great to use the ride to raise much-needed funds for Clic Sargent and carry on Liam’s tremendous work that he’d started. The brilliant Sam Cise on twitter suggested the name and so within 24 hours – twyclebritain.co.uk was not only born but had raced through the baby, toddler and teenage stage all in one day!

Through it, I personally have been simply staggered at human kindness. Until recently, none of the participants or team had even met each other. None was even that mad on cycling – they were simply united by a common desire to make a difference. To help make lives better. With your help, they are achieving that.

I have also been gobsmacked at people’s astonishing kindness and generosity. Strangers and friends alike have given to this event – be it helping with tweeting, publicity and promotion – every single action has been of enormous and vital help. We have received amazing donations of money, auction prizes and creative expertise. Staggering gifts were donated to the auction we held – ranging from rides on buses and trains right through to yummy cupcakes and holidays in beautiful homes.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. You have all been tolerant with constant tweeting and emails and I have really been blow away by EVERYONES kindness, generosity and help. Thank you. I mean it – thank you. With so many different good things to get behind and support, we have all been so touched and moved by your kindness. Thank you.

An event like twyclebritain.co.uk does not simply happen by itself and there are simply hoards of amazing people who have made it become a reality. Thank you to each and every one of you. Each of the riders have been stars and when they set of this coming Sunday, they will ready for a break from all the work they have done! I really want to take this opportunity to publicly thank the astonishing Jo Eveleigh from DealDrivers in Cirencester. From day one, she has bravely taken up the mantle of making twycle happen and without her, none of this would be happening. Tirelessly and ceaselessly, she has worked and pushed, supported, driven and led the organisation of this event – most of it unknown to the world and without seeking thanks or glory. On behalf of everyone involved in twycle – thank you Jo. She’s driven me mad – but made a good friend for life!

Please do have a look this week sometime at the twyclebritain.co.uk website and follow the progress of the riders. You can follow on twitter too if you click here – www.twitter.com/twyclebritain . Well worth following – especially if you’re into lycra, if nothing else!

You can still very much donate – remember every penny goes to Clic Sargent. The direct link to the website is found click here – www.justgiving.com/twycle

The riders assemble this Friday, travel to Scotland over the weekend and set off on their adventurous and intrepid journey on Sunday morning and arrive in Cornwall the following Friday/ Saturday. God bless them and bon voyage!

So, if you’ve been wondering what all these tweets about twycle have been – there you have it. The exclusive story. It’s a story about one young mans courage and grit to really make a difference and lives better. Callum – you are a star and its an honour to know you and your family. Well done

Monty.

Related Articles

• Cancer charity CLIC Sargent bolsters comms team with four hires (prweek.com)
• Join a record-breaking cyclist on a Land’s End to John O’Groats fundraiser (guardian.co.uk)

Winston Churchills Teeth!

Image via Wikipedia

They say its a good idea to look after your teeth – and in Winston Churchills case, it was certainly true!

These dentures were one of three or four made for Winston Churchill by the dental technician Derek Cudlipp at the start of the war. (Photograph: Newsmakers Pr/PA)
A set of false teeth belonging to Winston Churchill’s has been sold for £15,200 at an auction in Norfolk. Yup, my friends, I did say £15,200.

The upper dentures, one of several sets made for the wartime prime minister, were specially constructed to preserve his natural lisp and were so important he carried two pairs with him at all times.

The teeth, sold by the son of the dental technician who made them, had been expected to fetch a maximum of £5,000, but they were bought for more than three times that by a British collector of Churchill memorabilia.

The set of dentures were designed to be loose-fitting so that Churchill could preserve the diction famous from his radio broadcasts during the second world war, an expert said.

“From childhood, Churchill had a very distinctive natural lisp; he had trouble with his S’s,” said Jane Hughes, head of learning at the Hunterian Museum at the Royal College of Surgeons in London. “These are the teeth that saved the world.”

The medical museum displays a duplicate set of Churchill’s dentures in a glass cabinet alongside other famous teeth including dentures worn by Queen Caroline, the estranged wife of King George IV.

“Churchill wanted to maintain [the lisp] because he was already so well known for it,” she said. “The dentures wouldn’t quite connect with the top of the mouth, but that was on purpose.”

The dentures were made by the dental technician Derek Cudlipp, who produced three or four identical sets for Churchill. One set is believed be have been buried with the leader.

The false teeth were made just around the start of the war, when Churchill would have been about 65, Hughes said.

The politician is famous for his rousing speeches to the British nation during the war, but his dental issues are less well known. Hughes said Churchill had many problems with his teeth as a child and probably lost some of them quite early. The leader valued so highly the skill of his dentist, Wilfred Fish, that he nominated him for a knighthood.

Churchill served as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and then from 1951 to 1955

It just goes to prove – look after your teeth – even if they are dentures!