EPSIODE 3: MY 5 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS(PART 2)

Ok, where were we??

yes.. part 2 of my 5 Most memorable bits. Am having to rush this one today, I am literally just about to leave the house to take part in the OMM up in the Lake District. The OMM is the original mountain marathon and I am competing with 4000 other nutters, you, your mountain partner, a map, compass and the elements etc.. you get the idea right??

Anyway, so here’s number 4.

4. THE MUDFLAT RUN

That mudflat run was so tough. I mean really tough… I was moving so slowly yet my heart was beating like the clappers. That too is so energy sapping… absolutely draining. You start off really quick, and as you get further into the mud, you just start to sink deeper and deeper.

Once you get stuck, it really is so hard to get your body out. The mud encloses you and pulls you down. It really is like stuck in the mud. You can try and run over it, butthe easier option is to get on all fours and almost skate across it on your hands and knees.

I never felt like I wanted to give up on that one, but it is so blinking knackering! The one thing I thought was a shame was that I thought it could have been better if they had strapped us up to a heart rate monitor… so the public can see exactly how tough it was, even though your moving as slow as pond water!

5. THE DUNKER.

The helicopter dunker for me holds strong memories. That has been the toughest thing I have ever done in my life so far..

That was completely mental. You just had to stay calm(or not as I quite often did). I felt completely out of control, in a very male dominated environment, and absolutely petrified.

People have asked me if I have overcome my fear of water since.. Post being in the Royal Navy I was more scared of going back into the water than ever before.. my fear had gotten worse.

However, since that,  I have got back into the water and am now swimming 3/4 times per week. I still don’t like water going up my nose, and quite often I swallow water and start to choke, panic that I’m going to drown, and then have to stand up and calm myself down before I carry on.

I achieved alot on that day… yet I also felt so vulnerable and out of control… but I’m a believer that doing things that scare you makes you grow as an individual and is character building. You do not grow or learn as an individual from experiences that are comfortable.. it is the testing tough times that really make you sink or swim.

Different people have different fears… no matter how big or small they are. Fear is natural but facing up to those fears and being able to dig deep inside to get through is what makes you stronger… that’s the real test isn’t it?

Gotta dash… the mountain marathon awaits…

Bye for now x

EPISODE 3: MY 5 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS(PART 1)

Hello  there me hearty fellow Navy fans… I am slacking on my blog of late… got too engrossed last night in Jack Osbourne’s TV show last night. Have you seen it?? It’s totally amazing. To be honest, thats the kind of stuff I thought we would be doing for the TV show and challenges, I had no idea that what we would be doing would be so military…

However…I feel like a new woman today. I have been getting a”heroes welcome”at most of the clubs that I teach at, followed by “your so brave, there’s no way I could’ve done that”…and ” I am so proud of you”. That’s a really nice feeling, although I am in no way a hero… however, am slightly disappointed that the queen hasn’t got in touch to suggest a knighting??(surely she’s tuned in and is impressed with my mental strength and humour, even when the chips are down(talking of chips they come up later). Isn’t that what knighting is all about?)  Dame Carla… now I like that alot!

Anyway.. where were we?

Ah yes, my top 5 best bits… despite the water element, some funny things happened in the Navy.

1. GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP

After sleeping in a wet hammock in the Jungle, and my rubbish snowhole in Norway. To be able to sleep in a bed, with covers, pillows and warmth was just amazing… I was so grateful of a decent night’s sleep, I had that whole bed area to myself as the boys and girls were separated. It was nice having my own space and more importantly I was able to shower!!! That in itself was heaven…

Remember previously I’d got used to going to toilet on the floor, no shower, same pants for 4 days, sweating, getting wet, uncomfortable, freezing, carrying stupid huge rucksacks and eating grubs/tortoise. The Naval ship I slept on, was like a 5 Star hotel in comparison.

I had a full night’s sleep, however did half expect to be woken up early hours of the night to go and do some challenge( that comes soon..keep watching). A full 6 hours undisturbed sleep… now that was bliss.

2. WE STOPPED A FIGHT

This is a funny one.. let me explain. During one of our challenges out and about, we did alot of physical exercise drills on the beach. One particular day, we were all in our Navy uniforms about to start a drill, and we all decided to pop to the loo, which was a short run away… during this run to the loo, there was a fight errupting on the streets of Portsmouth. We were literally just running past, when one of the fightees stopped and started to report the other bloke to us.

Having our Navy uniform on and running towards them, they must have presumed we were all running to break up the fight, when actually we were all running to use the toilet!  It was quite funny how they must have assumed we were actually in the Navy and started to fill us in on  “who started it etc”..

Anyway the fight stopped and we went about our business so to speak, but that will always clearly stick in my mind.

3.FISH AND CHIPS

I don’t eat fish and chips. Actually, that’s a lie… I do occasionally like once in a blue moon. In fact, I have eaten fish and chips twice this year. Once in Wales on the seafront post Unbreakable, and the other time was after The Navy. I remember the drive back from Portsmouth up to London, it was late evening, we were all starving and we did a stop off at a fish and chip shop on the way. God that tasted good.Real good. There is something about eating fish and chips, the smell of the vinegar and that little plastic fork that all adds to the experience of it. I would be disappointed if I had to eat fish and chips with proper metal cutlery.. it wouldn’t be the same.

Same as, it wouldn’t be the same, if they weren’t piping hot.. you know it’s going to be hot, no amount of blowing on it is going to cool that number one chip down, so you stick it into your mouth expecting it to have cooled, yet it burns the roof of your mouth off!… it’s all part of the fish and chip experience.

I don’t know about you, but I am also a little possessive of the 2 tomato ketchup sachets I have purchased to accompany my fish and chips. I ama sharing person, but there is something about having to share my sachets that annoys me… My mind says”can’t you get your own?” whilst my voice says” sure, help yourself” as I eagerly watch to make sure the fellow ketchup stealer isn’t swiping it all.

Life… Quite often it’s the litte things that either irritate or make us laugh isn’t it?

Shall finish my Moments tomorrow…

Bye for now x

Water water everywhere…

So.. subject for tonight’s blog is surprise surprise… the water.

Had loads of comments  and feedback today about last night’s show… loads of support from my friends and family which is really lovely.

Let me tell you a bit about the water and what it means to me.

I am not scared of the water… or so I thought. I can swim, I’m not a very strong swimmer, but I can swim. I like to be able to feel my feet on the floor, I like to walk into the water.. not jump in. I also like to keep my head above the water and don’t particuarly enjoy going under.

I never really realised how much I hated the water until I was asked to put my face in the water back in March this year. I knew that I wasn’t strong in the water and so seeked the advice from my coach (see previous blogs). I approached him for swimming lessons- yes I can swim…

I got into the local swimming pool and even just being on the outside of the pool, I felt out of my comfort zone… this isn’t an environment I felt comfortable in (plus I was in a bikini… you know what us girls are like right?, also who actually does where “one peices” anymore?)

Anyway, the swimming lesson took place, and I spent most of the hour, laughing, choking, and laughing a bit more. To cut a very long story short, many swim lessons later and a huge amount of determination and will power… I have gone from not being able to physically put my face in the water… to being able to swim underwater and holding my breath confidentally ish…

I find the water intimidating… I feel panicked when I cannot touch the floor with my feet. When I hold my breath underwater… I panick that I won’t be able to get to the top and will start to drown.

It is a completely mental thing… your mind playing tricks on you.. any fear is. This is mental not physical.

The dunker that was shown on the Epsiode in the Navy was absolutely terrifying. I was petrified. Being strapped in the water and flipped upside down until given the command to release and fight my way to the surface is not my idea of relaxation, fun or anywhere in between. It was hell in it’s finest form.

Even for those water lovers out there… being out of control as I was in the dunker I think would still be very daunting.

I have looked fear completely in the face… squared up to it straight on… looked it in the eye..

Isn’t it amazing what you can do when push comes to shove?

What would you do? Would you turn and run, or would you feel the fear and do it anyway?

Bye for now x

SINKING SHIPS, SHIP REPAIR AND THAT STUPID BARREL…

Am in total disbelief of Episode 3. I was on the edge of my seat all the way through, and I knew the ending!!

My heart was going like the clappers, and seeing me in the water , it all just came flooding back (quite literally).

Am going to keep this short tonight… I don’t really know what to say as with this episode I had mentally pushed it to the back of my mind… for obvious reasons.

Even if you are not scared of the water…. being pushed  under and held underneath and trying to stay calm was absolutely terrifying!!

I need to think about my blog’s for the next week as I want to portray to you a really good idea of how this challenge really felt.. especially as I was now the only woman left.  I must admit, I did feel very much in a man’s world.

The physical exercise that we did in The Royal Navy was also very tough,  the mud run was one of the hardest physical things i have ever done.I must admit I quite enjoyed that part, but as for all the water challenges.. I’d rather be a spectator.

Bye for now….more tomorrow.

CARLA’S TOP 10 NORWAY SURVIVAL TIPS

Howdy… well it’s that time of the week where by I wrap up my last challenge and give you the top ten survival tips according to me. It will just make your stay there slightly more comfortable.Just in case you ever fancy a trip to Norway.

1.Acclimatisation.

Depending on the time of year you go to Norway will depend on the weather, but if I were you I would put a pretty safe bet on the fact that it’s going to be cold…really super cold. Get used to the cold now by hanging round the frozen foods section for a few days at Sainsburys. That should get you in the right frame of mind.

2. Snowhole school.

My advise if you decide to be at one with the elements totally, is to go prepared. I would thoroughly recommend having some snowhole training prior to your trip. Check out snowhole training courses online and start designing yours now. Failing that, check yourself into the nearest Hilton and enjoy your luxury bedroom with en suite.! Far more comfortable.!!

3. Buy a ridiculous oversized handbag.

The weight of those rucksacks was crazy!! My top tip is to purchase one of those huge completely over the top suitcase handbags. Throw as much as you can in, strap it to your back and take a hike round your nearest John Lewis. Just keep going up and down the escalators, this should provide you with sufficient training for the great outdoors but no cheating… you can’t stand still on those escalators you must keep moving, which brings me on to Tip 4.

4. Keep your body moving always.

Right this one is trickier than it seems. In Norway you absolutely have to keep moving otherwise you will freeze!… even at night time, there is no such thing as a good nights sleep. Your shivering will keep you awake for sure. My advice is to get up at 4 am and just start moving your body, flap your arms, bend zee knees and do not stop. Keep repeating this pattern over and over again, then to make it more realistic when you go to bed at night time(round about 12pm ish).. kip on the floor, no duvet and no pillow.. Repeat solidly for 4 days… and then see how much more you appreciate heating.! It will be an absolute blast!!

5.Extra calories.

You will need plenty of food in Norway, because you are on the go so much, you need to put the fuel into your body to give you the energy to move. Start preparing yourself for this particuarly tough challenge by eating more desserts and increasing the sugar content in your tea.

6.Dress and Undress slowly.

It takes absolutely forever to dress and undress in Norway… due to the cold factor.. everything takes so much longer. Of course your hardly going to hang about and ask “does my bum look big in this”? but just taking your thermals on and off on a daily basis is very time and energy consuming. Get your partner to time you and see how slowly you can take. Try and aim for about 30 minutes just to change your socks.. any faster than this and it just won’t be a true feel of the environment.

7. The chocolate game.

This is an absolute priority.. if you forget all the other tips fine, but this will really help you out. There is a game for kids called the chocolate game where you take it in turns to throw a dice, land a 6, and then put as many layers of gloves, mitts, scarves, hats, snoods, balaclava’s, muff’s etc.. as possible on and then you have to cut a peice of chocolate using a knife and fork only and feed yourself. You have to keep cutting until antother 6 is thrown. Sounds easy?? but no,, it is so difficult to function your fingers with so many layers on, that even the most basic of tasks becomes challenging. Invite some friends round asap and start playing.

8. Cold Baths

In preperation for your trip, you will need to get used to the fact that hot water just doesn’t exist. Fill your bath right up to the brim, chuck some ice cubes in for good measure keep your clothes on and jump on in!! It will take your breathe away!! Then use your loofah as a ski pole to clamber on out the bath. Keep your wet clothes on for a short while and really enjoy the fact that you can’t seem to use your fingers to unbutton your clothes…(note this will take alot longer.. see Tip 6 as a reminder)

9. Ski Lessons

If you can ski, you will find Norway a breeze. If you can’t you will need to have a few lessons! Get used to the bumps and falls, its all part of the learning curve. Try and fall over as many times as possible, so it’s not so much of a shock when you do it in the flesh… also, if you can strap your oversized handbag to you and play the chocolate game all at the same time you will sail through it..

10. Stay mentally strong.

You will need more mind power than body power in Norway. This environment is all about being mentally tough, and to not cave in when you are cold and not thinking straight. If you are brave enough to even hang out with the Norwegian Army of Winter Warfare, you will need to prepare for the real harshness of their training… these blokes are tough and their training is tougher. If you survive there you can survive anywhere.

I look back on Norway with cold distant memories… this was a really tough place just to stay upright, let alone survive for 4 days. I am in disbelief of what I achieved, yes it was hell,  yes I did hate it and no I will never go back to Norway ever ever again however I learn’t the most about myself there, and have the upmost respect for those army guys.

If you want to find out how deep you can dig within… spend a weekend in Norway.

Bye for now x

EPISODE 2: MY 5 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS (PART 2)

Hey..

So another beautiful day today!! It makes me feel so alive when the sun is shining.  I went for a fantastic run in Oxshott woods early doors this morning.  It was just so lovely being outside… cold yes, invigorating absolutely… I loved every minute of it.  I did loads of hill reps today.. god if you want to get really fit, I mean really fit, start interval training.

You will get super fit super quick… the pounds literally fall off, your fitness goes sky high and you feel fantastic!!

Anyway part 2 continues….

4. THAT LAST TREK WAS SHEER HELL

Where do I even begin to start? The thought of trekking in that snow with the heavy rucksack on my back and having zero idea of how far we were going was hell. It was a race… but not in my eyes it wasn’t. Completion was the name of the game for me.

So off we start, just putting one foot in front of the other and focusing solely on the skidoo tracks ahead.  Left is snow, right is snow.  No point in looking back… just look forwards… “left right left right left shit- argh”

The amount of times I fall over is ridiculous… it takes forever to pick myself back up and is so energy draining. I have to rest every 30 minutes or so as the backpack is so heavy that my back is in agony(men and women carried identical bags of identical weight).  I have to keep adjusting the straps as they keep digging into my skin. The gun keeps flopping forwards and I can’t seem to find a comfortable position for it without it banging into my body. It’s all very knackering and I seem to be moving very slowly, but steadily.

As a couple of hours go by (i guess… didnt have a watch on) , I am thinking I must be closer to the finish… but every corner I turn there is no sign of a finish.  I am out there… me , my backpack, the skidoo tracks and the voices in my head telling me to not dare even to give up even though my body is telling me it is time too.  My hips and knees start to hurt now along with my back, it’s like my body is slowly starting to give up, but yet my mind is strong… giving up isn’t an option.

I cannot begin to explain the joy I felt when I saw the finish… like dots on the horizon, the rest of the boys were there waiting.. but still they seemed so far away.  When I finally crossed that finish line, the feeling of achievement was out of this world. It’s funny how quickly you cool down, though you don’t realise it and the Norwegian Army were very strict and adamant that we must put our thermals on to stay warm asap.

Someone asked me the other day what kept me going during that trek, how do you get through and why don’t you give up?

The desire to get through and achieve that task was stronger in my mind than the desire to give up. If you desire something enough, nothing will stop in your way to getting what you want.

5. THE NORWEGIAN ARMY BARRACKS-WHAT A TOTAL RELIEF.

That last trek was the last Norway challenge… what a huge sense of relief.  It was over!!

That drive back to the Army Barracks, was just sheer happiness!! I have never felt so happy in my life than when we drove back into the Barracks. It was just complete gratefulness. I remember running from the Room where we dropped all our kit off, back through the Barrack grounds half naked, in a jumper and pants.  How I had the energy I don’t know, but I just wanted to have a shower asap….

As much as I hated Norway.. it will hold a fond memory for me as I achieved so much up in those mountains, more than I thought I could ever handle.

I will never complain about the cold again.

I will appreciate my bed, duvet and pillows.

I will take building snowholes more seriously.

I will never visit the land of Nor again.

Bye for now x

EPISODE 2: MY 5 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS (PART 1)

So as promised… nice early night, nothing on TV, am tucked up in bed as I type. I decided to skip the glass of wine and go for a cool glass of water.. much healthier option!!

So where were we? Ahh yes, its that time of the week for my 5 MMM again… sit back, wrap up warm and enjoy this from the comfort of your slippers, dressing gown and cosy sofa.

It’s really funny, I have spoken to so many people over the last few days who have said that they couldn’t have handled Norway.. too cold!!! I was actually surprised by this as most of the people who commented on this were men…?? bunch of pansies..

Anyway…

Before i start.  Quite a few people have asked me “actually how hard were the challenges?”…

Let me explain.. it is not just the challenges themselves that get you, it is the sheer full on lack of sleep, physical exercise, go go go, extremeness of the environment that slowly chip chip chips away at your mental strength.  Anyone can do anything when fed , watered, rested and mentally and physically prepared. Take away food, sleep, and bring in the fear of the unknown and thats what starts to wear you down, it slowly eats away at you making you tired, grumpy and irrational.  Then the icing on the cake… on arrival at each new ‘Unbreakable’ location, there is NO timetable of events or list of challenges.  All you knew was that you had to get through 96 hours of pain.  Take every second of every minute at a time… because you never knew what was round the corner…

So…

1. THE BUS RIDE TO THE UNKNOWN

Ok, as you can probably guess by now, Norway was tough. It was cold, wet, tiring, longest days of my life, and exhausting.  But, on the third day of the challenges we had to go on a bus to a different location up in the mountain to continue…

That bus was like a miracle.. It was like a mirage.. what is a bus doing up here in the mountain? We can’t be getting on it surely?? When I was told to jump on I cannot even begin to explain the sheer gratitude of that glorious bus. How appreciative I was of the warmth, the seats, being able to spread out, take my hat and gloves off, being able to “dry” out slightly.

I will never forget how much I was thanking “somebody up there” for bringing us that super bus. However, we ended up being on that bus for longer than I anticipated (as we weren’t told if we were on the bus for 5 minutes or 100 minutes), and as much as I was still so entirely grateful of Super duper bus and all it had to offer, I knew that this was quite literally the calm before the storm. When we got to our destination, it was all systems go for the trek of all treks.. but still I hold “that bus ride” as one of my most grateful and thankful moments. I could’ve lived on that bus it was so special!!

2. SLEEP? WHAT SLEEP?

My friends tell me that when you have children the sleep deprivation is just unbelievable… “you don’t understand Carla… it really is awful you just don’t function properly at all”… well I can now agree with them on both counts.  Of course I haven’t had children, but let me tell you… I reckon the maximum amount of sleep in Norway was probably about 2 hours per night, not that deep lovely sleep but that short sharp dozing that occurs when you are on the train.  And as for functioning properly…..I remember it taking at least one hour just to get my thermals off!! Never has taking my clothes off before been so draining and time consuming!!!

It literally was so cold, that you lie awake just shivering curled up into a little ball to keep every last ounce of warmth in your body. Ok I admit my snowhole was a bit rubbish, but I was a genius in that I used my rucksack to block out the wind and cold as much as possible. However it did make it a little claustrophobic!! I remember thinking alot about home, and how I will never take my bed or central heating for granted ever ever again.

It’s making me shiver just thinking about it!!

3. THE BOMBS- A WAITING GAME

This is an interesting one.. a few people have commented saying that that didn’t look very tough..

So now taking into account the paragraph i wrote before these first 3 memorable moments…

The bombs…. this really was a mind game. We had to bite on to a stick so you do not bite your tongue.. we were told “do vot breathe in as ze bomb goez orff othervise it vill hurt more”.. yes, alot more..like loads more.

The stick makes you dribble, you can’t stop it.  My dribble rate was outstanding. Your heart is pounding knowing that the bomb will go off soon, you are trying to not breathe in at the crucial moment… I can hear my breathing quicken in anticipation….any minute now, any minute now.. my eyes are firmly fixed into the snow, my knees are starting to ache from being crouched down in one position for ages. but I cannot move…

The bombs were actually pretty scary.. definately more mental, however the waiting was the hardest part as your mind starts to play tricks on you.

Will carry on the next two tomorrow…. hope I don’t dribble in my sleep….

Bye for now x

EPISODE 2: MY 5 MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS IN NORWAY

Hi there…

Sorry I didn’t get round to blogging last night.. I was too tired!! Long day at the office..

Later on tonight I am going to talk about my 5 most memorable moments in the Norway… I want to share with you just how hard, tiring and exhausting challenge 2 really was.

These will be:

1. THE BUS RIDE TO THE UNKNOWN

2. SLEEP… WHAT SLEEP?

3. THE BOMBS:  A WAITING GAME

4. THAT LAST TREK WAS SHEER HELL

5. THE NORWEGIAN ARMY BARRACKS-WHAT A TOTAL RELIEF

Check back later…. will be having a nice early night tonight, maybe even a supping on a cheeky glass of wine in celebration of my Norwegian Victory.

Bye for now x

Photo courtesy of Norwegian School of Winter warfare.

EPISODE 2: WHEN THE TOUGH GETS GOING.. THE TOUGH DIG DEEP

Had loads of feedback today about the TV show last night…and surprisingly the biggest question everyone has been asking me is : Was it really that hard in Norway?

No Norway was a piece of cake… it was so easy..even your gran could do it… it was about as hard as opening a bag of maltesers… actually no it was easier than that..??!!

Let me tell you this, as in yesterdays blog… I hate the cold blah blah blah.. anyway, Norway was really hard... the hardest 4 days of my life up until that point… (life got pretty hard from then on in, trust me!) We were on the go for the whole duration of the time we were there. You have to keep your body moving otherwise you just freeze and start to come down with hypothermia.

That backpack alone was back breaking.  Staying on the ski’s was ridiculous… the gun always had to be on your body (many a time I thought about ditching it-that was also very heavy)… and if you fell over, you were like a beetle rolling around on your back trying to turn the right way up. Falling over is not a good idea as it takes so long and is so energy draining trying to get up by yourself.

A good friend of mine today asked me if I slept well in my ’snowhole’ (I was proud of my snow hole and at least I was one step closer to owning my first property). Let me tell you this… yes my snowhole was rubbish, I admitted I had no idea what the hell I was doing, but it was absolutely freezing. No sleeping bag, just your thermals, mitts, hat and your rucksack to keep you warm. You literally lie there just shivering all night. I have never felt cold like it. I remember curling up into a little ball just trying to mentally get through the night.. taking each day and night as it came. Not thinking too far in advance, just small baby steps to the next phase of the challenges.

I did have to dig deep.  No question.  Especially on that last trek… we had no idea how far it was… “just follow the skidoo tracks and keep going” is all we were told. How do you mentally get through a race when you don’t have the foggiest idea how far you have to go? How much effort do you put in? Are you near the end? Not much further now surely? ………All these thoughts and questions raced through my head but do you know what really pulled me through that race?

Music.

Not just any music.

A very good friend of mine called Lou Cowell, writes the most beautiful music.  She is a very beautiful and super talented young lady.

I sang 2 tracks from her album over and over and over in my head.. “Good Day” and “Still Around” . They are two of my favourite songs and are just so beautiful and thought provoking.

So thanks to Lou.. I was able to dig deeper than my snowhole and got through… (Thanks Lou… you are a star xx)

Here is some info about her if any of you are interested:

www.loucowell.com <http://www.loucowell.com>
www.myspace.com/loucowell <http://www.myspace.com/loucowell>
www.youtube.com/loucowell <http://www.youtube.com/loucowell>  
www.itunes.com/loucowell <http://www.itunes.com/loucowell>   

Also you can check her out below:

Bye for now x

Episode 3: The Royal Navy

Unbreakable Episode 3 in The Royal Navy is hitting the TV on Monday 20th October at 21.00. If you do miss it, it is repeated on Tuesday’s  at 10:00pm on ‘Fiver’, Wednesday’s  at 11:05pm on Five and Sunday’s at 19.00 on fiver.

You can also see it ‘On Demand’.

Also, on the Unbreakable website, they have now released extra video footage which isn’t featured on the programme.

So its 4 days with the Royal Navy! In the bottom left hand corner of the Unbreakable homepage you can click on ‘coming up… brace yourselves‘ to get a sneak preview.