Nick Smith will attempt to pull a 1.8 ton vehicle around a 1.8 mile track to raise funds and awareness for Cancer research.
Nick who is a 43 year old company director decided to take on this challenge after he lost his mother to ovarian cancer just over 2 years ago. He always wanted to do something different for charity and decided that he will pull a 1.8 ton car around a 1.8 mile track. Nick, who resides in Wing - Buckinghamshire, said: “The inspiration to this challenge came from having to push a car in a garage at my local MOT centre. I realised I had the strength to push the car quite well and the centre owner was suitably impressed with my efforts. I then thought I should take it to the next level. You have to agree that it is certainly an original idea!”
Sunday 6th December saw Nick having a test run on the actual track where the challenge will take place in March 2010. The weather conditions where not in his favour as there was a strong headwind and the overnight rain had left the tarmac wet under foot. Nick put this all aside and bravely strapped on his harness and connected this to the front of the test car. It was a great moment to see the car leave the starting point and to watch Nick gain momentum over the beginning part of the track It was all smooth sailing until reaching a slight incline in the track about 600 yards from the start! This will prove to be one of the first bigger hurdles on the actual day of the event, once this incline was negotiated he managed to get the car around the first bend which was gratefully followed by a slightly declined section which will prove to be a great respite on the day of the challenge.
We decided to turn back and head back towards the start line as Nick was afraid of over exerting his body at this stage of his preparation. All in all Nick managed to pull the car just less than 1 mile which was a great effort in the testing weather conditions.
Nick, who has only been training for about 5 weeks now, said: “It has been a very positive visit to the track today. I did not know what to expect coming here today so I am extremely happy with my progress. I know it is not going to be easy especially the inclined areas but I am confident I will get through this. I kept thinking about the pain my mother went through and she never complained so with this in mind I am more determined than ever.”
Nick will be following a strict fitness programme provided by Christine Sparks who is a personal trainer at Mentmore Golf and Country Club. Christine, who has coached elite athletes in the USA, said: “On the positive side Nick has done very well today but this exercise has highlighted a few weaknesses that need to addressed. Starting from next week we will increase the intensity of his workouts to be able to get him to where he needs to be fast.”
Nick will be pulling for charity in March 2010 but is urging the public to support him by making a donation of any proportion on his website www.justgiving.co.uk/dunsfoldcarpull or follow the links on the news pages of www.mentmorecountryclub.co.uk
Mentmore Golf & Country Club offers personal training sessions for all there members. Why not find out more about how Mentmore can help you achieve you personal fitness goals by calling 01296 662020 today.