Looking to Lose Weight BMF Part 16

Today was the day of the dreaded devil’s challenge. I was on the phone to a friend last night and told him, I was going to do it, and in a show of solidarity he said he would do it with me. To be fair, I did tell him it was going to be nasty, and he still agreed.

I woke up bright and early to ensure I got plenty of calories inside for the arduous task that was to come. I was delighted to see John’s smiling face when I got there. Andy the instructor was full of beans, and quickly explained the challenge, 6 stations, 6kilometres in total if you complete the whole thing, and a series of exercises, eleven of each at every station, one at a time.

So, inevitably we had the warm up. I hate the warm up! Did I mention I hate the warm up. Its a nasty business that completely does me in.

The men had 50 minutes to complete the challenge, one of the guys brought his lovely dog poppy, who is getting on in years. He said at the start her max is about 5km, so she would be easing off towards the end.

The starting gun was off, and our first exercise was squats, eleven at the start and eleven at each of the stations, at the last station and after the exercise run back and do the next exercise which was press ups, I was falling behind at this point, I knew John was fitter through his running, but I reckon he might have been a bit previous with his energy and would regret it. I didnt know what exercises were coming but I suspected the bad boy burpees must be there somewhere and probably some devilish variant on a squat thrust.

Exercise three was sit ups, four was lunges, five was wide arm press ups and six was crunches. My time run out, but John did get to the next exercise which was burpees, and as he was walking and looking a tad grumpy I believe and especially after he said I dont like those that he was finding them difficult. So in total I did 6 x 11 x 6 totalling 396 reps and about 4kms roughly.

To be honest, I didnt find it as bad as the fitness test, that was like walking through the gates of hell with someone trying to disembowel you all the way and acid poured in your eyes. Im actually not kidding I thought I was a gonner for sure on that, but I was able to plod along and get on. Indeed, I feel probably that the actual nights exercise is harder. Now I have no doubt if you complete the challenge that it is hardcore and much harder.

How do I feel now, well Im achy, but as I was wet and muddy, I found a good opportunity to get under the mobile and refix the insulation, we also got the heaters up and running and now its too hot, typical man, never satisified.

About the challenge… The man with the dog completed it so congratulations to him, a lady also completed it, but that was it. Would I do it again, yup for sure, do I enjoy British Military Fitness, and the people who take part and support me, even though my cheeky belly button was hanging out where my crop top bib was riding up and leaving me bare. They shout and cheer me on, they give me encouragement too, but more than that, I feel like I am home again. A place of comfort, even though it hurts.

Tonight, I will sleep really well, and so will Poppy the dog, she did her bit in pulling her owner along, and I reckon, John will be sleeping already in his chair, with a half drunk can of golden speckled hen. Thanks John, appreciate what you did.