A little rest and Sunday RNLI Exercise

Well what a week this week! Snow and Ice, freezing conditions, then a beautiful Sunday morning on the boat for training made for an ideal way to have a rest from running!

Seeming as it was our monthly RNLI training weekend I knew that Sunday morning was going to be filled with an exercise, so after two consecutive Sunday's taking me up to the 17 mile mark I decided to do some smaller runs this week to give the legs a bit of a rest!

What I wasn't banking on was Saturday football being called off giving me an running opportunity where time would usually be spent kicking a piece of leather around a field! In THAT weather!

Out into the rain, wind and snow I ventured to do 6 miles when the rest of my team mates were up the pub enjoying a weekend off... This is the hidden side of training where you need to have the dedication to get the miles under your belt rather than training just your lager drinking arm!

Onto Sunday morning and out on the boat. The weather had cleared and it was a gorgeous day on the water which began with us saving a Seagull caught in fishing lines (one in his foot and one in his beak). The poor little guy couldn't get out of the water as every time he lifted his head, his foot dragged him back in again. We managed to get him out of the water, cut off the fishing lines, avoid his biting, and send him on his way much happier than when we had originally found him!

Whilst this wasn't the sort rescue you would associate with the RNLI it just goes to highlight some of the challenges that occur every day on the crew and how they are dealt with!

So after being hero's one and all it was down to business, and down to the serious stuff of training. Man overboard to be exact. So using a fender as a makeshift casualty we took it in turns to maneuver the boat a close a we could to the target.

After watching some of the older crew expertly handle the boat to within inches of the fender it was time for me to have a go... After listening intently to the instructions I just prayed I could get within 10 feet!

My first try wasn't bad, and by my second go I got close enough to get the fender out of the water with a boat hook, a job well done.

Once all of the kit had been stowed away we headed back to the harbour to refuel. Making sure the boat is constantly topped up with fuel is essential as an emergency could strike at any minute and we have to make sure that the boat is ready for service at all times.

Another exercise tonight (the reason this blog is so late!) for rope work and mooring the boat...a great week...and now back to the running, the long road ahead!

Please see my sponsorship link here if you wish to donate to my London Marathon cause for the RNLI. I need to raise £2,300! All donations are gratefully accepted! Thank you for your support.