#camnam

[camilleabroad]

Discovering the peaceful Cẩm Nam

[annahornby]

Transfer to Pnomh Penh

Day 3 was the day we transferred from Siem Reap to Pnomh Penh, we had to travel in this way rather than cycle as the roads were peppered with huge pot holes. This meant a bone shaker of a journey. The team caught up on some z’s and watched half (it crashed) of a harrowing film about the Khmer Rouge which gave an idea of the harrowing and really very recent history of Cambodia. Dinner looked over the Mekong River, sat and chatted to Peter, our eldest member of the team at 71. Between us as the youngest and eldest there was a difference of 44 years between us. Peter is an Australian Vietnam Vet and a fantastic soul. He is so fit and a fantastic inspiration, quietly giving back to a country that makes up a hard time in his own life’s history. Peter didn’t talk a lot about the war, but I was incredibly interested to know more from his perspective, despite working for an organisation that operates in Vietnam I have so much to learn about the history. I sensed that there was a deep reason as to why he was back and cycling for a charity helping children in Vietnam.   The one thing I feel so strongly, having in the past visited incredibly disadvantaged families with disabled children borne of the legacy of chemical bombs such as Agent Orange is that atrocities were committed.  The My Lai massacre, in which American ground troops killed, at close range, more than 500 unarmed, unresisting, South Vietnamese civilians, most women, children, and old men over a four-hour stretch on March 16, 1968, for one. Something Peter mentioned that stuck with me, following orders that in hindsight were so senseless because the civilians were potentially aligned with Viet Cong, quietly he said “I don’t think it should have happened.” In a time where our most powerful leaders are again making decisions to drop bombs on countries the sadness reverberated through my body. There will be more civilians killed, more legacies of war. More children like the children in our centres who are disabled and still living from the legacy of a handful of people’s decision to drop chemicals bomb in the 60s. If only we learnt that killing and blood shed is not the way. Driving through Cambodia, a country of people that has experienced such hurt, and making headway towards Vietnam that day I couldn’t help but reflect on the futility of all of these deaths.

[annahornby]

Ankor Wat, Cambodia

[annahornby]

1st Cycle 13th November

The cycle ride was incredibly intense and there was barely time to sit and write and the internet just wasn’t agreeable so apologies for my lack of blog posts. Love that one of the only ones that posted was me looking hella miserable before my 105km day after a bad case of Asian Belly. Nicccce.

I shall endeavour to update you on my trip but first I want to thank all who contributed again for your sponsorship. You will not know how much it meant to me and how much it pushed me on to train and complete the challenge. Something I did not think I would be able to accomplish. I was touched by every single donation and message of support, they truly spurred me on.

I did it!! I cycled 420km over 6 days. Really cannot believe that sitting here now but I will tell you the biggest thing that I’ve learnt on this trip is that you can do what you put your mind to. It’s as simple as that, I would encourage you to do something amazing next year that you wouldn’t think possible, because if I can, believe me, so can you.

The cycle itself really was a challenge. There were 23 of us cycling altogether including our two main Ground handlers and the representative from the company who organised the cycle, along the way we were joined by other cyclists who worked with the ground handlers which was awesome. They were mainly in Cambodia and local to Siem Reap and were a great support and team. Our first day, after fitting our own saddles (mine was a ladies Italia Gel Selle – highly recommend!) we cycled 40km around the temples of Ankor Wat. The Khmer architecture of the largest religious monuments in the world are incredibly breath-taking, hundreds of thousands of intricate carvings adorn the walls of every temples and huge carved heads tower over you as you wander through the maze of walls in the different complexes of the temples. This was the team’s first day together and it was great to spot each other in our new kits, we really started to bond from the beginning of the trip and this really helped cement the feeling of being a team from the offset. It also helped when getting lost in the temples to spy a fellow lycra clad friend in white, red and yellow! The 40km cycle eased us into the start of the trip and did not feel too strenuous, lots of walking around temples and getting to know our team. It was a great way to start, my favourite part of the day was cycling down some back paths, past little houses and paddy fields, past water buffalo lazing in the sun and down to lunch, where I got my first fresh coconut of many, a great source of potassium and natural electrolytes to help with the cycle.

We ended back in the hotel in Siem Reap that was base camp for a few days. Really felt quite proud walking back in in my now quite dirty kit. We got showered and dressed and went out for a lovely meal and on to some cocktails at one of the ground handlers friends bars….perfect preparation for a long cycle the next day!

[annahornby]

Feel the burn

Hey hey,

I’m going to tell you about my gym time. Whoop! I am becoming one of those people I hate! It’s great. Don’t worry I’m not going to start posting my fitness map and where I went. You don’t care for this (If you do go read a pro persons blog, what are you doing here my friend?!) and besides I’m stationery training.

But I will tell you this.

After my epic fail of 20 mins and dying on my bike and then improving to 40 mins with the virtual coach I have been twice since and am already seeing an improvement.

I have a month exactly until I head out to Cambodia (bricking iiiiit!) and had a mini panic attack culminating in my making up a training plan and work plan and social plan - that section is now quite empty as it reads mostly. Gym, gym, gym, yoga on a Thursday…gym in the evening, gym.

Who the hell am I? Don’t worry kids, I’m not going to be pulling up my top and showing you my rock hard abs selfies just yet. Def don’t have those.

3rd time on the bike I sweated a ridiculous amount. You think this is normal of course, as a normal person who exercises from time to time. But for me, a person who had only ever been useful in sport in a sprint, short bursts of energy way this is something hella new.

I used to love sports, played hockey, did athletics, played on the wing in rugby. But all of these I enjoyed being pretty fast. I would injure myself constantly and if I hit a wall, get short of breath and could feel my chest tightening I would stop. I don’t have endurance. This for 80/100km of cycling a day for 6 days is a bit of an ish.

So I am training up my cardio and my strength. Breaking into a sweat, with sweat on my shoulders and chest for me shows I am working. I was tired and I hit my wall at 20 minutes and told myself I’d stop in 5 but I kept going and that’s huge for me.

Next time I upped the resistance and added .7 of a mile to my previous 10 in 40 minutes. I have no idea if that is good or bad but the only person I’m pitching myself against is me…and I was pretty damn pleased.

For those of you who know me well, you might have to sit down for this next revelation. At the end of my 40 minutes….I caught my reflection in the screen…smiling!! W to the T to the actual Eff?! I know. I don’t believe me either.

This morning - Saturday - I met up with Mr Stefano my Italian trainer. Who told me that we would not be cycling today but doing some core training in the park. Ah balls.

Actually it was good, hard and sore but I felt the burn and I kinda liked it. After we had a nifty Cappuccino I actually went to the gym! This time in my lovely new padded @saddledrunk shorts. Representing! Another cycle and 11 mile in 40 minutes and I’m going to be sore in the morning.

Proud. But sore.

I am doing all this for the children in Vietnam so please do sponsor me. I really deeply appreciate it. https://camnam.everydayhero.com/uk/anna

[annahornby]

A few more cycles

Hi all,

It's been a couple weeks since I updated you on my cycles. After my epic cycling weekend I am happy to report I got straight back on the bike again when I was back home and felt pretty smug with myself. I even went so far as to say to myself "This isn't so bad! I think that 420km will be absolutely fine." Oh foolish child.

I had not prepared myself for my second cycling session with Stefano.  I kid you not, 10 minutes in and I was struggling. What the actual heck?! It turns out, I haven't really been pushing myself quite as much as a fit and lithe Italian professional cyclist who owns his own cycle wear company ( saddledrunk) will push you.

This time Stef told me that we would be doing a 2 hour cycle and he wanted us to get to 35km or 40 at a push. I definitely pushed but we didn't quite make 40!

We cycled again up to Richmond Park, but this time just before Richmond we took a sudden left and went up a very steep hill. Gees it hurt, and my knees are giving me a bit of trouble at the moment but thankfully I had had my hill training from Jonathan the week before - low gears, "be the bike". Made it - after a little stop off as my gears were clunking. Honestly I cycle by myself for a good few weeks and just when I'm with Stef the bike makes me look like the total amateur that I am. Judas Bike.

Up at the top we gave Lawrence Dallaglio a little wave as he breakfasted outside a café. So civilised the West. Ok I'll level with you I didn't actually wave as I didn't know he who he was though I did note he had a lot of presence and was a good hulk of a man and he looked like a rugby player - 10 points to me. I know how to spot them.

Richmond Park was haaaaard. It was a scorcher of a day and I didn't have any water, Stef kindly let me sup of his bottle and kept cycling off yelling encouragements as I went. One of the encouragements being, "Why are you doing this? Why are you not in a café having your breakfast?" Interesting psychology Stef, cheers.

There is also something about when you are bright red in the face puffing up the road and your trainer is ahead checking his phone and cycling at a leisurely pace....weep. Well a 2 hour cycle ride and we did just over 35km which I was quite chuffed with. It is so hard to push through some of the hills and my breathing is letting me down. You'd think using your lungs properly would be the easy part but I'll be working on that.

He made me promise that whenever I cycle now it can't be less than 2 hours. I have really tried, but as I seem to be cycling further I still keep getting back home in about 1hr45/50 which I'm going to take as a positive! It's tough as I'm starting to get a bit bored of my side of the river so on Monday Hannah and I cycled the other way and bumped into one of our board of directors supping a lovely chilled glass of white by the river. Small world! We felt very worthy keeping fit!! I'm finding sticking to the cycling a little tough at the moment so please do keep sending words of encouragement and a donation to https://camnam.everydayhero.com/uk/anna it's all for the beautiful babies in Vietnam.

Thanks!

[annahornby]

CamNam: The Challenge

As the youngest member of @cncfuk​ and the community fundraiser I have been forced volunteered to take on the exclusive Christina Noble Children's Foundation Event CamNam: The Challenge, a 420km cycle from Cambodia to Vietnam, helping the disadvantaged and street children of Vietnam through healthcare, community development and education. 

Starting from one of the world’s most incredible Unesco World Heritage sites the awesome Temples of Ankor Wat, Cambodia and cycling to the hustle and bustle of exciting Ho Chi Minh City, the heart of Vietnam.

This 420 km challenge will take #TeamNoble through some of the most breathtaking scenery in the world and across two amazing countries.

We will be experiencing incredible scenery, cycling past Rice Paddy Fields, along the waterways of the Mekong Delta, through rural villages and immersing ourselves in the cultures of Cambodia and Vietnam.

Our final destination will be the Christina Noble Children’s Foundation’s flagship project, the centre of social assistance for disadvantaged children where our team will be met by the wonderful children from the Sunshine School and Kindergartens.

The team will see first-hand how the funds they raise will help the disadvantaged and street children of Vietnam; an incredible reward at the end of this epic adventure.

All sounding great you say!

I agree. Wholeheartedly. The catch? I am a complete amateur when it comes to cycling. Complete. Amateur. I also am not what you would call a fitness enthusiast…or well…fit for that matter.  

So I will be here until November telling you exactly how I am going to be changing that. From amateur, exercise shy old me to svelte lycra clad cycling hottie raising funds for our projects and babies in Vietnam. HERE I COME. SOMEBODY STOP ME!

 But wait. I don’t have a bike yet.

Stay tuned and sponsor me at https://camnam.everydayhero.com/uk/anna

 www.cncf.org.uk