Mr Grimsdale!!!! - Dave's training blog

Rest in peace Norman Wisdom, knowing that your legacy lives on through Ben Miles. Where did that come from, well his image just flashed before me last week as Ben was in the gym just polishing off a gruelling abs workout. He was at the end of an hour’s gym session, lying on his back like a dying fly, struggling with the last 5 reps. Ben lost his form, wriggling like a snake, face red and contorted with little murmurs....... erhhh erhhh, erhhhh, (the only thing missing was Mr Grimsdale – for those who can remember?!) honestly it was the best Wisdom impression I have ever seen. Now I kid you not, he had a shower and walked out the gym in a scarf and flat cap, you couldn't have scripted that. Apparently Cenk bought him the gear for his birthday – priceless.

So how's the training going? Well I think Ben's lost his bike… I think he's eaten it as he's put on a couple of kilos. Joking apart it is a really tough time, very disjointed due to Ben going on a Quad jolly with his buddies for a week. I’ve been off Mallorca for a chunk of time too, and with Christmas coming up there's been little consistency in his training for December. We’ve been training in the gym, a good few sessions this week in preparation for the next phase of training which is a 5 day, 1,000km UK cycle over Christmas. So whilst you’re sat watching the Queen’s speech with a crepe paper hat, sharing crappy Christmas cracker jokes with the comfort of a warm coffee & brandy, our caped hero will be out on his bike – that's dedication and determination for you.

Now is the biggest challenge of it all for Ben. It’s now a mental challenge not so much a physical one. The hype and adulation has dyed down, it's cold, short, dark days, familiar routes and programs to follow. I can tell you form my experience you don't want to be out on the road. The next 6 weeks are so, so hard to keep motivated and strong. Ben is strong, he has character, he's tough but we all have our limits. Now is the time to that he needs support from everyone, he needs a mental push, he needs every single one of us to rally round and encourage and get over this hurdle into 2011 and the countdown for the ride of his life.

So in the words of Lord Kitchener – WE NEED YOU. If you haven't spoken to Ben for a while, pick up the phone, send a message, make a donation. Whatever your actions, spare a thought for what he is doing, what he's trying to achieve and the sacrifices he has made and is going to make as a proud family man.

Have a fantastic festive season and I wish you all a healthy, prosperous 2011, thanks for reading and your continued support.

Dave