The Transatlantic Challenge http://transatlantic.posterous.com Rowing the Atlantic and Running the United States in 100 days posterous.com Wed, 24 Aug 2011 15:50:03 -0700 Sponsorship news http://transatlantic.posterous.com/sponsorship-news http://transatlantic.posterous.com/sponsorship-news My thanks go to Artemis for their funding which is making all this possible, Hostelling International for providing accommodation in San Francisco and Petzl for their equipment for night running... The anticipation is starting to build!! :)

Sent from my iPhone

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:31:14 -0700 My route http://transatlantic.posterous.com/my-route http://transatlantic.posterous.com/my-route
Daily miles RA.rtf Download this file

The daily mileage and days will be slightly different but not the route....my thanks to Marshall Ulrich for this information :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Sun, 14 Aug 2011 06:13:53 -0700 Start date confirmation http://transatlantic.posterous.com/start-date-confirmation http://transatlantic.posterous.com/start-date-confirmation Saturday 3rd September, 9am. Steps of the City Hall, San Francisco it all begins.....

Become a fan of my Facebook page 'Don Lennox: TransContinental Challenge 2011'

All previous groups are being deleted :) thanks for being patient with my technophobia! Sent from my iPhone

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Fri, 05 Aug 2011 10:03:14 -0700 Good News........ http://transatlantic.posterous.com/good-news http://transatlantic.posterous.com/good-news
No not good news, unfortunately regarding funding, but instead some very valuable information via my friend Marshall Ulrich 

Marsh has been extremely helpful in providing me with untold answers to my many questions about the up and coming run. An Ultra Runner, Mountaineering and Adventure Racing legend, he has consistently shown the true spirit of sport in the same way Leven Brown, another legend, does in the world of Ocean Rowing (www.oceanrowevents.com), in that they hold nothing back in helping people with advice. Their philosophy is simple from what I have been shown....hide nothing, fear nothing and may the best man win.

They help people achieve their potential by passing on everything from their experiences. That's what sport is about I believe. It's not about protecting your position through being vague or misleading. Each time you go out and test yourself, you live or die by your performance, and nothing that comes after that is a given. You should neither ask or expect any quarter given.....Hard work and dedication is what produces results and if you can pass anything onto others that makes their adventures safer or more comfortable then it's a good job done.

Anyway, back to the good news......

I have wondered just what the recognized record for running across America was...the verified 46 days by Frank Giannio or the unverified 43 days by Reza Beluchi........which would I truly have to beat? The good news is, that it is definately Frank's record which is the one to beat, 67 miles per day will ensure the record, which takes 5 miles per day off what I expected I'd have to do. This might not seem like much but it's almost an hours less running. Psychologically it's a bit like buying a pair of running shoes, priced at $69.99.....despite it only being 1cent difference, it seems much more of a bargain than $70.....until you actually think about it!!!! My apologies to my British followers, I have to price things in dollars as my 'pound sterling' sign on the keyboard seems to have went awol...absolutely nowhere to be found despite valiant efforts!! 

For anyone interested to see Marshall's TransContinental Run and his other feats of endurance you can look up 
www.runningamerica08.com or  www.marshallulrich.com which is his main website - Dreams in Action

For a full listing of the people who have ran across America and their times just follow this link below if you have nothing better to do on a friday evening except pick your nose and stare at four walls!!

Rightey Ho I'm off for the moment, take care folks

Dondo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Wed, 03 Aug 2011 19:10:18 -0700 technology! and start date...... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/technology-and-start-date http://transatlantic.posterous.com/technology-and-start-date
Have been trying to create groups/pages etc etc etc on facebook for my adventure and it seems some people haven't been added and others have been receiving several requests! It's starting to frustrate me....grrr! Apologies!!!

My good friend of Atlantic rows, Ray Carroll, has jokingly (I hope?!) said on several occasions that I'm only good at two things...rowing and running.  Perhaps he isn't too far off the mark though, as I find my frustrations building.  I find myself sitting too long on computers these days, occasionally glancing at my running shoes out of the corner of my rapidly deteriorating square eyes, wondering what on earth they're for!!

Now, although I was the lad who, never did and still wouldn't....

1. Turn over his paper at the start of a high school exam to see if there was anything on the back,

2. Fill in a job application form in pencil first,

3. Who never payed attention to the instructions when building a newly purchased table from Ikea, or

4. Reads up how to operate a microwave...

Because the 'Bull in a China Shop' theory I used and use, is thus......

1.If I passed my exam,

2. If I get the job,

3. If my coffee mug didn't slide off my newly built table, or

4. If I take this food out and throw it with great gusto towards the floor... and it bounces back to the same       height from which it's thrown, then it's probably overcooked!!...If it stays where it falls.. it's probably undercooked!'.  Both in my book still edible I might add!........ 

then I must, have been am doing, something right?!! Right?

 In my defense.....I was and always will be, a lad who will be able to...

1. Start a fire in the middle of nowhere with just a twig, a magnifying glass, an old sock and a lump of cheese

2. I'll always be able to 'sook' water from a stone,

3. Work out which way is N and  which way is S by SW using the wee twinkly things in the sky, and  

4. I'll always be able to fend off a rabid Badger attack with a spoon!

So it's safe to say that I have limited interest in all things which don't excite me, so please forgive my ignorance with regards to technology.......I just want to RUN!!

With all this in mind my thanks go to Caroline McKay, who will not only be running the first 5 days with me in America, but who is turning 90% of my pages.... thus allowing me to spend time fending off Badgers. So much so that I keep having to set my alarm clock for 1am so to wake and send her a text to tell her get to her bed! Thanks Caroline........."get tae yer bed!"

3rd September folks is the start date for this run...all booked up now and no going back :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Wed, 25 May 2011 15:24:09 -0700 Struggle goes on....... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/struggle-goes-on http://transatlantic.posterous.com/struggle-goes-on
Having sent countless e-mails with no response I decided a week ago to try a different approach. My thinking was a more personal approach. The following is a draft which was sent with a few changes to suit two well known philanthropists, one either side of the atlantic, in the hope that they would understand why this expedition is so important to me. I don't mind criticism so feel free to fire away....life's a learning curve!!

Dear **********

I am sure you receive lots of letters but I believe this one is different to most. I would be enormously grateful if you would take the time to read it so that you may have an idea of who I am, what motivates me, what I am about to attempt to do and how I intend using my talents and experiences to help others.  My aim is to raise £1,000,000+ for charitable organisations.

Two years ago after the break up of a 23 year relationship I found myself homeless, penniless and sleeping in my car; a car which I later sold to enable me to row across the Atlantic for charity.  When I was finally given a homeless flat I had to rebuild my life piece by piece.  Many nights I sat by candlelight for both warmth and light, reading passages by Martin Luther King and Nelson Mandela, writing in my diary, questioning if the road I had chosen and the sacrifices I had made were the correct ones. 

I have always believed that one day that path would not only change my life and lead me to where I wanted to be, but also that it would have the ability to change others lives through charitable support.  That it would have the ability to inspire others, to make them aware, as in the words of Nelson Mandela, "Even the most fantastic dreams can be achieved if we are prepared to endure life's challenges."  That belief is what drives me and ensures that I have never and will never give up in following my dreams. 

When I moved into my flat the first thing I did was to pin a map of America to my bedroom wall so that it was the last thing I saw at night and the first thing my eyes fell upon in the morning.  The reason: I always believed that one day I would run across it, America that is, not the map!  I am absolutely determined to realise that dream this year, no matter what it takes.  My target for this expedition alone is £200,000+ in charitable donations.

I am at present looking for sponsorship for this expedition. I have some degree of support from companies, which has enabled me to buy most of the equipment needed, but if I am un-successful in gaining a sponsor I will attempt to sell the entire contents of my flat to raise the extra funds needed to reach America and survive the 3,100 mile solo crossing from San Francisco to New York.

Although I have chosen two high profile veterans charities, one American and one British, which I believe will maximise the media attention on the expedition, I would be honoured to include your ********** and any other charities with which you are involved.  It is my view that we can achieve anything in life that we set our hearts and minds to, but that sometimes we also need someone else to believe and trust in our integrity and drive to help us realise our potential.

After the run I would like to start visiting schools, colleges and organisations, delivering speeches and presentations with these messages and that perhaps somewhere, someone will find strength and inspiration from my personal experiences as I have from others.

I am inspired by the way you give back to other people and hope you would be interested in supporting this venture.

Thank you for your time and consideration.  I would welcome the opportunity to speak with you in the near future.

Yes it's a stab in the dark.... as the chances of these or any other letters and the expedition details landing on the desk of the correct person are slim and I know they are very busy people but it's always worth a go!

Trained tonight for the first time in a long while, tired but happy with it :)  My shoulder continues to give me trouble despite some deep tissue massage from myself.  It's the legacy of so many push ups through the years, most likely scar tissue, but by gritting my teeth I got through it and will continue to do so.

A big warm bath with a very girly smelling ' Lilac and Silk' Tesco bubble bath....it was the cheapest they had!! Reminds me somewhat of the aroma from our cab on the North Atlantic trip.....NOT!! This was followed up with two boiled eggs, some protein powder and a glass of white wine whilst sitting blogging in my underpants and socks..........one white one and one pink one....washing accident but very pleasant on the eye if I must say so myself!

Bed now me thinks,  to dream of fluffy bunnies and ponies!

Night all

Dondo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Thu, 12 May 2011 17:15:51 -0700 I REFUSE to give up...... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/i-refuse-to-give-up-0 http://transatlantic.posterous.com/i-refuse-to-give-up-0 My apologies to everyone that this expedition is taking so long in getting underway....things are very stressful at the moment as I continue to seek extra funding but I will not give up and it will go ahead as planned and as soon as possible!!

Thanks again for your patience :)

Don

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Wed, 27 Apr 2011 14:07:05 -0700 For Sale....contents of flat http://transatlantic.posterous.com/for-salecontents-of-flat-1 http://transatlantic.posterous.com/for-salecontents-of-flat-1
At precisely 14.49 and 50 seconds GMT, Latitude 55* 51' N / Longitude 04*12' W (thats Glasgow City Centre to those not of a nautical disposition amongst us ;p ) I made a decision which does not come lightly to me but nessecity is the mother of invention so they say.

With funds too low and several companies still to respond to 'Branded Sponsorship' enquiries, I have decided to sell off the contents of my flat in exactly 6 weeks time.....8th of June D-day. Until then I will continue to source sponsorship daily. If sponsorship does come through then they're off the table lol but 'til then think bout it!

Some of the items I have built up over many years, the DVD's (130 off), CD's (175 off) are all mainly in mint condition, although a few have a finger print or two...not of my doing I must say! Thats what happens when your a Virgo!! lol.

The book's vary from mint, to well read with certain corners turned down and important paragraphs/phrases pencil marked. I used to never EVER break the spine of a book. I'd get myself into some funny looking neck wrenching, eye popping positions for just that very reason but through time I realised that a certain comfort was to be had from a 'well read' book. One that maybe someone important to me had given as a present or handed on after having read themselves.... 

1, 2, 3 everyone say "awwww" lol it's almost reminicent of those lyrical geniuses that are TakeThat (are they?!)......"got your lipstick mark still on your coffee cup".....personally Id've bounced it aff the back of her heid as she walked oot the door!! Ha!

Anyway then theres a wee 22" flat screen tv and home theatre system.....next... Lot Number whatever, 

My Guitar...a Yamaha LD-10 acoustic....although 15 or so years old is still in great condition due to myself training all the time instead of learning to play like Dylan or Springsteen.....plucking hell!!.... I could have been rich beyond my wildest dreams and driving Rolls Royce's into swimming pools instead of being a fit tramp!! There's a couple of tiny almost un-noticable dents, aquired when drunk and jumping around the livingroom in my underpants pretending to be Elvis, but otherwise it's still close enough for Rock 'n' Roll!!

Next up, Lot Number 'Who cares' as you've all probably fallen asleep by now lol but does make one thing spring to mind before the important stuff.......anyone want a fab double bed? Nothing broken great condition and very very comfy!

Right the nitty gritty now.....Ocean Rowing Memoribilia...........

North Atlantic Ocean......

my oar as used on our Artemis Investments world record breaking trip , signed by Leven and myself and I will get Ray and Livars signatures too! To me priceless but up for grabs no matter.....
Guinness World Record certificates anyone?....going once, going twice, goi....bugger it you get the idea lol
A signed photo of Artemis Investments meets the QM2...only four such exist!!

Mid Atlantic Ocean

A pair of framed gloves....my gloves from our LaMondiale 2007/08 and a Guinness certificate

The one item I won't be selling is the oil painting given to me by Livar....I did have a brief momentary lapse of reason but was quickly brought back to my senses by a dog peeing on my leg!! One day the guy might be even more legendary than he already is and it'll be worth shed loads....but i still wont sell it!! I mean how many people can say they've had someone do an oil painting of them? Queeny perhaps?!! She's probably got cupboards full of them!!

Anyhow all joking aside....it's all up for grabs  to get me to the USA and raise cash for the two good charities, anyone interested drop me a wee line and i can send you an itemised list.

Oh 1 as new Massage Plynth...forgot bout that!

Don

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Mon, 28 Mar 2011 14:26:46 -0700 ....News just in!!...... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/news-just-in http://transatlantic.posterous.com/news-just-in
Couple of weeks to go now. Have been holding off visa application awaiting the response from two potentially exciting leads......unfortunately neither materialised, no surprises there!

The first was my intended appearance at 'dressed to kilt' which is part of the New York Tartan Week. It was suggested that I go there to meet such people as Sean Connery and Mike Myers along with a whole host of media. I was simply to stroll down the catwalk with a veteran from the Erskine Hospital, as the event raises funds for 'Help for Heroes', which as you know is just one of the two  soldiers charities I'll be raising cash for.

Bob Galbraith of www.calzeat.com and John Culbert of www.glenislakilts.co.uk were both anxious that i should be allowed to use the event to promote my wee adventure and therfore further benefit the good causes. Alas the organisers over in the USA could not come to a decision as they are still seeking 'celebrities' to fill the spaces.

The second lead was engineered through Calum McKay......the freelance journalist who works inpart for STV . I'd met him on the train from Glasgow a few weeks back and he has worked tirelessly on the project since. One of the contacts he established was with www.frielkeanfilms.com , run by Michelle Friel ( who's photo's  although fab, really don't do her anywhere near justice....sorry Michelle, I just had to say that lol, thou shalt forever be known to me as Michelle 'ooft!!' Friel haha ) and Jules Kean, himself a very handsome fellow ( sorry Jules there's no 'ooft!!' for you as I'm not that way inclined lol )

Their company has produced documentaries such as 'The Scheme' and 'Girls Behind Bars' to name but a couple. You should check out their productions, terrific stuff.
After a Monday afternoon meeting to disscuss the possibility of a documentary of the expedition, they took the idea to the BBC. Alas the good ol' Beeb, although thinking it was a great idea, decided that there has been 'too many' of this genre of entertainment recently and said "No" to commisioning the project. :(

My thanks go to all these people, their genuine interest in my 'wee dream' and their efforts to take it that extra step forward.

But I'm left now with dwindling funds and the very real and painful inevitability of a totally solo run. 

However a few positive things keep me smiling......

Janine, my 'self adopted' wee sister has organised a 'Race Night' at the Calypso Royal, in Viewpark on the 9th of April, 7pm kick off to help boost funds. 

My legend of a Dad, helped fix my washing machine, wire in my new cooker only to find it does not actually work! ( back to the camping stove for me....aaaargh! ) and fitted another lock to my front door......not I suspect, to keep people out, but on my legendary Mum's orders to keep me IN, thus rendering me unable  to go to America! ( alas Mum, your fiendish dastardly plan ain't goin' to work hehe ,...I have windows, and  ironically.... enough bedsheets that YOU have given me,  to enable me, if I tied them all together, to abseil down the fechin' Empire Estate Building three times over!!...) but thank you for washing my underpant's.....a mothers job is never an easy one!! 

Bye for now folks, more news very soon!!

Note to Mum * could you use Non-Bio next time?,,,,'cause, Jeeeeezus they don't half itch!! ;)) Thats a joke by the way....they're fine! ;) Just in case you bombard me with phone calls!! Love ya both :)

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Mon, 14 Feb 2011 08:05:00 -0800 Carpe Diem.....missed oportunities http://transatlantic.posterous.com/carpe-diemmissed-oportunities http://transatlantic.posterous.com/carpe-diemmissed-oportunities

So there I am, walking around Glasgow city centre on Valentines Day, the only person it seems who isn't buying some market driven paraphernalia for a loved one. ( A wee note here....If I had someone I'd show them everyday in some little way what they meant to me and to hell with a daft wee schoolboy/girl tradition!) 

Anyway, I digress from the subject of this blog....So there I am wandering about, when who should I see rabbitting away on his phone at a table in 'Prince's Square' but the one and only Colin Montgomerie,  triumphant Ryder Cup captain and general all round golfing legend. An idea springs into my head. Possible contacts in the US? Even just to raise awareness of my project. Worth a shot surely?

Away I go in search of a pen and a card to put my expedition details down onto before politely introducing myself. With Colin you don't want to get this wrong as his grumpiness is legendary!! One chance and I have to make an impression immediately. Unfortunately it's lunchtime, the card shops are all packed with people buying Valentines gifts, lines of them stretching right around the shops and out into the wet street. Bugger!!

In I go anyway...bugger number 2...the only cards I can see all say 'I love you', 'Love you Hunny Bunny',  'Hugs n Love from your one and only Squeaky Bum'!!! etc etc...... Not a wee blank card to be seen for love nor money!

Sod it, I think..... 'if thats all they got, then thats all he's getting, you never know it might just break the ice!!'

So that's how I found myself standing impatiently in a queue, buying a valentine's card for Colin Montgomerie, triumphant Ryder Cup captain and all round golfing legend!!

Once outside I quickly but neatly wrote down all my details and went in search of my Valentine, only to find he'd buggered off!! Stood up...again! The Big Elbow, The Rubber Ear, Jilted at the Alter! Sob Sob!! :(

..........however,every cloud has a silver lining..... sitting on the train on the way home the lad next to me took a phone call, and I couldn't help but overhear that he worked for STV, Scottish Television! Once off the phone I introduced myself, telling him about our ocean rows and my latest expedition, he asks loads of questions and took my Valentines card.... hahahahaha and he is going to pass it onto his female editor!

It took a while to get to the meaning of this blog but it is simply as it is entitled....Seize the Day! 

I missed out on having chat with Colin Montgomerie, triumphant Ryder Cup captain and all round golfing legend, along with that I missed...the possiblity of some very high profile contacts in America, and the almost complete certainty of  being the only man to ever give him a valentines card!! In hindsight, thank God! lol   But I did not miss the next opportunity, Be bold....

Carpe Diem

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Sat, 12 Feb 2011 07:07:00 -0800 Media and frustration..... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/media-and-frustration http://transatlantic.posterous.com/media-and-frustration

I watched with interest as Lorraine Kelly sat having whimsical banter with Olly Murs and Kara Tointon on the morning television couch. They and 6 other 'celebrities' are training to do an expedition to raise funds for Red Nose day. It is described on the website as such....

"100 kilometres, 100 degrees - one week from hell. Nine intrepid celebrities attempt to cross one of the world's harshest and most remote deserts, the Kaisut in northern Kenya. The aim? To raise cash for Comic Relief and help beat preventable blindness across Africa - but can they take the heat?"......they're going on camels, on what I'm sure will be a fantastic experience for a very good cause.

So I thought, 'sod it' lets see if they'd be interested in what I'm doing? Worth a try?! ....Well, after drafting a very nice e-mail i pressed the send button....each morning with clockwork regularity! Thursday morning I received this reply....

 Dear Don,

 

Thank you for your email.

 

We appreciate that you are taking on a fantastic challenge in order to raise money for your Help For Heroes but regret that we are unable to offer you sponsorship or airtime.  As you will appreciate, we are asked to support hundreds of our viewers as they raise money for various charities and so it would be unfair to support one and not the others.

 

We thank you for your understanding and wishing you every success with your run.

Now I do in some ways understand their thinking, they could not possibly give every request airtime...I know your all waiting for a 'BUT' to appear, and as I'd hate to disappoint you all :)), here it comes..........but, if i was some sort of 'minor celebrity' I think airtime would fall into my lap?. I have never been the diplomat that my friend Leven Brown is, and probably never will be.  So I sent the following reply....

 Hi Karen,

Thank you for your response to my enquiry. The media is a side of things which I have yet to fully understand, please do not take this personally or as some sort of bitterness, but perhaps if I already had some sort of 'celebrity' status it would appeal more to the masses and be more airtime worthy. :) I will forge on regardless, I have sold my car and stand to lose my flat if more funding does not materialise but as many of our injured servicemen and women know.....life is for living and i hope to benefit them and do them proud!

I really do appreciate you taking the time to get back to me.

Take care and you never know, we may yet meet! ;))

Warmest Regards

Don
I find the closed and virtually unpenetrable media band wagon frustrating. They sit, patting each other on the back for doing something for a good cause, doing something which will also enhance their standing in the publics view. I know not one of them who has sacrificed one thing to make these things happen, it simply drops into their lap and they think "yeah...I'll take a few days off on holiday!"..... whilst every day of the calendar, real people with real everyday lives, are out there striving to get the recognition for their chosen charities, but they are not good enough apparently to get airtime!? 
I'll add at this point that this is not so much an attack on individuals, I applaud anyone who takes up a challenge outside their comfort zone. However would they do this off their own backs?
It is more of an attack on the media machine which creates a closed market for the benefit of a chosen few.
I am not looking to become a 'celebrity', I am not looking to be seen as some sort of  'hero'...i merely want to maximise the publicity for the charities and therefore the support that can be given to those they support.
My reasons for wanting to do these expeditions are personal life experiences which challenge me, push me to my limits and beyond which in turn give me a greater understanding of myself and life in general. Things which I'd love to pass on to others, to simply say...you can do anything you dream of.. I have a framed quote next to my door and I look at everytime I leave or enter the flat..

Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it.

Boldness has genius, power and magic in it

                                                                Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

 

So how do you pierce this unpenetrable barrier...simple, you take a few pairs of running shoes, some basic equipment, some food, a few deep breaths....and you run at their walls, you run at them with full speed, you do not look at them...you look beyond them, to where you will soon be! And you pray to hell that when you breach them, that you come out the other side, covered in dust, licking a few cuts and grazes,  but at the very least with your underpants still intact!!

  :))  
Heres a thought....perhaps if I offered to carry one of their camels for 100km then they'd give the camel some airtime??!!                                                         

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Thu, 10 Feb 2011 18:44:58 -0800 So...It appears I'm Strange!! http://transatlantic.posterous.com/soit-appears-im-strange http://transatlantic.posterous.com/soit-appears-im-strange
It so happens that i was sitting watching an old film last night. 'Serpico', starring Al Pacino. As the dvd cover states, it is...'The true story of a NY policeman who discovers that honesty is not expected to be part of his job. He endures scorn and mistreatment at the hands of his fellow cops while attempting to perform his job with integrity'.

You might find it unusual that i mention this. The reason I have, is purely this...

Halfway through the film I found out from a trusted friend on Facebook that whilst I worked at  a certain leisure club attached to a certain hotel chain (It could be any one of a number...phew! the many jobs i've had eh!!), that I was viewed by many as 'Strange'. Now i was slightly aware of this towards the end of my period of employment but this input just reinforced it, and like a lot of situations in life, you either sit back and take it like a bitch, or you have your say.....so i started to write this..ahem!! (clearing one's throat before a rant!)...oh, but before i do, i would like to clarify something........

...I take criticism very well. It is something you can use as a tool to improve yourself or something you do. Given correctly, it is to be viewed, applauded, embraced, dissected and worked upon. Hopefully resulting in you becoming a better more rounded person or showing improvements in your chosen discipline. But all the time you must take into consideration the person /persons criticising and their reasons for such scrutiny! This is a very important element of criticism! Never be tricked into assuming all criticism is positive and well meant!

Anyway, back to my original blog! It has a title quite foreign to the people in question.............

Teamwork and Integrity 

According to the Collins Gem Dictionary, New Edition for the 21st century ISBN 0 00 472115-2, the definition of strange is as follows.....abj   odd or unusual ; inexperienced (in) or unaccustomed (to)

Now, as I was neither, inexperienced (in) nor unaccustomed (to) working in a leisure club environment, that only leaves their views of me to mean I was odd / unusual in their eyes. It begs the following questions.

Is it strange to smile at and treat/speak to ALL people, be they clients, housekeepers, managers, maintenance staff, kitchen staff, supervisors, delivery drivers, waiters/waitresses, male or female fellow employee's etc etc with the same courtesy and respect as each other? To say to their face your true feelings?
Or is it not strange, to belittle them; to go behind their backs; to create rumours for your own amusement; to think that you are better than them because you hold a position 'apparently' of more power? To have your mood change and effect how you deal with your fellow workers? To back a fellow employee up until faced with a 'superior' and crawl into a hole saying the opposite?

Is it strange to have the clients best interests at heart for no personal financial gain? Because after all, thats what you trained to do! To have pride in what you do, to practice what you preach? 
Or is it not strange to think only of yourself and how much you can get away with without doing? To advise people on how to exercise, when you dont exercise yourself? 

Is it not strange, to threaten an employee with their job because of their association with another employee?
Is it not strange, to not put the correct disciplinary procedures in place to deal with this?
Is it not strange, to ask an employee to do a job which contravenes every Lifting and Handling procedure in the Health and Safety at work act?
Is it not strange, for a 'Supervisor' to accuse, with no basis for doing so, an employee of taking money for Personal Training on the side, when it is common knowledge that they do so themselves?
Is it not strange, to not help the very people who indirectly pay your wages, who put their trust in your integrity and ability to do your job to the best of your ability?
Is it not strange, to not admit accountability for your part in certain actions, resulting in certain uncomfortable situations? After all if you keep your head below the parapet, trying to deny any involvement,.. wont people only talk more and come to wrong conclusions, allowing them to use their misguided assumptions for their own amusement? Surely admission, raises your standing amongst others and your own self esteem?

The list does of course go on and on and on.....and on zzzzzz! Personally I find it a strange mix of both amusement and irritation...but i also hope that the correct people will one day wake up, look in the mirror, find themselves a spine and start walking upright. 

If anyone is at all interested in finding out if they were involved in such juvenile behavior, along with a couple of other wee amusing and irritating anecdotes, then they might want to buy my book when it's finished. They of course could retaliate with a book of their own?!! These 'books of their own' alas, in most likelyhood, won't come cheap...the added expense of the accompanying colouring crayons may put them out the price range of many potential buyers. But at least they themselves can sit, self absorbed at home, swinging their feet, sucking their juice through a 'crazy' straw whilst trying to keep inside the lines of each picture of their own published memoirs.

As a footnote, my training is going well and exciting news of my impending continental run will follow shortly :)

One more footnote.... Martin Luther King once quoted a college president in a speech...the words are clear and concise, "A man should do his job so well that the living, the dead, and the unborn could do it no better." MLK then went on to say.."If it falls your lot to be a street sweeper, sweep streets like Michaelangelo painted pictures, like Shakespeare wrote poetry, like Beethoven composed music; sweep streets so well that all the host of Heaven and earth will have to pause and say, " Here lived a great street sweeper, who swept his job well"

Good night my amigo's,

Dondo

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:48:38 -0800 Wee dram at faithers! http://transatlantic.posterous.com/wee-dram-at-faithers http://transatlantic.posterous.com/wee-dram-at-faithers
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Tue, 28 Dec 2010 06:09:24 -0800 This afternoons training session..... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/this-afternoons-training-session http://transatlantic.posterous.com/this-afternoons-training-session 10 x log pulls

With the help of my brother Davie I selected a wee log, heavy enough to make the legs burn nut light enough to keep momentum up.... The glutes and quads burn like mad from quarter way up the 15 degree slope and half way your heart rate starts to reach max... Great for leg strength and C.V. Workout. Horrible when you're Doin it.... Great when ur finished!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Fri, 24 Dec 2010 03:54:43 -0800 Slaves to time.... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/slaves-to-time http://transatlantic.posterous.com/slaves-to-time Thought this was a very interesting sculpture. It stands just outside Buchannan St bus station in the centre of Glasgow. Watching everyone running about in a shopping frenzy Xmas eve I think the artist has got it down to a T. The fact they chose a running pose. How apt I though as I sat looking at it in the crisp morning sunlight with a steaming recyclable cardboard cup of coffee warming my hands. On my iPod I was listening to Eddie Vedder's soundtrack to 'Into the Wild', the incredible story of Chris McCandless, who chose to disappear into the Alaskan wilderness. The music only enhances the story, making it all the more powerful. Chris largely turned his back on society, dismissing the lure of materialism, instead he sought adventure, personal growth and understanding.

Why have to statue running as opposed to walking, sitting down?
Me? ...I think i would have had it lying back, ankles crossed looking at the clouds! We don't take enough time in this world to take stock of anything around us...we're too busy trying to earn enough money to buy that pair of shoes we liked or the latest xbox 360 or whatever it is! Trouble is, this allows people to control us. Employers, corporations, governments, religions etc etc......bollocks I say!... Bollocks to you sir!! Someone once said..."most men lead lives of quiet desperation".... How true!! But I for one will never succumb to the pressure to 'fit into society', I will choose in what form and for how long I will expose myself to their control. Which means that I will actually be in control, not them.

Given the choice, I'd have a beer with the Chris McCandless's of this world rather than a posh 5 course meal with the Allan Sugar's or Simon Cowell's.

Freedom is the most powerful thing a person can feel in this life. More people should give it a try....have a Jerry McQuire moment at least once, at least once experience what it feels like to walk into a workplace like the Living'Hell' Gym, whose self proclaimed 'client orientated' (..cough?!!!) leisure facility fails to do anything other than squeeze more cash from clients pockets without regard for quality of service or more importantly regard for their members path to healthier lifestyles and halfway through your shift, write out a resignation, walk downstairs, clear your locker, clear your throat and say loudly, 'bugger you!!' and walk out the front door with no idea where or what you're going to do.

Try it... I promise you .......you'll f***kin love it!!!

Merry Xmas to all ho ho ho!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:25:00 -0800 Scary things that go 'bite' n the night!......... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/scary-things-that-go-bite-n-the-night http://transatlantic.posterous.com/scary-things-that-go-bite-n-the-night
Have spent my day researching the wildlife that i will potentially encounter on my trip.....kind of wish i hadn't now!! Snakes were my first subject of interest, so here's some goss on these wee buggers! 

In the United States, there are only four (ONLY?..ffs!! Thanks for that!) venomous snakes whose bite can potentially kill humans. These are; the Coral Snake, the Copperhead, the Cottonmouth Water Moccasin and the Rattlesnake.

Apparently Rattlesnakes come in 16 distinct varieties. There are numerous subspecies and color variations, but they are all positively identified by the jointed rattles on the tail and a triangular head. Rattlesnakes, along with Copperheads (Are these the 'Gingers' of the snake world i wonder??....sorry Gavin and Stu! lol) and Cottonmouths are pit vipers. 

Pit Vipers are snakes with two pits under their nostrils (they'll have three if i have to sink my boot intae them if they get too close coz let's face it, they ain't got an arse to kick!)  to detect heat, thus enabling them to hunt warm-blooded prey. The pits are so sensitive that the snake can determine the size of the warm-blooded animal and can even detect prey in complete darkness. Their tongues are forked and are used to pick up microscopic airborne particles and gases from the air. When the tongue slips back into it's mouth it touches a sensitive spot on the roof of their mouth called the Jacobson's organ. This organ picks up the particles collected by the tongue and sends messages to the snakes brain identifying the scent as food, enemy, mate or other object or substance, ie. excrement if i see one!! I don't know if anyone has noticed, but the wee buggers don't have outer ears, so they pick up vibrations which travel through their jawbones to their inner ear parts and this is how they pick up sound.....

Rattlesnakes come out of hibernation around April ( poor April whoever she is!) when the tempratures begin to warm. They are cold-blooded (Ectothermic is the technical term for this.....I know a few people who are the same!!) and they rely on external sources to regulate their body temperature.  When they are too hot they retreat into the shade or into a burrow.  On the otherhand, when they are too cold they put on wooly socks, a scarf and a jumper...eh??? No no...sorry i got mixed up with looking at the Next Catalogue on line there!!. No.... they sun themselves or find a surface, such as a paved road, to absorb the heat from the asphalt.  It is common to find snakes on the road in the evening hours (Gulp!!.....can't we stop this practice for my benefit? After all.....isn't this jaywalking/slithering??!!) as they attempt to warm their bodies by lying on asphalt or concrete pave areas.

While most of the rattlers are concentrated in the southwestern United States, they do extend north, east and south in diminishing numbers and varieties. Every bordering state has one or more varieties of rattlesnake.
The rattlesnake is found in many different regions ranging from along the coast at sea level, the inland prairies and desert areas to the mountains at elevations of more than 10,000 feet. Ta Daaaaa!!, eat your heart out National Geographic (vote for Leven!) and Mr Attenborough, there's a new sherriff in town!!

And this Sherriff is taking a bloody BIG stick with him!!.

More on wildlife soon. 

Sleep tight but check under you duvet first!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Wed, 08 Dec 2010 23:20:00 -0800 Not so nice morning run...... http://transatlantic.posterous.com/not-so-nice-morning-run http://transatlantic.posterous.com/not-so-nice-morning-run

5am and I decided a short morning jaunt would be just the thing to keep the legs ticking over with little more than 8 weeks to go until USA. Conditions here are starting to stabilize. Tempratures though are still around -10 although the snow has stopped for the moment. Most roads have at least one set of tyre tracks which allow some form of traction as your feet find their place on their surface. The problem with running in snow and ice is the additional movements your feet, ankles and lower legs have to make to keep you upright. Taking it easy is the key to this as each footfall brings a different 'feel' underfoot. Hamstrings in particular are put under stress/tension as you battle to stay upright whilst moving forward.

Why then I decided to try and push the last two miles I have no idea...but it resulted in a quite spectacular and painful fall. Approaching a small reasonably gentle slope I sized up my options.....in hindsight a Bobsleigh would have been the best choice!! It was covered with a thick layer of ice which wasn't obvious in the dim street lights. My feet ended up at the same height as my head mid air, there was nothing i could do to stop it unfortunately. There was that split second where i knew ' This is gonna hurt!' then bang! I lay for 30 seconds or so trying to say the 'F' word but being winded i decided to repeatedly think it instead! Slowly rolling over onto my front I took time to catch my breath whilst still muttering obscenities at the weather, the local council and of course..... myself!

My back took the brunt of the fall but in banging my head, my neck has suffered, as it obviously tightened on the way down in anticipation of the impact. After the initial pain, i've had time to size up the damage. Neck is starting to lose some movement as the muscles seize up and sneezing or coughing is not pleasant on the right side of my back just below my shoulder blade. I will keep moving today as much as possible to stop any major effects. Stretching I'm thinking will be crucial to stop the muscles tightening!

Mum.......don't worry!! hehe Its just a wee knock and there is no major injuries...just wasn't pleasant that's all! I toyed with the idea of wearing a backpack this morning and now I wish I had! Anyhow...time for a coffee me thinks! Onwards, upwards, sideways and downwards (ouch! lol)

Maybe the fall has had some effect.....i've been sitting watching a hair care programme since getting back in......why? I have no idea??!!! lol

Oh and if i could ask one small favour of everyone reading this....vote for Leven Brown as the Adventurer of the year in National Geographic using the link below.....this guy deserves it BIG TIME! Thanks folks. You can vote once a day so get those fingers buzzing!!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Sat, 27 Nov 2010 03:57:07 -0800 latest........ http://transatlantic.posterous.com/latest http://transatlantic.posterous.com/latest I crossed the border of England / Scotland just 20 mins shy of 11 days. It was by no means a straight route but i am still a little disappointed in my average daily mileages, after the first few days i stopped counting miles and was breaking this adventure down into reaching chosen destinations. I originally was following a route taken by Mark Moxon when he walked the entire length of Britain, but this equated to 1111 miles. Running it however, with no place other than a Bivvy bag to sleep, and carrying a rucksac soon changed my mind...why do over a 1000 miles when you can do it in 900 or so?!

I have decided to split the run now into two sections as i have a meeting on Monday followed by the Glenfiddich Spirit of Scotland Awards this coming Thursday. The change in weather did not put me off, indeed with the coming of snow it is possibly warmer than the frost which i've had to contend with up until now. For the last few days i have been staying with Leven, Yvette, Pickle and their new pup Prudence ( or Poppy... if you ask Leven! lol ).

This whole challenge was to 'road test' equipment and to see what mileages could be realistically covered unsupported should the sponsorship backing for America not materialise.
I would like to thank Artemis for their support with the funding for the equipment....it works and works well but a few alterations and additions shall have to be made. The most notable being communications....the iphone4 although a great piece of technology, has a very limited battery life especially in the cold conditions and without the opportunity to completely charge it at any given point....towards Hawick i was down to under half a days battery life from 100% charge....the cold appears to affect it. This made things very difficult , having to find a place to charge the phone twice daily ate into valuable time on the road and rest periods and much latterly when there were no places to charge it at all!

I will return to Hawick next week to pick up where i left off and complete the journey. Just want to say thanks to all for their messages of support and to keep watching....the best may be yet to come if these snowy conditions keep up....i kinda hope they do!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Thu, 25 Nov 2010 12:20:11 -0800 3.15am http://transatlantic.posterous.com/315am http://transatlantic.posterous.com/315am
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox Thu, 25 Nov 2010 10:57:00 -0800 Calzeat and Glenisla Kilts http://transatlantic.posterous.com/calzeat-and-glenisla-kilts http://transatlantic.posterous.com/calzeat-and-glenisla-kilts

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/517103/don_lennox.jpg http://posterous.com/users/5fj0aoLYT3wJ Don Lennox Don Lennox Don Lennox