the blog of balance performance physiotherapy

Oli sent us this update before he started this awesome challenge….

“We are in Punta Arenas, our base camp, settling down and relaxing (if indeed that’s actually possible?) before the big day to Antarctica on Saturday morning. Nerves weren’t helped due to all of our bags going missing en route from Heathrow, but most of them have turned up now. Thanks to Paula (Balance physio) constantly reminding me about the importance of rehydration and electrolytes, I have gone over kill………..i have enough powder to keep Team GB happy!
 
Very, very happy to be out here and just treading water – mainly for two reasons. Firstly, its been a personal battle to get out here for financial and physical reasons. This expedition has been put together at minimal self investment. My 90kg rugby framed body is not built for running, so Jon, Paula & Graham from Balance have gone to tremendous lengths in conjunction with their good friend Mr G Trainer to get me into the best shape imaginable given all the variables and factors – time being a big one.
 
Therefore, it’s a personal triumph just to have got here.
 
Secondly, its great to be here because it means that all the expedition organisation is behind us, and that has been so mentally and time consuming that the focus of actually running has become clouded over the last few weeks. The focus is slowly shifting back to where it started. To run, run, run. Day in, day out for 7 of them in total on every continent covering 217 miles.
 
Mental focus is shaping up, and the right mindset will be one of my biggest assets over the coming days. Focus, focus, focus.
 
I will leave you with a poignant Japanese proverb, which Jon reminded me of last month
 
“The More You Sweat In Practice The Less You Bleed In Battle”
 
 
OLIVER DUDLEY
 
www.7in7on7.com
www.justgiving.com/oliverdudley777

7 in 7 on 7 video filmed in London before departure