On Sunday 26 July, before many of us are even thinking of starting our day, Doctor Jamie Plumb will be saddling up and heading to Alresford to complete the Everesting challenge, in aid of HIOWAA. Jamie will be cycling up and down a 700-metre hill, with an elevation gain of 49 metres, 183 times: the equivalent of climbing of Mount Everest.
We sat down with Dr Jamie to ask him all about his training and his motivation.
What inspired you to take on the Everesting Challenge?
I have been working for HIOWAA for almost a year, and I have seen first-hand the impact the service has on our community. We have had a huge impact on the lives of so many patients, their families and friends, so I am aiming to raise as much money as possible to keep us on the front line, saving more lives.
Also, two of my young nephews, Joshua and Zach, both recently completed amazing fundraising challenges for charity during the Coronavirus pandemic. I haven’t taken part in any fundraising for some time, so I thought it was time to change that.
How do you prepare for a mammoth challenge like this?
I will need to be as fit as possible if I’m going to complete this, so I’ll be doing lots of general riding beforehand and a few specific hill repetition sessions to mentally prepare. Nutrition on the day will also be really key, as it can be very tricky to eat and drink enough during a long endurance event. I’m going to aim to stick mostly to real food, rather than sports gels.
What mental challenges will you face?
I feel fortunate that I will have some friends and family supporting me on the day. Messages from all the incredibly kind people who have so far donated to my JustGiving page will also provide me with an extra push. The local villagers have really got behind this challenge.
How are you finding the time to train?
Finding the time to train on my bike is always a bit of juggling act, but cycling has always been a big part of my life, so I always manage to find the time. It often involves me getting up extra early and extending my commuting distance.
What words of encouragement have you received from the rest of the crew?
I’ve kept it quiet until very recently so am only really telling people now I only have a few weeks to go. They have all been incredibly supportive so far.
How has working HIOWAA readied you for this challenge?
Many aspects of our job involve mental and physical challenges, especially at the moment wearing PPE for much of the work that we are doing.
What are you most looking forward to doing when you’ve completed the challenge?
I can’t wait to sit down and have a beer afterwards. I’ve been promised one from a colleague who lives very nearby.
What would you like to say to all the people who have donated so far?
I am honestly absolutely blown away by how positive and generous people have been. From friends I haven’t seen for many years, to people who I have never met.
