Ruroc Helmets

There are two key mandatory features that I will need for protection when attempting the record on the Vars slope. Firstly a back protector and secondly a full face helmet.
Ruroc make a great range of helmets including the solo, the Rg-1 and the RG-1X.
Although the RG1-X is their top helmet the only difference from the RG-1 is the peak and the goggles lenses and as we know speed is all about aerodynamics

RG-1X Airflow

The standard helmet is very aerodynamic however the peak will be catching the wind and therefore slowing me down,
I will be using the helmet below in my attempt and hoping with it's sleek lines and styling that is surely based on a storm trooper I can reach light speeds.

Ruroc RG-1

Ruroc RG-1 Ice (A colourful Storm trooper?)

TRX Training

TRX Suspension training.

Suspension training is a unique take on strength training that uses a system of ropes and webbing called a suspension trainer to allow the trainee to work against their own body weight. The most popular trainer, the TRX was born out of necessity in the Navy SEALs. Randy Hetrick, founder of TRX, spent 14 years serving as a Navy SEAL commando. While there he experimented with an old jiu-jitsu belt and some surplus parachute webbing, hung his handmade contraption and found he could do dozens of exercises with it. Although suspension training dates back much further than that and there are now multiple suspension training devices on the market today.

Over the weekend I went to visit an old uni friend, she often trains on Saturday and had invited my other friends and I who were visiting to join her on her class. I had never heard of TRX training before so the idea of trying something knew sounded very interesting so although going for a night out Friday we were still fairly cheery on our way into Cambridge on the Saturday. We were going to a TRX class focusing on strength and this week was mostly on core and upper body, arms aren't my key focus at the moment but the core will really help.

You have two suspended handles which you can change the height of depending on your exercise, it was an hour long session and we did each exercise for about 4 minutes, 20 seconds on 10 seconds rest although when you did really start to struggle the trainers counting seemed incredibly slow.
With most of the exercises you can change the difficulty by standing nearer or further from the centre point, above they are doing a technique a little like a bench press where you are pushing away your own weight.
We then moved onto something resembling bicep curls, pressups using the handles as footholds to increase the difficulty and dips, even the everyday plank can advanced by adding in the option to crunch up your legs from one side to the other...at this point I was getting shaky.

Plank crunches

After not going to the gym for at least 2-3 years I knew this was going to be a shock to the system but I would highly recommend it to anyone, I advise going to classes first rather than just giving it a go as even a slight variation in your technique can make the exercise completely different and so could end up using the wrong muscle groups or putting extra strain on you. 

Week one Training

After choosing some routines to work on I have started to do a few different exercises this week to trial my fitness at each of them.

Monday - Squats, jump lunges, dead lifts, in the evening I went for a run to test my fitness and condition of my knees, here is the result

http://www.sports-tracker.com/#/workout/rupertcawte/28o4eajjn6jjnut4


2.42miles - 18.32 minutes followed by a warm down. Unfortunately my knees were not enjoying it after around 2 miles. I think it is best that I don't use this as an appropriate form of training.

Tuesday - On beach shingle, stretches, one leg stepdown squats, squat jump on an off to benches and then adding rotation.
 
Swimming around 1600m, with this I employed a few routines taken from surf training to help with hold downs, this allows the body to be able to opperate with larger gaps between breaths, this should help with my body operating well at altitude.

Northwave Prophecy Snowboard Boots

New Boots Arrived today!

On the speed record run I will be wearing these superb Northwave prophecy boots.

Yet to test them on the board but after a quick walk around the house they are incredibly comfortable and offer so much support.

Training for the snowboard events

Training
With the aims of the year worked out, focusing on key training techniques for each event can significantly increase my chances of completing the challenges with a positive result.

Research:
These all use similar muscle groups, Core, Legs and back, the main reason for building upper body and shoulder strength for snowboarding is for impacts and with the chance of crashing at up to 100mph it's probably a good idea to be prepared for the worst outcome. 

Core strength is extremely important, it will help with balance, absorbing impacts, transferring energy especially for jumps allowing control on the board and in the air.
A quick look at online tutorials came up with a few good workouts however I believe that the ones products by Icarus Shreducation Fitness will be most useful for me with the equipment and space I have available.I will start my training following this tutorial which should help me prepare the speed run, the Brits and be useful for the cycle and kitesurf however I will need to find a stamina routine for these.

Training begins tomorrow..

British Snowboard Speed Record Attempt

At the end of march this year I will be aiming to break the British snowboard Speed record on Vars' Speed skiing slope. The current british snowboard speed record is help by Jamie Barrow at 151km/h his aim was the 100mph barrier and I will be having this as my target.

I will be riding a custom board developed and manufactured by Windlip Snowboards who are based out in the alps and with years of experience including making freeride and boarder X boards will be creatign a board perfect for the high speeds I am aiming to reach.

Peter Bittner a previous speed snowboard world champion back in 2003 has given me his expert adivice on aerodynamics and safety from everything that he learnt when developing the sport with the FIS

Peter Bittner 2003 World Snowboard Speed Champion

As Jamie did when setting the record I will be using standard bindings and boots, I have chosen to use Northwave Prophecy boots to help give me the support and control needed at the high speeds but unlike solid race boots can still be used all over the mountain from park to powder after the event.

The Attempt will be filmed by Gutsy tv production company which should give great coverage to any potential sponsors.

I am always looking for brands or companies that are willing to sponsor me and I will happily promote these in any way that I can.