Bonus Event #5 - Darts

Event: Darts
Date: 10th March 2016
Location: The Greyhound pub, Wivenhoe
Cost: Free
Rules: Players take it turns to throw three darts from the Oche. Each player starts with 501 on the board and must count down to zero, finishing with throwing a double.

Event:

Winner: Ellie

Comments:
Sarah: I'm not sure I've ever played darts sober before; the lack of booze certainly made the maths much more difficult (possibly indicating previous scoring has been approximate rather than accurate). It was a lot of fun, but I have no idea how you're meant to aim. My throws were completely random, scattered around the board, and the prospect of being able to end on a double was laughable. But then up steps Farrow, and lands the double 12 for the win!  

Ellie:  Recently I've gotten into the Let's Play Darts for Sports Relief and so I was really keen to go for a game ourselves. it was a beautiful spring day and we had drinks on the table so this is a event I'd happily repeat! Sarah took a massive early lead and I definitely lucked out by hitting the double 12 considering getting the dart on target up to that point had been practically impossible!

The winning dart

88. 1500m

Event: 1500m
Date: 28th February 2016
Location: Colchester Athletics Track 
Cost: Free
Rules:  Runners race 3 & 3/4 laps around a 400m track. It is the biggest middle-distance track event in athletics. It places high emphasis on aerobic endurance and requires a slightly lower sprint speed than shorter distance events.

The Event: 

 

                     

Times:

Olympic Gold Medal London 2012: 4:10.23, Asli Cakir Alptekin, Turkey.

Sarah: 9:48.22

Ellie: 16:05.02
 

Comments:  
Sarah: With slightly blurry heads after an ale festival yesterday, we weren't especially looking forward to the 1500m! We had some excellent pacemakers who gave us encouragement during the race, and it was very much a case of 'head-down and get on with it'!. My normal mile time is about 11mins (1500m is just shy of 1 mile), and after only recently starting up running training again after two operations on my leg at the end of last year, I was really pleased with my time.  
         
Ellie: I don't enjoy the long 'runs'. I'm not build for any sort of running and I find it quite boring. So today I just tried to think of it as a brisk walk that I made brisker with each lap. I even managed to 'run' the last 100m or so - that's the best result I can hope for!

 

 

Thanks and high-fives to Eliza and Rachel for being our pacemakers and cheering squad!

 

87. 4 x 100m Relay

Event: 4 x 100m Relay
Date: 28th February 2016
Location: Colchester Athletics Track 
Cost: Free
Rules:  Four sprinters, in the same designated lane, each run 100m to complete a lap of the track. During their individual legs they carry a baton that has to be passed to the next runner within a 20m changeover box, situated 10m before and 10m after each subsequent leg.

   

The Event:

 

Times:

Olympic Gold Medal, London 2012: 40.82 USA.

Team Olympics: Ellie, Sarah, Eliza and Charlotte: 87.97

Comments:  
Sarah: Our first event of the 2016 season after the tricky winter months that always seem hard for us to fill with events. It was great to be back on it, and get back to the windy track. Ellie and I took the first and second leg of the relay, and we managed not to drop the baton during our hand-over. It was a fun, fast event and that definitely comes across when you're watching the real deal on the TV. 
         
Ellie: I really didn't think I would, but I really enjoyed this event. I can see why it's such a big draw for spectators and why it is usually at the end of the Olympics. It's really fun to have some interaction with a team member as you're passing on the baton.

 

Big thanks to Eliza and Charlotte for being on our team!

86. Taekwondo

Event: Taekwondo
Date: 9th December 2015
Location: Essex Taekwondo, Chelmsford
Cost: No charge.
Rules: Taekwondo is a traditional Korean martial art that combines combat and self defence techniques with sport and agility. The name means 'the way of kicking and punching'. The Olympic competition is held in four weight categories, each taking part within a ten metre square contest area. If an opponent strays outside the boundary line, the other gets a point. The aim is to land as many kicks and blows on your opponent within the allowed target areas. A contest last three rounds of two minutes each; separated by a one minute break. Victory is achieved through a knockout, gaining more points than your contestant or by default if the other player is disqualified. The Olympic competition takes the form of an elimination tournament.

The Event:

Results: 

London 2012 Olympic Gold Medal:
Flyweight- Wu Jingyu, China
Lightweight- Jade Jones, UK
Middleweight- Hwang Kyung-Seon, South Korea
Heavyweight- Milica Mandic, Serbia 

Comments:  

Sarah: I'd been looking forward to this event since we started the Challenge. It's such an impressive sport to watch, with those amazing spins and kicks, but predictably my performance was far less gracious and agile than the pros. The club we joined had a really diverse range of ages and abilities, and during the class people rotated for exercises meaning everyone got a chance to spar with each other; something I'm sure helps to encourage and improve the younger or less experienced members. It was great to use some of our boxing knowledge, and learn the basic leg kicks and a couple of simple set pieces. I can definitely see the appeal of Taekwondo, and it's easily my favourite martial art of the Challenge.

Ellie: Our last Martial Art of the challenge certainly didn't disappoint. Tucked away in a little sports centre out of Chelmsford city centre; this is a really friendly and welcoming club. As Sarah says, all of the members get the opportunity to spar with other members of different abilities meaning the there is a really open learning environment and little segregation between ages and/or belts. I really noticed the balance between fun and discipline. It's an obviously technical sport with moves and routines to be mastered but this club has a pressure free atmosphere and it was really enjoyable. It's definitely a shame that we spent only one session with Essex Taekwondo and it would definitely be a sport to consider after our project concludes.  

Big thanks to Master Slater and all at Essex Taekwondo for being so welcoming!

Bonus Event #4 - Squash

Event: Squash
Date: 13th November 2015
Location: Colchester Leisureworld
Cost: £6.20 per 45 minutes (Off-Peak)
Rules: Squash matches are held between two players and are the best of three games. Each game is a point scoring rally to 11. If the score is even at 10-10, a player must proceed to win by two clear points. Points can be scored by either player; when an opponent fails to serve or return the ball, the other player wins the point. The player that wins the point becomes (or remains) the server. The ball can only bounce a maximum of one time, and must be played within the lines. 

Event:

Score:
Game One:   E 11 v 7 S
Game Two:   E 7 v 11 S
Game Three: E 11 v 6 S
Winner: Ellie

Comments:
Sarah: Squash has repeatedly just missed out on being voted in as an Olympic sport, which seems a little unfair on this fast-paced, exciting game. I've only played a handful of times but the rules are so simple, it's really quick to pick up and play a proper match. I was mainly focused on trying to keep track and return the ball, but tried to start playing tactically when I could. I can see how this fast becomes an addictive game. There's currently a campaign to get Squash on the 2020 list of sports; here's hoping it's successful.   

Ellie:  I love Squash; I should definitely play it more often. It's really satisfying to whack the ball off the back wall and rallies can be really exciting. Once we'd warmed up we really got some good games going and it really was a close fought match. I'm definitely hoping Squash makes it into the 2020 Olympics as it is a really good spectator sport too. Its quick pace and tendency to get super competitive/violent makes for excellent entertainment!

Bonus Event #3 - Golf

Event: Golf
Date: 13th November 2015
Location: Playgolf, Colchester
Cost: £6 per 100 balls
Rules: When using the driving range you should hit the balls as far as you can. Hit the targets, flags and trampolines for extra kudos. In Rio 2016, the Golfing tournament will see 60 players competing in a 72-hole stroke play format competition (whatever that means!).

Event:

 

Results: Golf will return to the Olympics in 2016; the first time since 1904. Watch this space!

Sarah: Well, if I discovered one thing this weekend, it's that I'm not a natural golfer. There's always the possibility with a new sport that you will discover your hidden talent and natural gift, but that definitely didn't happen on this occasion. We were meant to be in Jersey this weekend ticking one of our more tricky Olympic events off the list, but disappointingly the trip had to be postponed due to ferry cancellations. We took the opportunity to complete a couple of bonus events; because why stop at 114?! Ok, this wasn't a proper game of golf, but I'm pretty sure they wouldn't have let me on the green anyway. Out of 50 balls I probably had 10 satisfying hits, and many many mis-hits. 

Ellie: The whole golfing experience was pretty cool; the Playgolf centre is really tucked away and it's lavish! A lovely restaurant, spas, 18 hole course and the bank of driving range bays which have mechanical tees and heat lamps. We were really upset not to be able to go to Jersey but this was an experience we probably wouldn't have had otherwise and I really enjoyed it. I was able to hit some of the balls pretty high in the air which was very satisfying but I'm feeling the pain today... I have been inflicted with golfers side strain... ouch! 

85. Rowing - Double Skulls

Event: Rowing - Double Skulls
Date: 24th October 2015
Location: Sudbury Rowing Club
Cost: No charge.
Rules: Women's rowing events were first included in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Races are held on rivers, canals or lakes over a distance on 2,000 metres. Races start under the supervision of an aligner and a starter, with umpires positioned along the course and at the finish line. The Double Skulls sees two rowers in the boat with two oars each.

The Event:

Results: 

London 2012 Olympic Gold Medal: Katherine Grainger and Anna Watkins, Great Britain.

Comments:  

Sarah: After our dunking in the River Chelmer last year during a canoe lesson, I've been pretty keen not to go for any more river swims. We had just one more rowing event to get through without falling in the River Stour. I was feeling fairly confident about it, until it was revealed we'd be going out in the boat together. No! We were sure to fall in! We gingerly made our way out on to the water and slowly found our river-legs. We took it in turns rowing whilst the other sat the boat to keep it steady, and eventually plucked up the courage to take some strokes together. One thing I've learnt about rowing is that you have to power through the wobbles; keep on taking strokes and finding the rhythm, ignoring the fear of falling in. We didn't quite manage that; for every wobble we screamed, laughed and sat the boat as quickly as possible. There's no way we'd have been able to even attempt it in our first lesson though, so it was great seeing how far we'd come. Towards the end of the session, the rain started pouring down, giving us a strangely peaceful farewell on the completely still water.

Ellie: This was the ultimate test, the final rowing session and we were going out ON OUR OWN! Sarah did an incredible job of steering us out into the open water and keeping us level and it was a really relaxing row once we'd settled in. The weather did get a little wet but it was strangely pleasant. Massive thanks to everyone at the Sudbury Rowing Club who have allowed us to be part of their summer and made sure we didn't fall in the water more than was necessary!