“I’VE got the perfect thing for you Mal,” uttered Caoimhe. It was a random Thursday in the offices of the County Derry Post and Emma McCann from Cancer Focus had just been on the phone, promoting their new Fitness Factor scheme.
It was all about healthy lifestyle, diet and raising some much needed funds for charity. It was going to be based at Ollie Cumming’s ‘The Gym at Maghera’ at the bottom of the Fallalea Road. I simply couldn’t pass up the challenge.
With successful boxer Eamonn O’Kane going through his paces under Ollie’s watchful eye, soccer star Eunan O’Kane and the Slaughtneil teams making use of the mountain of knowledge – I couldn’t wait to tap into it. You never know by the end of the season Mickey Moran might need an impact man for five minutes!
Ollie’s hub of activity is at the bottom of my road, along my jogging route and by the time I reach it, I am approaching the red zone. I always wonder what routine he is putting his clients through.
As I pass by and I take a glance at my watch, I still have hills to tackle before home and I wonder will I beat my previous time. Writing about sport every day I see the competitive edge in people and I am no different. Will I get home before the 18 minute mark? Everyone needs a goal.
No sooner had Caoimhe flagged up this opportunity than I had Emma’s number punched into the phone. I was signed up as ‘number 17’ and within days the remaining slots were full.
This Saturday morning Ollie has invited all 21 of us to his gym for the induction, weigh in, information session – call it whatever you want. I can’t wait.
It will be a huge challenge pushing myself under one of the best strength and conditioning minds in the business.
Across the globe numerous families continue to face a much tougher challenge. Not many households have escaped the effects of cancer and the need for support. Support from organisations like Cancer Focus.
As I push myself four mornings a week I will be content that every penny we raise will go to those who need the support.
I am glad to be able to help in any small way. In many sporting interviews you always hear of retiring players getting involved in coaching to ‘put something back’.
Sport has been great to me. It has provided me with so many great memories, learning experiences, it has introduced me to so many great friends and it has even changed my career.
If you see me meandering through the supermarkets of Maghera, take a check on the contents of my trolley and steer me clear of anything that will scupper my plans. If you see me heading to a fast food outlet, give me a gentle tap on the shoulder.
The cup of tea in front of the telly without a biscuit just won’t be the same but the early mornings and the call of Ollie will keep me heading in the right direction.
That’s all for now. I missed my early morning jog to pen this article before heading on another crusade reporting on the club championships.
Over the next six weeks I will keep a diary and update everyone on our progress.
All donations are welcome and go straight to Cancer Focus. Every little bit helps and I have setup an online https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/Michael-McMullan
Wish me luck and Emma thanks for the opportunity.
#HWGetsResults @malmcmullan
THE FITNESS FACTOR CREW
- Janet McMullan
- Michael McMullan
- Larry Bradley
- Aimée McErlaine
- Paul Dorrity
- Monica McPeake
- Emma O’Hagan
- Patrick Farren
- Bronagh McEldowney
- Kelly Lamont
- Julie Scullion
- Michelle Hassan
- Michael McErlean
- Martin McErlean
- Tony McMullan
- Damien McAlynn
- Damian McErlain
- Elizabeth Cummings
- Lisa McCloskey
- Pauline McGurk
- Orlaith Ni Chearnaigh
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