Landmark’s Marathon Man supports MapAction

We’re extremely proud of our Business Development Manager, Colin Blears, who is joining the MapAction London Marathon team in April.  Here is Colin’s inspirational Journey so far...

...I received an email from Jacki Norbury at 12:22 on 15^th December 2014 and by 14:41 I had responded with..

“If we don't set goals we will never achieve anything.  A marathon has been on my list for many years so I guess I have no excuses now.” 

At this point I thought there was nothing else required other than sitting back and enjoying my Christmas leave.

Returning in the New Year all refreshed I opened my email from Jacki confirming I had been accepted in the 2015 Virgin London Marathon.  At this point I was in a state of shock with only 16 weeks until race day and I had not even started my training.  I started internet searches for training programmes and decided I can’t be a beginner so selected the Intermediate 17 Week Training Plan and what harm would it do to start on week 2.

Week 2

So I dusted off my gym membership, found my running shoes at the back of a cupboard and dragged myself down to the gym.  In this first week I did a combination of swimming, running and at the weekend some cycling to build up a general all round fitness. During my first long run I hit an issue that I was not even aware existed called hyponatremia (Over-Hydration).  This is not a fun experience and you can read more about it here: The Truth Behind Dehydration and Performance 

Week 3

I had heard a few people mention how they found the Strava app really useful for running and cycling so I downloaded the APP and decided to do my first road run.  I was quite impressed that in within 1 week I was able to run 12.1 miles in 1:51:34 with a pace of 9:15/miles.  The following day however I could barely walk.

Week 4

After further internet research I found that it is really important to have the correctly fitting shoes to avoid injury and socks to ensure you don’t get blisters.  I was recommended to look at Footbalance which can be fitted by any sweatshop store.  Since having these new insoles I have found that the hip and knee joint pain has eased and I am finding I get less blisters.

Jacki started to raise the awareness of our support by announcing Landmark joins MapAction Marathon Team to help save lives and minimise suffering in humanitarian crises.

Probably not the best plan knowing how my last snowboard holiday ended in crutches with a broken ankle I still decided to go to St.Anton with some friends.  After snowboarding from 10am to 4pm each day I sacrificed the Apre ski for time on the running machine.  One day I felt it was a shame to be indoors so I took the bus to a local (summer) alpine run route and decided to run 11.6 miles in the snow. I seem to remember that when Rocky was preparing for a fight he would train in extreme conditions so if it’s in a Hollywood movie it must be true.

Overall I covered 2,889ft in elevation over a period of 2hrs37mins with a slower pace time of 13:33/mile. 

Week 5

Back in the UK feeling exhausted after my holiday, Chloe Browitt from MapAction contacted me to confirm I had been accepted to attend a training day on 1^st February at Twickenham Rugby Stadium.  The day consisted of group sessions:-
     
 Training, training plans and injury prevention from Barney Kenny (England Rugby Head Physiotherapist

1.       Nutrition & Hydration from Matt Lovell (England Rugby Team nutritionist) 
2.      Fundraising tips
3.      Fitness session around the stadium with the British Army Fitness Instructors                           

The day was then rounded off with a visit from the charities patron Prince Harry.  This was very unexpected but inspiring to see that he takes such an active role in supporting charities and is not just a name in the background.

Video: Prince Harry Visits London Marathon Competitors AtTwickenham Stadium

Week 6 – Week 7

After a few intensive weeks of training it was important to let my body come to terms with the changes I had been making, no achohol since 1^st January, cutting out the junk or what some would say comfort food.  During these weeks I cut the running down, organised to get some sports massages booked in for the tough training schedule ahead and reviewed what new gadget I could buy.

After a several discussions with Ian Clarke our CTO and many hours of internet research on the Jawbone and Fitbit products, I decided the new wearable technology for me was the Fitbit Charge HR.  The great thing about this device is being able to monitor your heart-rate whilst training and also monitor your sleep patterns to ensure you are getting enough recovery time as part of your training schedule. 

Week 8

I had spent several weeks focusing on training but had not really investigated my diet so after ordering my DNAFIT report before Christmas I thought it would be a good time to reflect on it.  Jacki arranged for me to get a DNAFit report review with Craig Pickering ex-professional athlete and now a Professional Sport & Sport Science Consultant.  The good news is I am suited to endurance training and events.

At first I was very sceptical about this service when but still felt it was worth the money to understand more about myself.  I have been following the recommendations in the report about the type of exercise suited to your genetic make-up, the diet and vitamins you need and I have seen a significant change in the energy and focus within day to day activities.  I would recommend you explore getting a report done for yourself www.dnafit.com

Week 9 - 10

Over these weeks I was doing a combination of interval training to build speed and also trying to test my hydration strategy using High 5 Sports Nutrition products.  It was key during this period to avoid injury and get my body used to drinking and eating whilst running, this is a very uncomfortable feeling and takes some skill to avoid choking. 

Week 11

This week was focusing on the final preparation for my first ever half marathon which I completed in 1:51.33, you can see my race progress in the Surrey Half Marathon on Strava 

Congratulations!! to my team MapAction teammates on getting their personal best times.

Race day results

I was really pleased with my first event but it really hit home that this is only half the distance and the training is going to get tougher over the next 5 weeks.  The support from friends, family and work colleagues has been amazing and I am looking forward to the main event on 26^th April 2015.  Click on the logo below for spectator information.

Over the last 11 weeks I have managed to get my 13.1 miles distance completed in the same time it took to do 12.1 miles which is an 8 minute reduction in my time and I have lost over a stone in weight going from 12st 6lbs to 11st 4lbs.  It is really amazing what you are able to achieve with focus and support good people around you.  

Thank you for taking the time to read my story and I look forward to providing part 2.  It would be great if you could spare a few minutes to read about MapAction and support them by making a donation here: 
 http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/fundraiser-web/fundraiser/showFundraiserProfilePage.action?userUrl=ColinBlears

Colin Blears

Business Development Manager 

The Green Factor

Peter Stimson, Managing Director of Landmark Quest, features in the March edition of industry publication, Mortgage Finance Gazette, discussing the topic of the importance of understanding environmental risks in making mortgage lending decisions.  

Peter suggests that  the use of environmental data in the mortgage application process can be used in one of two definitive ways to help lenders understand any potential risks: as a means of providing some certainty to other checks lenders conduct, such as Automated Valuation Models, in addition to providing surveyors with additional support and direction in the valuation process: 

The Green Factor

"Those of you who have worked in the mortgage market like me, for a number of years, will have noticed how much things have changed over the last 20 years. Mortgages have gone from a local relationship with a branch where cases where manually underwritten to a large centralised administration unit, where the bulk of cases will barely be seen by an underwriter.

Whilst some may pine for the days of being able to talk through cases locally and get those ‘exception’ cases through, the stark reality is that, from a bank’s perspective, all the automation and centralisation has resulted in two clear outcomes.

Automation
Firstly, it needs less people and hence less money to process cases. Secondly, the standardisation of risk and criteria and the use of technology, in particular credit scoring, has had a dramatic output on default rates. Whilst an exception case may turn out to be an exception and perform well, they are generally never the rule.

In my view, the game changer in risk occurred in the early 1990s with the advent of credit reporting. Rather than relying on an applicant’s honesty (or otherwise) and a few paper checks, it becomes apparent (to some lenders much later than others…) that you could tell an awful lot about an applicant and particularly his propensity to repay simply by looking at his previous history.

Surveyors
Whilst the mortgage process has changed, one aspect however remains very much the same as it ever was: the property risk assessment. In over 95 per cent of instances there is still a reliance on a physical inspection and the same pressures on a surveyor to get it right or ultimately down the line, risk being sued.

This reliance on a surveyor does put pressure on the whole process and ultimately is often the reason why mortgage offers take as long as they do. Whilst surveyors are putting in place processes to address some of the issues that occurred in the market last year, particularly in and around London, the fact remains that a lot more could be done with the available data in the market, either to reduce surveyor pressure at peak times of demand or, to assist the surveyor in getting the job done right."

To read the full article - visit the Mortgage Finance Gazette website.

Do young people spend enough time in the great outdoors?

Outdoor space is at a premium particularly in urbanised and deprived areas, so children who will learn through engaging activity sadly are deprived of access to areas where they can actively learn about the natural environment.

On Wednesday 18^th February however, the ribbon was cut to formally mark the reopening of the Southmead Adventure Playground. 

The Southmead Councillor and Bristol Assistant Mayor for children, young people and education, Brenda Massey did the honours and expressed her "...praise [for] everyone who worked on this project, and particularly the selfless volunteers who donated their own time to help with the rebuild". 

Landmark Information Group; from which 300 staff volunteered to do the hard-labour, teamed up with Learning Partnership West and Splash Projects to restore the Southmead Adventure Playground for young people in one of Bristol’s most disadvantaged areas.

                                                                         
The Southmead Adventure Playground now boasts a large run-a-round structure, aerial runway and american swing; also an under 8's area with water and sand play, three climbing walls, a rope climb, tyre wall, a beautiful pond and outdoor study area, a new and improved zip wire and much better access to the 2 acre site.

“We hope the structures will stand tall for many years to come, representing all the hard work Landmark, Learning Partnership West and Splash have carried out. It’s been a great joint effort” says Nicola Burcham, LPW Chief Executive.

The children and young people whom attend Southmead Adventure Playground played an important role in the design of the new structure; their views and opinions are at the heart of what Learning Partnership West do every day so it was only fitting that their ideas were then turned into reality. 

The conservationist Steve England will be teaching the Southmead community about the importance of the natural environment, in the new and improved outdoor classroom and newly developed outdoor pond; which for many of these youngsters will be their only opportunity to experience ecology up close.  

Southmead APG has strong community links and young people are encouraged to budget their own money and to sort out any disputes they may have through talking. Learning Partnership West will hopefully continue this work for many years to come. 

The Splash team was brilliant and worked so hard to get the structures finished. Children now have access to the main building, housing a soft play room for under 8's, a craft room where activities such as t/shirt printing and dyeing, clay work, kite making, marbling, amongst other craft activities take place.

The main building is all on one level so no steps are involved, it has disabled access and toilets. A ramp leads into the main room with dividing doors into the soft play/craft areas, also the shower toilet block.

Staff at Southmead Adventure Playground would like to thank everyone who helped make this possible. 

"It is an honour to cut the ribbon of the new Southmead Adventure Playground which I’m sure will be enjoyed by children and young people from the local community for years to come”, says Brenda Massey

“When we heard about the opportunity to help two local communities in Bristol provide a safe and modern play and learning environment for their children, we knew this was challenge all Landmarkers would value and rise to”, says Mark Milner, CEO Landmark Information Group.

Here is the full video of the teams in action: