From Scrum to Scree

‘Touch, Pause & Re-Engage’ – From the Scrum to the Scree

As my rugby playing days started to draw to a natural conclusion I started to pay attention to the odd comment from the so called ‘Alacadoo’s’ (so called retired players still associated with a rugby club). It was clear that they desperately wanted to ‘hang on’ to the past and lamented the fact they’d ‘had their day’ so to speak.

I decided I wouldn’t be joining their ranks and would make a clean break from the game. It was always disappointing enough to be dropped to the 2nd XV, so I can only imagine the frustration of becoming resigned to seeing the rest of my rugby years out from the constraints of the touchline.

This decision was I admit tinged with an element of guilt as the game had given me so much over so many years and here I was before I’d even hung my boots up keen to move on and not necessarily re-invest time back into the sport, but my decision was made. No way could I cope with walking passed the changing room doors at 14:55 on a Saturday afternoon, catching a whiff of Ralgex, hearing the front rows heading the changing room walls (or warming up as they prefer call it) and all in the knowledge I wouldn’t be pulling on a shirt myself – I had to make a clean break.

The challenge wasn’t so much in walking away but was the realisation I had no real plan of ‘what to do next’?

Away from work rugby had been my life for as long as I could remember, and for those that have played and been a part of the rugby family (or culture as some may say), you’ll identify with my apprehension at the time, that nothing else would ever come close or fill the void…or could it?

I spent my first 12 months after playing my final game attempting to stay fit by pounding the streets on my own. What was I thinking? Dark, wet, cold and boring winter nights were not exactly inspiring. Do I join a gym like everyone else? Despite what some may hold as the stereotypical rugby player image, I wasn’t into lifting heavy weights or looking at myself in floor to ceiling mirrors, so that was never going to work.

By chance I fell across a very local fitness centre that I’d driven past and never noticed a thousand times before, which focused on all round fitness rather than heavy metal.

So with nothing to lose and everything to gain I gave it a whirl. 

To my total amazement the place was full of like-minded individuals who just wanted to get out there and take on as many challenges as possible and endurance events seemed to be the order of the day. We’d train hard together during the week and between us plan to complete as many ‘ultra’ type events at weekends. The atmosphere was a very inclusive, work hard/play hard and celebrate success in style type of culture - sound familiar to any Alacadoo’s reading this? 

I’d found my new rugby club and the real jewel in crown - despite involving some of the toughest (both mentally and physically) challenges I’d ever experienced in life until now, I never felt on Monday mornings as though I’d been ran over by steam roller, which then didn’t subside until Thursday evening ready to do it all again for Saturday (anybody still playing rugby after 30 will know what that feels like).

I soon started to clock up an impressive collection of finisher medals for ultra-marathon type events including the Marathon Du Mont Blanc, The Big Black Mountains Challenge, the Black Mountain Roundabout and the Snowdonia 7 to name but a few.

When I was regaling some of these events in the office on a Monday morning, I was asked by a guy I was working with at the time, ‘are the routes all marked out for you to follow?’

Simple answer was no, you have to self-navigate and can’t rely on following anyone in front (assuming there is anyone in front and if there is that you can see more than 15 metres ahead).

He then announced that he held a mountain leader qualification and that I should consider converting my event ‘evidence’ to a mountain leader training log book and look to get onto a training course myself - so I did just that.

Within 2 years of finishing my rugby ‘career’ and thinking my sporting days were over forever, I passed the Mountain Training Association Summer Mountain Leader Award (MLS).

All pleased with my new found qualification I did wonder what I might actually do with it – no use it sitting on a book shelf never to be dusted off.

As part of the MLS scheme when you pass most candidates sign up to the British Mountaineering Council (BMC). The BMC produces a regular journal for its members and every few months a glossy magazine drops through the door.

I remember noticing adverts from international expedition companies looking for qualified mountain leaders to lead expeditions to developing countries all around the globe – but surely not me?

For sure it was aimed at me, and seize the opportunity with both hands and hold onto it - I certainly have (unlike my rugby handling skills of old).

If I can do it, you can do it - here’s a taster of just a few of some of the places I’ve been to and some of the experiences I’ve been privileged to share in working with amazing people leading them on their expeditions…..