"It was one of the hardest things I've done"

Here's an inspiring running story, continuing today's British Army theme. The soldier mentioned in this story is a PTI (Physical Training Instructor), equivalent to PARI (Physical and Recreational Instructors) a onetime corps in the Canadian Forces now disbanded and replaced by civilians. He's 39, which is old for a unit like the Paras. I see British PTIs leading PT at the gym here at Suffield and they are impressively fit. So with the example of LCpl Fisher in mind, I'm off to the gym! MP+



Lance Corporal Robert Fisher is serving with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment
[Picture: Sergeant Alison Baskerville RLC, Crown Copyright/MOD 2011

Lance Corporal Robert Fisher, aged 39, from Chorley, who is serving with 3rd Battalion The Parachute Regiment in Shahzad, ran around the base twenty-six times. He said:

"I've always wanted to run a marathon carrying a GPMG while wearing body armour. I thought it would be something different."

It took Lance Corporal Fisher just over seven hours to complete the gruelling run:

"It was one of the hardest things I've done," he admitted. "The marathons I've done in the past carrying weight have been tough, but this was a lot harder. I was hoping to do it in under six hours, but I started cramping up around the nineteen-mile [31km] point.

"For the last six miles [10km], it was mind over matter. For me, it's worth the pain, it's worth the fatigue. I've raised over £1,200 for two charities."


Read the whole piece here.