Welcome to not another Runner podcast a running and health-related podcast created by a run-of-the-mill. Yes pun intended every day Runner join me for all things running health and well-being related for the highs and lows of Life Training and chasing girls. This podcast is designed.Keep you motivated and enthusiastic on your journey to health and happiness. Every time I run I discover something new about me and about life be a reason why I run or a discovery of myself. I genuinely find gratitude through Runnin. I am able to stay healthy and fit through the execution of my passion, but furthermore I'm able to achieve peace presents growth and Discovery and I love to hear all your stories on how running has changed your lives and what it's brought to you. I want to connect like-minded people through the power of podcast.Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the not another Runner podcast and to episode 24 already. I'm so glad that you're tuning in today to listen to this episode in particular and today's guest who has a brilliant story and Mission that I really really want you to hear all about before I tell you about today's guests and their epic Mission. I firstly need to give a massive. Thank you toYou to you guys this is a big thank you from myself. And especially I'm personally from Carly bombs Carly Barnes who was a guest on a very recent episode. I think it was 20 21 yet only one. So Carly want to say a massive. Thank you to everyone that has signed up for the 12-day marathon for this Christmas and supporting her with raising money for both Charities Family action and Hope For Tomorrow. Carly has told me how the 12 inning Marathon has now fully so sold out and has 200 signups this she is truly grateful for I'm just delighted that that so many people so many of you are on board with this with this challenge. She's excited and hope that you all enjoy the challenge over the Christmas period so if you are taking part of the challenge, make sure you do check in with Carly tag in here over on Instagram. Let me know how you're getting on and use the page 12 Day marathon and Gil run the Shire use Twelve Day Marathon so that you can all follow and follow each other and keep each other motivated and inspired so that you do achieve this Challenge and support Carly what a brilliant way for us all to raise money helping Carly and to brilliant Charities and staying active over the festive period so on today's guest originally from Atlanta now based in Paris, but traveling frequently across the world with her current Mission the mission being run to reach which she Devised his self and the mission is to to run 30 marathons before turning 30 during an 18-month period And across different countries around the world and to raise money for different local charities to which you'll be running within that country by the end of the mission. Today's guest Liz will have completed marathons in locations include in Western Sahara, Guatemala Mongolia Sierra Leone Chile Antarctica. Just to name a few today's guests and face behind. The mission is Liz Liz Warner when Liz thought up this idea and challenge. She was on her honeymoon. I think she said she was on the beach just relax in and it came to her and she hoped to continue working freelance during this Mission and during the time and fit it alongside the project but since taking on the project and attempting to achieve this Mission, she has had to give work time. Out as a mission demanded so much of his time which is just a huge commitment in itself for her to be taken on let alone the travel traveling to these different countries all the miles Etc. But despite completing 14 marathons this year alone. I'm traveling across the country the world and to some extremely remote and less developed countries and areas of the world Liz says the hardest and most demanding part of the project has been the administrative side of This Mission the work that's required to Liaison with all 20 different charities local charities within the country. She's go into organizing the flights the accommodation the liaison and everything and that goes behind the logistics of requiring the support that she needs for this Mission has been a big job for her and if you're not convinced yet to support Liz and her mission on her goal of raising 100,000 pounds and this is all towards low. Local local charities within the country she's running in and specifically for in women empowerment supporting women empowering women in these local communities and please do listen to the whole of the episode. Listen to Liz's Mission and you know, the logistics of what she is trying to achieve because as I say, she's taken a huge commitment by taking time off work in order to try and complete this. And she is so fully dedicated to this Mission and it is really really truly inspirational and I want you to hook to or listen to this. Normally I ask a guest for the three tips in start and running but I felt like today I needed to ask something different. So I do ask Liz for three tips to give to listeners to take away some three pieces of advice in life to take away and just that alone three pieces of pieces of advice for life. Life is something in to listen to so hang on and listen to the whole of the episode. It is a brilliant child. I really really do want you to listen to this one. So thank you and enjoy hello. Well another episode of the not another Runner pot today. I get to introduce you all to an incredibly inspiring and beautiful person. Today's guest is Liz Warner Liz loves cooking. And like me she loves to listen to podcasts Liz has set out on an incredible Mission. She aims to run 30 marathons before she turns 30 next year June 2020 and she's given herself. I think it was just I think it was 12 to 18 months to complete the end of the mission, but furthermore will complete these 30 marathons in 30 different countries whilst fundraising fundraising for 20 different. Global Charities and it is one heck of a mission and I am so thrilled to be able to introduce you to Liz who can chat to us more about her Mission run to reach. Hello and welcome Liz. Hello, Natalie. Hey, how have you on the show? Oh, you're so welcome. How are you? Are you? Okay? I'm really good. I'm home now in in Paris for a few days. So so yeah just recharging the batteries a bit here. Yeah. I mean when you get home to your place in Paris, how long are you normally therefore before you have to jet off again? It could be anywhere from a couple days to a week. Now. I'm gone for a week which feels like a really long time and but yeah, I mean there was actually a I think four month period where actually I didn't come home so really ranges, but yeah, so yeah, so that's lovely so could You tell us just a little bit about yourself and Liz what what were you doing before this project run to reach started and where did the inspiration come from? So I'm originally from the u.s. From Atlanta. Sorry. This is the long long version. Okay, that's right after uni when I was 22. I moved to Japan and I lived there for almost five years working just a regular job. And marketing for very deep various companies and then exactly three years ago. I relocated to Paris to go back to school to get my masters worked for one year after finishing. My Master's didn't particularly. Enjoy my job. I'd also just got married around this time a year ago. And yeah, it definitely felt like some sort of transitional phase. I was going through through figuring that in a few years. I might really be settled down and maybe with a few kids. So yeah, so the idea just came to me when you know, I thought to myself literally I was on my honeymoon. I thought to myself this might be the last time I life I could I could really go on a huge adventure for myself and throw all of my energy and passion into a project that would exhaust Potentially exhaust my full potential so that's sort of how rentier each sort of came about. So on your honeymoon the idea just out of nowhere. Why don't I just do another 20? I think it was 20 miles into the time and just make this a mission. Absolutely. I mean, I remember exactly moment. I was in the car with my husband. We were in the midia there was sort of this brief silence and I think I was just thinking to myself, you know, I needed I need a new goal. I need I need something to really ignite my fire again. And yes sort of this 30 Before 30 idea popped in my head. I sort of blurted out to my husband and we just kept talking about it throughout the week and then it evolved into this project essentially incredible. And did he ever like think once like, oh, hang on a minute like another you know, 20 old marathons. That's a lot like because I mean at that point had you done the first 10 marathons Liz. Yes, I had I would run 10 marathons but over like a five six-year period so I was doing about like one or two marathons a year which to me at the time felt like a lot like I was yeah constantly treating for one or two marathons a year. So, I don't know I felt like at that point to I had gotten to a point of running where I really felt so comfortable running for hours on end and felt pretty confident with my physical ability. So First yeah, my husband Mark was like, you know, that's a little bit crazy. I'm a little scared for your help. But once I started training, I just felt confident that I could potentially do it. Like initially. Did you think you know, I'm going to do these marathons in initially in countries or you know places that were near to you or did you think straight away write this is what I'm going to do. Did you have a vision of the places? As you wanted to go to the countries you wanted to see yes, but countries have actually changed a lot over the course of even just this year. I'm still sometimes grabbing some marathons and choosing new places just you know based on my budget and I originally I did plan on running more local races within Europe mixed in with a few crazy or places around the world, but as I've sort of progressed in this journey I have Really tried to plan out my trips to go to places that are more far-reaching and a little bit more interesting to to sort of go there discover the place. I mean, for example last month, I was in Afghanistan for a couple weeks running a marathon there. So really choosing places that are particularly interesting in their own way and that would also, you know, really throw me and you know so many different directions erections. Hmm. Okay, if we just skip back just a little bit then just to get a bit more background. When when was it you started running like how long ago was that? So my first I really only started running right before my first marathon. I had run a half marathon in college. I sort of I used to play the sport squash and so running to me was sort of just to keep in shape. You know during the the squashes and at my University, but yeah, I mean I was living in Tokyo. I signed up for my first marathon sort of after heartbreak my boyfriend at the time had moved away and I sort of had this three-month period of having more free time. And so I signed up for a marathon there and yeah just completely fell in love with training and And endurance running. I'm not a particularly super fast runner nor am I very competitive Runner, but I just loved the feeling of just letting yourself go for a few hours the endorphin high you would get after a long run. I quickly became addicted to running after that. Yeah. Yeah and that face Marathon then in Tokyo and was it's not long after that you were signing up to another one like how losses you leave it out. First marathon. Um, yeah, I was probably six months later or a few. Yeah half year later. I signed up for my next marathon in Seoul Korea, which is not too far from Japan. And so sort of every Marathon I signed up for was almost like this. I remember actually I was having a pretty big bizu issues in Japan at the time after my first marathon and I thought to myself okay if I can figure out my Visa if I can figure out a way to stay I will reward Myself by running a marathon in Korea. And so I got my Visa sorted out and then Marathon running became synonymous to me with with traveling and discovering a new country. And so really for the first few of my marathons was all around Asia and I would sort of make a small trip out of it plan for the year ahead around this small trip. And yeah, so that it became a really exciting part of my life. And that was obviously with a with this Mission came in with the travel and the countries because you're starting in endurance running and mouth and training and events was was hugely to do with running in an another country or another space that you weren't as familiar with. So then when this Mission idea comes to you you think right. Okay, I'm going to continue this. I've Loved running in other countries and knowing and getting to know the culture. Culture and landmarks and exploring so that again is where this this Mission idea came to you. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely. And did you choose the places you wanted to run on based on the impactful Charities that you were choosing to raise money for or was it the country's first and then you explored at what charities with local to them in order to raise money and support those communities. It really was a mix. Sometimes I would find a really cool race in you know, an interesting country. And I mean it's to be honest choosing all the Charities. It's took the most time during the planning of this project is because I really wanted to choose Charities that I felt an emotional connection to who were extremely transparent and in what they do and so it really I mean for example Sample, I came in contact with this charity that is based in Zimbabwe and completely loved what they were doing. And so, you know after certain point found a race and in Victoria Falls and so went there and so but then you know, for example, there's this marathon and Afghanistan and from there, I choose the charity so really was kind of both where either, you know found the marathon first and the charity or vice versa. Yeah. Yeah that makes total sense. And the the name where did the name come from? How did you come up with this run to reach? This was a process. I definitely came up with a number of very terrible names before run to reach. I think initially I wanted to call it helping locally by running globally which is just way too long. But yeah, I have this group chat with a couple of close girlfriends here in Paris and every A I would just be sending them ideas. And then one day I just randomly wrote out run to reach and not thinking anything of it and they immediately wrote back and they said yes, that's it. It's cleared it straight to the point. It's open-ended. You can sort of it has you know, a lot of different connotations. And so so yeah, I just I went with it based on them sort of validating the name. Yeah, that's brilliant that you had them that your friends though. It were a part of the name process. I'm I'm interested to know what were the thoughts and feelings or opinions when you admitted to them what your idea was initially? Yeah, I got a lot of mixed responses when I when I came back from my honeymoon and I sort of call them all my close friends Paris and announce this big idea. I think everyone was extremely supportive and this isn't the first time I've sort of wanted to do. Due to embark on a certain personal crazy adventure. I mean a few years before run to reach. I wanted to start like a Bento restaurant. I've always wanted to start my own my own thing. But so I think a lot of my friends were not really surprised. I was pursuing some a project like this but but yeah definitely some mixed reactions for sure. Yeah, I can imagine I think they kind of probably thought all they must have had a little thinking of you know, you've had your wedding On your honeymoon and you've got you know, you've done your Masters you done studying. So you like you you lives you needed something else to concentrate on to focus on a little bit Yeah you okay one one thought I have and I'm sure a lot of other people will have is how does this project and Mission work alongside your work like currently, you know before you thought of the idea during you know, how does this look because this must take a lot of your time the trouble the flights the expenses being in a different country for a long time and you know, your husband live in Paris. So how does it work IV initially when I started the project I was hoping to still work on the side and do freelance work what I was sort of doing before and I mean this project even now it's it's been the most stressful undertaking just professional undertaking. I mean, even though it's not work, it feels like work and I yeah, it's become my full-time job and I just really don't have too much time to focus on other things at the moment, but part of this job is also reaching out to people for support and And you know trying to set up meetings to talk about your project and as much as the focus of what I'm doing is fundraising and promoting these Charities. I need to be able to of course figure out how to get to these races in the first place and to all of these countries and so, you know, for example some individuals and companies have donated SkyMiles, which is helped a lot and covering flight costs. You know, I've been reaching out and connecting with tourism boards. To help sometimes with with hotels and and so it's a constant battle to remain financially afloat be completely honest, but and I'm still figuring it out. It's still a very scary thing for me and in very stressful, but but so far, it's I've managed and of course having not my husband helping financially, but just him keeping me in check. Check with with my budget and where we are together as a partnership to, you know financially as well. So but yes, it's been a whole process for sure. Gosh. Yeah, I can't even imagine and it does sound like a full-time job. So this will be your full-time job now until your birthday which I'm sure was June 2020. Is that your 30th? Correct? Secret. Let's yeah, yeah. And that's not long away. So how many have you run now? What is your total standing now? So I just so now have twenty three marathons down. So I have 7 left to go. So yeah. Yes. I can't even believe because I just started this year was, you know, I've just I was at my temp are thought so it's been a lot of their thoughts since January that is incredible. So you You so starting this year of January 2019. You had run a total of 10 marathons, correct? Right say and now we're in the seventh month while nearly to the end of the eleventh month and you've run another 13. That's that's crazy 13 in 11 months and you've got another one coming up now in how long is it in a week's time? Yeah. Yeah, I mean Okay, I think a lot of people have sort of been very surprised. I mean physically it's really been okay. I do travel with a small yoga mat and I stretch a lot. I try to do some strength training exercises just in my air B&B or hotel room that I'm staying at but and you know, obviously I'm not hoping to get any peas at any of these races. I'm not in a lot of them are Trail Races as well. So it's just for me. Mostly about enjoying it not getting injured taking lots of photos really, you know experiencing the place that I'm in. That's the man, you know the priority for all of these races. So absolutely and is to complete it safely and to complete what you know, your goal is to complete the number, you know, the 30 Martin's be 4:30. It's not the goal is not to run fast. It's so much bigger than that. So by the end of this year, you will have completed 14 or if you've got another one scheduled. No, just one final Marathon earlier and then and then I'll be done for 2019 brilliant. So then you will have six left Andrea in the six months that you have literally so yeah, January to June. Yes, correct. Yeah, okay brilliant. So you've done your fair share marathons and specially in you know in to the average Runner and in a very short space of time to any run a really complete in 14 in a year is a big amount. So what would you say to others listening the biggest do's and don'ts are to train in and running a marathon. I mean for me it's my training now is so different than my trainee even a few years ago when I was only running one or two marathons a year, you know, I think in 2017 when I was I was training for the Paris marathon and I actually at that point overtrained I hit you know burnout point. So I think they're just so many things that you can buy accident do wrong in the lead-up of a marathon. Right now, you know again, I just I think for me the key and not getting injured is just doing a lot of stretching and and sort of just checking up on my body how I'm feeling making sure I'm switching up my shoes as often as I can and and just listening to my body. I there are days when I try even now when I'm back in Paris, and I know I need to sort of go out for a longer training run and and some days I just feel really tired of my body's not up to it. And so I think it's just listening to your body to the best of your ability to yeah, that could be quite a fine fine thing Fine Art to tune because you know naturally when you're training and you know training for a marathon you will naturally going to be tired. That's normal. So it's really listening. I'm checking in to know when your body is a normal tired and you're okay to go and continue the training or when you're Overtired and you're treading very close to injury or sickness. Absolutely. Exactly. Exactly. Now, I saw a long time ago some pre Marathon rituals that you should on everyone your Instagram profile. So I just wanted you to see those with us because it's can't I mean, it's quite a personal thing. I have been in trouble before a race and it's quite nice to hear what other people do and sometimes people. It might resonate with it. They might have something very similar. Yes. Absolutely. I am pretty superstitious before races. I mean, I know that anything could happen during a marathon you could trip and fall and and so I'd I do the same five things before every race no matter where I am in the world and I make sure that I have, you know, I'm able even the night before I bet I'm able to complete all five steps before. Before the Race So first I wake up in the morning I if I do have access to like a decent toilet, I go and just splash really cold water my face or I take a very cold shower to sort of wake me up when I'm putting on my running shoes. I always put my left running shoe on first. I don't know why it just started that way and it sort of kept with me. I always drink several big cups of coffee before. Hands, I really need that and there have been a few races where I have just haven't had access to coffee. So I make sure to travel with some instant coffee with me everywhere I go when I get to the starting line of every race, I have someone record a boomerang of me doing a very funny dance, and I usually if I have service Summit to my family before every race and then when I'm allowed to The music right before starting the race and I everyone's lining up. I put either Daft Punk song on or an Ace of Base song on my playlist to start the race. So yeah, those are my five steps before every Marathon that I tried to try to do. I love that. You've got the very specific fiber. It doesn't matter where you are. Like, I mean the Sahara I think you are. Sahara marathon and you've got Afghanistan yet the impact Marcin and you're doing these rituals in these different spaces of the world and and it's so unique to you. But what what I like about rituals is that if you're doing the same thing before a race if you've had a pretty of race before that's gone. Okay, you're gone. Well, you're setting yourself up in a mind frame that this too will go well and also really, yeah. A bit like a comforting thing. So you're doing your rituals. It kind of is a bit like a meditation and meditative process where you know, you're not in your head space thinking all these thoughts or thinking about, you know, anxiety anxiousness thoughts like or you know, I haven't filled enough. I have done this. I'm doing that you're taking all the worry Away by concentrating on completing the five rituals that you always do. I love that. Yes. Absolutely. No, I couldn't have said it better myself exactly that it's Very meditative. Yeah, so you just mentioned about the coffee and taking the instant coffee around with you. Are there any other Essentials during your trip because few of my few of the photos? I saw it I couldn't see if you had like a running Park on or a running belt. You know when you're running have you see anything with you during those marathons? Yes, so I always have like a running belt. All right. I always Yeah, usually it's like underneath my shirt. You can't always see if it is always I travel with I use Kuma energy gels, which are these amazing all-natural energy gels there. I've been working with them. I love them too. I mean, I probably used at least five of those jobs during every race. I always travel with oatmeal porridge with me actually with a bag of oatmeal just to make sure Sure that I have some sort of, you know safe pre Marathon breakfast option on hand for every race. But besides that I always travel with a good book, you know there I had the same small suitcase. I bring with me everywhere that just feels like it's sort of my become my travel companion at this point. I always travel with a journal. I've been journaling a lot this whole process. As well, so it's really those few things that I always always travel with that love that I'm trying to like. Guess what books you be back in with you? What have you been reading recently recently. So I actually feel like my French is I'm not speaking as much French as much as I used to since traveling. So I've been trying to really read more friend. And literature I just read the Scott knew Scott jurek. Book North, which is amazing. I just read it on this last during this last trip. And yeah, I mean, I also just try I'm a News Junkie as well. And I read a lot of just news articles all the time, but I think that's actually been a really nice part of this project is just actually having more time to read especially on Flights and during all of this travel as well. Yeah. Did you know that you keep has your husband like has he read and like, you know so he can see what what you've been experiencing in this Mission so far so interestingly enough. He doesn't know this actually, but but I've actually before during each of these when I'm in it. Each of these countries. I've I've actually written a letter to him sort of that's I mean, I was hoping to give it some he's probably can listen to this podcast and it is like going to be surprised. But yeah, I know I've I've been trying to to sort of write a short piece directed to him because he's he's just been so incredibly supportive throughout this this whole journey and You know there have been certain things that I just, you know, especially after coming back from some of these trips and only having two days before I leave for the next trip. I'm still processing so much. And so to be honest, he oftentimes doesn't know what's going on in my head and it's really hard for me to to sometimes communicate what I'm feeling, you know, it's even within our relationship how I'm just able to to sort of communicate everything. So I've been trying to do that in an effort to eventually be able to to speak to him about all these different experiences. That's amazing and I because I was initially I was thinking, you know keeping it, you know, you know, maybe one day you write a book about this this experience and what you've taken away from each, you know Community country that you've been to I'm just that the process itself and doing all of this but what a lovely idea You could you could pretend that. We haven't yet. I know I haven't been Doom. Yes, I'll tell that he has to skip over like this 20 second period of this podcast when he listens to it so yeah. Yeah. Yeah, it's okay. Well managed it somehow. Yeah, and yeah, that's beautiful. I love that idea. That's such a good idea as well. I'm glad that you started it and that you didn't think like, you know near the end all that would have been a good idea. So I'm glad you've done that. That's brilliant. Leonid thank you, what would you say has been the hardest part of your mission so far? Funny and no definitely not all of the marathon running. I think the administrative component of this campaign is is really overwhelming just being on top of you know, coordinating with all of the 20 partner ngos. I'm working with two to plan country visits to see even the logistics of planning all the trips of course budgeting. Reaching out to sponsor who's and communicating about my journey on social media, which does take a lot of time and just even you know, sometimes going to these places and how do you sort of package certain experiences to put it in a digestible form on social media takes a lot of time for me to even strategically think about that. But yeah, I think it's the actually the You know the behind the scenes of this project that that has been the hardest part and I didn't you know, I'm also I'm a pretty private person normally and so me, you know being on social media all the time. It's something that's very new to me and I still think I'm still now getting used to it and you know, there's always this pressure to share more and more and more and I think sometimes that has definitely gotten to me. It's made me give up altogether on on social media, but it's I also understand it's a huge part of you know, sharing what I'm doing and fundraising to and getting people to donate. So that's been sort of my motivation as well. But it's been a difficult aspect of this project to yeah sounds it especially as you say liaison between all 20 of the of these, you know Charities that your liaison with and Raising money for that must be so that must be really difficult brother. Leo's between all all 20. Yeah. It's you know and in I have to also keep in mind like when I started this project again naively I assumed you know, I'm going to contact these organizations. They're going to be extremely enthusiastic and and willing to help me to the best of their ability. And you know, of course, I'm essentially I'm doing this work for free for them to campaigning for them, but they are Also doing you know by helping me out and by helping coordinate all my visits there that's also free work that they're doing for me. And so, you know, I there have been experiences where you know, I get to a country and I am not able to showcase the charity as much as I wanted to just because sometimes it's really hard to to meet with them or for them or to organize a you know, a really great sort of meeting that would Expose the kind of work that they do do and and so yeah, I mean it's time-consuming and it but I but I also am very cognizant that it's you know, it's extra work for them as well to be supporting me too. And I mean we haven't said all of the 20 different charities that you are liaising with and raising money children this challenge that you've set yourself, but obviously anyone listening who Wants to find out more information. We'll see at the end of the show where you can go to check out all of the different charities Liz's raising money for and all the information which is all available on her website, which is the run to reach website, but we will remind you of that later and the link will be in the show notes to thank you. Yeah, that's okay. What so that's the hardest part there and is the administration component of all of this. What would you say then has been the highlight so far, you know, of course being able to travel to some truly incredible places, but I think it has been meaning so many just inspiring humans along the way and creating lifelong friendships to I mean, I've you know one girl I met in Sierra Leone immediate instant. When we traveled again together in Afghanistan just us month and it's really just the friendships. I think I've formed throughout this whole process that's been a huge highlight and I was not for seeing, you know, making any new best friends on this journey, but I absolutely have and it's been so so rewarding. Mhm. Yeah I can imagine I'd like I just think what you'll do in with the travel and visiting these Unity's Fund Raising the money. I just think it's such a huge huge experience that you can't you know, you're obviously going to have a change in you as well. They say that you know, I do you to train for a marathon and not let it change you but I would say what you're doing must really change you as a person as you say you've met so many any inspiring people, you know, you're going to take away so much from each different country and all the people you've met along the way but what would you say then has been the most profound lesson that you've learned about yourself during this planning and during this start of this this challenge. You've set yourself. I mean, I think it's still I'm still trying to learn this lesson, but I think constantly trying to look at life and a big picture sort of way is the biggest lesson that I've taken from this whole journey in that, you know, day-to-day there's so much that that needs to be done with this campaign and I think sometimes it's overwhelming. With the expectations that I personally set for myself and sort of the pressure. I put on myself to reach certain goals and to do everything in a certain way and you know, especially I think even a month ago a few weeks ago. I was in a not in a great headspace where I was just completely overwhelmed with with all the pressure I was putting on myself but to just take a step back and just realize you know, Much of an amazing adventure. This is and to be honest. I'm still completely in the middle of it. And so I'm processing a lot and I feel like you know, once I finish this Aller, you know, once I get to the end, I'll probably be able to really see everything in a much clearer way, but for now, I think I'm just constantly trying to to just take a step back be extremely grateful for for every experience that I've had the pleasure. Of you know, just all of the travel all the people. I've been meaning and just appreciating every second of it. Yeah, I'm not makes like me listen about I honestly had a feeling you would say something similar because like you say, you're still in the throes of it. You still got these, you know, seven months just about left. So there's still going to be, you know, some epic experiences along the way and you are as you say you are still processing. We'll still right in the throes of it. And so you could answer that question very differently come June time. But yes, yeah be interesting to know haven't followed you over on Instagram and and he did about your story and I heard about you your story over on another podcast as well. I've got a pretty good idea of at least one of your reasons for running and obviously anyone listening today and listening to our conversation will know that your reason for running for you. You is much more than just putting one foot in front of the other. It's a much more profound reason, but if because I asked all guests on this show if I asked you what is your hashtag white I run? How would you try to answer that? Because I know it's a difficult question. It is a very loaded question. Yeah, but I guess you know now six years ago running. Makes me feel completely free. It gives me a complete peace of mind. It also makes me feel wildly confident that I can reach truly any goal. I put before myself. My mindset is so different this, you know five minutes before I go for a ride and then even just, you know one mile in to run. I just I feel lighter with every foot forward. I just feel Howard and so full of life. So there's so many ways so many reasons why we truly love to run I truly loved her on but I think if I had to really distill it down to one reason is that it makes me feel free and and empowered and full of life. Love that free empowers and full of life. That that is it is such a hard question because if someone asked me I wouldn't be able to to whittle it down because there's so many reasons and you could go on forever almost as to what the reasons are. I mean, even the free empowered and full of life. You can break those down into other elements as well. But but I love that free empowered and full of life. Oh, this is interesting. You've said before about post-race Blues. I remember reading this and you mention that you should not allow the the event or the marathon to be the end go so when someone's trapped on this is this is so common. I see this so often someone is training for an event for a marathon and they've placed all their time and emphasis on it and they planning they do the event and then afterwards obviously there's like a grief process because it's gone, you know, you've no longer got this Focus in your life and that you say that to not let it be the end goal but rather the Stepping Stones, so I want to know your run to reach project and Mission. What is it a stepping stone of what you hope to go on to achieve after this project? I need the ID but this question Still Remains unanswered but I you know, I think for me, of course again, the biggest goal is to reach this hundred thousand dollar fundraising goals. I set for myself. I really feel you know accountable. It's a big goal, but I really want to reach this. So, you know, even after this Mission ends even after I turn 30 if I haven't reached this goal. I will make sure that I get them. Eventually, so that's you know something I think about a lot and you know, I initially when I started this project I thought you know, perhaps I would love to do you know, maybe some motivational speaking. I'm still not quite sure where what kind of path this will lead me on and I'm I'm actually quite open with any sort of Direction it takes and I mean, I just I think for now I definitely want to continue on some sort of path of giving back and you know before I think also initially when I started this project I was hoping for I just never thought that perhaps I would maybe go back to a normal job. But I also think I am one hand. I definitely look forward to having some sort of stable income after this project comes to an end. But you know, I'm very open to any sort of possibility that that comes my way afterwards I In terms of running I am really interested in starting to do more ultramarathons. And I think that's sort of where my running path will lead me to after completing the 30 marathons just so I think you need to keep really pushing yourself, of course traveling the world and running more very interesting races will always be something I hope to do but but in terms of this project, it's still very open ended and I'm you know, I go back and forth. Sometimes getting very anxious about that. But I am also I think that's also a huge lesson in life is just being you know, accepting the unknown and letting everything sort of unravel as it as it does naturally. Yeah, that's a that's a really good point to make and and you said about you know, you happy with wait, wherever that that path will lead you and I before that you said about motivational talks, which I could actually really imagine you doing and I could imagine you, you know holding these talks post this run to reach Miss Mission, but what what motivates you then there's what keeps you motivated and inspired. I mean, I think just now because I think I still have a lot to learn. I'm still learning a lot in the process of what I'm doing and you know again also with all of these meetings with the ngos. I'm hearing a lot from then them about what more kind of support they need and I think what keeps me going is just that I'm just so hungry to learn in any possible way throughout this journey, you know, I don't want it to be just me traveling to this place, you know getting a sense of country. I want to be I want to have as many connections as possible to as many amazing humans. I can meet along the way and so I think again just sort of jumping into these these trips in these situations where I mean often times. I don't know anyone going to these countries. It's just You know being excited about not knowing what is coming your way is what is keeping me going if that makes sense and just being excited about about the unknown and and what kind of crazy adventures and that the Universe could throw at you during the process. Yeah, that's a great way to look at it because sometimes the the unknown can set fear and anxieties for us, but actually you could look at it. That way you just says and you know In excited it, you know, what what may come next what have you got an uplifting or motivational phrase a favor of yours that that keeps you keeps you going? Yes. I mean, I think going back to sort of this whole theme of, you know, being accepting of the unknown and and sort of living life, you know day by day and Ed of planning for the future. I love this one quote by Oprah Winfrey actually a good friend of mine just shared it with me a few days ago and I just it's resonated a lot deeply with what I'm doing now and the quote is doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment and I think I mean I've been thinking it's the first I've actually taped it to my computer this quote because I think it's Sort of a good reminder that as much as you know, you're preparing your hoping for the next big thing to come out of whatever you're doing. What you need to be focusing on is the now to get you to that next place. And so that's what I as much as I want to know what's going to happen in six months. I really just need to focus and stay positive on what I'm doing now as well. I love that when I've never heard of that doing the best in this moment puts you in the best for the next moment. Is that right? Yes exactly. I love yeah. Yeah, it's a great quote. I love Oprah. Brilliance it makes me think of something I showed you the day. I actually know the saying if you've got a dream or a passion or something that you want to work towards even if you just work a cut a few minutes a day towards it. So doing your best now doing your best In This Moment by working towards it will put you in the best in the next moment. So by working hard now today even just a couple minutes will put you in good stead for tomorrow and the next day the next month next year. And so that's what I was when you said that it made me think of other one as well. Absolutely. Absolutely. Okay, so you're running in lots and lots of different places lots of different terrains scenery countries cultures, but if you could run with anyone in the world dead or alive and famous not famous, who would it be Right laughs but I think it would honestly have to be Oprah because I know at some point he did run a marathon. Yeah. And yeah, I mean, I think at this point, I think Oprah to the reason that I really admire her as that, I she very much looks at life in a big picture sort of way. And so I think being around other people who have this sort of the same mindset and have this philosophy on life. Is is hugely inspiring to me and I think also sort of resets resets where I'm at now today, but also going forward and so I think yeah, I would love to go first for a run in the park with Oprah. And I didn't laugh because that's really I knew you were going to say it then I really yeah, but I mean it's quite you know, because you've just said a quote with his but I was thinking you were going to say Oprah now. Yeah. Yeah. My other question I often ask guests is could you share three tips with the listeners on how to get started and running now your we've spoken a lot about running on about your mission and your Essentials that you take with you and for marathon runner. So instead I'd like to ask you some three tips or three pieces of advice rather that listeners can take away in their life. And what would it be? I think three tips. I mean the first that comes to mind is to just say yes to a crazy idea big or small. I think we We forget to often how short life is Anything could happen tomorrow? And I think you know I have been trying to every morning. Now. The first thing I do when I wake up is I write five things that I'm grateful for. I also every morning try to remind my I wake up I drink my coffee and I try to remind myself that you never know what could happen today or tomorrow and that's you know that each and every one of us has On passion interest and and that we need to to you know, that's to give in to the pleasures of life. And you know, I think it is sometimes a tragedy even when I talk to friends and they tell me about all sorts of ideas or dreams that they have and they don't pursue it and you know, sometimes it's for a valid reason and that's completely understandable, but when it comes down to fear and when the dream is right across the you know, right outside The door I think you need to go for it and it's scary. And then I mean even looking at my project there have been many points where I have been so scared about what I'm doing and been so scared about the unknown but I think that there's always a reward that will weights, you know, even if you fail in whatever you're doing there's this story that awaits, you know after this any sort of risk or Adventure You take and yeah again, another piece of advice is to just not so put so much pressure on yourself. I mean I'm again. I'm still learning this lesson, but I was recently talking to to someone last week when I was in Cote. Wha someone who I just met and I was telling them all about my project and that you know, it was very stressed out. I wasn't going to reach my fundraising goal. How do I get more people to donate, you know sort of just Not complaining but just you know being a little bit negative. And the first thing she told me is you know, if you come out of this project and you don't necessarily raise all the money that you set out to like that needs to be our lesson in life is that you know, it's we put too high too much pressure. We set too high of expectations and and that's not what life is about life is about pushing your limits growing for them learning from your mistakes, and that should be the lesson. Learn from your project not that you, you know set this goal and that you reach raise this much money. And so I think yeah that's a big piece of advice that I would give to whatever listener is just to not put so much pressure on yourself on everything that you do. So that was that's brilliant when it's not not putting pressure on yourself. I love that and I know I need to to work listen up on that one because I definitely do that to myself saying yes for crazy idea because like make sure it wasn't it. Yes. Well, I guess I have okay last one. It's hard. I mean a peace that lasts because I'm nice you did say about writing the five things you're grateful for and I say That one of them as well because that is a good idea. I know I need to do that again. I don't do it in say and then I realize I need to I started doing it again and I'm like, is this a good part of my routine? Yes. I know. It's so hard. It's almost like, you know setting time to meditate. It's it's yeah, it's like setting time to go to the gym. It's all sort of the same thing that you know, you need to do these things and you know, improve your life, but everything else gets in the way and I think you know, I've also recently Lee just even the last week started to meditate more and I've seen just how much that is affected my you know improved my mental health and my anxiety has I've been dealing with my anxiety a lot better. So yeah, just those simple things I think could could really just help in the day-to-day stresses. I mean we all stress about this the tiniest of things that you know life is very stressful. There's so much going on we are so, you know saturated with so Information at every moment that I think just taking a step back and you know thinking about the things that are really important to you is hugely beneficial. Yeah, massively like you say we know we know we want to do we know when he's drink more water just like we should take time out or meditate or have quiet time or but it's like it is like you say it's trying to juggle all of this with our busy Lifestyles, but even if you're setting Alarm five minutes earlier to get up and do five minutes of meditation in the morning before going to work. You could be in a completely different mind space and that's only 5 minutes. Ya gotta try harder way. Yes. Yes. I mean it's it's it's a hard thing to do. I you know, it's I know we all it's almost like yeah, it's a hard thing to do, but it's the reward which I think is is Big. Yeah, so worth it final question for you today is yes. Yes. Who would you love to hear? All it? Well, who would you love to listen to on this podcast? I you know, I think what is so amazing about your podcast is that you know, it's not just big players in the you know in the running Community. It's it's normal everyday people and so, you know, I don't have necessarily a specific person. I think you know, even I can think of specific people I've met on this journey that I just think, you know their regular Runners who run so many different Susan, you know their stories that highlight one person actually comes to mind is this man Josh that I met at a few marathons that I run this year and he's run over a hundred marathons is like the most eloquent speakers. It's just his life is full of stories and I just think you know, I think any Runner is just is an enlightened person. I feel like it's hard to not become enlightened in some way through running. So so yeah, I mean just continuing to to interview the people that you have been at the type of people that you have been just normal everyday amazing people with with their own personal story. Yeah. I'm not sure if that's the right answer not as a person. I know I love that answer that's brilliant. That is brilliant because that's what I used to love when I was listening to other podcast was being able to listen to all these different stories of your you know of there any Runner because every story was so different from the next Stan especially listening to the I love listen to stories of of your everyday run out because that to me was more relatable. Yes. Absolutely. Love that and Liz thank you so much for joining today and giving us your time, especially at a time. So precious now in Paris before you get off again. Could you just tell us where people could go to follow you over on Instagram and where they can find out more about your mission, of course, so My Instagram handle is run to Reed's. Are you nto R EA CH and my website is meant to reach that cam where you can find out about all the different ngos. I'm partnering with a head of each of each race. And you know, you can I would love also if I could recruit any of you to join me on some of these races, I've definitely been successful at recruiting a few people on Instagram. So yeah. Thank you so much for for following my If you do that's exciting so we can literally go on over to run to reach check out the 20 great great Charities you're working with prior to those marathons and even possibility of joining you on some of those. Yes, that's brilliant. I love that. Thank you Liz. Thank you so much for your time. Thank you. Natalie all the best with the last seven months and your fundraising and if people can donate whatever they whatever you've got available. Oh, please do for this great cause thank you so much Natalie again for having me. Thank you. Bye. Bye. Bye. Bye. Thank you guys so much for joining today and listening to not another Runner podcast. Please tell your friends and family who you think would enjoy the content. I'll be sharing. Don't forget you can get in touch with me over on Instagram by another Runner. Let me know your thoughts on the Pod casting suggestions on guests or topics. This is greatly appreciated. Send me your questions through as well if you want and use the hashtag white I run to be featured and hey, if you can't hit subscribe to the podcast, this will really help me. Me to be able to give you more. Thank you again, and remember when you get up and exercise or go for a run. You've never regret going, but you always regret not go in. Have a great week guys and speak soon.
Today's guest is Liz Warner, a 29 year old woman with a major mission. Liz has challenged herself to complete 30 Marathons before she turns 30 in June 2020, but not only that - she created this mission: Run to Reach. Running the Marathons in different locations across the World and raising money for local charities, supporting women-focussed NGO's in each of the countries. In her words she's "Helping locally by running globally." Liz does not class herself as  fast runner, and her purpose and her #WhyIRun is far more profound than chasing times and PB's, striving for calm: for a peaceful flow of mind, Liz states "it's far more than putting one foot in front of the other." By the end of the mission Liz will have completed marathons in 30 different locations including Western Sahara, Guatemala, Mongolia, Sierra Leone, Chile, and Antarctica, When Liz Thought up this idea and challenge - she was on her honeymoon, and hoped to continue working freelance to fit in with the project. Liz has since had to take time out of work as the mission has required her time and dedication. Despite completing 14 Marathons this year and travelling across the world, and to some remote and less developed countries and areas of the world, the hardest and most demanding part of the project for Liz has been the administrative side of this mission; the work required to liaising with all 20 different NGO's and organising flights, accommodation and everything that goes with the logistics required to support this mission and make it possible. If you aren’t convinced yet to support Liz and her mission and her goal of raising $100,000 - then please listen to Liz’ story;  what motivates and inspires her. Towards the end of the show I ask her for three pieces of advice to give to others to take away in life - something that we should all listen to. And remember you can say YES to a crazy idea, you will never know where it may take you in life. 