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 to 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. IOnly find gratitude through running. 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.Hi, welcome back to not another Runner podcast. I get to introduce to you all another Runner today. Today's guest is an Daka Chubbs to Ridgeway life and Ozzy ultra-marathoner based in the UK and it is a father he is newly engaged and who has completed his fair share of miles. It is fair to say including 30 marathons and eight ultramarathons. I believe that statistic is still true and up to date.I hope you can correct me if I'm wrong. So hello and welcome Andy. Thanks for joining. Hello. Thanks for having me. You're so welcome. Oh, I can't wait to ask you I say this on every episode but it's true. I could ask you all these questions like just ya got loads of questions to ask you about about you when you know your Ultra marathons and you're running story and so for those who do know you already those who don't or you know your little bit could you tell us just just a little bit about yourself and what you do for a living? Yes, Lily. So I'm in recruitment. I'm a recruitment consultant for a local agency in this fat, which yeah, absolutely love and how long have you done that for? I've always in recruitment when I first moved to the UK, so I did that initially and then I had another adventure with a virtual run company however recently moved back into recruitment. So yeah in total. about couple of years Did you just say you worked for a virtual run company? Yeah, I did called run around Europe. I was with them. Oh gosh, probably nearly three-and-a-half four use. Oh, wow. No, I remember seeing something about that before and what was it that brought you to the UK originally, so my son lives here with his mum and my signing people who follow me will know I'll call him my Little King so he's the boss. So when he moved to the UK, I had to follow And your son I'm sure is four-and-a-half. You said earlier, isn't he? Yes, four and a half. So obviously in the UK now, we're currently in our summer holidays. So, it's quite a busy time for most parents. How are you managing that pretty good to be honest. I'm very lucky. So we will start school next year or next month. Sorry, so we still Nursery at the Vents, but not for too much longer but on weekends, it's just non-stop. Everything's just go go go, so lots of time Outdoors, which is fabulous and good for me and him. Yeah. I was thinking earlier actually because the weather is really nice today now, I haven't got kids but I was thinking or you know on a day like today when it's nice, you know, I was thinking of all the parents and how they must juggle their commitments. And do you ever take your the little King out with you while still running I do Is is an avid Runner? He's he loves it, which is really strange. But I think it makes sense because he always sees me and my now fiancé Mel running and he always wanted to join in. So it just made sense that we just try a little one and it just started, you know, very small nothing major just run down the street and run around the backyard Etc. And then we got him into junior parkrun which you can do when you're 4 which is just a 2K Okay, Route Around The Local Park, which is absolutely adored and loved and it was just an amazing environment of everyone, you know was just getting involved and we told him that everyone wins and in his mind to win a running what race you have to try your best, which I just think is absolutely brilliantly. I'm just so proud of him to have already as if you try your best your win. So he wins every time he runs which is always good to you. That's such a great lesson to teach And if you try your best you wear and I love that and you know what I was thinking because you and your fiance run both run. It's you know, obviously he's going to follow in your footsteps because he's if he sees both of you head in at the door, so, you know frequently, you know, he's going to want to he's going to want to follow and join. Yeah, and we don't we don't shy away from it. He's come to lots of events that she you know myself and melon and a good friend of ours Sarah is happening. To a couple of her events into tears for her which is really cool to see and I saw a photo of you and Mel the other day and I did wonder like how does that wig? Like because of the you've recently got engaged and which you can tell us in a sec how it was that you did that, but I was thinking do you guys regularly run together? Yes or no not as much as I'd like potential. Will be too much for her. I'm terrible to run with because I always just run off and I struggle to write at someone else's pace which was very selfish of me. So never asked me to pay for you. I'm not very good at it. But on weekends, we usually go for a long run along the Ridge Way and just enjoy our time together main couples go out to the movies we go for a run which you know, quite nice and usually have a donut or two along the way. I love that. I keep I'm still trying to convince my other half to say that running is fun and you don't have to go all out for like 2 miles because I just promised food to say there's Donuts along the way and bang he will be there. I don't know about that. I'll give it a go, but I don't think he's gonna wake but no, that's lovely that you guys can spend some time together that you can run together because I love that and so yeah I saw The post recently of you and Mel in the Field of Dreams where you just recently got engaged now, I want to know when was it this idea came to head because I have a feeling like surely because of how much the Ridgeway means to you and that location. This one must have been an idea brewing for a while. Yes, I know who true so a my original plan was to propose at the end of race the stones and it was to the point where I spoke with Chris one of the marketing managers, they're saying this is my plan. I'm going to do it at the end of stones and then I did race the tower and it was so ruined by that I had the thought of my gosh. What if I don't complete it. Oh look a bit silly planning this Drive against proposal and not complete this race. So I was so concerned about that after I've got to change it and it was sort of a last minute decision to propose at Field of Dreams and I was just trying to think of where along the ridge way I could do it and it's just it's such an iconic part of the race and everyone stops and takes photos and I see that that's the place that's where it needs to happen. Yeah, there's my backup plan but was a really good backup plan. And really good backup and almost like meant to be because it's I think yeah, I think it just I don't know just cool. It's just like you said, you know so many people stopped during that field take photos is the iconic, you know location really, isn't it? Yeah, and that's he didn't what I loved is because she'd be day one of race this Stone so she would have had to have gone through that part and we always see photos of either selfies with people in the background or you know, the Run With people that you never say it empty. So this was you know midweek. It was on a Wednesday. We both the taken the day off and it was the first time I've ever seen it literally empty. No one was there. We didn't see anyone to whole run we did a quick 5K before we got engaged and it was just amazing just to spend time together on the Ridgeway which means you know so much to both of us. Yeah, okay. Lucky, I love that. Have you guys started planning the wedding? Yeah, I'm not sure we're starting talking about various ideas Etc. But she keeps telling everyone we're not going to plan for six months. We'll look at it next year. Yeah, we're going away this weekend. And she said we're allowed to talk about planning the wedding in the car. So I think she's going to sort of yeah, finally allow us to properly talk about various ideas what we're going to When I stream how to incorporate the Ridgeway, you know, which definitely will feature in it. Somehow a bit weird if it didn't so, yeah, I think yeah, very simple start talking about sort of yeah what we want for hmm. I'm excited to know like what the plans are going to be so much for those funny. Yeah. She might be my plan most of it in the head. I mean, you don't know maybe in that car Journeys, you'll start telling you Madam's just say it right. This is what we're going to do never. You never know could be planned already. It wouldn't surprise me if that but my trick is to make whether whatever ideas I have. I'm going to try and make her think that they're actually her ideas. So that will happen. So that's a very clever thing to do try and do that trick. It most likely it hasn't worked ever with her, but, you know may work this one time because you guys were friends before with you. Hello. Yeah, we were dating on and off and I was a bit silly and stupid to be honest. I wasn't a great boyfriend or friend or anyone to really be around it was going through a rough patch in life, and she met me at a you know, not a great time of my life and yeah went separate ways of few times and free Kindle when I'd learn its many lessons and yeah, it'll just ended up it was just meant to be I guess to be I wanted that sounds when I was literally just thinking That this meant to be yeah, and so could you tell us how it was that you initially got into run it and why do you start running? Yeah, I am. It's kind of really strange and it was really yeah, it's really weird. I never had one of those Epiphany moment of I'm going to become a runner. It was in Australia in 2014 and always very overweight. I was over 300 pounds and I was every time I drive home from work. I'd see people running and this is very much in corrects in regards to weight loss, but I thought the only way Way to lose weight was to run because at the time I never saw people who were my size running so I thought well, that's how you lose weight you go running which isn't isn't true. There's many other ways and just run to enjoy it. But that's how I got into running just some wanted to lose some lights and I went to the gym as well and ate healthy and all that fun stuff, but always running that I would turn back to and I live near the beach and I did a lot of my life. Along the beachfront sin just the views of typical Australia run along the beaches. That was me and I just fell in love with it. So when you first started you said you were I can't I didn't hear how much you said was it three you said over 300 pounds. Yeah. There's quite a big boy. I knew like I knew you'd had one heck of a transformation like i-news up from following you for a little while that I have but I wasn't sure like, you know, how much weight you've lost altogether. I mean when you first started running then how did you find it initially? Absolutely hated it it honestly my first run I'll never forget it was on the treadmill, which I now absolutely despise it too boring for me. I like to be outside, but I was on the treadmill and I was doing 30 seconds of running and a minute of walking and I did that five times and by the end of it. I felt like I was about to die. It was just absolutely brutal and I remember hopping off thinking you know, that only lasts. Dude, you know 10 minutes or so. I was like I'm done for the day and I left the gym, but I did that every day for about a month and I'd slowly decrease my walking, you know from a minute to 30 seconds and then I'd increase you know, my 30 second run into a minute and so forth and so forth and every Friday, I would do what I considered a long run which was two kilometers and it was one of the most scariest most Cool things ever to try and Run 2 kilometers non-stop, but eventually I built up and I was able to do it and it was yeah, but that, you know certainly helps and I entered my first race which was a 6K road race and finish in that was probably one of the best feelings I've ever had and it just got me hooked. I want it. I wanted that Feeling Again of you know accomplishment. Wow, what was it that literally after that race that you like began to like run and then or did you did you like it a little bit before then? Because obviously when you first started like you said it was brutal and it was hard you're doing a 30 second run minute walk and you know doing that every day slowly building up your ability to run. So when was it that you fell in love with it? I think it was literally the moment. So the race that I did get was called the city. By so you rent in Adelaide Australia. It's 12 kilometers from the city to the Bay which is the beige and I did half of that so they have two versions of it. And in the very last Corner, you'll you can see the beach and you turn right. I'll never forget. It's only about a hundred meter stretch as soon as you turn the Finish Line's there and the big of raw was at the finish line and I was just like, oh my gosh, this is for me. It was just the moat the greater feeling of running when you first get into it that first Finish Line and it was sort of that moment of this is actually worth it. You know, it's these cheers and this excitement and sense of achievement. This is worth it. And on the way home. I was just in awe that I completed, you know these Mammoth Challenge and it was I want this again. I love these you like give me more of this kind of, you know feeling that made it all worth it all the pain and all the struggles of building in their help was just you Got about it you finish these amazing raised that the pain doesn't exist anymore. So yeah, I think that race really set me up all of this is now what you need to do because nothing beats it. And if you don't mind me asking obviously when you started when it was back in 2014, which is five years ago. And you said that you were overweight how much weight have you lost since you found this love for running so initially I'm known to be in the worst guys are in the history of mankind. I'm so initially I lost nearly a hundred pounds. And then when I moved here I put weight back on then lost more and then gained more and lost more in gained more. Um so still yo a little bit with my way not to the extent that I was when I first, you know, it was over 300 pounds but yes, my weight tends to fluctuate depending on what time of year it is and and telemental health is so yeah, I yeah, not really sure to overall. But yeah, the maximum was scared just under a hundred pounds, but I go up and down which I'm fine with that's life these things happen. I think to be honest. I think a lot of people do I think It's very I don't know if I'm alone and thinking this but I find it unusual for someone to stay exactly the same. I think like you said it's life. It depends on the time of year depends on your mental health depends on so many factors and I'm I can vouch for wait going up and down. So I think I think they're so normal and I think in a way, you know what I love that you said to couldn't you you weren't sure how much in total because in a way for you. It's not all about that as that's not the You know your you are much healthier than you were you're obviously a more active a lot fitter than you were so that is the important thing and as long as you've got a check on that and you're still running and your Fitness is still okay, you know that that's the most important thing not how much exactly you've lost. Exactly and there's I mean running, you know, it's quite simply if you run it it is going to help your weight loss but more importantly for me, you know over the last You know six months or so I put on a little bit of weight, but my mental health is drastically improved and you know say look at you know, the last five years of running. I've lost a lot of weight. I've gained, you know, a lot of weight and lost it and so forth, but my mental health has slowly been on the increase of really dark place to just you know, a much better place and of knowing who I am and what I'm about and how to overcome certain challenges and obstacles. It's my mental. You can't put that on a scale and say this is how much mental health positiveness you've gained and that's for me. That's the most significant part of the weight loss fitness journey is where my mental health is gone that out. Pardon the pun but that outweighs any weight loss that I've had from running. Yeah. No, I couldn't I think I couldn't agree with you more on that one. I think it's you know mental health is such an important. fact and I think often we are not maybe more so recently but we're not we're taught so much on the younger and like in the press or physically like along the years to you know, look after our physical health go, you know be active and healthy, you know, go for a run go to the gym etcetera, but I don't think not until recently as being as proactive in promoting benefits to to improve our mental health, like go and running or going to the Isn't just for maintaining a healthy weight or lifestyle. It is also to promote, you know, a healthy mental health and well-being. Exactly and I think it's very rare these days now that you meet a runner who is on a higher the whole time. He was just mentally it's just doing amazing. I'm yet to find a runner who you know hasn't dipped and hasn't, you know suffered from some form of, you know, mentally anxiety. Depression or alcoholism or all gone through something challenging because it's tough life is tough and we encourage people to talk about it, you know, which is which is great because it builds community and it helps us support one another and it's not this people, you know say there's a stigma with mental health. I think we're doing the best job. We possibly can to get rid of that stigma. I mean 12, you know, 10 12 years ago. I was thinking back when I was in school. I think there's a lot more than 12 years ago. Ten years ago. There was no such thing as depression or anxiety. Like that was a horrible word. You would never talk about that. But now it's out in the open people are talking about it and seeking support and help from professionals had also other people through social media and their friendship circles and we've come such a long way, which is just an incredible Testament to society and what really we're capable of doing. Hmm. Yeah, absolutely. And it's you know, we've talked I think everyone's got a duty to be a little bit more open with regards to that element so that you know, if ever there are others who may be struggling or have suffered suffered or wood will suffer, you know, it makes it makes that difficulty a little bit less so to speak because they are aware that others have gone through it or you know the advice that they may offer at cetera. So I think you know got duty to talk about it. So after that. Okay race where you felt like you fell in love with running when you did to come towards the end and you've got that lovely view of the beach. What did you then go on to do next? What was next time you're on your agenda with the Brennan? Yes. I did a I did a couple of other 5K local 5K events, which is just really really cool and then my gym Anytime Fitness in a show they had sort of a Statewide challenge. I called the 12 week challenge. It was just of like a transformation thing and why Jim got behind it because I knew I was you know, really trying to lose weight and get a lot healthier and I had that unique story of you know back then it was this guy's overweight but he runs this is unheard of you know, this would father died years ago. So they really sort of push that and thought this is an amazing thing. So and part of that I put down one of my goals That because that the time I'd only ran a 5k I put I wanted to do a 10K because I thought that would be absolutely huge. But during the challenge ended up doing a half marathon and on the treadmill, which was just absolutely horrible. I don't recommend it. Um, but I did it it took about three hours and it was just yeah excruciating and I cried afterwards. So I did that and I went on to win the 12 week challenge, which is really cool and that sort of Projected of what's the next big thing? I wanted to do, you know more and more and sort of push myself even further and then I came across an ultra marathon in the UK called race to the stones, which a lot of people have done recently and all all Focus was on that when I when I came to the UK is training for race to the stones you did a half marathon on the treadmill, or I know I was so stupid back then. That is insane. I can't even imagine. I think the longest time I've ever sat spent on the treadmill. I think it was like 17 minutes. It was like just yeah, I was just over seven miles and I think that was enough. I thought I thought I was like a hero for do food commodities in to do such a long distance on the treadmill. It wasn't pretty at all and I remember having a cavity having a town next to me and just having to wipe her and the trainer's would come over and fill my water up there. Soon as I finish I made the biggest mistake of this another went 21.1 km/h jumped off the treadmill and just sat down for 10 minutes and that was the biggest mistake because when I tried what I tried to get up, but I couldn't move my legs are basically seized up. So go ahead not fun. And then he went on to say about race to the stone. So literally after that challenge while you were out in Australia you all done in the UK, is that right? And then you literally just think right? Okay. What's the next challenge? When Jack yeah, so did the half marathon did a couple of others half straight after it but it was all about this race of the stones event and and back then I was pretty cool. I like to think of a race of the stones OG with GMO this girl runs far we were you know, it was back when no one really knew what race of the stones was. It was pretty cool that sort of like my little claim to fame that I did it when it wasn't popular and yeah that was Was Proto again? Oh my gosh it like just when you decided what I'm going to do this, I like dedicate, you know, because you needed a challenge so to speak did you even like book or think of the marathon or did you just think no one will go full hog? And just just do the what was it like 60 miles? I'm sure it is 62 6 your admirers. I didn't book a man. I ended up doing a marathon before ideas one solo by myself. Along the coastal path of Devon and I ended up doing Paris but I was it's going to sound really bad. But all those really cocky. I thought well I can do anything. Like I've lost all this weight. I've got a bit of muscle because I'm working out I can do anything. So it was kind of like, yeah go for the half marathon to a hundred K. Oh, I'll do it easy. I didn't do it easier at all and I heard badly from it. But yeah along the way I did a Marathon or two marathons leading up to it. That's insane that you just threw yourself on top. Okay, it was it was insane, but it was sort of more methane really sort of cocky and not humble at all in what I was doing which is probably good that I did it because I learned a lot of lessons of humility, you know doing, you know Ultras so it was a big big crash that back down to earth which is certainly what I needed. So when you were training for race to the stones that first year and you did it in 2016. That's right, isn't it? Yeah 20. Yeah, so leading up to that event. You know, you did your Marathon distance along the coast of Devon and you know soon found out how tough the world of ultra was. You also. Did you just said Paris marathon in the lumineuse? Yeah. Okay, so That was after you've done the distance along the coastal path was it? Yes, that's correct. Yeah, and how was that Marathon experience? Because that would have been your first proper Marathon, you know race experience then. Yeah, so it was absolutely unreal. I've never seen so many runners in one place at any given time. I think Paris is bigger than London. Yeah, and it was absolutely crazy. I couldn't really understand what people were saying because I don't speak French, but everyone had their flag on their race bib, which is really cool. So whenever you saw an Australian you'd give a high five and then a few of us jump a few Australian flags. On course, which is really special to say that it's just absolutely insane to be a part of all these people going through the same emotions that you are on the same struggles and also the same hires that you're going through as well and there's a part. I think it's around the 21k Mark where it felt like the Tour de France cycle race where all their Spectators crash into the course and it's just this tight bend that you have to go around to because people are all the people are cheering. Have you know closed in on the road? And but it was just amazing the most amazing support and certainly a marathon. I strongly recommend people do and it was just the whole thing was just so surreal particularly finishing it was you know, it felt like my first official Marathon because it was in a race setting and it was just absolutely amazing and I kept just thinking like I did it. I can't believe what I just did it. So Yeah, what did you want to duel in most about that experience like because you know that the endurance life and you know, the running of longer events that was obviously still new to you at this point. So, what did you learn from that first proper Marathon from that? I realize I learned actually mainly in you can't just turn up and do it at that stage. I wasn't really serious about my training. And it was kind of it showed a lot of flaws in my running and sort of knocked me down a couple of pegs because I got to the half-marathon Point fine, but then my energy just I was just gone. I had absolutely no energy and at that stage, I didn't know about nutrition while running and refueling and anything like that or electrolytes in gels and stuff all of that. I had absolutely no idea. So I was just kind of like Winging it really even just drinking water and what it was on course, so sort of expose the whole new world of if you want to go far, there's lots of things that little things that you really need to test and learn about, you know to for safety reasons as well. But mainly to get you through that race. Yeah that must I can't imagine like running or training for a marathon and not knowing about the only because I think I dread to think how it would feel like not using the gel and all the fuel because I think I've read too much to know that it's tough to do a marathon without like fueling properly. So I think that kind of has always been a fear of mine to ensure that I've eaten properly in the week before an event like that. So I can't imagine how that was learning on the go, you know, all of that. I had no idea. I didn't know that's what you're supposed to tell me when I did my marathoning Devin I got to Third. 5K and I was desperate for so I ran out of water as I do a lot which is I still haven't learnt my lesson with that and there's a cafe and I went in there and I was like, oh there's an orange juice. I thought now be amazed and I'll get an orange juice a really thick orange shoes and it was just absolutely horrendous in my stomach thinking, you know, if after the posting on Instagram star, this is what I did I had it right? She's everyone's like of all the things to have mid marathon and orange juice like why in the world would you do that? That I'm single. I don't know. I don't know you're not supposed to do that. But yeah, it's just everything that sits. Well with your body and nutrition to keep you going I had no idea about I just thought if you're lucky you might snack on a banana, but you just drink water. Yeah, which no one does. I don't know about sports inside said, you know all those brains Etc. They weren't really around back then. Yeah and like So that's a Paris marathon is normally a prisoner's the start of it. Yeah. Yeah. I think it's the foot with the first weekend of April. Yeah. Yeah, there's about a hundred euros. So not the cheapest Marathon but absolutely worth it. Yeah, because you have some time between Paris then to race to the stones. So obviously after that like what in the lead-up to first race to the stones, what was the longest distance that you Has to cover. Yeah, it was just the Marathon distance that I did a Paris leading up to Stones. I didn't have the coach. So I didn't again I was sort of just winging at and going off the marathon training plan that was on their website after Paris. My legs were shattered. I was off running for a good couple of weeks. And then I just sort of built up a lot of regular fast 10ks and half marathons just to try He's back into work. And then before I knew it race to the sign said come around and with the with your first race of the stones, did you do the the event in the two days because you can't it. There's a lots of different ones you can do you can do, you know day one or day two or you can do the both and camp or you can do both straight through. So, what did you do one first year first year. I did it straight through. So my God every year. I've only ever done it straight through which is the only thing that I'm very proud of him like to tell people when they talk about it's like, I've only done it straight through my claim to fame. Yeah, that's sort of my yeah. I've done back-to-back marathons and I think that's just absolutely silly. They hurt way too much doing it that way. I'd rather just get it done and I always say like when people the next day when people who don't over two days there as they get To do it again. I'm at home. Hopefully thinking about pizza. So yeah, that's that's my reason I get the pizza first and the thing is when you do it two days, I'd like to think that you're going to have your soreness the muscles because because you've waited like almost, you know a good 12 hours select your muscles the fibers in the muscles of broken-down ready. They trying to restore and yet you're trying to get up and run again, so I can't I think that but you You will have done the hundred kilometres 62 miles on in your first experience at races Stones 2016 and you'll train and run including Paris Marathon. So you've literally got yourself up to 26 miles. Yeah, how on Earth did you then go on to do 60 miles in one go. I don't know terrible answer for a podcast. I it's when you say it like that. I kind of realized how silly and naive I lost I teamed up I think what really helped and this is surprisingly happened at every single race of the stones that I've done including this year and I met people along the way and early on I met this lady I can't think of her name for the life of me, but I never forget her and we met about 20 kilometers in and I said Ah, you know how he going but I got chatting and we just stuck with each other for about another 20 K and acid or do you want to join a stick together through this and we said, yeah, absolutely. Let's do it because we're running at solo together and then after base camp at 50k we went we met another group of guys and they were struggling and have whilst rattling was like, well what if we all just finish together and we ended up doing that and every race to the stones. I've met people the way and formed a group. We're all just finished, you know, if not cross the finish line together, but finished around the same time. It's really just get us through. Mmm. And that's what always has got me through the following year. I did it with some friends same with 2018. I did it with a friend of mine and then Mel had to pretty much drag me to the final 10 K and to that couple of weeks ago again. I did it with some friends and we met another wonderful lady on course, whoo-wee Fran ninety nine kilometers with so yeah people people is what will get you through those races that I love that you've said that you've run with other people and that's what got you through. I mean initially and it probably is a lot to do this as well. I was putting it down to like mental toughness and like getting into the a game of you know, your mental, you know, their problem mental headspace that you needed, but obviously that it was the people as well. I'd I dread to think how you must have felt after that. Best experience of racing stones and you know, I mean you must have taken a considerable amount of time off afterwards. Yeah, I needed a for every year. It's a pattern that seems to happen every year after Stones. I struggled to run for a good, you know, two to three weeks and mentally it's really draining because you build yourself up for this event. And once it's done, it's kind of like what now? I've gotta go from 100 K to a 5. Okay, I'm doing parkrun this weekend. It's kind of like this is weird. I've gone from one of the most difficult distances to a 5k so sort of mentally just organ strange just to get back into a normal routine and park runs brilliant and you know, if that's what you're aiming for. There's nothing wrong with that being an amazing achievement, but I was just trying to get back into normal life of you're not training for a marathon anymore and I was Your friend of mine last night Runner Steve, and he said what have you got coming up? And I said, I don't really have any races. I've got a 10K but nothing major and I sort of caught myself and I thought well that's that's still pretty big like a 10K is a it's a long way and it's my my next big race and it's just getting back into normal life of not running Ultras which is a bit difficult because your life is dedicated to these one event for such a long time. And then it's just it's done. Yeah, it's hard isn't it? And I think I think a lot of people can be guilty of thinking or feeling that way and even so much as you know going from Marathon distance training having a big cycle towards that running and racing that and then like, you know taking the time off afterwards to recover and then thinking all I haven't really got any races planned. I've only got a 10K or half-marathon because I've been guilty of saying exactly the same but actually when you race and train for Like five kilometer or a 10-kilometer, sometimes they I'd read those even more than the Half Marathon distance because essentially you're your training and your racing at a faster pace. So then you have to maintain that faster Pace during the race, we don't have to but if you want to and I find 10 kilometer race is quite daunting. Yeah with it with a difficult. It's I mean five k's I absolutely despise running fast five k's because they're horrible. And they make you feel sick at the end of it because it's just non-stop. You don't get a rest your own it. It's just go go go and then half an hour later. It's over and done with you feel like you're about to throw up. So they're just just as brutal every room, you know distance where you give your everything as he's going to be brutal. No matter if it's a 5k r 1 Miler or a hundred miles a day. He's going to be difficult If he if he if you give everything to it. Yeah. Yeah, definitely and I mean you've run 30 marathons now, which was worth it is a lot. It's a lot especially when you're connected. You've only run for five years like 30 is a lot. That's me. I feel like I kind of cheated with that number though. I did run them all but in 2017, I did 26 in one year, so I kind of feel like I've taken quite a long break from doing you know, many marathons back to back. So 2017 really shot that number up. So what do they do? What made you want to do 26 in one year? I wanted to do something that I thought I couldn't do which is really strange because I went to this conference and I had a guy at those are guy speaking. I can't remember his name, but he's known for doing micro adventures and he said I I wanted to challenge myself. I've always succeeded in various bits and pieces and wants to do something that he knew he couldn't do I thought well that's just really silly. Why would you do something that you know, you can't do and he said hey No idea that. I'd ride around. I ride my bike around the world. It's like I'm going to fail this. I know I'm going to fail it, which is what I'll do it and he bought a bike and three weeks later he set off and everyone just laughed at him. So sticky dough see you in a few days and I think it was about two or three years later. He did it and he's like for the first time it like he felt Lee such an amazing satisfaction of I did something that I really should not have been able to do so I thought You know what he's saying in that would be challenging but realistically I can't do it because it is so hard and that's what I thought twenty six marathons in one year. That's just impossible and I tested it out with a few friends. I said, well, what about this as a challenge and everyone just sort of laughed, you know, how silly and stupid that sounds in why would you do such a thing and that sort of gave you the yeah, this is definitely a goal. I need to you know, put it out there that I'm going to go do this. Because I thought I would file that. Yea, I somehow did it that's think that's incredible because you you will have only been running as well for like a couple of years. I probably two and a half years or something not long. Yeah long and like that's that's a huge challenge because 26 and one year works out at like every other Fortnight you would do in at least one. Is that right? Yeah, that's correct because I had my son every every other. The weekend so it sort of fit around him having him, you know, because I didn't want to do a marathon when I could be spending time with Will and by the time October came. I knew I was going to do it. I was on track I was you know ahead and I thought this is a bit too easy. The challenges supposed to be you can't do this and then I had the idea of doing seven marathons in seven days. And that was a really stupid idea that hurt so Yeah, I drove around the country and running with people from Instagram. And that was just absolutely incredible. We had a big fundraising page and I think Instagram made or we raised about two and a half thousand pounds in one week just because I was the chubby guy running marathons around the country, which is just amazing, you know about to raise for charity. So yeah, I was a good fun you did you did the last was it the last last seven Maori challenge in seven days. It was nearly the end. So after that really had three to do so I was towards the end and I knew I was going to finish the challenge was just kind of let's let's make it harder. This isn't this is a bit not say easy, but I don't mean oh, this is fine. I was on track of doing it and I knew I would do it and for me that was defeating the purpose of doing this challenge. Yeah. I want to tell me about would really push me and Marathons in seven days. Push me over the edge. I don't recommend it. But it was certainly yeah. I mean the 26 Martin's in a year itself. I was like, oh my God, like that's tough. Like how on Earth did you do it and you can just say seven marathons and 70 how on if you must have been aching and just so tired and what was what was the hardest part of those seven days the the gives lots of hard-packed it was strange and I think one of the most difficult Parts was going between each location. So my first one I did I soldered at three o'clock in the morning, you know random Pub car park near Ashton Court Park running Vista, no bristle sorry and we started there and we finished at the park run and then I had to drive back to London. It's took about three hours. The commute between all these places. I was driving at least three to four hours a day as well as running a marathon, which was just absolutely exhausting that that was probably one of the most difficult Parts is the drive-in and I was the one doing the driving and sitting down for so long after running a marathon just destroys your calves and your legs. So that was yeah apart from running that was you know up there with one of the hardest parts of it, which is really Really silly because you wouldn't you know think I'll just drive in from A to B as hon challenging but it was brutal. Did you know have anyone with you like traveling between the locations? No, I had had no one I put it on Instagram of you know, this is where I'm going to be who'd like to come and run with us. Please do so and every location. I had someone run with me which was amazing for you know support and also safety towards the end of it. But yeah. Arriving Train locations. That was that was just me on my own which was yeah a lot of time by yourself during that challenge is yeah very very difficult on the Mind. Gosh. I kind of remember I literally can't imagine doing that. So I just think you know, it's off to you what crazy but like wow that challenge is just yeah, that's I think that's just that's all I know. He's mad but I mean the positive out of I mean we raise so much money for mind. And that was just you know, such an awesome thing, you know for it and it was amazing on the last marathon. I think we've raised like 700 pounds in just one day which is just incredible and all that money, you know went to a mental health charity, which is why we wanted to do, you know this challenging, you know, really had to focus on raising awareness of mental health and that week Instagram was just flooded with people talking about To health and I was like, this is brilliant. Like if may be doing several marathons in seven days gets people talking about mental health. I'll go do it tomorrow. Yeah, that's it. That's what happened in that was the main goal and that was the real winner out of all of this is those conversations? Yeah, yeah makes it worthwhile and doesn't it that you feel has been a purpose to it? And it's not just been a wacky idea that's you know caused your body some grief during these it was that as well as a stupid idea. We had a good cause behind it. You know, when there's Mars and Jiu-Jitsu in that year with I mean how many of those were organized events were any of them official races? I think about three were yeah. Not because I didn't want to do events just event cost a lot of money events very defensive and I just moved to the UK. So yeah, that was just too expensive to sign up to to be honest, which is why it just be me usually by myself just you know, plodding along. Well Instagram stories keeping everyone updated. But yeah, there's a lot of lonely ones. But yeah when I was an event, I really enjoyed the events, but Yeah, I got to also do some runs with some good friends, which is really awesome as well. So we could say that you're quite experienced in the Marathon distance and what to who would you say the essentials are to run in a marathon or training for a marathon? I think when it comes to running a marathon you need to understand that with every step you take you're getting closer and while it is daunting to think I've got 42 Two kilometers to go that's a long way. It is a very long way but, you know within one step you're closer to the finish line and every step gets closer and closer and for me, that's all what I always think with every race is that it is going to end and it is going to be over and when it's difficult and when you think I can't go on you've just got to think we'll that is going to end like this isn't a race without a finished light. All Races have a Finish Line. Take one more step and you're you're closer. And just focus on that Finish Line in and getting home. That's a really great way to think of it. Actually it really strange advice but it's what sort of gets me through it to be honest. You know, I can see why because there is a lot of emphasis specially with Ryan Halls book run the mile you're in so it's like not focusing too much on what you've got left to do or if you are left but literally in the now in the present and like the mile urinal that like you say, you know the step you're in and with each step you getting closer. So it's not thinking too far ahead because that's when I think so. Times you can be led into the wrong head space and I think you know often with these endurance events, you know, we've got to have our mental am ready. Yeah, you need to be. Yeah, and mentally there's something you've got to be prepared for the distance. But you also need things in their mind bank. So to speak of when things go wrong and you and they will you will go through a rough patch. No matter if it's a 5k or an ultramarathon it will go through a rough. Patch of I don't want to do this anymore what you've got to think of something in your mind that you can grab onto what's going to be that quotes or what's going to be that memory that you can say. This is, you know, bring that to the Forefront of your mind and focus on that if that's what's going to also help get you through it. Yeah, definitely and it was saying about quotes again getting you through I do normally ask people what their favorite what their favorite quota so you can tell us if you do have one. but what what would you say is your motivation and what inspires you I guess so my favorite quote I've got to do so, I think I'm known for never give up never give in I've got that tattooed on my arm, but also find a way that was the theme for me of last year's race to the strange was just simply find a way no matter what you go to do just find a way to finish but with my main motivation It's I think it's mainly to do with my son and I know all parents probably say this, but for me my I live a very selfish life in regards to I live for myself and I look after myself and I was brought up with I'm number one in my world. And then when you have a child you realize actually this is your king or this is your quaint. This is the person you live for and I very much live. My life for my son and I want him to be proud of me and everything I do so, I figured this is the best way to for him to be proud of me. And when I finish a race that has a metal I give him my medal and I always have got your new medal and his face just lights up and I just think he's you know, this pure happiness of wow. You've done it that like just his seal of approval. It's just like the best thing to seen him happy. P of me doing this for him, it's the biggest motivation I have is doing all of this for him and hopefully when he's older he'll continue his love of running and we get to do races stones and then I'll retire from that race. Yay could do that together. Well, I've always said so, excuse me. I don't I don't think I've ever told anyone this but I want the record. I really do want the record of the most nonstick. Finishes formation the stones and I think I'm on my way to getting it but during this year's race at Old West Miley Runner and the running marathon mum that I'm going to do rate of the stones every year until my son does it and then I'll do it together with him and he can continue the torch and I'll probably have a breast after that. Yeah. That's my my life goal is to be raised to the stones with him, but just be amazing. Charlie maybe, that's one major girl. So you're going to have to you know, rest sleep, you know the in the lead up to that event every year to make sure you're looking after yourself in order to continue that yeah, cuz we're talking I think that's gonna be yeah about 18 rest of the songs in total that I'll have to do. So go about 14 left until his until he can sign up. So yeah, it's so silly challenge but one It's yeah, no I can see why you'd want to let's just hope that he still loves running what he's a little bit older and we are going to be screwed. If you doesn't it probably won't do it out of spite. We will turn 18 and be like no I don't want to do this and then you can probably do like race in the king of race at the towel or something. No, you got the stones. So we just talked about your motivation and your inspiration. Now you do have quite a significant following on your Instagram profile. And so I know like given that person that you are and I don't suppose you really imagine that you do have, you know an effect on other people and that you you do Inspire and motivate the people that follow you so I'm just interested to know what was your reason or why Did you initially start documenting this you know this incredible journey that you've had, you know, given your weight loss Journey whilst you were young. We started over in Australia your journey of finding running and then, you know go in full hog and doing the rest of the stones that the twenty six marathons in one year. Yeah, you know, what was your what was your reasons to why you did it initially if I'm being completely. I can't remember why I started I think it was it was sort of like like the new Facebook of people started to post photos of what they were doing. And if you scroll through my Instagram the very first photo I ever took was of my breakfast which was a bowl of fruit and yogurt, but the world's most exciting, you know post but it was just sort of yeah. I just wanted to sort of share what I was doing and yeah, I wish I had a more inspiring and exciting reason for it, but this was Back when Instagram was, you know back in the olden days. So I guess and he was just sort of wanted to share it and then I realized actually people post about their Fitness and weight loss and this is a thing like people share and they talk and communicate and like photos and give each other support. So I was kind of like wow, this is even more support like this is amazing. I found that really encouraging that there was a group of strangers cheering me on sort of like a running race. Are you winning? There's a big crowd of people and they cheering for you. You sort of get a little kick in your step. You run a little bit faster. So people are cheering you on and that's what you know helped initially with social media is there's all these random people just cheering me on and gave me, you know, that little boost which was really cool. And I bet you didn't think initially when you were home, you know posting those photos, you know, your cereal and yogurt your fruit in your gut that you know, five years later you'd have how many know how many Falls you got you got like 10,000 or something crazy. I got ya. I got a few. Yeah. I've never really thought about it. Then it kind of just sort of happened and then it was kind of weird. I went through a phase where it was all about that and I'd be tactful in my post of this is going to be get the most followers and likes and all that kind of stuff which is really silly of me. So now I post whatever I want to probably on this so many other better pages to follow Vines absolutely terrible. How much is this random stuff now, but it was just a really cool way to connect with other people. I think that's one of the best thing that's happened with social media is the people I've met through it. It's it's Ness. I'm of these Check out our Ford for lies, which is just truly amazing and I'm just really really lucky to have this platform and the friendships that I've got from. Yeah, I think I think that's true for running as well. But like I know any hobby could bring so many things to life, especially like friendships and acquaintances, but I think that's got to be said for running as well the amount of people that you can meet, especially if Ooh using you know this virtual platform as well, you know through Instagram or Facebook or whatever. It may be, you know, you've not only got friends locally that you may run with through a club, but you'll also have friends online as well. I think it's quite a magical thing really that's very typical of Runners. I mean you go to an event. I've never gone to an event and not met someone new, you know, whether they know me from social media or it's just someone I'm running past. We say hello and you know wish them well, and how's your race going? I am the ability to aspects. I'm usually at the back of the pack. So, you know, you always have a break, you know chat any someone struggling, you know, you just help them out and rub with them for a little bit and vice versa. So it's very much running event our community. I think there's isn't it that saying where they talk about if you want your faith in humanity restored go watch a marathon and That's that's because of us. That's because of Runners like we support each other on course, but it's in a race or out on the street. We always, you know way that each other and give each other a nod or a thumbs up. Yes just where Runners and that's what we do and I think I think it is a lot to do with the up like an active lifestyle. I think if you see others like definitely the triathlon world as well. Like if someone's on a bike or you're both cycling or like so for example, I'm out for a run and Is a group of cyclists will always say hi or wave wallet smile. Also, have a good day. All if if someone's out, you know, you know, they've chosen to go out for a walk. It's the same then but I think if you're walking along the street and heading to the shop, you would never just say hi to a stranger in that instance. But if you'll feel both passing and you've chosen to get up and go and be active it's very unlikely that you won't say hi. Yeah, which I love exactly what I've been to a client meeting. Team last I think I was last Friday and really amazing and my boss turned to H have any so iand runs its race that oh my gosh, I could run as well. Like I tell me all about like what Ray said you're done. Where do you run? Where's your favorite Roots? It was just like straight away. We had this connection and they both just sort of look at us of wearing a meeting. Like what are you doing? Yes, it's like she's the boss lady like she was talking about Ronnie, LOL talk about running, but it was just like that's What we do as soon as you say I'm a runner you can select know each other. Yeah, it's pretty cool. Yeah love it. I'm with with your run and then and racing and what would you say? Your favorite race has been I think a lot of people say race to the stone that I raised. The stone certainly is a very special race to me and one that I love and always treasure but But I got invited to the Swiss City Marathon last year when I was part of run around Europe. We did a campaign with them another. Yeah, it was called The Swiss city marathon, and we experience literally all four seasons. We had Sunshine rain hail gale force winds snow All in One race, and it was just amazing. You went through some of the oldest towns in Switzerland for the next year. You've got the Alps On your left and the town's on your right. Let's just so surreal. That was yeah, probably one of my most favorite marathons I'll ever do but within the UK definitely Liverpool Rock and Roll Marathon, it's just that that's just a really really fun course and lots of community support out there and plus the metals are some of the best metals you can get. I love medals medals. Let's make that clear. They are big and heavy and that gorgeous but it's just a real party atmosphere for the whole Marathon event, which is really really cool and really fun, which is you know, the main thing about running hmm. Yeah all about fun and I was actually thinking about that marathon before least going along to one of the events because I'm done a rock and roll event before and but I've seen that they can be quite good fun. So that might be one for the future maybe. Okay. So what would you say? Your proudest achievement is and why? I think probably this year of completing my fourth race to the signs. It's it's not very often, you know, sort of I don't do races over and over again, but obviously, you know, as I mentioned before this is a special raced but to complete it four times and to go through various challenges during the race of when things go wrong and to have overcome them each time with the people. I've been with us just being really special and It's it's a bit crazy going back again and again and again, but it's something I absolutely love. So yeah finishing up four times is truly a special moment. And at the end of this year's race I ask them. How can I get a quick photo at the end with all my medals the from the three previous years like yeah. Absolutely. I'm still there posing like a like a goofball and everyone sort of look at me and I could see them sort of counting like all we've got How many like you know how many's in God it's kind of like this is really special of time these four times and that's just ridiculous and a bit silly. But yeah don't like to learn that full-time certainly is one of ya my proudest achievements ever so and the next year will be Fist and then they open all ready to sign up. They are open already decide out everyone. I've been asked a lot have I signed up yet. I haven't signed up yet, but I will I think I'm going to be alone. Ambassador again next year which I'm very lucky to be a part of but yeah, I'll definitely be signing up and I think there's a group of us who are going to take out do a checkpoint take over next year. I'm going to get all the Ambassador group to volunteer at one of the checkpoints at either Race To The King will race to the Tower and spend the weekend cheering everyone on at looking at looking after everyone. So give something back. I mean where I'm very lucky I get the last two years I've had race to the Sea. Lane's given to me for free which is very kind. But I think it's definitely give back because it's just a community. I absolutely love. So yeah, it's going to be even even more fun next year. I'd love to do it one year and I have debated in the next year, but we will see because I haven't done anything 2020 is a good year to do it. That they've had have been magic. So it is very tempting but I was going to ask because a few people have asked me to ask you and what advice would you give for running the race to the stones any words of advice? Because obviously you are King when it comes to that because of yet few people have signed up and they've asked In one of which is a good friend. Who was it? I gotta remember who said listen to me now. I think it was a gutter. Does it gotta stop apologies if I've got the wrong person, but I met I had a few people ask me what what advice would be. Yeah, I think for me it would certainly be wearing York. It's sort of like getting to know what kit, you've got particular when it comes to like hydration vests and what's going to work for you? And just training in that and I know that sounds really silly and I'm sure people wanted much better advice but knowing where the points of your kit where it's going to chafe because that's going to be really irritating on race day. So you can sort that out sort of so basically getting rid of all the Nickels before you start your race, you know, where your kit where every piece of clothing that you are going to wear during that race to make sure it suits your body and is fine on race day particularly, you know socks as well. But I always suggest with shoes it even though it is a trail of fent. What I've always done is war comfortable cushioned shoes because the Ridgeway is a very it's basically chalk which is really tough on your feet. And it's very Rocky. So you want to go for comfort and I've always found that trail shoes don't have a huge amount of comfort and they're grateful wet weather and difficult trains Etc. Like that, but race to the stones, you can definitely get away with wearing a really comfortable Road shoe. And in my blog I mentioned that's the first thing that gives out is your feet screaming at you saying I'm in so much pain. So comfortable shoes is is an absolute must and that will get you through this year. What I've done which worked amazing is I've changed. I don't need to get too personal but I changed my pants halfway through and it just felt So refreshing putting a new pair of pants on so that certainly helped me to clear round like Chase areas with you know, chub rub between your legs that just helped, you know helped me forget about that. So that really, you know, I guess you change your kit and get you know, get used to wearing the kit that you are actually going to take on course. There's a lot to be said about changing kit because I've seen that before in Ultras I can America and the trail scene So much. So some some people even change their socks and shoes like they'll have their crew waiting for them at the aid stations. Now, they'll have to change shoes especially for some of the Ultras you're where you're running through water stream River, you know, like, you know, it's true. Yeah. So sometimes like the socks and shoes that that's need as well. But definitely changing if he's got the opportunity to change into some fresh Race Kit. That would that's actually a really good idea. Some people can take it. It's just really even if it's I don't know if it's just you know psychologically it's just so refreshing. It's like going to bed on Fresh sheets. Yeah, it was amazing, even though you know the next day you don't have that feeling same with you know, fresh, you know underwear obviously, I don't wear a bra, but I'm sure you'd have that same feeling and saying, you know changing shorts and a vest. It's not sweaty and it's not smelly and it's not gross. It's just fresh it gives you that little mental boost. An ultra makes a world of difference. It's like it's like you've literally just got got dressed and you've just starting just started your run. Just like the pain you're feeling all over exactly that I've stayed like that. Yeah couldn't have said it any better and great tips. So what tips would you give for if you had to like speak to anyone or advise them on the best tips on starting running? What would they be? So three three best tips for started running. If you are completely new to download the couch to 5K app is absolutely brilliant and the best app to get you running no matter how fast or slow you are. It's brilliant so that we've tip number one number two would be to smile as much as possible during it again, very silly tip, but you're you know, the more you smile the more You know, you'll pretend that you're beIN happy and eventually you will find happiness in running when it's very difficult. But you just sort of tricking yourself that forget the pain I'm smiling and your smile because you're happy and you're happy. You're going to laugh and you are going to enjoy it and I guess my third tip would just be I guess what's always tells me is have a always always have an event books. So do you you know, if you're first starting out pick a date that you want to go to Parker. Iran have that as your very first event because it's so supportive and amazing. But after that go home choose another event always have something plugged in because that gives that will always give you something to aim for and then when you do go through Marathon Blues, like what I'm going through right now, I know a few months time. I've got an event waiting for me that I need to get ready for so always have something, you know booked in your calendar to aim for Yeah, I love the I love those tips having because I don't think I had anything plant until very recently. I think I only booked it a week ago and it's literally the end of the month so but it's kind of getting me motivated and get me going because now I realize right. Okay, it's not I'm not just having recovery. I'm not on my down time after my Marathon. I need to actually be a little bit more dedicated and go go but yeah, that is a really good one. I'm Smile as much as possible because I've said and it sometimes can alleviate the pain and I mean during race to the signs this year. We just so one of the funniest things happened and I spoke with Robin math and Dad about this as well at around the 66 km/h Ark there were these two guys and I put a picture of them on Instagram. They last year. I only found this out this year. So last year I bumped into them. They had a little campfire. Set up with some wide and there were smoking something very funny and they were absolutely off their face, but they were the loveliest people and this year the whole race. I was saying to the cruise with us. I hope we see them they get they said they're going to be back. I hope they got me back and they were there and we were going through a really down period at that moment and when I saw them it was just this is the best thing I could have ever seen and it's just put a smile on my face and that's wild. Got us through and when it was tough, we think of them and we think of something funny and I was just laugh your way through it and just just get through it and you might as well enjoy it because yes, we all know running the stuff no matter what distance you do. So just you might as well just get over it and have a laugh and smile smile about yeah and enjoy and be, you know enjoying the experience because you can't well you can't because I mean you've done it four times, but you can't Relive a memory. So like trying to smile and smile the way through it and actually Joy it is the best way to do which brings me a little bit to my next question. I wanted to ask you what would you say is the biggest or best thing that run in has brought to your life? I think it's brought. My mental health in a really good place. I was thinking before about sort of why I love running and I mean, you know not to discredit. I've met so many amazing friends and lifelong friends, which I truly treasure on love, but I think they would even say the best thing that's ever happened to me with running these my mental health and I'm so grateful that I have that because there's take me from a really really dark place to you know place where if I am. Feeling low or if I'm feeling really anxious. I've had a really bad day and I just need to forget about everything. I can go to the Ridgeway and go for a run whether it be 5 minutes 10 minutes a mile or you know ten miles. It's just going to forget about everything and it just helps me recharge and sort of process everything that when I do finish my run I can face that challenge again. I've recharged my strength and I'm ready to go. To tackle what you know life is thrown at me and that's through running, you know, and that's you know, the best thing that list that this Sport and you know, physical activity has given to me is a really good place for my mental health and I can't but you can't buy that it goes for a lot of you only get it through a lot of running a lot of time out, you know on your feet and experiences and meeting other people. So yeah, very very Here just beyond grateful of what it's done for my mental health. You know and that I think I love that you've explained that and said that that is what it's brought you and given you because I relate to that so much because that's exactly what the best thing is brought me as well. So I love I love hearing other people say say the same because it's like I can just relate to it so much. I think it can change. It sounds really cause I think it's one of those things that could change the world really through running. I mean if we had No, this wouldn't work for everyone. You know if people are suffering through mental health and if we had supported them through running and said why is this there's this community and it really helped all of us a might help you and to get people, you know who are going through really crap stages with their mental health to go for a little jog with them. Even if it is just week one of couch to 5K just as they can get those endorphins going and I'm sure there's that you know, the science behind Find it that we are told but I don't really know much about but I do know that a little run makes you feel pretty good and we all can go for a little run. Even if it is that 30 seconds when I started out doing 30 seconds and look what it's done for my headspace. And I think if we if that was one of the options when you are seeking professional help if they said what if I gave you a friend and they went out for a little truck with you, even if it's just a walk or just got you, you know. Moving a little bit faster. Let's see what would happen and it's helped so many people so I think that really should be encouraged through, you know, Professionals in our friends. And I mean today I spoke with a friend of mine who's based in London and he's going through a really rough time at the moment. And my first thing was Will what I'm going through a rough time, why don't you come up and we'll go for a run and it's not let why don't you come up and let's talk about your feelings and you can tell me how you feel. It's just let's just go for a run because that that will it's not going to solve anything but it's going to help us, you know, get everything out there and it's what we do and it's a pretty good way to deal with your mental health as well. Yeah, and and in general physical activity is definitely a way to to help because it's the endorphins it's the time it's the headspace is time away from your issues. It's time to work things through Russian wise like there's just so many reasons. But I think like I mean obviously, you know, we're blessed and fortunate that we can run and that we are able to the some people they might not be able to currently make their maybe through going through an injury or might not be able to but I think what I like what I do try as much as I do promote running and love it so much for anyone that isn't able to or run and perhaps isn't quite the thing and perhaps cycling is you know, whatever it may be as long as you can find an outlet. We're hobby that can take you away from your normal day-to-day stresses or then. Yeah, that's brilliant. Go even even with cycling. I mean there's a community with every seems those Community with every sport. I mean, there's you know, a big cycling community and I think if you can if you do something physical with your sport, no matter what it is if it's tell us or cycling or you know, mixed martial arts or whatever it is. There's a group of people who do that as well. You're not alone. In that and I'm pretty confident if you said can I join you or hi my name so and say I've just taken up cycling. They probably let us wait. Let's talk because Runners with us. The first thing we love to talk about is running. So someone's that you know, I want to learn to run anyone would be happy to have a chat with them and take them under their wing and you know support them through it because all we do is talk about ourselves and running. You said this community? I think that's a huge we're done. It's a huge thing. Like it's, you know, having a community, you know friends companionship like that as well is a great healer and it is so important to have a sense of community in life like be that, you know be that through Family Friends Community, you know, like it could just be like the load, you know, the dog walkers that you see every morning your colleagues and work. The people that you bump into in that that strength and conditioning class that you do on a weekly basis. It's sense of community that you get so it's really healing write my final question to you and one that I love to ask nowadays. If you could hear anyone being interviewed on this podcast, who would it be probably a lady could wear Smiley so I ran Marathon oh Priceless stones with her she is one of the most so Instagram is with smiley Runner and aim to Lisa and she's just one of the best people I've ever met. She's good friends with my partner Mel or am I laughs a partner or fiancee she's will say fiance so I don't get in trouble. They're very good friends and I met her at London. Revolution one of the threshold events and she was going she was trying to race it as part of the race to the stones and I've got to about 20 or kilometers in and I was really struggling energy saw that and we're in a group and she said well, how about everyone else, you know continues on because they're a bit faster than me and I'll stick with you. My first thought was well, you're crazy like you can do, you know, A330 and A340 marathon and he going to stick with with me like the crazy, but okay. Um, and she was most bubbly and supportive person I've ever met and then after that I said, well, I need help with race to the stones. Do you care to finish up with me and she signed up to race of the stones to basically get me through it and she's the most supportive Runner I've ever met on course and I think the stories that she would be able to tell love the people. She's met and her life experience of why she's Port supports people the way she does and her attitude and always, you know smiling. And I think it would be a fascinating story to here and she's just a wonderful person and just a true gem, you know to our community. And that was was it with smiley Runner? Yep with everything out there Instagram so I can spell it out. So it's a w e ya e ya es Mi L. Ey Runner Brilliance. Well, there's a big shot for you. Then we have Westmoreland. So yeah, and she's you know, she's got a small page but I don't think you know, she's one of those people who couldn't care less about what that follower count number is she's just smiling and just Loves being around people. I love supporting people and a true amazing woman who I'm just so grateful to have it and I'm going to pass around with her this weekend. So she told me that yeah, I needed a kick up the butt to get back into running. So she's arranged to come to park run with us. That's correct. Love kind of person. She is very supportive. Thank you for that because I yeah, I'm now following her now and good. Thank you so much for your time taking you. Time out of your day to have a little chat with me. I'm full of water. Have you been wish you all the best with parkrun this Saturday? Hoping that it's kind to you and you have a good time and just remind everyone where they can go to follow you and your adventures over on Instagram. Yes, absolutely. So it's Chubbs to rid of what Ridgeway life and I've started a Blog which is a little bit scary and that's www.chesterlaw.com Fab. Thank you very much again and we'll speak. Soon. Take care. Thanks for having me. 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 to be able to give you more. Thank you again and remember when you get up An exercise or go for a run? You never regret going, but you always regret not go in. Have a great week guys and speak soon.
Andy is a father, he is newly engaged to Mel who also runs, and his son is an avid runner too. Andy has taught his son that when you try your very best, you have already won the race. Andy found running around the same time he started on a weight-loss journey back in 2014. When Andy started running he weighed around 300lbs, his running journey began with 30 seconds of running 1 minute walking, on repeats and his longer run was a 2km. Andy has since been hooked with running and has now completed some serious mileage and challenges over the years including 30 marathons and 8 ultra marathons, including the Threshold Trail Series’ Race to the Stones 100km Race several times. Andy has also completed some crazy challenges such as 26 Marathons in just one year, 7 Marathons in 7 days oh and a half marathon, on a treadmill! Tune in to hear exactly how Andy found his love for running; what keeps him motivated; the importance of speaking up about mental health and how running and what it has brought to his life has had such a positive and life changing impact with his mental health. This was a great chat filled with the lessons learnt along the way, and some brilliant tips on getting started with running, and running the marathon and ultra marathon distances. Links:  Andy’s Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/chubs2ridgewaylife/  Threshold trail Series  https://www.thresholdtrailseries.com/  Natalie - Not Another Runner Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/notanotherrunner/ Blog: https://notanotherrunner.home.blog/  Easy Thrills Podcast  https://anchor.fm/easythrills Interview with Easy Thrills Podcast https://anchor.fm/easythrills/episodes/Natalie-Hawkins---Not-another-runner-e488pg 