Mental health wanderer

Few days off after the marathon last week and it's time to get back on it, because in 23 days time I'll be standing on the start line of the Swiss Alps 100 Miler, a place I'm very familiar with but it's also a place that makes me extremely nervous.

The next couple of weeks are important, I need to keep my body moving but I also need to rest, repair and focus on whats to come, so it's going to take discipline not fitness to reach that start line as fresh as I can be.

I'm not sure why but since I finished the race last week I've felt a little low, maybe it's because I know whats to come or maybe I pushed harder than I thought, whatever it was has gone now, because today I signed up for a race I've fancied doing for a while and it's gave me the kick up the butt I needed!

Lets just say it's going to be quite an exciting winter this year!!

23 days 🇨🇭

The race itself on Saturday started off fast, I slept well the night before and woke up feeling good. It was a self navigation event which meant very little signage except for Checkpoint locations, this worked in my favour because I had studied the route and ran along those ridges many times before whilst completing Beacons Way and Offas D**e, so I knew what was coming, the technical sections and the steep climbs. This meant I didn't need to rely on my watch and kept my head down pushing all the way, maintaining a positive pace throughout, putting distance between me and the other incredible runners on course.

There was one moment I thought it all was over, I got carried away running through long overgrowth and twisted my ankle which felt unbelievable painful, I heard a crack and thought it was broken, but luckily I could carry on...Its a little swollen now but it'll be fine after some good sleep.

The heat definitely played a factor, but I stayed on top of my hydration, nutrition, and cooled off in streams whenever I had the chance. That made a huge difference and helped me manage the conditions well.

I went into it with my own self pressure because I wanted to do well and it paid off. But with Switzerland just weeks away I asked myself one question at the finish:

"Could I do it again right now?"

Overall it was a great event!

I'm very grateful for all the support and humbled by the result.

Well done to all runners!!

"The results you dream about are built by the work you're willing to do today."

Black Mountains Marathon 1st Place 🎊

Distance - 46km
Time - 5h 42min
Elevation - 2042 metres

I'm honestly speechless, I've thought about this for the past 2 weeks and this morning I set out to give it everything I had in the tank just to walk away with this trophy. I didn't stop running, and felt the pressure the whole way, but it's moment's like these that make the sacrifices worth it.

I don't do this for positions, but I'll be honest it does feel good and it's nice to give back a result to all those who support me.

Thank you all so much for the support, thanks to all volunteers for being incredible and a big thank you to Adam Peach for keeping me updated via the Bat Phone, you put up with so much, I appreciate it.

Well done to all runners, tough out there!!

Let this be another beacon of hope for those that find it hard to believe in themselves, It can be done!

"Your dreams don't ask where you started. They only ask if you're willing to keep going."

Too warm to go for pre-registration, so I'm saving myself for the Black Mountains tomorrow which will undoubtedly be challenging in this heat.

But I've got a feeling it's going to be fun...

Tracking link below and in bio

Bib number - 62
Kick off Time - 9am

Let's go 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

https://linktr.ee/mentalhealthwanderer

Team

When I first started training for the Army distances or times didn't matter, because getting out the door and out of the rut I called home was the biggest challenge I'd face that day. I remember the first run I ever done, it was very stop start and I probably lasted around 15 minutes before I gave up and went home, but the next day even though I hated it I got back up and went again. I was still smoking w**d when I decided to start training and used to reward myself with a joint after every session (or atleast that's what I called it).

This went on for months and months, it didn't feel like it was getting easier at all, and the only thing that changed were the soles on my primark trainers. And honestly I think the biggest thing that was holding me back was how I looked, I hated running around people and felt very embarrassed, probably slightly paranoid. But then one day I decided to walk from Aberdare to Penyfan and back, it was a boiling hot day and the adventure that kick started my obsession with pushing myself, because I came to realise that how I look or feel is irrelevant to what my body could do.

The next day was different, I had fire in my stomach and I could feel the changes, physically I was still overweight but inside I was determined.

I think it gets lost abit these days that it doesn't matter where your starting from, how far your running or what you look like...all that matters is the benefits you are getting from it. Because a marathon to one person could feel like someone else's mile, distances don't mean your not fighting the same fight, they're just numbers and you should be proud of anything you achieve.

You know, if I could go back and start again I would, because there's no better feeling than completing your first 5km...it's a moment I'll never forget!

Never give up on yourselves, it takes time but it is possible ❤️

Flat lay for Limitless Trails marathon including products I use for the taper phase -

Craft Sportswear - Clothing/Trainers
Highland Fuel Nutrition - Fuel
TrailSkin - Anti-Chafe
justgoodstuff - Green Goodness
Awesome Supplements - Night Recovery
Revive Active - Nutrients
SILVA Global - Hydration Vest
SunGod - Shades
Compressport - Cool Wrap

Discounts on my linktree in bio.

Lets go!

There's only 30 days to go until the Swiss Alps 100 and this weekend sees me take on what will possibly be my last race until I reach Fiesch. Like I said before all my focus is on this race and giving it the best possible chance for a positive outcome and that means being as fresh as I physically and mentally can be on the 7th August.

This weekend instead of doing 100km I've cut down to a Marathon on the Black Mountains, keeping it local and on familiar routes, don't get me wrong I'll be giving this race everything, because this is my peak week but I'll be very sensible. I still think marathons are one of the toughest distances you can do and they shouldn't be taken lightly, that's why I'm looking forward to Saturday.

In 2 weeks time I have Beacons Way 100km which at the moment is going to be used as my last long training run/hike, a chance to finalise kit etc. But I'll be honest if I'm not feeling it or I feel to fatigued during the event I will drop out to save myself for Switzerland, because when I get out there I've got more than just a goal in mind I have a deadline.

My Girls are racing their very own Swiss Alps 100 Kids run at 1530 on the Saturday, which gives me exactly 31 hours to complete 100 miles to see them race. This means taking over 6 hours off my time in 2024, it sounds like alot but I know the mistakes I made last time and I believe this year it can be done.

Infact I won't stop until I reach the finish line!

Lets go....3 days to go 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The concept of importance in training is about understanding that not every session carries the same value, because the biggest improvements come from consistently focusing on the sessions that matter most for your goal.

Endurance athletes prioritise long runs, quality interval sessions, and recovery.

Strength athletes prioritise progressive overload, compound lifts, and adequate rest.

General fitness athletes prioritise consistency over perfection.

A simple principle is:

Don't let the things that matter least get in the way of the things that matter most.

If you're training for an ultramarathon or triathlon, ask yourself before every session:

Is this making me fitter?
Is it preparing me for race day?
Is it helping me recover so I can train again tomorrow?

The most successful person doesn't try to do everything, they consistently do the most important things well, week after week.

That's where long-term progress is made.

"I know there's people out there who dislike me, want to see me fail and have so many opinions on what I do, and even though it's hard, I don't listen, because I can see whats on the otherside of being controlled and it feels like freedom."

From the first moment we start to walk there's always obstacles, not set by our own imaginations but by people around us, sometimes it's done out of love but most of the time people will share their own views because what feels possible to you is impossible for them to see.

So over time instead of following your own footsteps and learning from mistakes, you start to rely on others to point you in the right direction and before you know it your living in someone else's expectations and chasing their limits not your own.

I think it took me until I joined the military to understand this, because I remember on a few occasions people looking me straight in the eye and instead of supporting my dreams, they blatantly told me I would never make something of myself.

I was told during Offa's D**e 200 miler that I was being "Stupid" and I should stop before I hurt myself, but what they didn't understand was any pain I feel now will never compare to what I put myself through, so instead of listening, I followed my own imagination and that adventure changed my life forever.

What I'm saying is, don't let others control what you feel deep inside your heart, because if you want something enough you can make it come true on your own, you don't need anyone else to follow a dream.

Follow your heart, and your feet will do the rest.

Always believe in yourself.