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3 Peaks Run Challenge: the Kit List

August 9, 2020

Posted in 3 Peaks Run

After conveniently spraining my ankle a couple of weeks ago and having to delay the start of my 3 Peaks…

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This week I'm going to launch the biggest challeng

This week I'm going to launch the biggest challenge yet with @mindomountains. It seems daft to set such a big goal when I'm still not running after Covid round 2. But this time last year I committed to the Frog Graham in the same situation. When you're properly committed you'll either find a way or make one.

The inspiration has come from my good mate @jeffrunsandclimbs and @bigmoose.charity. Jeff has continually proved what's possible with the right team around you. As he told me this week: "Just jump!"

This time is scary though. I guess the worst case scenario is that we raise a lot of money. When you set that bar high enough, you're still going to land higher than you otherwise would. Besides, I've practically made a career out of 'failing' Everest twice!

📷@garth_dew

#thetimeisnow #comebackkid #ultrarunning #mindovermountains #mentalhealth #mentalfitness #ultrarunner #ultraendurance #longcovid #lakedistrict #lakedistrictuk #getoutside #OSchampion #inov8 #ellisbrigham

There's something special about the marathon. It's

There's something special about the marathon. It's my favourite race distance and I love seeing all the posts in April. Everyone has their own journey to the start line, regardless of their finish time.

Manchester 2018 was my first official marathon followed by Chester and London. To be honest I enjoyed the process more than the actual event. Marathon training becomes a simple way of life where consistency + effort + commitment = progress.

There's lots of (much quicker) folk on here to give advice, but here's a few things I learnt:

- I've never felt 100% ready or rested on race day. It doesn't undo the months of training in the bag.

- Trust the process. On week 1 I could barely run 3 miles at my goal pace!

- The biggest risk is complacency, not competition. Run your own race, don't get carried away.

- Have an A, B + C goal. We all have bad days no matter how well we prep.

- As my dad always said: run when you can, walk if you need to, crawl if you must, but don't stop. Sorry I beat your PB, Dad...

- You won't stop at one. Give it a week.

Anything else? Drop them in the comments👇

Good luck to everyone @londonmarathon this weekend!

#forgivemeinov8forIhavesinned #londonmarathon #manchestermarathon #marathontraining #londonmarathon2024 #marathonrunners #mindset #marathontips #runningmotivation

Booking a trip to the Faroe Islands seemed like a

Booking a trip to the Faroe Islands seemed like a good idea to help the recovery process after Covid #1 in 2022. I didn't exactly rest much because there's so much to do. With the brain fog I also managed to spell my name wrong and had to buy new flight tickets. Please, don't do that.

The Faroes are only a 90 min flight from Edinburgh but are one of the most spectacular places I've been. It's like the Lakes on crack, but with twice as many sheep as people.

Some highlights:
- Hiked to Gasadalur. Unreal.
- Climbed the highest point Slættaratindur (saw bugger all)
- Saw the Puffins on Mykines
- The 'floating' lake Sørvágsvatn
- Bumped into @ryan.lomas on a tiny passenger ferry to Kalsoy - handy for the photos!

Another throwback whilst making future plans. Rest assured I'm not starting a travel account, but would recommend this place to anyone!

#faroeislands #adventuretravel #solotravel #faroeislands #faroes #mykines #kalsoy #gasadalur #explorefaroes #throwback #travelinspo #faroeislandshiking #hiking

Back in 2020 the National 3 Peaks Run was a pretty

Back in 2020 the National 3 Peaks Run was a pretty new thing. The challenge involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike & Snowdon - and running between them, about 452 miles or 17 marathons in total.

It was the hardest thing I've ever done. I rocked up with a 25L rucksack planning to be mostly self-supported. By day 2 I quickly realised that was a stupid idea when attempting to run consecutive 50-milers. Luckily several friends and strangers came to the rescue last minute and saved the show.

On day 5 I remember hobbling down Scafell Pike into Langdale when one of my sponsors emailed saying they were concerned about my progress and physical damage: "You're not going to get the record now, so why not go home, recover, and try another time?"

An impromptu sports massage by @jacobtonk then @vickstrength in a Kendal car park, simultaneously eating a @joeys_cafe vegan pasty on the phone to @bbclancashire, and I ran 47 miles to Garstang that day.

I finished in 9 days 12 hrs 51 mins. With less winging it, I know I could knock at least a day off my time... I haven't done anything this big since but now health is getting in the way once again.

I've been contacted by half a dozen people in the last year alone asking for advice on routes etc. I hope it stays low key - but I'll happily share my experience with anyone mad enough to try it!

Photos by Jonathan Davies, @aviewfrommycamera42 @howlettp (the better ones)

#donttrythisathomekids #3peaksrun #theOG #national3peaks #national3peaksrun #snowdon #bennevis #scafellpike #ultrarunner #ultrarunning #ultraendurance #inov8 #mindovermountains

I can hardly remember where I was 10 days ago, but

I can hardly remember where I was 10 days ago, but can't forget my first trip to Everest - 10 years ago!

I was 18 at the time and attempting to become the 2nd youngest Brit to climb Everest from the south side, on an expedition led by @ama_dablam_tim. Sponsored by TextLocal and @quintgroup.

We had an amazing trip until a massive avalanche tragically killed 16 Sherpas in the Icefall, a day before we arrived in Base Camp, and we left a week later.

The photos of me back then are beyond cringey, especially knowing what I know now. But I'm grateful for everything that experience taught me. If you want to know what happened next, watch 'Aftershock' on Netflix...

Nepal is the most magical place I've been and I'm lucky to have visited 5 times now. The mountains completely blow your mind and the Sherpa people are the most inspiring I've ever met.

If Nepal isn't on your bucket list, it should be!

#throwback #everest #nepal #himalayas #mteverest #everestbasecamp #aftershock #kalapatthar #8000m #icefall

Running isn’t a cure for mental health problems.

Running isn’t a cure for mental health problems.

But it’s a damn good tool for managing them.

Every time I’m out of running or training I’m always reminded that running is no silver bullet, it’s just a way of coping and balancing life. It’s just enough to function without the need for medication or therapy the last few years, when really I need to work on the underlying cause rather than just locking it all in a box. It’s like strength training or stretching – you rarely do it until you’re injured.

For the same reason @mindomountains has trained counsellors and psychotherapists on our walks, to help people with the deeper challenges going on for them. Being outside is just a catalyst in the process.

At the moment I’m doing some easy runs at my own risk. ‘Take it easy’ is up with ‘the mountain will always be there’ and ‘YOLO’ in my least favourite sayings 😂 The irony being that doing nothing only makes anxiety and therefore symptoms worse.

Happy Easter everyone. Going to prescribe myself some chocolate instead...

📸@jumpyjamesphotography

#dejavu #runninglife #ultrarunning #inov8 #getoutside #injuredathlete #injuredrunner #ultrarunning #lakedistrict #trailrunning #lakelandtrails #mentalhealthawareness #mensmentalhealth #runningformentalhealth

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Alex’s Charity

Mind Over Mountains is a charity restoring mental health naturally through therapeutic outdoor experiences.

Read more and join us at:
www.mindovermountains.org.uk

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