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Alex Staniforth

Alex Staniforth

Adversity Adventurer, Motivational Resilience Speaker, Author and Mental Health Activist

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Training in the Lakes…

You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Training in the Lakes…

September 15, 2013 by AdversityAdventurer Leave a Comment

Hi all, this week I’ve still been coming to the terms of losing my dog but in some way, being so busy has helped me through it. I still miss him lots. It makes you appreciate things so much more and makes going off to dangerous mountains seem ever more selfish. But that debate is a blog post in itself…

I had a great excursion to the Brecon Beacons last Tuesday with documentary film-maker Chris Beard- a blog post and some photo’s about that coming up soon. I’ve found out more about my Baruntse expedition and getting really excited. My initial worries of fitness have been pretty much quashed. I’m the strongest I’ve ever been. Through being probably a bit over-cautious, I’ve stayed injury free, which was always my priority from day one. I probably can’t do it very quickly, but I know I can head out on a walk, run or bike and keep going for hours and hours (no rude jokes please).  I will spend the last week before the trip resting from training to recover and getting the last minute bits of admin done, eating lots (as I expect to lose a fair bit of weight on the trip) and chilling- a rare commodity for myself! This week’s shout-out goes to my mountain guide friend Jon Gupta who will be heading to the Himalayas himself in a few weeks time to guide Ama Dablam. He’s also an Everest summiteer!

I’m also pleased to announce Cammell-Laird as another confirmed sponsor, one of my smaller ‘Advanced Base Camp’ sponsors. Cammell-Laird are one of the most famous names in British industry, and so I’m really pleased to have them onboard. It has continued to develop its capability in the marine sector, and is a world leader specialising in military ship refit, commercial ship repair, upgrade and conversion and shipbuilding. Today the company is rapidly expanding as a cutting edge engineering services specialist. Its highly skilled workforce and extensive world class facilities are used to support a broad range of sectors and projects. You can find out more here: www.clbh.co.uk.

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So to catch up (I’m a bit behind)… A couple of weeks ago I went wild camping with my mate Ste Rumbelow last week who like me is proudly supported by Craghoppers clothing. Craghoppers have kindly supplied me with really good quality trekking wear which I’ll use for training and on the expeditions, as well as a financial contribution in collaboration with their distributor Ralawise who are based in Chester.

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We had a great time, climbing lots of peaks in unbelievably good weather. This time I’d cranked it up with 45lbs on my back, and slogging it up to our camp at Angle Tarn near Esk Pike, was a real test. I’d had a disaster with the UHT Milk in my Rucksack, spilling everywhere and trashing my beloved sandwiches. Lesson learnt. We got great sunsets and sunrises, views to Scafell Pike, and although we cut the walk a bit short we were both knackered and had a good laugh, in quite simply the most amazing wild camping site. I’m loving the concept and can’t wait for more. Here’s a few piccies of our camp and us in our Craghoppers gear. And no, I can’t float on water…

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And I picked up some expedition gear for Baruntse too. Here’s me showing off my new Marmot Greenland Baffled jacket on the tourist bus in Ambleside. I got some funny looks- best keep that one for 7000m, in just a months time. It’s so unbelievably light and compact yet SO warm. Don’t forget to check out Marmot’s new Winter/Fall range on their website, it’s top quality stuff. Proud to be supported by them as an extreme equipment sponsor.

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Ste has also kindly produced my NEW Climb4Change logo. I love it, and this will be my branding for the whole project and come to the top of the world with me next year., What do you think?

C4C_Logo_Show_On_FbOver and out, time for a run!

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alexstaniforth_

Challenges are what I do.
Ultra-running, Adventure, Mental Health.
Founder @mind_o_mountains. Author. @inov_8 @ellisbrigham Athlete.
👣 Lake District

Alex Staniforth
Just keep swimming! No better place to finish 32 Just keep swimming!

No better place to finish 32 swims in 32 days than 2km across Buttermere into the sunset with friends. 

It was one goal I never managed last year but I'm glad - because last night it meant so much more. It's been my easiest challenge to date, yet one of the most fun. Getting to be a clueless beginner once again, exploring 32 places and sharing it with 18 friends old and new has been a blast. It's been great to discover an amazing community who use cold water for managing anxiety and stress too. I always thought they were mad - but now I totally get it 😂 Once I get back from Canada in September I'll be back in the water again.

Mental health will always be one of my biggest challenges, so thanks to everyone who's donated to @mind_o_mountains to help us support mental health through time in nature alongside professional support. Still way off my target so please give if you can.

Despite nearly losing my GoPro in Buttermere, there'll be a short film soon to share the highlights... In the meantime, thanks to @kenny.d.block for the ace photos.
.
#32dipsin32days #wildswimming #swimming #openwater #lakedistrict #lakes #lakedistrictuk #mentalhealth #sunset #buttermere #speedouk #mindovermountains #lakesswimming #adventure #wildswimminguk #openwater
Why stop with a pool like this? That's 30 dips i Why stop with a pool like this? 

That's 30 dips in 30 days complete. But mental health is a daily process, not just a month. So if you're in the Lakes tomorrow, come and join us at Buttermere for the finale. I'd wanted to swim Wastwater but that's the usual challenge voice kicking in, and pushing myself too much right now defeats the object. 

Swim the full 2km, paddle or even walk along the lakeshore. All are welcome. 6:30pm at Gatesgarth Farm (or 7:30ish on the other side). It's looking like a scorcher!

Even if you're not in the Lakes, why not join us virtually by going for a dip at your nearest water or pool at 6:30pm? @bestillstephen is joining us from Bala Lake in Wales! Please stay in your limits though, especially in the hot weather. 

It's not too late to sponsor a swim for @mind_o_mountains if you can - link in bio - thanks for your support! 

📸 @andydicksonforce4good

#wildswimming #lakes #lakedistrict #openwater #30dipsin30days #lakedistrictuk #ullswater #summer #wildswim #challenge #mindovermountains #mentalhealth #getoutside
Progress rarely goes in a straight line. We want Progress rarely goes in a straight line. 

We want to keep getting better every year and to keep pushing the bar as we build our confidence, experience and resilience. 

This year I had more races booked and even bigger challenges planned than the last. But Covid had other ideas for me.

This week I've pulled my last race of the year (Lakes In A Day) in October to try and recover for 2023.

But this week I also: 

- Swam Loweswater, where we started the Lakes, Meres and Waters run back in April. That was my first 100 miler and I'd never have believed that I'd end up swimming across it 4 months later.

- Went for my first swimming lesson in 20+ years. Less tears and tantrums this time, but lots still to work on.

- Swam Derwentwater with Tim Mosedale, my Everest 2014 + 15 expedition leader. Opposite where Tim took me on my first rock climb 12 years ago. I was probably equally knackered, to be honest. 

This year's progress looks more like a rollercoaster wave than a straight line, but what goes down, must come back up again. Trust the process.

📸 @andymiltonphotography because he did a grand job. 

@ellisbrigham
@inov_8
@ordnancesurvey

#playthelonggame #ultrarunning #wildswimming #lakedistrict #longcovid #covidrecovery #enduranceathlete #ultrarun #lakedistrictuk #lakes #getoutside #ultrarunner #100miler #setbacks #injuredrunner #mindset #progress
First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you First swimming lesson in 20+ years. Turns out you don't get badges when you're 27 though. Gutted! 

I had developed my very own swimming style which generally involved swallowing the water of various lakes, meres, waters and rivers in the last 25 days. You're never too late to learn something new. Thanks Heather @south_lakes_swimming for putting up with me!

@speedouk

#stillwantmybadgethough #30dipsin30days #swimming #openwaterswimming #openwater #windermere #lakedistrictuk #lakes #fellfoot #wildswimming #training #speedouk
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