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Alex Staniforth

Alex Staniforth

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

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Update: National Three Peaks Run Challenge

You are here: Home / 3 Peaks Run / Update: National Three Peaks Run Challenge

April 19, 2020 by AdversityAdventurer Leave a Comment

Hi folks,

I hope you’re keeping well, which has albeit taken on a very real meaning recently.

In 3 weeks I was due to begin my attempt to run the National Three Peaks Challenge. This involves climbing Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike, and Snowdon, and running the entire 450-mile distance between them, self-supported, in the fastest known time.

There are obviously far more important and urgent matters unfolding in the world that should rightly be the focus of our attention and efforts. But many followers have asked about the challenge going ahead so I felt it was important to post an update.

Understandably the challenge can’t take place so soon with the current restrictions and uncertainty of what lays ahead. We all have a role to play in bringing the virus under control by exercising close to home, social distancing, and not putting any extra strain on the emergency services – which is always a real possibility in the mountains and endurance challenges. It would frankly be irresponsible to give the wrong message and encourage people to come and join me on the mountains, yet it would also be a shame for people not to be able to take part. Live streaming from a mountain won’t quite do the job.

Many athletes have had target races cancelled, holidays postponed and fundraising halted, whilst others have simply lost their weekly Parkrun routine and social circle. Meanwhile others have lost their jobs, businesses, friends and relatives, or even their own lives to COVID-19. Dreams can be replaced – lives cannot.

The cause behind the 3 Peaks is now more important than ever. We founded Mind Over Mountains earlier this year to restore mental health through outdoor experiences. We never could have anticipated that we would need to prepare ourselves for an even bigger mental health crisis that is already being felt in many ways throughout society. Now we’re even more determined that we can provide the support for those who need us most. Hopefully, the 3 Peaks Challenge can smash the £10,000 target to achieve this by funding more Mind Over Mountains events and bursaries to help people find some respite in the mountains.

In every disaster it’s important to either find the positives or create them. Recent events have been a great example of British solidarity and I’m sure we can all take inspiration from Captain Tom Moore raising £22 million by doing laps of his garden at the age of 99.

I’ve felt hugely grateful for my family, friends and health for my coach, Damian Hall, for keeping morale and my physio, Jane, for getting me back running after losing a month of quality training to tendonitis. Right now, I’ve never been more grateful for the opportunity to run just for the simple sake of running and staying mentally well. A massive thanks also to my headline sponsors, Westgrove Group, who have committed to cover my challenge costs to make it possible and so that all money raised goes directly to support Mind Over Mountains.

Although it’s currently hard to say when, as soon as safely possible this year (hopefully later this summer), I’ll be even more prepared to take on the challenge. When I began training last November I never anticipated a sprained ankle on week one, recurring tendonitis, nor a global pandemic. Running the 3 Peaks and 450 miles in 8 days will almost be the easy part!

When the time is right to do it properly, I hope my 3 Peaks challenge too can bring people back together once again.

Until then, stay safe and thanks for your support.

Alex

Mind Over Mountains is currently a C.I.C pending registration from the charity commission which we expect to receive very soon. We are still able to receive GiftAided donations via LocalGiving if you’re kindly able to DONATE HERE.

Category icon3 Peaks Run Tag icon3 peaks run,  alex staniforth,  mind over mountains,  national three peaks challenge,  record,  three peaks run

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

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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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