How have we all been since my two years of blogging silence? Excellent, pleased to hear it. I thought it was time I get back into my blog as there is some exciting stuff coming up over the coming couple of years and, as I'm the sharing caring type, I thought you might be interested.
Since we last said hello I've done a few runs! Here's a quick overview....
- Grand Union Canal 145 single stage ultra - 36hrs
- Peru Jungle Ultra - 145 miles 6 stages (amazing, some info below)
- NDW100 - 24hrs 50mins
- Milton Keynes Marathon - 2:51 (woohoo, final got a sub 3!)
- Winner of my local 5k Parkrun - my only ever win
So to date I've done 36 marathons and 13 ultras and things are going to get big next year.
The last couple of years have been great, my business is doing well and there are 6 of us now, my running is really enjoyable and I've ticked off a few things I've always wanted to do. Twitter has really taken off for me I've met some cracking people. Here's a few that have made running more enjoyable.
@UltraRunRich Rich has been my Nandos partner over the past year, can't beat a plate of wing roulette while you natter on about running for a couple of hours. I'm sure anyone listening in thinks, what are they going on about, but we enjoy it.
@bryanwe, @DanPark81, @ogeerunner @conwild it's been great meeting some of you, twittering on about running, reading your reviews and sharing our passion for going long. Cheers to you and to everyone else I've had the pleasure of tweeting with.
I'm sure it's the same with you but I often get new people asking why I run ultras. It's pretty simple to me, I get to see some of the most amazing places, I get to challenge myself and see how far I can push myself physically and mental (so far no probs!) and I meet some great people.
Take the Peru ultra, the run started in forest above the clouds! Imagine waking up for your run and being in the jungle above the clouds. Then imagine running through freshly cut paths through amazing jungle, running through rivers and gorges with overhanging jungle, parrots flying around, snakes wiggling across the path in front of you, sleeping in tribes villages and playing football with the children while the tribes cook food for you. In my opinion it is the person who would not want to all that is the crazy one, not me!
So what does the future hold. Planned races include the Barcelona Marathon which I'll run with my rediculously supportive wife Meredith. The Enduroman 100 miler which is 91 laps of a 1.1 mile course- now that's a mental challenge.
The big one next year is likely to be the rather tough Spartathlon in Greece. 255km in 36 hours in the heat, hills and tough trail between Athens and Sparta. Bring it on. Oh and I forgot the European ultra which is a week before the Spartathlon but its just a 120km run over 3 days, I'm looking at it as some good last minute training!
I hope your year is looking great too.
Until next time, enjoy.
Cheers
Johnny
I'm sure it's the same with you but I often get new people asking why I run ultras. It's pretty simple to me, I get to see some of the most amazing places, I get to challenge myself and see how far I can push myself physically and mental (so far no probs!) and I meet some great people.
Take the Peru ultra, the run started in forest above the clouds! Imagine waking up for your run and being in the jungle above the clouds. Then imagine running through freshly cut paths through amazing jungle, running through rivers and gorges with overhanging jungle, parrots flying around, snakes wiggling across the path in front of you, sleeping in tribes villages and playing football with the children while the tribes cook food for you. In my opinion it is the person who would not want to all that is the crazy one, not me!
So what does the future hold. Planned races include the Barcelona Marathon which I'll run with my rediculously supportive wife Meredith. The Enduroman 100 miler which is 91 laps of a 1.1 mile course- now that's a mental challenge.
The big one next year is likely to be the rather tough Spartathlon in Greece. 255km in 36 hours in the heat, hills and tough trail between Athens and Sparta. Bring it on. Oh and I forgot the European ultra which is a week before the Spartathlon but its just a 120km run over 3 days, I'm looking at it as some good last minute training!
I hope your year is looking great too.
Until next time, enjoy.
Cheers
Johnny
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