December 3, 2023
I took along the GoPro for Run Britannia intending to document each stage in detail I really didn’t do a good job, the only day I made multiple entries of note was day five. I’ve attached the five short videos I took which, for me, bring back so many good memories.
Starting with the start of the day below, notice I’m sniffing and coughing, this was a day before I tested positive to COVID. Great days running to Exmoor, another beautiful day in the Motherland. I had no idea what was coming my way that evening as COVID took hold and beat the living daylights out of me. Funnily enough day five was one of my best and I felt stronger as the day went on.
The post on the day is here – https://www.runbkrun.com/2023/10/07/run-britannia-day-five-bideford-to-greenlands-farmexmoor-51km/ but video is so much better…
My mate Dangerous Dave, as the name suggest a real character. As my roomie for the week we had so many laughs, such a nice guy, looking forward to running a few miles with Dave next year.
Just before hitting Exmoor after the last aid station for the day. Was feeling the love and looking forward to Exmoor.
On Exmoor enjoying the views and terrain, life really doesn’t get any better.
Coming to the finish… my last for the event with hindsight.
As I said earlier watching these videos for me brings back so many good memories and I’m desperate to finish the race in 2024. There’s a few things that need to go my way first but it’s always in the back of my mind and early next year I’ll sit down with the powers that be, no1 Wife, and ask the question. Until then I have the Delirious West 200 miler in February, ( https://deliriouswest200miler.com.au/ ) Herdy’s Frontyard ultra ( https://herdysfrontyard.com.au/ ) in March and then the Lighthorse Ultra 24 hours in April. ( https://lighthorseultra.com.au/ )
As you can see from my Strava extra (you do have Strava right ? http://www.strava.com ) I have started to ramp up, or even start?, training again after recovering from a hamstring tendon tear. I’ll be aiming for consistency for December before hitting the trails in January. This should give e the base I need for the ultra season which starts in February with my first 200 miler of the year. As always, I’m excited.
fisiocrem ( https://www.fisiocrem.com.au/ ) is just bloody brilliant and does exactly what it says it does , it just gets the major muscle groups moving again. I use this extensively towards the end of the race when my quads are hammered. It really makes a difference and allows me to move back through the gears towards the end of an event when most runners are stumbling home.
Bix hydration is just ace, a product brought to life by Vlad Ixel a professional ultra runner who knows a thing or two about hydration. ( https://www.bixvitamins.com/ ) The best thing about Bix is it tastes good with many different flavours and you never get sick of drinking it, this is a big plus as Maurten and Tailwind (both great products) can be difficult to digest later in the event. From the website :-
As an Australian elite multiple trail running champion, with wins in over 40 ultra-marathon races across Asia, recovery from training and races has always been my top priority.
In searching for a solid recovery and hydration supplement, I recognized that critical vitamins and minerals – both in diversity and quantity – were missing from almost all supplements on the market. I had the feeling that in an effort to maximize their bottom-lines, companies in the hydration space, failed to deliver a product that could meaningfully assist athlete performance.
In order to address this, I began the development of a hydration product. After two and a half years of development alongside a leading German sports scientist, BIX Recovery, an advanced, high-quality recovery drink was born.
BIX boosts 12 active ingredients scientifically balanced to replace lost electrolytes and assist in immune function. It’s designed with quality vitamins and minerals, in quantities that work!
BIX is a recovery solution for everyone, that will get you to the top of your game!
What can I say about HumanTecar, ( https://athleticus.com.au/ ) it looks great, smells great and is awesome for recovery or even pre-run/workout. Read about the science behind it first and then try the products. The compression bandages are just magical after a long event. Put these on and the next day you are recovered, I have used them on a number of occasions and they never fail to astound me albeit the family poke fun at me as I look like a ‘mummy and smell funny’ !
Fractel ( https://fractel.com.au/ ) have your performance headgear covered. I love the colours and the functionality of these hats, I guarantee there is one model you’ll fall in love with.
Shokz headphones, let you keep in touch with the world around while losing yourself in quality tunes or podcasts. ( https://shokz.com.au/ )
T8 running apparel is the best you can get, second to none. Designed for the ultra humid Hong Kong conditions the owners live in. It is light and does away with any chaffing worries. T8 is the name given to the highest typhoon warning in Honk Kong, storms and typhoons with gusts exceeding 180kph, which explains the branding. ( https://t8.run/)
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