2024 Running Plans – Endure 24 and Tour du Mont Blanc
12 months ago today, I ran the Chester Ultra 50 Mile race. Fuck it was good, conditions were perfect, my body held up as well as could be expected with almost no training, I cried like a baby as I came into the final few miles. An amalgamation of effort and emotion of the 12 months prior, all coming out on the running track at Ellsmere Port Sports Village as I rounded the final 400 metres of my 84km adventure.
As the dawn of a new year emerged this year, I made a combined decision with Maria that this was gonna be our year to see Europe, and do things we might never get the chance to do again. Mila is at an age now where she will remember and get real value from experiences, and my body is almost 40 years old, so need to make sure that im living it while im young.
We’re just back from Lanzarote, which was just an amazing relax. Pool every day, 24c, bit of sun on the skin. Next month we’re all off to Sweden to catch up with some very old friends, and experience the late Northern Winter. We’ll try and get a couple of days skiing in, and looking forward to showing Mila the snow, the only other time shes seen the snow she was quite sick and quite young.
Into the British Summer, with a mix of excitement and apprehension, I signed up for not just one, but two challenging events that will push my limits and test my endurance.
The first event on my list is the Endure 24 Hour Race in Reading. Partnering up with my friend Peter Jasko, we are set to take on this challenge as a pair. The idea of running for a full day may seem daunting to some, but to me, it represents an opportunity to embrace the thrill of pushing past my perceived limitations. Together, Peter and I will navigate through the ups and downs of the course, supporting each other every step of the way. Initial rhetoric suggests “if we dont run 100 miles, then we’ve lost”. So lets see how it plays out.
But my journey doesn’t stop there. Following the Endure 24, I’ll embark on a seven-day guided trail run around Mont Blanc, Hosted by Youtuber Billy Yang. This adventure promises breathtaking views and unparalleled challenges as we traverse the rugged terrain of one of Europe’s most iconic mountain ranges. With Billy’s expertise guiding us, I’m eager to soak in every moment of this once-in-a-lifetime experience. The tour is being organised by Vagabond Trails and will start in Chamonix largely following the 171km circular trail that UTMB follows through Switzerland, Italy and France. For more info about the tour, check this out.
During Covid, I went down a Ultra Running Rabbit hole, watching all of Billys docos, and listening to all of his Podcasts. Hes an exceptional story teller and outdoorsman, so generally just pumped to get out there on the trails with him and share some stories and some miles.
Too conquer these events, I need to dedicate myself more than I currently am, to my fitness and training regimen. Over the next six months, my focus will be on honing my skills, building endurance, and shedding a few kilos along the way. Hill running will need to become my friend as I tackle steep inclines and rugged trails, preparing my body and mind for the challenges that lie ahead.
But beyond the physical preparation, I know that mental resilience will be equally crucial. Long hours on the trail will test my determination and push me to confront my inner doubts. Yet, it’s these moments of struggle that will ultimately shape me into a stronger, more resilient human.
