Unleashing the Power of Technogym’s Skill Range: Elevate Your Fitness Journey
EB Health & Leisure
Earlier this year, Everybody Trustee Alex Taylor embarked on a training mission to take on the Windermere Lap; a 47-mile Ultra-Marathon in the Lake District to raise money for the Everybody Foundation. Over eight weeks, we followed Alex’s training regime of woodland runs, hilly bike rides and plenty of selfies along the way.
On Saturday 10th May, we saw him cross the finish line after exceeding his target of £500 for the Everybody Foundation! Here’s his rundown of how the event went including selfies, of course.
Despite the drawbacks in the run up to the event, I was quietly confident and was in good jovial spirits just before the start. The atmosphere was amazing with about 1000 starting.
I started near the back which did cause congestion early on and set my schedule back a bit however, it may have been a blessing!
About 10k in on a rocky descent, my inexperience with my poles took its toll and I had a nasty headfirst fall, how I avoided serious injury is a mystery, I landed hard on my left side which winded me, and my Garmin watch auto-alerted my wife who called me. I dusted myself down and after a brief diagnostic check I carried on.
The main theme through the day was drinking as much electrolyte and coke as I could get down, supplemented with energy gels. It was too hot to eat ‘normal’ food for me.
With the two biggest climbs out of the way I was feeling good and making good time, my dream was to finish by 9pm, 15hrs, sunset.
I was running comfortably on the more level sections and setting a good tempo with my poles on the hills.
However on a long steep descent to Newby Bridge, at the southern tip of the lake my knee went, it became very painful when going downhill.
I started losing time and losing heart, coupled with the fact it was 21km (13miles) between feed stations I was on a bit of a downer.
The thought of everyone’s support for the Everybody foundation and messages throughout the day kept me going. There were more hills in store and some scrambling over the rocks before I managed to crawl across the line in 15hrs29mins.
I was so thoroughly broken but very proud!
First job? Get my medal and a pint of lager.
It turned out there were around 150 who didn’t finish the event, some nasty injuries too. I finished around 500th. I was very very pleased.
My legs are battered and stairs are a ‘challenge’ but I’m still mobile!
Huge congratulations to Alex for completing his Ultra-Marathon and thank you to everyone who donated to the Everybody Foundation. If you want to look back at Alex’s journey, you can check out our blog or visit our Facebook and Instagram pages.
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