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Andy North endurance world records
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Running a marathon and cycling 100 miles each day consecutively from
Lands End to John O’Groats (six days; 16 hrs; 24 mins).
‘Race to Space’ cycling 100,000ft of ascent and descent on Tour de
France stage: Mont Ventoux (19.35 times in four days; 16 hrs; 14 mins).
Sunshine Challenge, running 25 marathon distances, cycling 1,500
miles and kayaking the Thames and English Channel from Yorkshire to
Gibraltar (43 days)
The journey so far
Whilst I enjoyed many sports at school such as
gymnastics, table tennis, badminton, football,
rugby and cross country running, I was never in
the top 25%, I was enthusiastic and wanted to
emulate the top athletes but my reality wasn’t
good enough physically or mentally. Of course
we all develop at different rates. I imagine this
must defeat many young minds, and dash
plenty of dreams and aspirations in
professional sport.
I qualified as a chef aged 20 eventually becoming an
area manager for a contract catering company aged
30 and dad to my three girls. I then started a
successful catering company with over 50
restaurants across the UK. Like many I juggled the
tricky life / work / family balance.
Throughout my 20s and 30s I maintained my dream
of being outdoors, occasionally going out for walks or
a short jog as a form of release but with limited focus
on health, fitness and nutrition. I felt that family and
career always came first and took over most of my
life. This is the natural order of things in the world we
live in. I was trapped in a cycle of work and family
after which came me.
My mind wandered onto adventure and endurance
events and I devoured books from Sir Ranulph
Fiennes on his expeditions, Stu Middleman who was
the first person to run across America and Mark
Beaumont smashing the round the world cycling
record. I had questions floating around my head:
How did they train? Survive? How did their minds
cope with solitude? What did they eat? It just raised
many more questions? All this got me thinking
about whether an everyday guy, now in their mid
40s, could tackle a big challenge.
My opportunity came when I heard about a trail from
Ilkley to Bowness on Lake Windermere, I could try
my own mini adventure, three days and 89 miles. I
joined Airecentre Pacers running club, got some kit, a
map and food. I departed early one morning with 32
miles of running ahead on the first day, just me and
my first taste of adventure. As you would expect
things didn’t quite go to plan and I can recall the
painful legs and making up songs to try to take my
thoughts away from the pain.
I arrived in Bowness the end of the Dales Way with a
huge smile, hobbling with pain and thinking ‘Right
what’s next?’ I read about ultra distance runner and
world record holder Sharon Gayter and couldn’t
believe it when she phoned me back encouraging me
to try running and cycling from Lands End to John
O’Groats, over 1,000miles. I wanted to give
something back and help our Soldiers and their
families after the Iraq war, raising money for ABF The
Soldiers Charity.
This was the genesis of the Ultra6 Challenge team, a
community of like minded people led by fellow
BAMbassador Ben Wood and I who wanted to push
themselves with extreme challenges, inspire others
and raise money for good causes. We have
completed incredible challenges and more
importantly raised lots of money for charity and
inspired young people working with
www.inspiredlife.org.
Success with any new healthy idea is being confident
about the sources of information, belief that it works,
and then making it a habit, something that becomes
a regular part of your routine. I use my diary and
track my new good habits and make these my focus.
Whilst you may not be interested in world records, or
endurance events I hope that you will find some of
my lessons helpful for better health and well-being in
your life.
My opportunity came when I heard about
a trail from Ilkley to Bowness on Lake
Windermere, I could try my own mini
adventure
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