I understand the feeling of loss and depression when injured and the knowing of maybe you will never be right again. I have spine degeneration and I have been running since I was five. Im 41 now, nearly 42. My back was really bad. Two disc protrusions and the prospect of surgery scared me. Im always in pain. I didnt run for two years.... as I couldnt walk without crutches. I was depressed, I was raising my daughter and she wasnt seeing the real me, the athlete. She only knew the crippled me. In fact one day she said I was lazy. OMG my heart broke into peices. She was 5 then, BUT That is NOT me, Im really active and busy etc, I was so sad but that. So ... I got an indoor bike and started riding, pain or no pain. Some days I couldnt walk, but turned out, i could always get on the bike. I learnt to spin and did classes everyday.........Two years later I had rebuilt my body enough to attempt running again. I felt my depression lifting. 30 seconds on, then walk then 30 secs on and then walk. My back would go out and the pain was unbearable. BUT ten years later, I race the 10k and the 5k and Im hard to beat! Pain has lessened, but I have learnt to live with it. Now I call my PAIN, 'MY SUPER POWER' Look what Im achieving in this amount of pain and also making myself better. With one day at a time. Accepting that not everyday is a good day, just makes the good days that much better and appreciate them more. I go running nearly everyday now, 10ks at a time, The strength I built to support my failing back im really proud of. No surgery in my 'near' future. But I know it will happen though, its getting a bit worse, and sometimes my legs give out when Im walking, but NEVER ON A RUN or bike.... SOOO Im winning lol. Re learning to live again takes time. Be kind to yourself. and re learn what the body needs. When I was a competitive track runner in my teens and twenties, three times I had to be lifted off the track with my back going out, didnt know then what was happening. Im proud of my 24mins 5k PB and my 54 min 10k PB. Training for the half marathon and have been for 3yrs now. But I am running into trouble with the training. And have had to pull out due to injury all stemming from my back. I know I can do 21.6k easily, I can do it on my long run days, but my back and hammy, (hammy, long term injury) says otherwise leading up to the race. BUT this year, im still going enter in November. 4th time lucky. I was told at the age of 15 my running days were over, the first time I cried about any sport. I got back into it. At twenty four, I was told again. and again at 30. Im 41 now, and the best runner I have ever been. My times are not like a twenty year olds lol... but My age group Im hard to beat. In Feb, I won a race 5 km, against all ages female, and third overall with the men as well. I printed that out and its on my wall :-) Its has special meaning to me. I couldnt walk 10yrs ago... and now I can race. And win
I started running when the pandemic started. I needed something to focus on, and an ease to my mental health, after losing my job. Running gave me a lot of motivation. I ran too hard in the beginning, and I got runners knee. I had to take a step back to do rehabilitation exercises and started doing strength and conditioning, with the goal of being able to run consistent. Since, I've learned to take it SLOW and build gradually. Yesterday I did my first 10 K in one hour, with easy pace. I'm grateful and happy for this achievement. And my running goal is to do a marathon in September 2022. You've been there along all the way, Ben! Thank you. Keep up the good work.
Yes!!! Rolling starts are the best thing to come out of social distancing!! So much better. No stress. No queues for loos. Chance to take a deep breath.
I found your channel through Sarah. Thank you for sharing the beautiful views and highlighting mental as well as physical health. It gets easier! I destroyed my ankle in late 2018 after years of repeated injury and now have 4 screws and artificial ligaments. The first 12 months were the hardest. The first 2-3 after the cast came off I had to learn how to wiggle my toes and get my foot to respond again. I obviously don’t perform on anything remotely on your level but not only did it eventually feel normal again, after years of ankle injuries it’s actually better than ever. I know you and Sarah also bike, but adding in swimming also made a huge difference for me. Good luck and thank you for sharing!
My GP said my running days were over. Knee issue. 5 years later after 3 months physio guidance I’m still at it and zero issues. I’m not saying simply ignore medical advice, more interrogate and talk to others. Medicine is not an exact science as I was told many many years ago.
agree - running issues occur and resolve differently in all of us. i received similar guidance, yet just ran this spectacular Maverick Exmoor route (and others before it that i'd have been gutted to miss out on)
Good to hear you are running. I had exactly the same. They said i might be needing a walking stick if i continued running. After 12 years and burning 5 PT's on the way i could not hold back anymore and forced myself to use a beginners program and stick to it. Now, 5 years later i sometimes run 100k weeks ......
Thirty one years ago a specialist diagnosed osteo-arthritis in my right knee and advised me not to run again. I was flattened, two months later I started running again and now, in a normal year, I restrict myself to just two marathons a year, four or five halves and eight or so other races. At 60 years of age I am try to keep the training mileage to below 50 miles a week.
8:34 - 'Full smiles, on those miles, getting it done.' I'm with you Ben, what a great way to put it! Whatever happens, as long as you're able to keep getting it done, you're doing something right!
So stoked for you Ben, it's awesome to see you really enjoying your running again!! I think this really puts into perspective some of the mental health and anxiety issues you've talked about recently surrounding health concerns - to have a surgeon tell you to give up on your dream of UTMB must have been devastating. But I love that you are determined to prove them wrong. Stay strong and keep going legend!!
Lucky enough to live near here, Lynton, Countisbury Hill and Valley of the Rocks. Stunning coastline, try the North Devon Marathon sometime, bit further along the coast towards Woolacombe.
The hardest race I've ever ran was my first ultramarathon this April, the Hardmoors 30 at Whitby in NE England (33 miles, 1000m climb on a coastal loop a bit like this one) doing much better than I expected in getting 12th/222 with 5hr04. I have a sped up video of the whole route on my channel. Thanks for doing TH-cam Ben, bought your plan and using your vid to do my first road marathon in October. Also hope Sage can get back to full health too 🙏🏼
Congratulations, great run, great video, keep the great work going. Thank you for all the inspiration, and motivation. God Bless you all, and your families. Praying for you both, Praying for your ankle to heal Mate.
Congratulations on your run and thanks for cheering me up today, had a dismal day at work. First day back after being on holiday in South Cornwall. I loved running and walking those coastal paths and countryside. I have a 40 mile trial run in less than two weeks.
Ben you are an inspiration both in terms of running and your openess with Mental Health issues. You are to me what Sage was to you. Keep up the awesome stuff you and Sarah are doing. Much props from NZ
So proud of your comeback, man! You are so right - you’ll be stronger than before when this is all done. I’m currently reading How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald and it’s riddled with stories of athletes who came back stronger after injuries… You got this! Thanks for sharing your journey
Loved the video Ben. Good to see you and Sarah out racing. You got some amazing video. I've done some challenging races like that. I've done a pretty hilly marathon out in Lake Tahoe at altitude, which took a lot out of me. I've also done a few half marathons that involved several thousand feet of elevation climb. They are humbling but if you go in with the right attitude, they wind up being awesome stories to tell once you are done. Great work and loved the sense of adventure on this one.
Awesome to see you so happy again Ben! I Finished my first marathon last month, I’m finally all recovered and now back into training for the next one ☝️
Well done Ben, looks like a lovely place to run. I've taken a step back from races and am concentrating on trying to regain some fitness and loose weight. Running will be part of that but was feeling a lot of pressure and stress around races when I knew my fitness had deteriorated so much this last year so for now its just for fun as and when I feel like it. Feeling much better though.
Omg some of those drops made me go dizzy! Well done Ben, so good that you are feeling better mentally. Keep doing the right things and well done for bringing attention to mental health issues.
Trank you for this Great Video. It was so nice looking at it. Also good to see you happy and positiv again. Get it done Ben. You are an Inspiration for me.
So great to see you out there enjoying your running again, and smashing these races! Finally signed up for another race in about 6 weeks' time. Cannot wait to get back out there, even if I'm not 100% fit right now. Patellofemoral injury lingering on longer than I expected! Just racing will be fun, understanding I probably won't be smashing any PRs just yet.
Awesome trail. I love that area. I visited it once a couple of years ago and stayed in Lynmouth. Really looking to go back someday in the future and run an organised trail.
Wonderful view , beautiful video & some motivating words. The facial expression at the end of the marathon says it all well done Ben. Keep getting it done as are we. Have a good one mate! Good job Sarah as well.
Great running buddy, this is an event i have looked in to, may have to book it now! I must admit I really like the rolling starts, hope they stay, like the relaxed feeling of them
They had lots of fruit, which I ate when at the aid station.. then left with that little stash to eat and run with. Really well stocked! Good luck Chris!
Started a new marathon program in preparation for the Melbourne Marathon in October this week. Three runs in and looking forward ti my long run over the weekend
Fantastic, super quality vlog as always. A pleasure to watch. Hardest race was my first HM (Stoke on Trent Festival of Running) in 2018 in 27 degC heat a driving sun - what a baptism into running - phew 🥵
Very beautiful scenery! Good to see you guys back out running races. I have a marathon in two days and really looking forward to it. It may be my toughest, with 85+ degree Fahrenheit temps (29 C) and 100% humidity. Hilly, but nowhere remotely like the one in this video.
Currently training for Race to the Stones; it’ll be my first ultra event and ran 30 miles this weekend for the first time ever! So hard but so proud of myself 👍🏻
Great Video, Maverick Races organise the best trail races. Course looks great, hopefully doing the Maverick Frontier 54km in the Chilterns in July 🤞 and very excited!
Staggered starts are great…. I like ‘RUN THROUGH’ races with groups of 4 running off together with people running similar EST times. Makes the races more comfortable for both faster and slower runs and i hope everywhere else keeps this style of running or adopts this style of starting mass races🤞🏻
I dont come here for the fast times, Ben, I come here for the personality. Seeing you enjoy yourself is the best we can ask for. We may all have goals and expectations of ourselves but if you're enjoying your passion then who cares about the data?
What beautiful scenery and glad you both had a lovely run! Definitely want to get some trail shoes and head a bit more off road, might be good to mix it up whilst London marathon training…. We’ll see!
It certainly helps with regular marathon training.. good to do runs where pace doesn't matter.. plus a bit kinder on the body with softer ground. And helps you get strong on the hills as well!!
Good to see you running - great location! On the ignoring surgeon... if it was me I'd do the exact same. But I would train smart and have more recovery days - it won't have a big impact on your times, but it might help being able to keep up the running. I know runners like to run...
I'm doing that one too! Same time since my last race. Did the Brentwood Half and went down with Covid that evening a week before 1st lockdown. Doing St Albans a week before we (hopefully) come out of it. Nice bit of symmetry there. 😄
@@ThatRunningGuy Well I was very slow. I was using it as a chatty training run with my friend before I do my first ultra (Lea Valley 50k) on Saturday. 2h 10m in the end. It was VERY hot and hilly and my friend was feeling it somewhat. I think I might have annoyed him by being too cheerful. 🤣 Nice to be back at a proper event though. Nice ribbon on the medal I thought. How did you do?
Got two minutes in and thought 'I know that place'. I ran that ultra last year in the lockdown break! Went 2.5 miles in the wrong direction, at the two mile mark. So, ended up back at two miles after running 7... but loved every minute and the hardest I've ever done. The best runners high too. Those hills are fluffy green walls of pain
it won't be bad for the rest of your life BEN!! i have the same fibula plate and screws (broke mine in HS) it just takes about a year and a half to really feel 100% on it again... you'll be just fine!
Rolling start is ok, but there is nothing like the countdown to a big group start at any race! Helps when everyone is running off the same gun time later in the race to help pace out a final kick. You're making this Midwestern American jealous for those views!
Love your attitude Ben and I don’t think surgeons and doctors fully understand us runners and what the body is capable of with the right means. Tough race mate but beautiful views!
Dude you rock. Hardest race for me, in Aotearoa/NZ there’s one called the Hillary. 80k mostly coastal, 3800m or thereabouts. Most amazing Run I’ve ever done. Done it 4 times, between 18 hour’s and 12 hours
Well done to you both that's tough but beautiful terrain, thanks for letting us be part of it too :) not far from me so maybe one for my bucket list in the future :)
Nice one 😃👍 last weekend I ran the MudCrew Southwest Traverse and funny enough my wife and I had the same Premier inn meals including the side dish of sweet potato chips 😂 good vid, nice run. Keep up the good work 👍
Loving the video as always! If you enjoy the westcounty, I recommend Lemur Loop in Nov 😎👍 just don't bring a team of six as we're returning as the winning team 😁 good luck at UTMB too dude
Well done! What an incredibly beautiful course. And thanks for taking a moment to extend some love to others who may be struggling, and a shoutout to Sage as well. Very classy. 🌱✌🏼
What is the hardest race you've ever ran??
The 5k I did last week was pretty tough
Probably this Sunday’s Hilly HM, could possibly be 30 degrees 😎🥵
Marathon des Sables
North Downs Way 50 miler. I filmed it for my the channel to look back at in the future. Hardest, but most proud of.
@@DanRuns was just about to post the same myself. Beautiful race that.
I understand the feeling of loss and depression when injured and the knowing of maybe you will never be right again. I have spine degeneration and I have been running since I was five. Im 41 now, nearly 42. My back was really bad. Two disc protrusions and the prospect of surgery scared me. Im always in pain. I didnt run for two years.... as I couldnt walk without crutches. I was depressed, I was raising my daughter and she wasnt seeing the real me, the athlete. She only knew the crippled me. In fact one day she said I was lazy. OMG my heart broke into peices. She was 5 then, BUT That is NOT me, Im really active and busy etc, I was so sad but that. So ... I got an indoor bike and started riding, pain or no pain. Some days I couldnt walk, but turned out, i could always get on the bike. I learnt to spin and did classes everyday.........Two years later I had rebuilt my body enough to attempt running again. I felt my depression lifting. 30 seconds on, then walk then 30 secs on and then walk. My back would go out and the pain was unbearable. BUT ten years later, I race the 10k and the 5k and Im hard to beat! Pain has lessened, but I have learnt to live with it. Now I call my PAIN, 'MY SUPER POWER' Look what Im achieving in this amount of pain and also making myself better. With one day at a time. Accepting that not everyday is a good day, just makes the good days that much better and appreciate them more. I go running nearly everyday now, 10ks at a time, The strength I built to support my failing back im really proud of. No surgery in my 'near' future. But I know it will happen though, its getting a bit worse, and sometimes my legs give out when Im walking, but NEVER ON A RUN or bike.... SOOO Im winning lol. Re learning to live again takes time. Be kind to yourself. and re learn what the body needs. When I was a competitive track runner in my teens and twenties, three times I had to be lifted off the track with my back going out, didnt know then what was happening. Im proud of my 24mins 5k PB and my 54 min 10k PB. Training for the half marathon and have been for 3yrs now. But I am running into trouble with the training. And have had to pull out due to injury all stemming from my back. I know I can do 21.6k easily, I can do it on my long run days, but my back and hammy, (hammy, long term injury) says otherwise leading up to the race. BUT this year, im still going enter in November. 4th time lucky. I was told at the age of 15 my running days were over, the first time I cried about any sport. I got back into it. At twenty four, I was told again. and again at 30. Im 41 now, and the best runner I have ever been. My times are not like a twenty year olds lol... but My age group Im hard to beat. In Feb, I won a race 5 km, against all ages female, and third overall with the men as well. I printed that out and its on my wall :-) Its has special meaning to me. I couldnt walk 10yrs ago... and now I can race. And win
I started running when the pandemic started. I needed something to focus on, and an ease to my mental health, after losing my job. Running gave me a lot of motivation. I ran too hard in the beginning, and I got runners knee. I had to take a step back to do rehabilitation exercises and started doing strength and conditioning, with the goal of being able to run consistent. Since, I've learned to take it SLOW and build gradually. Yesterday I did my first 10 K in one hour, with easy pace. I'm grateful and happy for this achievement. And my running goal is to do a marathon in September 2022.
You've been there along all the way, Ben! Thank you. Keep up the good work.
Yes!!! Rolling starts are the best thing to come out of social distancing!! So much better. No stress. No queues for loos. Chance to take a deep breath.
I found your channel through Sarah. Thank you for sharing the beautiful views and highlighting mental as well as physical health. It gets easier! I destroyed my ankle in late 2018 after years of repeated injury and now have 4 screws and artificial ligaments. The first 12 months were the hardest. The first 2-3 after the cast came off I had to learn how to wiggle my toes and get my foot to respond again. I obviously don’t perform on anything remotely on your level but not only did it eventually feel normal again, after years of ankle injuries it’s actually better than ever. I know you and Sarah also bike, but adding in swimming also made a huge difference for me. Good luck and thank you for sharing!
Thank you for sharing your story.. lovely to hear how well you've progressed and continue to do so!
Love that you won’t let your ankle injury stop you! 🤟❤️
7:48 LETS GO! Want to run through a wall after this speech. Way to go Ben, keep the dream alive, don't let anyone tell you what you can't do!
My GP said my running days were over. Knee issue. 5 years later after 3 months physio guidance I’m still at it and zero issues. I’m not saying simply ignore medical advice, more interrogate and talk to others. Medicine is not an exact science as I was told many many years ago.
agree - running issues occur and resolve differently in all of us. i received similar guidance, yet just ran this spectacular Maverick Exmoor route (and others before it that i'd have been gutted to miss out on)
Good to hear you are running. I had exactly the same. They said i might be needing a walking stick if i continued running. After 12 years and burning 5 PT's on the way i could not hold back anymore and forced myself to use a beginners program and stick to it. Now, 5 years later i sometimes run 100k weeks ......
Thirty one years ago a specialist diagnosed osteo-arthritis in my right knee and advised me not to run again. I was flattened, two months later I started running again and now, in a normal year, I restrict myself to just two marathons a year, four or five halves and eight or so other races. At 60 years of age I am try to keep the training mileage to below 50 miles a week.
You are so open hearted, it is amazing.
Video looks full of energy, love and belief.
Awesome video. That view/area at 2:08 is called The Valley of the Rocks if anyone is wondering. Incredible place!
Thanks Luke.. was an epic coastline to run along!
8:34 - 'Full smiles, on those miles, getting it done.' I'm with you Ben, what a great way to put it! Whatever happens, as long as you're able to keep getting it done, you're doing something right!
So stoked for you Ben, it's awesome to see you really enjoying your running again!! I think this really puts into perspective some of the mental health and anxiety issues you've talked about recently surrounding health concerns - to have a surgeon tell you to give up on your dream of UTMB must have been devastating. But I love that you are determined to prove them wrong. Stay strong and keep going legend!!
My favorite Ben Parkes videos are Ben Parkes race videos
Lucky enough to live near here, Lynton, Countisbury Hill and Valley of the Rocks. Stunning coastline, try the North Devon Marathon sometime, bit further along the coast towards Woolacombe.
Just watching this again, thinking of a holiday next year incorporating this race. Stunning scenery 😍
Wow.. just wow..awesome run Ben. Thank you for taking us along 🙏
The hardest race I've ever ran was my first ultramarathon this April, the Hardmoors 30 at Whitby in NE England (33 miles, 1000m climb on a coastal loop a bit like this one) doing much better than I expected in getting 12th/222 with 5hr04. I have a sped up video of the whole route on my channel. Thanks for doing TH-cam Ben, bought your plan and using your vid to do my first road marathon in October. Also hope Sage can get back to full health too 🙏🏼
I think this is your best run video to date. Glad to see you back on form Ben!
Congratulations, great run, great video, keep the great work going. Thank you for all the inspiration, and motivation. God Bless you all, and your families. Praying for you both, Praying for your ankle to heal Mate.
Congratulations on your run and thanks for cheering me up today, had a dismal day at work. First day back after being on holiday in South Cornwall. I loved running and walking those coastal paths and countryside. I have a 40 mile trial run in less than two weeks.
Superb video Ben. Thank you. I can’t wait to get back to the UK.
That race looks fantastic, certainly one to add to the wish list. Well done to both you and Sarah, and a great shout out for Sage Canaday.
Ben you are an inspiration both in terms of running and your openess with Mental Health issues. You are to me what Sage was to you. Keep up the awesome stuff you and Sarah are doing. Much props from NZ
So proud of your comeback, man! You are so right - you’ll be stronger than before when this is all done. I’m currently reading How Bad Do You Want It? by Matt Fitzgerald and it’s riddled with stories of athletes who came back stronger after injuries… You got this! Thanks for sharing your journey
Loved the video Ben. Good to see you and Sarah out racing. You got some amazing video. I've done some challenging races like that. I've done a pretty hilly marathon out in Lake Tahoe at altitude, which took a lot out of me. I've also done a few half marathons that involved several thousand feet of elevation climb. They are humbling but if you go in with the right attitude, they wind up being awesome stories to tell once you are done. Great work and loved the sense of adventure on this one.
Such a good video! Thoroughly enjoyed watching this! Good for you for not giving up and sticking with the running and racing 🙌🏻
Great to see you getting it done and enjoying it again!!
Awesome to see you so happy again Ben! I Finished my first marathon last month, I’m finally all recovered and now back into training for the next one ☝️
Absolutely LOVED this video! So happy for you. You make me a better runner! Thanks ever so much for sharing.
Great video Ben, inspirational story in a humbling landscape!
Great video, I love the race vlogs, thanks for all the work that went into this.
Well done Ben, looks like a lovely place to run. I've taken a step back from races and am concentrating on trying to regain some fitness and loose weight. Running will be part of that but was feeling a lot of pressure and stress around races when I knew my fitness had deteriorated so much this last year so for now its just for fun as and when I feel like it. Feeling much better though.
Love this 👏love seeing you guys back out and 'Getting it done' 💪
Omg some of those drops made me go dizzy! Well done Ben, so good that you are feeling better mentally. Keep doing the right things and well done for bringing attention to mental health issues.
Trank you for this Great Video. It was so nice looking at it. Also good to see you happy and positiv again. Get it done Ben. You are an Inspiration for me.
Love it, the wonderful views (which bring back happy memories of my 630 mile SWCP walk) and your renewed positivity. Go Ben and Sarah!
Great job Ben. Looked stunning. Will add it to my must-do list.
Mate. Thanks for the great vid. And a special thanks for you comment on Sage. He's definitely doing it touch but has great support behind him.
Well done Ben and Sarah! Beautiful scenery there
Super video Ben. That scenery was stunning. So nice to see you both out in the same race. Hope the ankle holds out for UTMB. All the best.
Great to see that smile throughout the race 👍🏃🏻♂️
So great to see you out there enjoying your running again, and smashing these races! Finally signed up for another race in about 6 weeks' time. Cannot wait to get back out there, even if I'm not 100% fit right now. Patellofemoral injury lingering on longer than I expected! Just racing will be fun, understanding I probably won't be smashing any PRs just yet.
Absolutely beautiful views! Nice job on the video Ben!
Awesome trail. I love that area. I visited it once a couple of years ago and stayed in Lynmouth. Really looking to go back someday in the future and run an organised trail.
Wonderful view , beautiful video & some motivating words.
The facial expression at the end of the marathon says it all well done Ben. Keep getting it done as are we.
Have a good one mate!
Good job Sarah as well.
Great running buddy, this is an event i have looked in to, may have to book it now! I must admit I really like the rolling starts, hope they stay, like the relaxed feeling of them
Good to see you running the trails again Ben.
Great to have these types of vids in my feed again!!!
Good to see Oreos and walkers crisps at the stations. I’m doing a 15 mile Maverick race in Hampshire 19th June. Weather forecast is looking sunny
They had lots of fruit, which I ate when at the aid station.. then left with that little stash to eat and run with. Really well stocked! Good luck Chris!
Wow! That race looks beautiful! ❤❤❤ what beautiful views😍❤
Started a new marathon program in preparation for the Melbourne Marathon in October this week. Three runs in and looking forward ti my long run over the weekend
Fantastic, super quality vlog as always. A pleasure to watch.
Hardest race was my first HM (Stoke on Trent Festival of Running) in 2018 in 27 degC heat a driving sun - what a baptism into running - phew 🥵
Very beautiful scenery! Good to see you guys back out running races. I have a marathon in two days and really looking forward to it. It may be my toughest, with 85+ degree Fahrenheit temps (29 C) and 100% humidity. Hilly, but nowhere remotely like the one in this video.
Have a great race Danny!!
Currently training for Race to the Stones; it’ll be my first ultra event and ran 30 miles this weekend for the first time ever! So hard but so proud of myself 👍🏻
Great Video, Maverick Races organise the best trail races. Course looks great, hopefully doing the Maverick Frontier 54km in the Chilterns in July 🤞 and very excited!
Good luck Alan.. I hope you have a blast out there in the Chiltens!
Staggered starts are great…. I like ‘RUN THROUGH’ races with groups of 4 running off together with people running similar EST times. Makes the races more comfortable for both faster and slower runs and i hope everywhere else keeps this style of running or adopts this style of starting mass races🤞🏻
beautiful scenery... we are here Ben.. keep strong.
Wow, what an amazing looking race and well done on getting it done!
I dont come here for the fast times, Ben, I come here for the personality. Seeing you enjoy yourself is the best we can ask for. We may all have goals and expectations of ourselves but if you're enjoying your passion then who cares about the data?
What beautiful scenery and glad you both had a lovely run! Definitely want to get some trail shoes and head a bit more off road, might be good to mix it up whilst London marathon training…. We’ll see!
It certainly helps with regular marathon training.. good to do runs where pace doesn't matter.. plus a bit kinder on the body with softer ground. And helps you get strong on the hills as well!!
Good to see you out there grinding and enjoying the epic views.
Those trails look awesome.
Ben , Sarah , you would love the trails here in Jersey 😁
Nice work Ben! Awesome scenery.
Good to see you running - great location! On the ignoring surgeon... if it was me I'd do the exact same. But I would train smart and have more recovery days - it won't have a big impact on your times, but it might help being able to keep up the running. I know runners like to run...
Great video Ben love the passion and drive
Love the sentiment at the 8 minute mark. Go get after UTMB!!!
Amazing that you can both share your running passion together👍 Got my first race since March 2020 on Sunday, St Albans HM...can’t wait 😁
I'm doing that one too! Same time since my last race. Did the Brentwood Half and went down with Covid that evening a week before 1st lockdown. Doing St Albans a week before we (hopefully) come out of it. Nice bit of symmetry there. 😄
Sarah and me sending our best to you for the Half!!
@@darrensmith3337 Best of luck, hopefully I’ll see you there. I’ll be the one talking to the GoPro 👍
@@BenParkes Thanks, appreciate it
@@ThatRunningGuy Well I was very slow. I was using it as a chatty training run with my friend before I do my first ultra (Lea Valley 50k) on Saturday. 2h 10m in the end. It was VERY hot and hilly and my friend was feeling it somewhat. I think I might have annoyed him by being too cheerful. 🤣 Nice to be back at a proper event though. Nice ribbon on the medal I thought. How did you do?
I can see rolling starts as nice for trail/narrow track running, but for road races there's nothing beating the excitement of the mass start.
Congrats to you both 💪👍
Very inspiring video, Ben 💪💪👏
Got two minutes in and thought 'I know that place'. I ran that ultra last year in the lockdown break! Went 2.5 miles in the wrong direction, at the two mile mark. So, ended up back at two miles after running 7... but loved every minute and the hardest I've ever done. The best runners high too. Those hills are fluffy green walls of pain
Good attitude man. Well done.
it won't be bad for the rest of your life BEN!! i have the same fibula plate and screws (broke mine in HS) it just takes about a year and a half to really feel 100% on it again... you'll be just fine!
Well done ! Can't wait to see the UTMB video. Looks like a trip up to Wales or Scotland for practise is on the cards? :)
Will hopefully be going to Wales again very soon for some more elevation!
Yeaaaa! Glad to see you're in better form Ben. Nice shout out for poor Sage. I feel so bad for the guy, but I'm sure he'll recover from his issues.
I hope so too! He's a strong guy and very fit as well.. back stronger soon!
Wooaah! What a wonderful route to run! Added to that ever growing bucket list
Rolling start is ok, but there is nothing like the countdown to a big group start at any race! Helps when everyone is running off the same gun time later in the race to help pace out a final kick.
You're making this Midwestern American jealous for those views!
Awesome!!
Good stuff guys! Stunning scenery and congrats on the ankle holding up. That must feel awesome. Yeah surgeons; what do they know!!!😀
Well done Ben, looked a good one that, that cliff edge though 😱
Love your attitude Ben and I don’t think surgeons and doctors fully understand us runners and what the body is capable of with the right means. Tough race mate but beautiful views!
Amazing run/race! Well done!
Way to get after it Ben.
Dude you rock. Hardest race for me, in Aotearoa/NZ there’s one called the Hillary. 80k mostly coastal, 3800m or thereabouts. Most amazing Run I’ve ever done. Done it 4 times, between 18 hour’s and 12 hours
Scenery there definitely beats a runthrough event 😂
What a magnificent trail!!!
Well done, Ben. Those hills looked a little bit challenging!
Well done to you both that's tough but beautiful terrain, thanks for letting us be part of it too :) not far from me so maybe one for my bucket list in the future :)
Those trails look immense. Great video 👏👏👏
Massive kudos Ben👌
The views are sensational! Great to take your mind off the miles ticking by
Nice one 😃👍 last weekend I ran the MudCrew Southwest Traverse and funny enough my wife and I had the same Premier inn meals including the side dish of sweet potato chips 😂 good vid, nice run. Keep up the good work 👍
that route looks awesome. Must venture down that way for a run sometime.
Looking good ben! Scenery looked insane!
Loving the video as always! If you enjoy the westcounty, I recommend Lemur Loop in Nov 😎👍 just don't bring a team of six as we're returning as the winning team 😁 good luck at UTMB too dude
Well done! What an incredibly beautiful course. And thanks for taking a moment to extend some love to others who may be struggling, and a shoutout to Sage as well. Very classy. 🌱✌🏼
Another great video. Thanks dude
Great effort. Inspired me to buy from your shop. Hope it helps me with my races.
Looks a nice race to run, sounds like you came out strong too - UTMB here you come !
I’m down on the Endurancelife Exmoor marathon this weekend on a very similar route. I was gutted when I saw you were down here last weekend.
Good luck with the race Nick.. you'll have a blast!