The Story So Far…

Welcome to ultramarathon.life. 

We’re not exactly sure what this site is yet, but we’re starting off with two main objectives. The first is to share my adventure runs with the world. The second is to support people with their own dreams and ideas.

The idea for this has been bumping around my head for a while. The seeds were planted somewhere between 2006 and 2008 when Long Way Round sparked my love for both motorcycles and adventure. 

At some point, I came across the documentary Mile… Mile & A Half, which gave me the idea to film my adventures but I only ended up with this:

That was filmed a decade ago, and since then I’ve done more hiking, taken up ultra-running, done the whole #vanlife thing, moved country, and still not got around to following my dream. I’m not far off 42, which is probably a better place for a mid-life crisis for Douglas Adams fans than 40 is. So, after planning procrastinating for a decade, it’s time to get started.

So, I’m 40-something and out of shape. I’ve not run in over six months. In fact, the only exercise I’ve done in that time has been when working out alongside one of my PT clients. This is a pretty abysmal state of affairs when you’re a) meant to be a PT, and b) actually enjoy exercising. 

Over the next few months, I’ll be documenting my attempts to train for, organise and run the length of Japan. I have no idea how any of this is going to go. For starters, I’m unfit and I hate being on camera. But at the same time, how can I encourage anyone else to follow their dreams if I’m not willing to get a little uncomfortable when chasing mine. 

Alongside trying to document my own journey, I want to build some sort of community aspect to this site, to support others who want to chase their own running dreams. I’m not sure what that community will look like; I’m not sure what people’s dream runs are. But if you’re interested check out The Dream Run Collective and drop me a message. 

And really, that’s why I want to share the stories of my silly runs. Because if an ordinary fellow like me can wander off and run the length of a country, you can too. (If you want, you don’t have to.)

I hope, as it grows, you find this site gives you the information and motivation to go off on your own silly run. 

Thanks for reading and welcome to ultramarathon.life