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In return you are guaranteed coverage on my website, I can wear kit with your logo on, can put advertising on my van (which is seen all over the country with racing nearly every weekend - in summer as much as two or three races per week) and where possible get coverage in the media, I am regularly covered in local newspapers and occasionally get coverage on TV. I was ranked No 1 in GB and No 4 in the world for 24 hours in 2009 and am still improving my performances at all distances. I will also continue to represent my country at International level at events that UK Athletics and England support. Spira shoes
Spira shoes are quite new to the UK market and are designed for pounding the roads at all distances. The new spring design created an energy return system to help lesson fatigue. It’s rare that you get an opportunity to wear such revolutionary shoes and so I am privileged to join the band of runners wearing these shoes. The first shoes I wore in the range were the Stinger and Stinger Elite. I took to these shoes immediately, very flexible and breathable and extremely light. My first road race was a half marathon and improved the club record immediately, compared to 2008 I improved all my short distance times wearing these shoes in 2009, from 5km up to the marathon (not easy when you are a Vet 45!). They are light enough to wear for a marathon if you want a good time, often I use marathons for training and so wear the heavier training shoe, but did try them in the Luton Marathon where I got my best time of the year despite not being in my best shape for the year. Like all light weight racing shoes their life is limited, but I can 100% say with confidence they are the best racing flat I have ever worn. They have the lightness and feel of racing flats, but the next day my legs recover much quicker as if wearing a heavier trainer. For my long distance races and heavy training schedule it took time to test the Striker to compare the results to previous trainers. The turning point really came in the Commonwealth 24 Hours, being slightly heavier than my previous 24 hour shoe I was a little reluctant to wear them, but as you have time to change shoes in 24 hours I had the Stinger lined up in case I needed a light weight shoe to finish with. There was no need, my feet were the best they have ever been in this race, just one tiny blister and my feet had none of the usual throbbing and aching that I usually experience in these races and my quads were not screaming at me as they usually do. The shoes performed well throughout the year but until the Commonwealths I had nothing convincing to say they were any different from other trainers. In that Commonwealths I had a few problems in training and had been to previous races fitter, although not “unfit” I had a schedule written for 215km that I thought would be enough to win gold, the result was a staggering 226km and I did not have to fight hard through the pain barrier in the last 4 hours. I am convinced the shoes were the factor that not only helped win gold, but helped me climb back up the World Rankings, finally finishing 4th in the IAU ranking for 2009. I would not run a 24 hour race without them. Website: www.spirafootwear.co.uk Mannatech
Sport: herbal supplements with Ambrotose taken before and after training runs and during ultra distance races. These products help lessen the stiffness I experience associated with exercising. I take four capsules before and after training and when running ultras try to take one capsule every hour. Empact: Sports drink taken before and during races, made slightly more dilute than recommended make up. As with most sports drinks this helps keep hydrated and more carbohydrates in the body while training. Drink as and when needed during training and races where I am able to have support. Glycoslim: taken immediately after all training runs and races, chocolate flavour is usually made up with hot milk as after cold runs as I get very cold after training, vanilla flavour is often incorporated into a smoothie, blended with yoghurt and fruits such as banana, melon, pineapple and kiwi fruit. These products have a good content of nutrients and although aimed at slimmers these are the perfect make up to recover from hard running before the body can take solid food, they also have a good supply of protein to repair tissues damaged during exercise (also tastes superb!!) Ambrotose Powder: this product helps keep the immune system healthy and is based on cell communication and carbohydrates not found in the diet. I have recently doubled my intake of this product to a teaspoon per day and hope this will help with my asthma. Catalyst: basically a vitamin and mineral supplement, more of an insurance policy to ensure I am not short of nutrients but prefer to take Mannatech products as I have been assured they are free from contaminations and have been drugs tested several times while taking Mannatech supplements. I take two tablets twice a day as the recommended dose Ambrotose AO: a supplement based antioxidant formula that neutralise free radicals and toxins in the body, I take one capsule twice a day as the recommended dose. Catalyst: basically a vitamin and mineral supplement, more of an insurance policy to ensure I am not short of nutrients but prefer to take Mannatech products as I have been assured they are free from contaminations and have been drugs tested several times while taking Mannatech supplements. I take two tablets twice a day as the recommended dose. Centurion Systems
My diet is very healthy but there is little I could do to improve my bone density until I came across this equipment. I have been using it since July last year and returned to my sport to achieve a new personal best distance in my 24 hour event by the end of the year. The equipment can be purchased outright or temporarily hired out to see the effects, which is what I initially set out to do but is now permanently set up at home and used regularly every day. Do take a look at the systems as they really are a safe product to aid recovery from a number of problems. Website: www.centurion-systems.co.uk
Sponsors for Libyan Challenge 2007 EIM is paying the cost of entering the event. University of Teesside is giving £1250 towards support to complete this event, such as equipment, use of the environmental chamber to acclimatise. Matthew Wright is co-ordinating the various disciplines of support such as nutrition, exercise physiology and biomechanics (very different running on soft sand and carrying a big ruck-sack). Darren Cooper from the Sport Injury side is trying to keep me injury free. The
Backpackers Shop, Guisborough is supplying all the equipment
I need at cost price – GPS, sleeping bag, ruck-sack, sahara
cap, waterproof socks etc. Sponsors for LEJOG 2006
Sponsor
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