Jamie Flanagan - Questions & Answers (2013 Ocean Floor Race Entrant)

1. Can you tell us a little about yourself,  your family, where you live, profession, hobbies etc etc

I was born and brought up in Montrose on the 1st of November 1982.  I was always obsessed with music from a young age and went on to study for a BA in Applied music with honours at Strathclyde University in Glasgow (Graduating in 2008).  Drum kit and congas were my main instruments - Specialising in Jazz and Cuban music.  

My career was interrupted in 2000 by being diagnosed with a rare disease called Wegeners Granulomatosis.  This illness caused me to lose a large proportion of my hearing and spent the next couple of years going through the rigours of Chemotherapy.  This didn't stop me in my ambition to study music, but played a major part in my decision to embark on a different career.  I am currently working with Majestic Wine Warehouse in Inverness as a trainee manager.  

My main hobby aside from music and running is football and following the mighty Glasgow Celtic!

2. What attracted you to enter ?

Running has kind of been my substitute for the day to day studying of music.  Just like music, I'm always looking for the next big challenge and this race fits that bill perfectly.   

When I'm older and I'm telling people about the "holiday" I went on when I was 30, I don't want to say I was lying on a deck chair in the Costa del Sol.  I want to say I ran 160 miles across the Egyptian White desert.  This is one of the ultimate tests of human endurance and a real test of mental strength.  One that I will pass.  

3. Do you have any ultra running experience?

I have ran further than 30 miles in training, but have no ultra running experience aside from that. 

4. What do your friends and family think to you entering the event?

After undoubtedly saying that I'm mad, they understand my ambition and determination to always raise the bar.  I've done it ever since I was kid.  They are all very supportive of my running ambitions, however, they are already getting bored of me constantly talking about it!  Apparently I am the sort of person that does these things and they believe this won't be my last Ultra.

5. Do you anticipate any problems during the race?

There are always problems in long races, it's how you overcome them that counts.  That's what makes it so exciting! 

6. Are you or will you be raising money for a charity doing this event? If so how did you get involved with the charity and do you have a fundraising target and a place where people can sponsor you?

I am going to be raising for this event, and will hopefully be doing so for 2 charities relating to the illness that I was diagnosed with in 2000.  So far I am raising money for Vasculitis UK running in 2 marathons this year (Rome and Berlin).  I'm hoping to include the Lauren Currie Twilight Foundation in the fund raising efforts.  

Most people diagnosed with this disease are affected with heart, lung and kidney problems.  I am incredibly lucky to have only lost a proportion my hearing and see this as the perfect opportunity to prove there is life after being diagnosed with Wegeners.  When I read about this illness on the Internet back in 2000, it read like I was on my death bed and that my life was over.  I will try to change that and give fellow Wegeners patients hope and belief that this is very much not the case.  

Details of the fund raising page and targets will follow in due course.

7. How will you train for this event ?

Aside from running in 2 marathons this year, I'm going to be consulting a few message boards for Ultra training tips.  I'll also be meeting Tony Audenshaw (Bob the barman from Emmerdale and marathontalk podcast funnyman extraordinaire!)  in April and will be asking him for tips as he has ran a few Ultra Marathons.  He is also going to be helping raise awareness of my fund raising efforts and promote my participation in this event.

8. What would you say to someone who is physically fit but reluctant to take part in an event like this as they don't think they have what it takes?

If I've learned anything from my life it's that life has hurdles around every corner and it just depends on which hurdle to jump.  They're all possible, you just need to do it.  To complete this event you just need to keep putting one foot in front of the other...  a lot.  Sounds simple really.  In saying that, this event is not for everyone.  It is going to take a lot of dedication to complete it, and it's going to hurt... A LOT.  You've got to love pushing the boundaries and going somewhere you may not be comfortable.

9. Will you take anything with you that isn't compulsory but you feel will aid you in the challenge?

I normally run without a hearing aid for fear of damaging it.  Siemans hearing instruments have agreed to supply me with very rugged hearing aids called Aquaris to help me with this event.  Life was meant to be lived without limits, and the Aquaris hearing instrument will help me do just that.

10.What do you think to the time limit of 94 hours and will moving at night be a problem for you?

The time limit is another challenge, but one I will relish.  If there wasn't a time limit, or it was longer, there would be a temptation to rest more.  The night time is my favourite time to run and I love my head torch!  It's going to be difficult but this is an Ultra marathon, not a walk in the park.  Bring it on!

Entries for 2012 will open soon.

We are currently just getting our new website put together so shouldn't be too much longer until we can start taking entries for our 2012 events.

Profile on Matthew Eales (Ocean Floor Race Entrant)

Describe yourself, family, where you live, profession, hobbies
My name is Matthew Eales, I am 22 years old from Cardiff. Currently I am a barman at a hotel and an ardent supporter of Arsenal FC.


What is the Ocean Floor Race and what attracted you to enter?
The description ‘ultra-marathon’ tells you everything you need to know about this event. It is going to be a very stern test, both in having the discipline in training and during the race itself. I expect like many of the other competitors I’m looking to find out what I’m capable of in the harshest of circumstances. When your whole body is telling you to stop can you keep the presence of mind to keep on going. As much a test of will power than of physical ability. At least that is the test I am hoping to get from it. As well as a few nice holiday snaps for the collection!


Do you anticipate any problems?
Although I can train for the distance, the South Wales climate doesn’t quite replicate that of the Sahara so I anticipate that will be a shock to the system.

Are you raising money for a charity for this event?
No, not for this event.

How will you train?
By running/hiking and incrementally increasing the distance as the race draws closer to get used to greater distances. Then try and start doing it on back-to-back days. Hopefully I will be able to have some multi-day hikes with overnight camping but that will depend on work patterns.

What do family/friends think of you entering?
Vast majority were positive, a few concerns, a few simply 'why?'. A couple others I remember...‘Shouldn’t you do a marathon first’, ‘That’s pretty cool’, ‘Don’t ask me to join you’.

Do you have any ultra running experience?
No.

What would you say to someone who is physically able but reluctant?
What immediately springs to mind is the “Man in the Arena’ speech by Theodore Roosevelt, it always stirs me to action. It’s message that endeavour and daring, even if failure pursues, will always give a far richer experience than inactivity, holds true in just about every facet of life.

Do you need any special equipment to participate?
No.


Will you take anything non-compulsory but you think will aid you?
I will be carrying bandages, strapping etc as a precaution. I’m undecided on the iPod, although I don’t normally run with music, 96 hours is a long time to spend in just my own company!


Still taking entries... please request an entry form at www.oceanfloorrace.com

Offer - Any entrant who gets their experience of the Ocean Floor Race published in a national publication will receive a refund of £200 from their entrance fee. (£200 per full page of editorial.) 

Leg Amputee Enters One Of Worlds Toughest Races

The Ocean Floor Race is a non stop footrace of 160 miles through one of the most beautiful and unusual landscapes on earth.

With a time limit of 4 days to complete this ultra marathon event, entrants will be directed through the Egyptian Western desert and specifically the Egyptian White Desert to check-points every 15 miles where they will have access to water and their drop bags filled with food.

A race of this nature would attract (you would think) some of the most elite and naturally gifted athletes on the planet. Well a gentleman by the name of Colin Edwards (56) is changing preconceptions of what someone can achieve if they are positive and determined enough. Colin has entered The Ocean Floor Race which is due to take place at the end of May 2012. What is remarkable about this entry is that Colin has only one leg. So what is a 56 year old man with only one leg doing entering one of the toughest races on the planet. We caught up with Colin to ask him a few questions.

1a. So Colin, tell us a bit about yourself....
I live in Devon on the edge of Dartmoor with my partner Heidi, in a timber framed house I built my self, I have 2 children Tom 18 and Emily 21, Heidi has 2 children Hannah 13 and Elliot 9 the house can be quite busy sometimes! I am a farmer / contractor, hobbies, guess what, running! tag rugby swimming ( sea, any time of year ) panto, oh yes i do

1. Exactly what is The Ocean Floor Race and what attracted you to enter ?
 Its a race of 160 miles through the White Desert in Egypt. I found the event on the Internet and was attracted by the amazing landscape. It sounded like a real adventure  so thought I'd give it a go.

2. What even more remarkable about your entry is that you are an amputee, could you explain how this happened? I had a motor cycle accident at 18.  Due to chronic problems down the years as a result of this I had an amputation in my 40's .

3. Do you anticipate any problems during the race related to your disability and how will you combat these problems? My stump does get sore and blisters if it is not conditioned. The only way to minimize this is to toughen it up with distance training
 
 The socket that my stump sits in does create alot of sweat. I do use anti perspirant but this  can cause problems as well. It will be a case of regular wiping of the socket which will be a pain but I'm sure it will be fine.
 
4. Are you or will you be raising money for a charity doing this event? If so how did you get involved with the charity and do you have a fundraising target and a place where people can sponsor you?I have raised money in the past for PORTER who aid mobility for amputees so may do the same again.


5. How will you train for this and will you need any specialist equipment to aid you in the event? distance training and more distance training, hopefully new C sprint with off road adaption. This is basically one of those hi tech prosthetic limbs that many sprinters in the Paralympics have.

6. What do your friends and family think to you entering the event? worried!


7. What would you say to someone who is fully able bodied who think that completing an event like this is near on impossible? think again, ,  every mile done is one mile less when I under took 630mile run its all about targets ...... after 100miles your a 1/6 of the way, after 200 your a 1/3 of the way, only anther 100 and your half way, and so on, easy peasy

8. We hear that you are having an operation this coming January. Could you go into more detail about the operation and how will this affect your participation / training for the event? my coastal run (S W coastal path minehead to Poole 630miles) caused a abscess and I've grown a bone spur which has to be removed, training will be broken and I will have to be very careful of scar tissue but hopefully it shouldn't affect my participation

9. Do you need any special equipment to aid your participation in the race? prosthetic limb


 The race is organized by a UK company called Fat Feet (www.fat-feet.co.uk ) and has been designed to give runners an experience of a non stop ultra marathon in a truly inspiring location.

Before the race begins, entrants will fill personal drop bags with their own personal supplies that they will need at the various check points during the race. This drop bag could contain for example; 1 freeze dried meal / boil in the bag meal, 2 energy bars (non melting), pack of nuts, pack of raisins, some boiled sweets, spare batteries for gps and head torch.

Once the race begins runners will be guided by their gps units to a check point situated 15 miles away. Once in this tented checkpoint competitors have access to hot/cold water, tea, coffee and their pre-packed drop bag. The competitor has the option (depending on ability) to either rest at the check point or to quickly refill their water, collect their drop bag and continue on the route. The clock is always ticking so each competitor must decide how to manage their time themselves.

Rest & Sleep

Entirely the entrants choice of how to manage their time with regards to rest. They can either rest along the route under the stars, in the check points or not at all.

This race is suitable for a range of abilities from the elite ultra running athletes to the experienced walker.

Race organizer Keith Gray who has run through this desert twice previously commented

"I was really amazed when I heard Colin wanted to do the race but after speaking with him and realizing that this was a man who was clearly driven and determined I thought he would be a perfect participant. The location is really amazing. It really does feel like you're running on another planet. Running at night is even more surreal with an unbelievable number of shooting stars zipping through the sky and the rock formations taking on a subtle blue glow in the moonlight. It is a very tough event but very achievable if the person has their head prepared for it. It stands to be an awe inspiring race with fantastic appeal for a range of abilities. There will be the elite runners who run the event from start to finish with very little rest who will be looking for a good time and placing but there will also be the walkers whose goal is to complete this epic challenge in the allotted time. "

See more info on the event at www.oceanfloorrace.com

Rutland Water Marathon 2011

The 2nd Rutland Water Marathon took place on Sunday 6th of Nov 2011 and for the 2nd year running the sun came out. The overall mens winner was Andrew Siggers from Kenilworth Runners in a time of 2:39:36 followed by last years winner Hywel Davis from Rugby Triathlon club. The overall female winner was Kate Mills from Springfield Striders who also took the 40+ female category in a time of 3:14:52. Doug Slater took the mens 40+ award in a time of 3:03:20 and David Rose of STOURBRIDGE RC taking the male 50+ category. Leslie Andrew took the final female individual award in the 50+ category and The 100 Marathon Club won the club category with 1854 points followed in second place by the local Rutland Running Club with 1363 points. A note worthy mention needs to go out to Damian Atkinson who competed the marathon wearing an army bomb disposal suit in a time of 7:33:20. I lifted the suit up after he completed the race and was amazed at how heavy it was. Well done Damian.. a great effort.

Rutland Water Marathon 2011 Results

Please see the link below for the results

http://www.chipresults.co.uk/Default.aspx?event=2011RutlandMarathon

Rutland - Parking and finish area

For those of you that have been asked to park at Normanton south shore car park this coming Sunday please see the aerial view of the car park and finish area. Please see the pink dotted line area that shows extra places for cars to park should the main car park become full. Car park is an Anglian Water car park and is pay and display.