Running north into the countryside (ultra marathon time trial gone wrong)
Afternoon $4 Patreons! hope we're all keeping well.
Last week, in preparation for my upcoming Ultra Marathon, I decided to get some miles in the legs and run north from Lichfield via a custom made route made up of lovely countryside trails. 32 miles was the distance and 8 hours was how much time I had before my pub meal up in Mapleton, Derbyshire with Verity and the baby.
Things started well, but then the paths began to disappear forcing me into the nettles and the crops, at one point leading me straight to a farmer. I survived that episode, but my battle with the foliage would see my entire body come up in hives. If that wasn't enough to stop me, two more issues began to brew and together they would leave me broken and defeated.
Enjoy everyone, and let me know what you'd like to see next. There will be the Ultra, but I'm also thinking of doing another black country bicycle & beer jaunt, and a proper 2 day cycle ride too. Plenty of ideas in the pipeline but feel free to make a suggestion!
Running north from my house (ultra marathon time trial gone wrong) (YouTube)
Comments (55)
We really need more maintenance of the footpaths around the countryside. Far too many fenced off or overgrown
Hi Tom, another brilliant video, just wondering what trainers you're wearing? Cheers
Just saw your piece in the Guardian. It’s the first time I realised Greg was your stepbrother.
just have an idea for a cool mission So basically the idea is: How Many Trigpoints can you bag in one day These trig pillars are usually on hilltops and some are on public footpaths but also some are on farmland So I think this could be a just a cool challenge, challenge someone to who who can bag the most in one day and see who can bag the most! The easiest way to find them is on os maps topo map and trigbagging uk maps for the uk and download onto your google maps
Would it be possible to you to do some kind of videos just British footpaths, their history and how are those maintained. Really like your videos!
Thanks Samuli, appreciate it! I'll definitely be exploring more British footpaths so I will try and include some more history and info in future!
tried finding you on strava. absolutely no luck
Sorry Morten I'm keeping it private, cheers for the interest though
Not related to this video but re your latest YouTube video. Recording a video where you racially profile people's facial features, is dodgy as hell. Especially given the current political climate, with the rise of the far right. I've cancelled my patreon and unsubscribed. This is unkind, ill-advised. Heartbreaking, I've followed you for years. I'm out of here.
Really appreciate your support Josette, sorry to see you leave!
Would love to see you tackle some more British Footpaths. Maybe us Patreon members could suggest local famous footpaths and help you hike/ run them?
There'll be plenty more where those came from! maybe I'll do the ultimate "blocked off" route
Is now's the time to think of a "Christmas Special" something to soak up some of the the Christmas ad cash? Maybe a collab (storror?) somewhere abroad?
Collab with Storror defo on the cards!
Great video again!
Cheers Harm!
Would love to see the prisoner type mission you suggested in the blindfolded and stranded review video! Start near a prison a set distance away from home wearing some type of prisoner costume and try to find your way home without being seen.
definitely doing this for the main channel!
Two day bike ride would be cool, similar to £10 in my pocket style
I'll probably do that for the main channel at some point!
Have you thought of organising a group run for the patreon runners, the Geowizard half or something
I haven't thought about this no, it is a good idea though!
Draw a 10 mile circle on a map, then throw 5 darts at it. You have to go to all 5 places in any order. Or better yet, go to a place, then draw a 10 mile circle around you. Throw one dart at the map, then walk there. Then throw another dart and walk there... Then 3 more times. The better your aim, the less you have to walk.
Great idea! I'll add this to my list. Thank you!
Tom I hope you've recovered well from your run! I'd also like to thank you for being the motivation for me to go out on a run today for the first time in years! It was a very slow 5k, but normally I only do hiking/walking. It felt awful and I hated it, but I'm glad I did it, so thank you! 😊
You're most welcome! Remember the first one is always the roughest!
Sad to see you struggle, but brilliant to see you start a 'mission' from just outside my office - and a delightful glimpse of GeoBaby :-)
We all need a struggle sometimes! Stunning place to work. Thank you Lord!
Would like to see the tenner in my pocket (Cornwall) continued from the point you stopped last time.
I would love to do that too Scott and I probably will in years to come, but I've got my sights set on foreign lands for the next couple...
Before it was revealed to be a baby's xylophone I was CRACKING UP at your little audio sting transition.
haha, great idea from Verity that was
This video was basically a showcase of why you don't do straightline missions in summer
haha spot on!
It ain't a geowizard adventure without unexpected literal thorns in the side.
We all need a thorn or two
For a video idea, a local magazine from my town used to do a thing where they’d take a photo of something specific in the town and you’d win a prize if you could find it. It’d be things like a shop door or a unique looking tree etc. If someone fairly nearby could send you a picture of something interesting and tell you the town it’d be like a real life version of Geo Detective.
Not a bad idea!
Oh, and still loving the new album. Hope sales are going well. Good work mate.
Thanks Gary glad you like it!
Wow, that was a bit of a rough trip. Hope you get to feeling better.
Yeah recovered fine, glad i stopped when i did though.
Yes please, Tom - any Black Country video is welcome round here. I love videos you do that end in the pub. What about another tenner in my pocket? They always go down well. Or the style of the one where you were finding money at the side of the road? Much love as always Hannah
Tenner in my pocket is coming this year for the main channel. Yeah I've got another money on the road vid planned too for patreon. Good shout!
Was just watching you
Evening tea and Tom, looking forward to it all ready.
Thanks James hope it hit the spot
Cheers Tom. Unrelated to the video but just wanted to say your London to Budapest series has been a massive inspiration for me. Tomorrow I'm embarking on a similar cycling adventure, from Amsterdam to Zagreb. Like you, I'm also fairly young, love adventure and having a good time. I don't think I'd be doing it if I hadn’t seen you describe how fun and influential that trip was. So I just wanted to say thanks for that! Can't wait to get underway.
I hope it's the adventure of a lifetime Julian. I hope I haven't raised your expectations too much. It will be tough at times but with the lows will come the highs. Enjoy it mate!
Which ultra are you doing? I did UTMB Eryri a few weeks back.
Race the tide. I should watch the video first lol
Awesome! Get In!
Cheers for watching Gary
Thanks tom
Thank you Michael!