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Walked with John on the Sussex Stride 50 and the Speyside 100 - such a nice bloke. The entries for the 2025 Flower of Suffolk 100 is now open, and you've qualified doing the Surrey Tops! Join up, if you can do a 50, you can do 100!
Thanks Ben 👍 John is a legend, we know him from Brighton and always great to bump into him at parkruns, races and events. I'm definitely going to do an LDWA 100 at some point, probably Kent in 2026 😀
Well done Carla and Ben - that was an epic night of LDWA ing . I love their events . Sadly it didn’t fit time wise for me to enter that one but hope to see you at another soon xx 👊🏃🏻♂️🏃🏻♀️👏
Thanks Michael! Really glad we did this event, what a great route. Hope to see you out at one of their events soon, definitely want to do some more 😀 x
Firstly well done Carla on her first 50 miler. The event looked very scenic and well supported. I particularly enjoyed the aspect of St Martha's Church on the hill. I can never see the name Surrey Heath without thinking of its recently retired MO.
Thanks both. Really liked the feel of this event, very chilled and low key so quite different from some of the big events we've done this year with tons of people. Looking forward to doing many more of these. Thanks for checking out the vid
Great video both and congratulations Carla on your first 50 🎉 I love the LDWA events and have ran with them for several years, but never ventured further than the 3 closest to home. You can’t beat their value for money, organisation and hospitality. Really interesting that you had a later start. In a way I like that. Most races finish within daylight hours or maybe a small section into the night but getting to run into the early hours gives a whole new experience. Every year I keep saying I must try out some new ldwa events and this would definitely be one of them. Hope you’ve both recovered well 🙂
Thanks Rachel! Really glad we finally did one of the LDWA events, had been meaning to for ages. There's a lot around us mainly in Sussex and Surrey so hoping to sign up to more in the near future. The night part definitely made it a bit more of an adventure, knowing we'd have more nighttime running than day time so not bad to have that in the end! Thanks for watching
Hey, great to meet and congrats on your first 50 miler too 🎉 I can see them coming in handy for those mud gullies at the end 😅 Hopefully see you at another event soon
Congratulations to Carla, it takes a lot of effort to go from 50k to 50 miles! Overall a really enjoyable episode, and you two seem proper down to earth. Hopefully will bump into you one day! Do you have any other adventures planned for this year?
Thanks Alan, glad you enjoyed it. We haven't got anything else planned for this year yet but starting to make plans for next year, maybe the South Downs Way 50 for one of us or both amongst some other adventures
Loved this video. I used to live right near Hindhead, so I'm so familiar with many of the trails you ran on here and this was really nostalgic for me. Especially notable was the Devil's Punchbowl that I recognised in the first 10 miles you ran. The muddy trails lined on the sides with holly bushes also brought back memories 😂 Well done to you both and congratulations to Carla! What a special event. The cost, the checkpoint care, and the menu with food options at the end!
@@trailrunningforlife thanks, glad you enjoyed the video. We'd never run near Hindhead before though I used to drive near there and the Devil's Punchbowl quite a lot as my gran was in a nursing home out that way. Had wanted to run it for quite a while so it was great to do it as part of the event. The muddy gullies are definitely one to remember too 😀
@@timeonfeet there are some great trails to explore nearby Haslemere too, if you search up "Temple of the winds" and check the area on AllTrails next time you're around that area.
Another great video from both of you, congrats to Carla for her first 50 miler. Do you need to be a member to do the LDWA events? I wasn’t sure how welcome runners would be, will be checking out to see what events are on in the area.
Thanks Gareth. You don't have to be a member to do their events but it costs a bit more if you're not a member, not much though, still very reasonable. The LDWA Sussex page has local events on
Yes Carla!!!! 💪🏻 First one in the bag, onto the next now 😎 Have a look at the SDW 50 because as Ben knows that's all through daylight hours on a much better course by the looks of it. I'm certainly going to look at doing this event myself so thanks Ben for the excellent camera work as usual 👌🏻
Thanks Paul! Funny you mention the SDW50, Carla has just been looking at this 😀 Definitely an easier course and like you say more daylight which helps too!
@timeonfeet I did it for the first time this April, and although it was my very first 50, I loved it. Hard at times covering the distance, but that buzz when coming around that track at the end is just something else 👌🏻 I hope she goes for it, and with your continued support she would smash it 💪🏻
That would have been tough without the early onset tummy issues and leg soreness. Amazing perseverance to get to the end. A nice mixture of weather on the day 😅
OMG 50 miles is 80km!!!!! I was thinking it was like around 67km or something, AND only £27, what a bargain!!!! Gosh Carla that is a HUGE HUGE thing to bite off, no wonder you were kinda questioning yourself there!! Huge CONGRATULATIONS on your first ever 50miler !!!💪🏅🏃♀🥳I did a very tough 45k last weekend, and yeah me too the pain started in the legs and joints in the very first few kms, nausea after about 7km, and the entire distance waves of nausea, constant pain so I continually doubted myself. 👏👏BRAVO BRAVO BRAVO👏👏to us all for gutting it out, AND with rain and mud to boot!!! Carla you are an inspiration, I feel a bit teary eyed here I'm so proud of you for soldiering on for 80km!!!!!!! 🤯🤯🤯🤯 In 3 weeks I'm doing the epic Boffi Fifty at the very famous Festival des Templiers in the south of France ... over 2100m of gain! That will be about 900m more than my previous biggest!! So your magnificent effort in the Swiss Alps last summer is of major major inspiration for me Carla, and now this one too!!! THANK YOU to you both for sharing your adventures with us to inspire and motive us, both me and many others, I'm sure!!! 💪💪🏃♂🏃♀💪💪🥳
Thanks so much Bev. Congratulations on your race too sometimes these things just happen with soreness in legs early on and nausea - it's hard going isn't! 😅. Stopping for some breaks helped and I think I wasn't eating enough. Sounds like an amazing event what you have up next and I'm sure you will do amazingly well. With events with high elevation it's just a different kind of event - lots of walking and running where you can. Often sickness comes along (for me in particular) but remembering it can get better. Thank you for all your support.
Yes ToF team!!! What a increidble run! Huge kudos to Carla for completimg her first 50 miler! That was a tough course to complete for your first 50! Truly inspirational! 👏🏅 Certainly an event I will be looking to do myself in the future. 😎🤘
Thanks Ben! Definitely have a look at their events for the future, lovely community feel and very low key. And really good food too which always helps 😅 Thanks checking out the vid 👍
Yes Carla! Congratulations on your first 50miler. Looked like a really well run event, I loved the self guided aspect, I’m guessing you guys didn’t get go off track at any point? Will definitely check this out for next year. Ben, how do you find the Inov8 jacket? I have the same one and it wetted through really quickly around my pack in only mid-level rain on the Downs.
Thanks James! It was such a good event, would definitely recommend. Forgot to mention but the Surrey, Kent and Sussex groups alternate and take it in turns to do a 50 miler each year. I think it's Kent next year. We did go off track a little but only for like 50 metres or so a few times then got back on track fine so didn't add too much distance 🤓 The Inov8 I've found to be excellent. Kept me dry in rain for several hours. I do find you have to layer up carefully underneath though as if you get too hot it keeps sweat in. A thin, wicking long sleeve layer underneath works good for me. Thanks for checking out the vid 👍
Wow what a video and congratulations on your achievement! I’m seriously debating registering next week for next year, would you say a 100k is achievable as a first ultra? Love the video!
Thanks Sam! Great to hear you're considering signing up, it's an amazing event. For a first ultra this 100k would be a punchy option! Unless maybe you have a lot of mountain running or walking experiencing. Mountains/elevation really changes everything so important to consider that when choosing a race not just the distance. The Swiss Alps 100k was harder than a hilly 100 miler I did in the UK last year so that might give an idea of the mountain factor! There's also a 50k option for the Swiss Alps which actually has all the best parts of the 100k course. Whatever you decide to go for hope the trianing goes well and you'll love it out there, a really special place to run
@@timeonfeet Ah thanks for the reply man! I'm a relatively experienced runner - 1500+ k's this year but as you say elevation is the killer! I'll have to sit on the decision over the week, Subscribed to the channel :)
Great content, I really enjoyed this and your attitude throughout is inspirational so thank you for sharing. I will e doing this next year as my first, is there a training plan you can recommend please? Kind Regards, David
Thanks David, it's a great race so good to hear you're signed up for next year. I didn't use an online training plan, I wrote my own one so I could tailor it to what works for me. I tried to focus on building a good base and consistent mileage, elevation gain and loss per mile to the South Downs Way and strength training. Still kept some speed work in too to build muscle strength and work on cardiovascular capacity. Just a few things to consider
Thanks, great to run with you too and congrats on the race! Loved that aid station before the train stop with the kids spraying people with water 😂 Hope you're keeping well
Thanks for sharing Martin's story, I think somebody else commented that they feel similar to Martin and there are many other people like Martin. I think nowadays autism is more understood. I am the mother of Martin and I have learned a lot about him so thank you as normally he does not share much. I did not even know that he was affected during his childhood as I paid more attention to his older brother who had special educational needs and now I believe autism as well even though he never received a diagnosis. The only thing which was a bit not right with Martin that about aged 18 months he stopped eating and would only have plain food , and I did not want to blow it out of all proportions as I was force fed and it was traumatic. On another note I have realised that I myself have switched from competitive voleyball to running aged 13 and perhaps for the same reasons as Martin , the pressure of winning started to take a toll on me, and the coach was mad at me too when I decided to quit. But I never thought of it this way that Martin loves running for the same reasons. Having said that he does not enjoy playing tennis with me for the same reason. I am with Martin at the moment and when I am back I will try to share the video on my channel if I can work how the sharing works
Thanks Martina, it was great to meet up with Martin to put this video together and to get in a run on some of his favourite trails. It's good there is much more awareness of autism now, it must have been really difficult (not to say it isn't difficult now) in the 90s and early 00s when people had a lot of misconceptions and misunderstandings. It can't have been easy as a parent in navigating that environment too. Thank you for sharing your experience and great to hear Martin's story and share it with others
Really good to hear Martin's story. It's great to think that running can be such an important and beneficial thing to so many different and unique people, whatever our circumstances. Keep up the good work 👏 🙌 👍
Autism and running. Two things which feature strongly in my life. Thanks to you and Martin for making this. I'd say a high proportion of runners I've met over the years have strong autistic tendencies.
Thanks both. I know a number of runners with autism and I know running can be a really positive focal point and anchor. Really glad I could chat to Martin about his own experience of it all.
Thank you so much for introducing me to Martin, Ben! What an inspirational man. Not sure if you saw my recent news on Instagram regarding Theo but this kind of thing is very close to my heart at minute so it was great to know that there are people like him out in the running space. It's great to hear about Martins passion for the sport without being wrapped up in huge events. He really does it for the love of it which is great to hear. What a legend! 😊👍💙
I missed that on Insta Ben but just had a look and wishing Theo all the best! He's got a top support team around him so I'm sure he'll do great 💙 It was really insightful chatting with Martin and glad to be able to share his story with everyone. It's made me think more about how we can keep running events and spaces good for all.
I've loved the Speedgoat 5, it's grown on me more and more and I don't find the minimal tongue as much of an issue now. 6 doesn't sound great with the midsole but haven't yet had a chance to try it
Having started somewhat late in life and completed the last three LDWA 100s I found this fascinating and very well presented by you. Wonderful accounts of the first 100m event and so much remains the same - surviving on the wonderful grub provided by the ever friendly, dedicated and patient volunteers (and all those behind the scenes keeping us safe) without whom this amazing annual event would not exist. And if you don't make it there is the aptly named 'body wagon' to scoop you up!
Thanks Roger. I just joined the LDWA this year and next weekend will be doing my first event with them. I've heard a lot of good things about them so looking forward to it. That's great you've been doing their 100s, sounds like a great adventure and comaradery. I hope to do one of them one day and avoid the body wagon 🤞😀
Great vid - Thank you for sharing the experience of your first 100. Huge congrats on an amazing time too! Got my first 100 in May 25 and am very grateful get some understanding of other's experiences. Thanks again.
great thoughts!!! I hope to run my first 100miler nextyear... weird question but have you read the end of the world running club... and if you have... did the author use real places as milestones? I think it woul dmake it and even better book if you lived in england and knew the locations he spoke about!!
Thanks! I've never read the book but just searched it up and it sounds great. Yes the places he mentions in it are real - had a look and I can see in the synopsis it mentions Edinburgh, Cornwall and the M6 motorway, all places here in the UK. Added it to my reading list, thanks 😀 good luck with the prep for your 100 miler next year
Thanks James! It was such a great place to run, hoping to get back out there at some point. Definitely missing the mountains 🤓 thanks for checking out the vid
This is amazing with beautiful views. I was there in the Swiss Alps some 33 years ago. My grandomther friend's daughter lived in Switzerland and I was joining her and her family and we have done quite a bit of hiking there in those same mountains of which I have got lovely memories. The views are stunning and I would love to go back, I do not remember these suspensions bridges though. Well done this has been a tough race and especially in the heat would not be pleasant, so well done both you and Carla.
Thanks Martina, it was an amazing place to visit. Felt quite dream like! I hadn't spent much time in the Swiss Alps but definitely want to go back at some point. Great to see Martin yesterday and chat and share some time on the trails together!
@@timeonfeet @timeonfeet yes looking forward to the video, he does not share much, he would always bottle things up, so it will be great to hear how things are for him. You know I never realised he had Asperger's I was focusing more on his one year older brother who had a speach problem. I would design a lot of games to help him with that and he would go to special needs pre school. There I was told by his teachers and other health care professionals that he would never function in a normal school setting. I was not having any of that ( to be honest in those days I did not know much about autism/Asperger's but I saw children who were fully non verbal at the preschool and thought, well I am glad that my son does not have autism). The professionals told me not to come running crying back to them later but they said he has to go to special needs school as he will never cope as he needs his routines. Well aged 10 the brother of Martin overcame spech problems with regular speach therapy. That was the only input he had , he would not even have a helper at school . I never wanted him to have a statement of special education needs as did not want him to be defined by it and he got a degree in philosophy and politics from Exeter Univeristy (so I was correct he would do well and would not need to be sent to special needs school) Well sadly i did not notice Martin had issues as well. The only thing I noticed was that he suddenly stopped eating aged 18 months but I did not want to make an issue out of it as my granmother always force fead me and it was very traumatic for me, did not want that with Martin. Martin would eat but only plain food. Then in his early twenties after experiencing a breakdown at university he would go through the autism'/Aspergers diagnosis process. So now i am realising that both my sons are on the autistic spectrum and am always keen to learn more and of ways how best i can support them. So yes it will be an eye opener Martin talking to you as he would not open up even to me about how Asperger;s is affecting him. But once in Prague there was a checkout for people with hidden disabilities, he said that was him.
@@martinaroe3270 it can be hard to recognise and identify as it can manifest in so many different ways. My partner works supporting people with special education needs so knows about how the diagnosis process can be quite messy especially when there is cross over in traits with different conditions. I'm sure there are many who go through their lives undiagnosed too. Just going through the footage we took this weekend so hoping to get it out there in the next week
What an incredible bit of running and film making . Congratulations Ben and Carla!! You are and have been a huge inspiration Ben but this film was really very special ! Well done 👏 👊
Ben that had been in my mind but forgot about it as have been struggling with sciatica. Had June and July with zero running so probably not fit enough though maybe I could walk jog it ? You e got me considering it 😅
@@michaelbennett6778 Hope you're feeling OK Michael, that sounds rough. Wishing you a speedy recovery. It's our first LDWA event so looking forward to it and hoping we don't get lost 😅 be great to see you there if you decide to go
Great to hear you're signed up for next year Andy, it's an amazing race! The Speedgoats were great for me on the day with the weather we had. I chose them as they were my most comfortable shoe and on the hard terrain of Snowdonia I wanted a decent amount of cushioning. They may not be the best shoe if it's really wet though as they can slip a bit on wet rock. It depends what kind of shoe you like but I know some others prefer less stack so they feel more connected to the ground and more stable. I run in wide fit though and the base of the Speedgoat is fairly wide generally so I found this OK. Hope this helps and best of luck with your race prep 👍⛰️
Very inspiring stories, I am the mother of another Martin who will be nterviewed by you in a few days time in reference to his Asperger's syndrome ,. If you would like to interview me in reference to how running helps with my Bipolar Disorder then I would be happy to be filmed for that. My son Martin says I am not a serious runner, but I have run Park Run several times and of course it is thanks to Martin that I go and I go with him even if I do not run I at least walk half the 5 km. I would run more but there are times I get a lot of pain and limping, and if that is the case I would not take part I do suffer from chronic fatigue syndrome as well, only the doctors do not want to diagnose me as they claim I have got bipolar disorder so I cannot have ME/ chronic fatigue syndrome. The fatigue I experience is so bad that there are times I get bed bound for months only being able to just make it to the toilet. This year I was bed bound for 5 months from March till July, so I think that is why Martin thinks I am not a serious runner but it is running that has always been helping me cope with my chronic health issues that I experienced most of my life. I also think that is the reason why the doctors at the chronic fatgiue syndrome chlinic did not want to diagnose me with it as I told them that if I am better I go swimming every day (if conditions allow, rain is no obstacle but of course high winds would be) in the sea between June and October. And they very sarcastically said "Do you really think that our patients go swimming in the sea every day ". And I thought this is ridiculous as if I were a doctor treating patients wtih chronic fatigue, I would encourage them to do as much swimming as they could to help them manage their fatigue. When I was a teenager I was more of a seriuos runner as Martin would say as I used to run 7km three to four times a week. It would help me with studying and preparing for exams as I have already experienced a lot of fatigue then, only it was not till my thirties when I started to have episodes when the fatigue would be so bad I would end up being bed bound for months on end.
Thank you for sharing your experience Martina, I'm looking forward to seeing Martin tomorrow and hearing about his running story. I've seen him a couple of times at Bevendean, hilly parkrun there! And we've also met at the Sussex Trail Runners group runs which are great. You sound like a serious runner to me especially with the barriers to running you have overcome! Great to hear you're still able to swim and gets some runs in there too, it's such a good way to get out there and enjoy being outside and moving.
Fantastic film but even more fantastic adventure. I myself in recent years have started looking for my own adventures. As fun as races are, you experience so much more by getting out there and doing it yourself.
Thanks Pete, I definitely learnt a lot doing this one. It was really interesting to see what it felt like to put in a big effort without the support of a race. Need to get some more adventures planned. Thanks for checking out the vid!
Your Swiss Alps 100 adventure looked like a wild, breathtaking journey from start to finish, Ben! The way you navigated the heat, altitude, and those stunning yet challenging climbs was seriously impressive. Love how you showed the real grit of ultrarunning while capturing those incredible moments with the community and the scenery! Here's to more incredible adventures ahead, buddy!
Thanks Mihai! It was an amazing adventure out there. Hoping to keep some mountain running in there in the future too. Thanks for checking out the video 🤓
