Fun casual running videos for casual runners! If you have any questions leave a comment on one of my videos or send me a tweet or a DM on Twitter or Instagram! @BenderRuns
Well done mate! You inspired me so much with your London2Brighton vlog I jumped on a plane from NZ and came and did the event. Jeepers, I hope this one doesn't do the same thing as that will hurt 🤣. Amazing race buddy, you are a LEGEND!
@@shaunnicholson5389 thanks very much for checking out the vid Shaun! How did you get on with the London 2 Brighton? I hope you managed to dodge the night time rain. 🤞 Thanks for the nice comment mate that's very kind of you. 😎🤘
@@BenNotley Got wet as finished other side of midnight but it was fun! BTW, seems you have a few fans in NZ...have to get you out here for the UTMB Tarawera Ultra (100km or Miler).
@@shaunnicholson5389 ah man sorry to hear you got hit by the storm but I guess you weren't in it for too long. I saw some L2B runners up on Ditching Beacon in the pouring rain. It was good to give them a cheer as we were going opposite directions. I would love to run Tarawera! It looks like a truly epic race and in a beautiful country too. It's certainly on my bucket list. 😎🤘
Great review mate. Always been intrigued by Topo particularly because of the wideness but never tried so good to know your thoughts on them. I'd be interested to know how many miles you get out of them, sounds like they could be pretty durable
I like the similarities to hoka that 5mm to 6mm drop seems to work well for me. And i love the wide toe box. Hokas a known for being narrow. Finding it on mach 6 now. Great review bro might give these a whirl
They just make good shoes, I have owned two, they are not easily available in my area.. but I was not let down by the two shoes I had. Long may they stay independant and keep on mission.
Love how people look at £150-200 being reasonable for trainers, which will last maybe a few months, yet spend far less on work shoes which you'll spend far more of your day wearing 😂
Excellent summary, Ben 👍🏻 I haven't managed to blow through any uppers on any of my shoes yet. Lots of people seem to do that though. I must be doing something wrong 😂
@@carlstoakes6240 I have a pair of Mafates Carl. Another great shoe. 👌 They have much better traction in the trails than the Topos but they aren't as nice to run on the roads. Thanks for watching bud. 😎🤘
@@carlstoakes6240 they have different uses really mate. The mafate is great for mountain running and also muddier conditions because of the more aggressive lugs. The Topo is more similar to a Hoka ATR but has a wider toe box and I think higher quality cushioning but it terms of uses very similar to a ATR. The speedgoat is in between them. You can pick up the pace more in the speedgoat and that traction is better but not as cushioned as the Topo. I hope that kind of makes sense 🤣
Ben, thanks for the recovery update and the upcoming race previews. Best wishes to you and Zachary. Not surprised at your excellent recovery, it's a reflection of your awesome training before the SDW.
Smashing run that mate! Well done 👏. Thanks for sharing the new kit. Had me goggling the shoes right away lol. Shoetuber 😅. Looking forward to watching you absolutely smash the rest of the year and the main event 💯🔥
Hi Ben, Thanks for your posting. You are looking in great shape and it sounds like you have a busy schedule coming up. I've been pretty quiet this year, fighting some health issues, which I think that I'm finally getting on top of. It's meant that running and time at the gym have essentially been off the agenda, so I'm now able to start back again but in a very low position. It's been challenging but I'm delighted to now be reconnecting with folks and getting inspired and back into it. You may recall that I'm a recovering blood cancer patient, so I'd really like to sponsor you in your October race. Can you let me know when it's appropriate to do so, and how I can organise that. Many thanks and all the best........Cheers! Phil👍
Great to hear from you Phil! Glad to hear you're back on top of your health buddy! Now that's behind you I hope that you can get back to some regular running mate. I have a link to the fundraiser in the description of my videos mate I really appreciate your support. I hope that the money will go some way to helping some people that have been struggling. Take care bud! 😎🤘
Good to see you giving some other brands a bit of a test run, with the vest and shoes. I've often thought about trying Topo but never gone for it. I find Altra to be similar in the sense that you won't be running super fast in them, but the space and comfort is great.
Yeah Mark I am really glad I gave them a go I feel like I've found a real gem. Super comfy cruising shoe. The Cadillac of the trails 🤣👌 Thanks for watching mate! 😎🤘
I have gone down the same routecof pack, opted for the 12ltr version. Materials and build seem good, have used it on two long runs 25km+ with 920 m of elevation. Durability comes at a price of morw heat build up betwwen your back and the pack. Bottles are not necessarily the best deaign regarding the caps and the bite valve could be slightly better. There is no perfect pack just trade offs for what you prefer. Happy with the fit and layout so far. Still lots of time to be put in. Have seen the 18 being used alot at TDG and other long distance races, contemplated it for WD200 but xouls not find a distributor in tjw UK.
Cheers for checking out the video Nicholas. 👍 Yeah the 18ltr seems to be a popular pack on super long ultra and multi days like MDS etc. My buddy Danielle used the 20ltr pack for the WD200 and it served her really well. You're right on your criticisms but like you say there isn't a pack that ticks all the boxes they just seem to be a blend of things you want and things you need. Thanks once again for watching mate. 😎🤘
Great to hear your plans mate, nice range of events in their and love the DIY attitude of the Greensand Way 100. I think I mentioned it before but Carla and I are planning on the Surrey Tops 50 miler by the LDWA on 21st September. Be great to see you there if it fits with race plans. Sign up is from 1st July
Cheers Ben! If you would like to get involved in the GSW we would love to have you join us for some of it mate. 😊👍 As for the LDWA 50 that sounds great but that's the same day as the Triple Trial in Kent. Thanks for watching mate. 😎🤘
@@BenNotley That would be great, definitely up for that. Could you send me the route file and I can have a look at where I could join. Be great to run with you 👍
Good to hear your news and Leith Hill is one place I have also been to recently - albeit far less sunny. Re shoes sure we all need to know if they are good for goal pace on towpaths and if they hold speed when you have saved yourself for the next race.
I cant comment on their abilities along canal tow paths at the moment mate as I am yet to try them in such testing conditions but I would imagine they will.be able to hold their own. I am also hopeful that they will be able to see through 3 consecutive marathon training blocks. Thanks for watching mate. 😎🤘
Problem is with the showtubers these days that they review a shoe and have never run more than 30 miles in them😂😂😂. How can they tell how its going to be, longevity and durability. Most shoes I run in honestly change after about 75 miles, and then you get the true feel of the shoe. I've never run in the topo and would love a review of someone who's actually taken them to the lengths they need to be taken.
Cheers Lee. A valid point mate. Sometimes it's a bit laughable the lack of testing these guys put into their shoes before reviewing them. I can think of one such person right away 🤣 I will see if I can knock something up mate. 😎🤘
Cheers Tom! Thanks for watching mate. Looking forward to the next 6 months. If you fancy joining us for some of the GSW that would be cool but you would have to slow down a bit though. 🤣👍
Looking strong buddy , you can tell the recovery has gone well . Your kit looks on point .. for 18Ltr that is well packed down, (take it there is slot for poles).
Cheers JBS. Apart from this week I have been feeling pretty good. Feeling a bit wiped this week though but I will bounce back. There is plenty of space in the pack to store everything including the kitchen sink mate. 🤣 Thanks for watching mate. 😎🤘
When you planning on doing some real hills up north rather the gentle undulations of the south? (Just some races further afield...) and as its been like 3 years since London Marathon, any plans to ever return to the dirty nasty roads?
Good question Kevin! I have been wanting to get up to some proper hills but it's difficult to go too far afield especially when I have the family to worry about. A big city marathon might be good to have another go at certainly something to think about. 😎🤘
@@BenNotley I won’t lie, your southern hills are too much for me. So, you’re not doing a bad job of them. Was more wondering if fell running would be your kinda thing. Totally get real life take priority so taking time away isn’t ideal.
Ben - what an iconic area to run. Love it. Never worn Topo, and I have wide feet, so would love a review from you. Then it’s real and made for runners. Keep up the great work
Can't beat a bit of NDW action mate. 👌 I will see if I can knock up a quick review mate. They would be great for people with wide feet for sure. Thanks for watching Mr Coates. 😎🤘
Nice one Ben, cracking day for the run and good to hear what’s been happening and coming up, it would be good to hear more about the Topo’s as I’ve not run in that model, pack looks good (I’ve Lee coming up to see me tomorrow, so I’ll say hello from you) 👋 Race wise, 🏴 is calling 😉
It was a superb morning Martin. I have really been enjoying the Topos mate. A great comfy cruiser. I am sure I can knock up a little review. I am hearing the call of Scotland but there are still a few hurdles in the way. I hope you had a nice meeting with Lee. 😎🤘
Waaaay late on this comment. Was able to see the whole video over a few days in chunks. Simply amazing my friend! So freaking proud of you. Once again you captured the beauty while taking us along with you. Cheering you on from afar! 🎉
Enjoyed the deep dive and kudos to Dan for being a great conversation partner. Thanks for sharing the insights. Loved Dan's question "did you think 'what am I doing' and when".
Cheers for checking it out Reto. Dan is a superb interviewer. Ask the right questions at the right time. Really thankful for him to help me break it down in this much detail. 😎🤘
