INTERVIEW
angela jones The term ‘busman’s holiday’ is frequently heard in the world of paddlesports – where the only difference between ‘work’ and ‘holiday’ is the presence of clients, and even then there’s sometimes some crossover! However, Angela Jones has taken the term to a whole new level. She runs www.Run-Wild.co.uk on the Wye, offering coaching in outdoor fitness, running, wild swimming and kayaking throughout the year. So you’d think if she had a 5-week summer break she might head off for a relaxing holiday. Nope, she spent 32 days exploring the Wye; kayaking 100 miles down, running 160 miles back from Chepstow to the Cambrian Mountains, then swimming 84 miles down. Wild camping along the way. This year was a similar ‘holiday’, just a little further north. Kayaking the Scottish coast-to-coast, from Loch Linnhe into the Caledonian Canal and then to the Moray Firth. This route is a classic canoe trip but Angela wanted to join the Atlantic to the North Sea by starting at Loch Linnhe, a tidal loch. And, rather than arranging a shuttle (like most boaters), when she finished the paddle she strapped a pair of wheels onto her kayak, turned round and jogged her way back along 92 miles of the Great Glen Way. All her adventures over the last 8 years have been shared with her faithful little Jack Russell terrier, Jack, who can always be found in his favourite position perched on front of her kayak. Ceufad managed to get her away from the water to find out a bit more about this remarkably modest and inspirational serial doorstep adventurer. It sounds like you love the outdoors – where did the interest come from? I’ve always loved the outdoors and the freedom it brings, particularly the wildlife and the spontaneous adventures. I could never understand why I couldn’t be out there all day everyday, and would often gaze out of classroom windows and yearn for the freedom to explore. I remember when I was 14 a careers officer asking what I wanted to be. I replied that I wanted to explore and travel, and she just laughed and said that won’t pay the bills! At the age of 30 after travelling on and off for years around Africa and Asia, and working in Middle East taking adventure holidays for a company, I returned to UK. My personality is very spur-of-the-moment and constantly loves engaging in new adventures. I had been swimming for years, so I took up running and then triathlon. This very quickly took me from 14 stone to an international athlete travelling to many countries. Before the age of 30 I had never run and definitely hadn’t heard of triathlon! So it’s not just about exploration and adventure – you compete as well? I’ve been competing nationally and internationally for over 20 years in many disciplines including running, mountain, trail, road, cross country, track, triathlon, duathlon, aquathon, swimming and cycling. In my first few years of running I was selected for my country and also for triathlon. I never take competing too seriously as it’s all about the pleasure for me, and that goes for everything I do. That’s quite a competitive career. What are your highlights and biggest achievements? One highlight has to be turning up at a race unaware it was a selection event for the Worlds at senior level in mountain running. And at the end being asked could I travel to Alaska and run for my country. Another would be my first triathlon – borrowing a bike, putting Vaseline
28 | Ceufad
on the chain ... basically not having a clue about anything and then beating the Welsh champion! Over 22 years of competing every single race, be it swimming, running, cycling, duathlons triathlons or aquathons has been a highlight. I have been known to race up to 50 times a year and they are all great fun and great experiences. I have never set training schedules. No distances, no speeds. Just what I want to do when I want to do it. Always solo. This has changed in the last 2 years, where competition has taken a back stage and the wild calls even more. As for achievements I race a lot and have won quite a few (numerous – ed) national and international titles. I’ve been selected for several World Championships for my country in mountain running and triathlon. I’ve also competed in the 1st Commonwealth Games in mountain running. I won Gold in the Worlds GB team in my age group for mountain running at 50. And being selected for my first Wales World Mountain Running Team in Alaska. still producing some of my best times at 50! And somehow you manage to fit kayaking in as well? I have been river kayaking for over 20 years; it gives me the freedom to enjoy the wildlife and its surroundings. It’s a totally different perspective from wild swimming but gives me time to enjoy the water in a different format. Often if I’m kayaking and find an interesting section I just slip in and free dive into salmon pools. It allows me to watch the fish and the cormorants diving.