42 MARATHONS IN 42 DAYS
THIS YEAR I TURNED 42. IN BARTENDER YEARS THAT’S F****NG ANCIENT, WELL PASSED THE USUAL RETIREMENT AGE. IT HASN’T BEEN A LIFE FILLED WITH HARDSHIP AND STRUGGLE, BUT SOMETIMES I WONDER HOW I MADE IT THIS FAR, PERHAPS IT’S DISCOVERING THE ANSWER FOR THE ULTIMATE QUESTION FOR LIFE, THE UNIVERSE AND EVERYTHING. IF YOU DON’T GET THAT REFERENCE THEN STOP READING THIS IMMEDIATELY AND GOOGLE DOUGLAS ADAMS. WORDS BY TIM ETHRINGTON-JUDGE In my 42 years I’ve been a barback, a chef, a Brand Ambassador and a bartender, I’ve been unemployed and funemployed, I’ve been a broke-ass backpacker and business class traveller, but this year I became something I never thought I’d be: a runner. By the time you’re sitting down to read this, I will, if successfully avoiding injury, illness or a global shortage of crunchy peanut butter, have run 42 marathons in 42 consecutive days. If I didn’t, then just delete that last sentence and erase it from your memory. While you may be reading it after the event, I’m writing it travelling at exactly 903km/h on a A380 from Sydney to Singapore on my way home to Amsterdam for a few days and final preparations before heading off to Tales of the Cocktail where it all begins. 11 days to go. I’m equal parts confident, excited and nervous. The question I have been asked the most by everyone who’s heard about Run424242, and I’m sure the one rolling around inside your head as you read this, unsurprisingly is: Why? Why would a particularly clumsy, middleaged man who’s never particularly excelled at any sport choose to attempt to run 1,784 kilometres in less than a month and half? A midlife crisis for someone who can’t afford a Ferrari? Or perhaps it’s a masochistic cry 42
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for attention for someone who struggles with their personal self-esteem perhaps? A test of proof to myself that I’m not a quitter and I can do something extra-ordinary with my life? Whilst I exaggerate for the purpose of entertaining reading, there is perhaps a little grain of truth in all those things. When we chose to undertake any challenge that pushes ourselves outside of our comfort zones and challenges our very beliefs of what we can accomplish, there is usually a multitude of reasons, both personal and external that drive us. For me, two driving factors led me to this point. The first, and most important, has been the need to take positive action around mental health in the hospitality industry. I’ve spoken publicly about my struggles with depression and the industry, uncovering that far from being alone, there’s a growing number of people for whom good mental health is becoming increasingly difficult. I want to create a positive narrative and engage in conversation, whilst raising as much money as possible (yes we’re still accepting donations) for a charity working to improve support platforms for mental health in the bar industry. The second is a deeply personal desire to challenge myself and what I’m capable of. For most of my life, I’ve been reasonably
fit (there was a short period when as a bartender I lived off nothing but pizza, fries and shots of everyone’s favourite Italian amaro). I’ve cycled a lot, I own four bikes and have done many races which I’ve mostly enjoyed. I’ve never pushed my physical and mental limits to find out exactly where they lie. I’ve always held back, easing off when things have gotten too painful, even when the competitive spirit takes over racing friends up monumental alpine climbs on my bike.
TRAINING I travel a lot. Too much for my, and our planets, liking. Travelling so much makes training hard. Effective training is based around a plan, consistency and routine. I don’t have that in my life so I’ve had to set goals and try and achieve them whenever, and wherever feasible. I’ve run in Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane, Auckland, London, New York, Amsterdam, Helsinki, Copenhagen, LA, Sofia, Brussels and Dublin. Besides getting as many km’s into my legs as possible, the other big part of my training has been stretching and mobility to reduce the chances of injury. Keeping my hips and hamstrings flexible, strengthening my ankles and making sure my IT band is in top order has all kept me injury, and pain, free so far.