Training in one of the UK'S TOUGHEST LOCATIONS! UTMB update!

[@virtuocitygowf7272]

Sarah is so light hearted she’d be smiling at the end of her journey to Mordor as she drops the ring into mount doom

[@chrisvanbuggenum871]

😂😂😂😂

[@andybennett6567]

Thanks buddy, great vid. Touched a nerve mentioning mental health, and then showing some lovely respect for the crew of a crashed Canadian bomber from the last war. I'm ex RAF, Chinook Crewman and have had problems processing experiences from 8 tours of Afghanistan, totalling 2 years in country, and multiple tours of Northern Ireland. I set myself the goal of running a 50k for my 50th birthday, Aug 23, at Christmas. I have peaked early,...got my 1st race in October, Maverick X series 50k in Suffolk. I live here and if you're gonna do your 1st 50k, make it a flat one! Just come back from 10 days in the Lake District and have had an awesome time running on the fells, I hope it will really help with my strength and over all endurance. All you guys who post vids are an inspiration to me, and when things are tough I love to see others suffering as well! Forces mentality, if one person is hurting...everyone hurts! Wish you well with UTMB.

[@vic6820]

💪👍

[@BenParkes]

Good luck in October Andy! I can’t even imagine what some people in the forces go through.. just so good to hear the positive impact running has had on everything recently and sure that will continue. Wishing you well, keep chatting to those around you in the tough times and the good as well.. let us know how your big race goes 🙌

[@keithc1264]

Running tips, encouragement for mental health, reflection of thankfulness, beholding beautiful nature, gear checks, and some light humor -> what a packed video. Thanks, Ben & Sarah.

[@jdidsbury]

Hi Ben, Thought I'd pass on that I bought some lock laces on Amazon recently on impulse and they've proven to be excellent. They may not solve a problem for everyone, but for me - they provide a more comfortable fit over the arch - you cut them to size, so no crazy long laces tucked away - you can adjust the fit by the mm, so if you get it wrong it's a two second fix to loosen, or tighten (plus you could adjust easily with gloves on, or cold hands) - they won't loosen, or come undone and annoy you every run Well worth a look as it would be nice to not have to worry about faffing with your laces on UTMB. Not the cheapest, but you can undo the plastic clip and reuse them when you swap your shoes out.

[@lloydwatkin]

Great video! It's a gorgeous area, I live a little further west. I'd highly recommend running the llyn-y-fan lakes if you're back, some "lovely" climbs on that run (also confused me as we have a Canadian bomber wreck over this way too). Good luck with the UTMB training! Oh and Pen-uh-van rather than penny-van 😉

[@thecasualrunner67]

Being ex C130 crew, seeing the J go over was awesome. Great training run

[@feli2388]

Great video as always Ben! I unfortunately had to have ankle surgery again about 7 weeks ago and your videos always cheer me up :). I currently am in the saddle getting some cardio in on the bike and enjoying the motivation to keep pushing :D. I'll be back running in 6-8 week and I can't wait to get back out! Keep up the good work!

[@BenParkes]

Sounds like you’re through the worst part and running isn’t far away now.. always good to focus on what you can do right now.. as you are with the bike!! Keep it up 🙌

[@MattRunsColorado]

Fantastic vlog! I had a full day in the Colorado mountains today. Always great to see you out getting some vert in! Can't wait for UTMB!

[@greyrunnings9725]

Thanks to you all, for a great video and sharing your day and thoughts. Just to say well done and thank you for the item on the wreckage of the W2 aircraft and mentioning the crew who perished👏 Also for continuing to share your own MH experience and offer to help the running community. As a near MV65, I’ve only recently felt happy to open up to my family about my own MH which has been not as difficult as I’d feared and so in that is perhaps a lesson in itself. Long way to go, dealing with many issues and over 40 years of military and crown service. Best wishes and great to see your collective training going so well 👏👏👍

[@tomwood5247]

I was running there a few weeks ago. Tough location. My hamstrings kept cramming up on the stupidly steep bits by the summits of those hills. It didn’t help that I had to race carrying a 16kg Bergen as well. Great video and now I really want to go back there!

[@cakej1]

Beautiful there. I've done some running and hiking in Scotland. Got the chance to race Ben Lomond hill climb in 2009 after hiking, camping and running around Scotland for 20 days

[@stevendavies4572]

I only live half an hour away from there.i drove past a few weeks ago .it's a stunning place on earth.i havnt been up there for ages.a nice trek is up myndd ddu.awsome for trekking and camping out overnight especially near the lakes.i very seldom getting to see the views you guys had.its normally drizzly and foggy up there lol

[@jameslewis1642]

Great job Ben - as enjoyable as ever. Keep up the good work. The burgers looked fab!

[@DoN-qw6kh]

Snap! I train in the Brecon Beacons- next is a 20 miler, the Brecon Beacons race at the end of the month. Also ran in Chamonix the other day - stopped for a coffee at the Floria bar on our run from Brevent to Chamonix via Flegere. Oh, and I am currently running in Speedgoat 5s. Great shoe. Even used them for the Pen y Fan fell race the other day. Keep on filming.

[@martinvngss4]

Awesome video Ben. You are such an inspiration. I had a spinal fusion last year February, and thought I will never ran again. Did my physio 4 times a week. And finally got the all clear from my Doctor 2 weeks back. And I am starting up slowly again. Can't wait to tackle the mountain trails again.

[@SurreyVid]

On the stuck poles, I've personally had good results with a good spray of WD-40 once you've got them opened. My poles (different brand) once got stuck with the little pip not springing out properly so every time I applied weight it collapsed on me. Some WD-40 and a bit of popping the pip in and out, and they've been fine since.

[@ivanjeremija9180]

Our poor heart is also a muscle that has to keep working non-stop, we should give it a good rest sometimes. Good luck on UTMB I can't wait to watch !

[@govgan2797]

I find the step up training or lack of is where a lot of people fail. It's a massive strain on the hip flexor area of the top of the legs, an area rarely trained properly. So many people train on steep slopes that don't involve having to lift your legs up to almost 90 degrees on every lift, and then put all your weight on it at that angle and push your entire body weight up from that angle, it's a grind. The poles help massively to distribute the weight. Think of the effort required for a Stairmaster and multiple it for miles and miles.

[@waiwai3180]

Had same issue of BD pole, used lot of WD40 to lube and clean.

[@wildgingerruns]

Wonderful running Ben! I hope to see you at UTMB! I hope to be following the women's race with Hoka, it would be great to interview you there! :)

[@clairhardywynn5620]

Omg the timing of this vid couldn’t have been better i was looking at booking an ultra in the brecons for my 1st one which will be next yr - I think u may have sealed my fate - how could I not find finish off with one of them burgers 🍔😜😂 gr8 vid guys absolutely brilliant xx

[@apocreg11]

Good luck with the move!

[@JohnBirtchetSharpe]

you lucked out on the weather , everytime I have been up there it's been overcast and sometimes you can't see more then a meter 😃

[@waynewilliams5434]

These mountains not far from me . Love hiking but want to start trail/mountain running after attempting my first and last half marathon. Worried that I will never be able to run up the mountain but along the tops and down seem doable.

[@BenParkes]

You’ll never know until you try! We power hiked all the climbs.. you’ll find out a good pace that works for you though. Good luck!

[@chrisward7582]

Great video and lovely part of the World! The horseshoe route is incredible! Super dangerous in the snow tho, like most things I suppose 😂

[@govgan2797]

Lesson learned, clean your poles after big days out, and lubricate if necessary.

[@noelthatcher1996]

Great video Ben. We’re heading to Wales this summer to clear our heads and get some running in. Which shoes were you wearing? Cheers.

[@BenParkes]

These were Nike Trail 4. Alternating between those and Hoka Speedgoat 5’s at the moment. All the best for your trip Noel! 🙌

[@CameronM47]

The mountain that's broken many a British squaddie on selection.

[@govgan2797]

You need to get yourself to Snowdonia and take on the likes of the new UTS route which is now affiliated with UTMB. The Brecon beacons is far to gradual as far as climbs go.

[@Stratfordrunner]

Jacobs ladder going up to Pen Y Fan is tough work 🏔. I’m training for OCC and I’ve been using the Malverns for my hill sessions (I just don’t have enough time get out to the Brecons). Keep up the content and good luck to Sarah and yourself 💪

[@BenParkes]

Good luck at OCC!!

[@saytani]

Try the Saucony Endorphin Edge.

[@QronoZ713]

Are you going to try the new Salomon range of shoes? Would love to see the Pulsar Trail / Trail Pro, and the Spectur on the channel.

[@BenParkes]

That’s the plan!

[@QronoZ713]

@@BenParkes awesome! 👍👍

[@apocreg11]

Saw an awesome video on BBC iPlayer about Dragons Back

[@debbieglen2800]

Best content on KZbin by far superb views happy training xxx

[@BenParkes]

Thank you Debbie!

[@Gez-C]

Pen Y Fan is an amazing place to run!

[@ceohhowirun]

Can you explain a bit more about the “hands on knees” technique? Do you push down on your legs as you step?

[@Aloneinhills]

Awesome content as always... 🙌

[@govgan2797]

Thumbs up for the vegan burger selection, good to know incase I visit, which I am due to do in August.

[@Invictus4318]

Great video running topped off with burgers doesn’t get much better than that

[@mandyharvey9068]

Great video

[@genmmygem1908]

Fab video Guys ☺️🎉 How's the ankle holding up post Brecon,noticed a slight limp towards the end of the video.Hope it's ok 👍🏼

[@BenParkes]

I didn’t notice a limp.. everything is ok luckily, still going alright!

[@genmmygem1908]

Fab news Ben,onward on upward 👍🏼

[@craigjohnston8235]

Wd40 will work on those poles, I will take them if your going to bin them

[@BenParkes]

Sarah is trying to fix them for a friend, who will be fine with them extended permanently. we have tried wd40.. and it works for a bit, but then they get stuck again. So just don’t want to take the risk with UTMB. Hope you’re well Craig!

[@jaycoane6127]

@@BenParkes Spray with Liquid Wrench. It will cut through the rust and salt.

[@davidbarclay7606]

The new Nike zegama looks 🔥 hopefully it will be out by utmb time for you to try

[@BenParkes]

It’s out in some regions already.. hopefully UK soon!!

[@aidanoc19]

Ben says Pen y Fan is easy, Welsh KZbin gasps 😂. Brecon gods decide to send some literal thunder your way! In all seriousness, you've captured a day in the Beacons beautifully.

[@BenParkes]

Haha.. sorry for my bad pronunciation!

[@marcduggan5883]

What’s d shoe choice for utmb ben ..?

[@BenParkes]

Don’t know yet!

[@markc1271]

What running shoes would you recommend for running on a treadmill? Thanks in advance!

[@lukeharwood9268]

Is there a way for us to watch the UTMB live?

[@BenParkes]

They usually have various free streams on Facebook and KZbin. Covering is great!

[@lukeharwood9268]

@@BenParkes that’s awesome. I am gonna try and watch as much as this as I can. Looking forward to it, probably not as much as you 😁

[@2spoons]

Hi Ben another fascinating video.... but one question is I run locally and never change my Garmin Fenix its always in Run mode.... with GPS & Galileo (tracking) But be all change our temp and pace - but do you change your Garmin setting when running up the hills so it can track your long distance and all the elevation Tips please ??? Open to any one.... Does any one set there Garm run to Ultra Run or under GPS use ULTRATRAC or is there anything even better or not at all ??

[@BenParkes]

Ultratrac will improve battery life, but make gps accuracy worse. Just keep the same gps settings. You can add whatever data fields you like to any run mode. Ultra run just has a different set of defaults that Garmin set it up with. No advantage to either, as you can add/remove whatever you like to any mode.

[@2spoons]

@@BenParkes Very much appreciated Ben - since Garmin has had a few issues with GPS recently I'll be using my Strava App to track me too (so a iPhone battery charger will be in my pocket at a guess).. Huge thanks again!!

[@amandajones1348]

I love this montian. I the fan dance over penyfan .carrying 35 pounds plus food and water.

[@Benjiboy-x5v]

Can anyone help with running vest sizing. First pack, looking at Salomon, 41in chest but slight build 5’10 tall. This comes in right on medium and large boundary. What size would people recommend please. Love the channel.

[@atleastIdietrying]

With the new ones i would take the larger size. They feel really snug. Plus you might want to wear a few layers under it.

[@Benjiboy-x5v]

@@atleastIdietrying thank you, really appreciate it

[@alfdickinson1971]

Apparently Ryan Giggs smashes out a good Parkrun these days too lol.

[@nikolaykumchev9530]

New car? What happened to the iconic grey Sandero?

[@BenParkes]

She’s been replaced with a new Sandero!

[@Rich_1]

Dead flat fast 5k training is way harder then 55k ultra training!

[@vic6820]

Sarah sabotaged those poles so she could get a new pair.

[@TheDrcolnago]

HELLO BIDDYYYYY !!!

[@pjwright82]

🏅

[@iowminibar]

Can you take your poles in Hand luggage?

[@BenParkes]

There’s no rule either way.. some airports will be fine, some won’t. I’ve asked pilots and airport security before and they always say the same.. might be ok! So we just add a checked bag now.. expensive and annoying, but they are always fine with that.

[@tomloia]

‘Stewie’ Griffiths 😂 (Dewi….)

[@BenParkes]

Must have had Stewie mcsweyn in my head! 🤦‍♂️

[@garrydunlea6300]

🥈

[@JelleJanse]

Some WD40 on the poles and they'll work like new, worked here a couple of times already at least. See you end of August ;-)

[@liammcleod159]

surely you can fix those polls with some wd-40

[@BenParkes]

We did try.. but they just seize up again with more sweat/salt. Sarah is a very salty sweater!! Going to try and keep the new ones very clean!

[@leejones9726]

Pronounced PEN UH VAN please!