Pushing the Limits

Monday was Helen Skelton's chance to go way beyond her limits and set a personal record, as well as a Blue Peter presenters record as the longest single run achieved to date. 50 mile was the challenge, but with a twist!

It was an 04:30 start to fuel up with breakfast, and a short drive from the hotel to Helen's parents house. A quick cup of coffee later to fend of the chill, and we hit the road. Rory and Helen setting the pace Eric the producer and me leap frogging them as Eric put his "running backwards whilst filming" skills into practice. It was amazing to see how the shots were selected, and how the different angles brought perspective to the tracking shots. He did however fail to catch me going "A over T" and although my reflexes didn't let me down, my forward role through the slurry puddle at the side of the road had Rory and Helen in stitches and keeping well upwind of me for the next few miles.

This run was going to become a reference point for what Helen will face in Namibia, long, hard, energy sapping and mentally difficult to overcome. After a hilly 30 miles she was going to be subjected to 90 laps of Carlisle football ground to add the boredom factor. The film crew joined us as we climbed up out of Penrith along the A6, and the first of many roadside and mobile filming stations were set up.
Rory and Helen maintained the pace and I would spend the next 30miles overtaking them before the filming stations, so the crew could time their approach and catching them up as they held a strong pace.
Helen quite naturally had many questions about Namibia which we covered in detail, but it wasn't long before Rory and I we were back into taking the mickey out of each other and winding each other up at every chance we got, Helen got the hint pretty quickly and was way too good at it! I personally think she's spent too much time training with him! She has however learned one of the skills that will see her succeed in Namibia... a sense of Humour is a vital piece of your kit for ultra endurance events!

The 30 miles to carlisle passed easily, and the pace was moderated so well that we all felt fresh and ready for more, the prospect of 90 laps round a football pitch was softened for Helen when Friends and family began pitching up for a few laps with her. There were smiles and squeals of surprise, and tears of pride and amazement at what she was attempting to achieve. The rest of the Blue Peter Crew Joel & Andy turned up to put in some laps. So what did Helen learn from the day? Well, she now understands that her ability to succeed in Namibia will be dependant on her ability to maintain three disciplines...energy replacement, measured re-hydration, and a sustainable pace - measured by heart rate!

The rest will be down to guts and determination. As I was miked up to run 5 of the final laps with her for our piece on camera together, we talked on film for the TV programme on 14th April about what it will take to succeed in the Namibian Desert, and in answer to her question "How am I ever going to manage another 26 miles on top of the 50 I have just done?" I replied "Well it will be the same for everyone Helen..."It will only take everything you've got to give!"

That's extreme Ultra Running, but one thing is for sure... when its done... when the final mile is completed on sore and blistered feet, and the pain feels like it is never going to be over, there will be a second when the realization kicks in that the task has been achieved, the challenge was set the challenge was met and the goal was achieved.

When that moment arrives it will be heralded by, tears of joy and a deep sense of achievement and ear to ear smiles that will take weeks to wipe off.
as proof, let me ask you this... Does this really look like a woman who has just run further than she has ever done in her life? 50 miles of hard running, and just look at the smile....

She is one very courageous young woman, and a shining example to all her fans, the children who watch Blue Peter, she has also gained a new fan, as Lauren is now the proud owner of a signed Blue Peter album.


She has also gained the respect of both Rory and myself.


They will excuse me for sharing one more cliche here form our day together...


Winners never Quit and Quitters never Win..... Go Girl! see you in Namibia Helen!