26/02/2010 14:44:04
gymnag_Rob
Moderator
Posts: 51
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Gymnag brings you an interview with one of the UK's top endurance athletes, Tom Beaver, who gives us an insight into what motivates him to rise to and conquer some of the world's toughest ultra distance races.
Hi Tom, can you tell me a little about yourself and how you got into endurance events?
I started my sporting career as a rugby player playing National level rugby from under 16’s to 21’s. It was not until 2003 when I found the world of endurance, running the Flora London marathon in a Rhino suit and as they say the rest is history.
I've since completed many marathons, ultra marathons and Ironman distance triathlons and have competed in some of the world’s most difficult and challenging ultra-distance foot races and triathlons, from the Sahara desert to the streets of Paris. You learn a lot about yourself when alone for hours pushing yourself to new limits and I'm motivated by endurance, distance and discovery. My appreciation for this has grown into a passion and in 2008 I tested my dedication by attempting the world's toughest triathlon, the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathlon.
What is it about these kind of events that inspires you?
Being on your own I think you learn a lot about yourself.
What events have you been in so far?
I have run 30 marathons, 5 ironman triathlons, 1 double ironman triathlon, ultra marathons from 50 to 100 mile races, Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathalon and the Devis to Westminster canoe race
What was the toughest event?
It would have to be the Enduroman Arch to Arc Triathalon http://www.enduroman.com/archtoarc.html
Can you tell me about the ARCH to ARC Triathalon?
Well, the Enduroman Arch To Arc Triathlon is one of the world’s ultimate endurance challenges. The goal is simply to run from the Marble Arch in London to Dover, swim the English channel, and upon landing in France, cycle to the Arc de Triomphe in Paris in the shortest possible time.
The event is an 84 mile run from the Marble Arch to the Dover coast, then swim the English Channel (technically 22 miles but often much more) and then cycle 184 miles from Calais to Paris. No wonder that only five other people have completed it as a solo event.
To put it into context, less people have succeeded in swimming the English Channel than have reached the summit of Mt. Everest. Only 1 in 10 who try, succeed and the swim represents only a fraction of the undertaking.
In September 2008 I attempted and completed this challenge and became the fifth and the youngest person to succeed at the event.
What time did you finish in?
84 hours and I lost 3 stone in weight!
During the training for the event what was the toughest part?
Swimming, doing sessions of up to 10 hours at a time.
What was the hardest stage of the race or were they all as equally tough?
The channel swim was really tough, it took me 22 hours.
This is when I finished the channel swim! 
When you were halfway across the channel and still had hours to go how did you stop yourself from just giving up and getting into the boat?
On the swim there was no way I was going to give up because I had come so far, I said to my coach that he would have to drag me into the boat before I gave up on my own accord.
How to do prepare your body for such an event?
Put the hours in training and get as ready as you can. Then on the event it becomes mental.
How do you provide yourself with enough energy for such a huge distance?
I use Nuun electrolytes and eat as much as I can.
Personally I’ve found i can suffer from stomach cramps once i get past marathon type distances and have heard many others who do too. Do have any advice in preventing this?
To stop stomach cramps I guess is personal preference however, over the years I have found NUUN electrolytes and I find taking these regularly vital to a good performance. Depending on how long the race is depends on what I eat, on the really long races 50 miles plus fatty food I think works brilliantly, like a bacon sandwich!!
If you did it again would you change your approach too it in anyway?
Get my support team a lot more prepared so they realise it is not just a holiday they are supporting and that it is a job
What's your favourite event and why?
Longmynd hike – local and great fun
What kind of training do you do in general if you haven't an event lined up?
I came across CrossFit and that’s a vital part of my training now, I also do lots of fell running.
What's your diet like in general?
I eat healthy most of the time but do love junk food.
Does it change at all when your training for a big race?
I normally just eat more often.
I understand you've started a new business specialising in gym equipment, can you tell me about this?
The business is called BeaverFit and it's a British institution of strength conditioning equipment. We design, manufacture and distribute training equipment specific for strength and endurance development in all athletes. BeaverFit works closely with CrossFit Shropshire – CrossFit Shropshire gives all our equipment a proper hammering before it goes out on the open market.
What kind of products are you making and who are these products aimed at?
We are pleased to supply equipment to CrossFit gyms across the country, Rugby clubs, American Football clubs, Athletic clubs, Expedition training and much much more.
 
How can we find out more about these products?
Checkout www.beaverfit.com it should be live in a couple of weeks.
Thanks Tom and good luck with all your future challenges.
To find out more about Tom check out his website; www.runningbeaver.co.uk
edited by gymnag_Rob on 26/02/2010
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01/03/2010 12:16:13
Guest
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Did he sleep after each stage or do it all in 1 go?
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01/03/2010 15:24:33
Guest
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Good question, I was wondering the same thing!
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01/03/2010 21:22:48
gymnag_Rob
Moderator
Posts: 51
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You can find out more about Tom's adventure on the Enduroman link. Go to the solo Arch to Arc results and check out his race report, it's interesting stuff. Briefly though, Tom started the run on a Saturday at 1315 hrs arriving at Dover at 1030 hrs on the Sunday. There was then approximately 17 hrs wait to catch the 0400 hrs tide on the Monday morning. Some of this would have involved the transition from the run to the swim but would have given an opportunity to sleep. On arrival in France Tom got a couple of hours sleep before the cycle. However the waiting time is all added onto the total time to finish the race. It's also interesting to note that Tom also had to do an extra 7 miles cycle due to roadworks!
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11/03/2010 10:11:27
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Inspiring, reminds me of that Dean Karnezes chap for pushing the boundaries!
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25/03/2010 23:55:19
Guest
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Tom's BEAVERFIT site is now up and running. Some great equipment on there.
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02/04/2010 21:33:03
Guest
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Crazy stuff!
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06/07/2010 06:25:11
Guest
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Respect to Tom! Is he doing any more races?
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06/07/2010 13:47:56
gymnag_Rob
Moderator
Posts: 51
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The crazy dude just did the Edinburgh marathon with a mate. Just to spice it up he did it dragging a tyre! Think it took him about 5 to 6 hrs in 28 degrees heat. Believe his next event is the Long Mynd Hike which is a 50m run/hike over the Shropshire Hills.
edited by gymnag_Rob on 06/07/2010
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