Charles Layfield, our Non-Executive Chairman, and Nick Stone our Operations Director are undertaking the Goggins 4x4x48 Challenge this May!
They will endure 4 mile runs every 4 hours for 48 hours, all to raise money for 3 chosen charities, The Spinal Injury Association, Fans Supporting Foodbanks and Brain Tumour Research.
Alongside individuals from Hudgell Solicitors, Kuro Health, Carpenters Group and Admiral Law, the challenge will begin on Thursday 27th at 4pm, with the final run at noon on Saturday 29th May 2021.
We sat down with the pair to ask them a few questions about the challenge.
1. What’s inspired you to take up the Goggins Challenge?
Charles – “I have followed Goggins since reading his book “Can’t Hurt Me” two to three years ago. I try and lead a purposeful life each and every day, whether that is with my family and friends, in a work capacity, socially or through my sports. The 4x4x48 felt like a novel way of undertaking something different but unlike the other ultra-challenges I undertake, what really appealed was the ability to attempt this event with others and create a team feeling, while also being able to raise awareness of the benefits of exercise for everyone’s physical and mental health and raising some funds for some worth causes.”
2. Personally, how have you been preparing for the Goggins Challenge? And has your approach been both a physical and a health one?
Nick – “Through the pandemic and lock downs I have used running as a release and transition from my focus on work and then home life. So I have been running relatively often over the last few months and a few friendly competitions with friends and work have helped with the training.”
Charles – “The week after committing to this I picked up my first back injury in 25 years, so I have been focusing on intense rehab/physio daily and that’s become my first real test of this challenge. I’ve continued to exercise daily using the Wattbike and swimming but will only run again in the two weeks prior to the event.
The beauty of this event is I believe that two thirds of this is about mental strength not physical and that’s something I exercise daily. Being physically injured has simply given me even greater motivation to tackle this event whilst not fully fit.”
3. Will the training you’ve done to prepare yourself for the Challenge kick-start a new training regime for you going forward after this? Will you use your participation in the Goggins Challenge as a catalyst to continue running or cycling?
Nick – “In February 20 I slipped a disc in my back and was bed bound for a month, I came back to the office and we almost immediately went into lockdown. I slowly started to build my fitness from that point. I have never really enjoyed running, but that has changed over the last 6-12 months. I have previously done cycling challenges with S&G, we cycled to both Paris and Amsterdam from London, but this is the first running challenge. I will tell you after if I am going back to the bike or not…”
4. Why have you chosen the charities you have to raise funds for?
Nick – “The chosen charities were a collective decision, and I am delighted with the 3 choices.”
Charles – “This was a very personal topic for me. One of my very best friends who I and my family have been extremely close to since university sadly passed away last year as a result of an aggressive brain tumour within 9 months of his diagnosis. Due to the Covid pandemic it was a really difficult situation to deal with and not being there in person to support him, his wife and family. Sadly, a very short period following his death a very close family member was also diagnosed with the same condition and is bravely fighting this currently. Any small way I can help raise funds to fight such a horrible disease is all the motivation I need.”
5. How are you planning to juggle running, refreshments and getting enough rest within each 4-hour stint?
Nick – “My plan at the moment after each run is to rehydrate, eat plenty of pasta, warm down or maybe try an ice bath after the first few, change and then rest. Then start all over again.”
6. What are you looking forward to the most?
Nick –“ Finishing the event and hopefully raising some much needed funds for some great causes.”
Charles – “The two 4am runs, which at this time of the year should start when it is just about still dark but by the time we finish it will almost be light. Running through the countryside at this time when no one else is going to be a unique experience, especially as Anna, my wife, has agreed to run both of these legs with me!”
7. What do you think is going to be the toughest element of the challenge?
Charles – “Having barely run in 6 to 7 weeks with a back injury, my personal challenge is getting some running done before the event to get some distance back into my legs but without overdoing it or busting my back again…Other than that, it will be the discipline of consistently warming up and down, eating and drinking the correct amounts whilst tired.”
Nick – “Well those that know me will know that my ankles are predominantly made of glass and I’m not great when I have little sleep. So this task in many ways is my worst nightmare. However, that is part of the fun and the challenge.”
To support Nick & Charles and donate, please visit their JustGiving page here.
