Intermittent Fasting for Health & Fat Loss with Dave Fernley

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Marathon Man

A big decision was made on Monday

As Wales announced another lockdown, and as regions in England entered Tier 2 and Tier 3 with their varying restrictions, our Mountain Leader course was the latest casualty and had been cancelled.

This follows a notice from The Hell of a Hill Marathon organisers that the marathon was also COVID cancelled.

But whilst somewhat unprepared, I knew that if I allowed these COVID set backs to derail me then there could be a chance that the mindset will falter with my ambitions to get super fit and achieve my adventures and challenges could fail. Pulling up with an injury isn’t good, but its nothing compared to a lack of focus and loss of routine.

To make matters worse I had to pick up a new pair of running shoes. Mine were knackered. I’d pray that these new shoes didn’t rub and blister my feet.

However I’m thrilled to announce that I did it. 26.2 miles or 42,200m in 5 hours 19 minutes with an elevation of 1,405ft.

All the advice received was to start the marathon at a very sensible pace. It seems that most people hit the wall around 18 miles in and if there has been too much energy expenditure early on then the runner will suffer towards the end.

Despite this being a virtual run and not a formal event, I felt nervous. I’d committed to doing this and I knew that if I failed then I’d really feel an incredible sense of disappointment. I was also mindful that I was to experience pain and hurt on a level not yet experienced. That said, the Yorkshire Three Peaks was a killer, but this was different, this was running, on tarmac, and I was on my own.

I started the run around 9.30am and headed over towards Burnley. The route would take me across the Pennine moorland, then back towards my home town, then into Littleborough, with the final 5/6 miles taking the canal path into town.

The run started well. I felt good. The new shoes felt good. I was in a good headspace.

Amanda was to drive and meet me as I hit the 10 mile point. Incredibly at 10 miles I felt great. Amanda met me and was taken aback by how composed I was. I was taken aback too, the last time I’d ran 10 miles I was a quivering wreck. Why was this seemingly huge leap forward in terms of performance?

So a quick refuel and off again. Amanda leaving for home.

It was at this point in the race that the biggest mistake occurred. I set off on the reminding 16 miles with nothing more than 500ml of water. I hadn’t arranged another meeting point with Amanda because through a lack of planing hadn’t actually nailed the route down.

As I approached 13 miles the first signs of aching started as did the first signs of thirst. By 18 miles I ached all over, the mind was going me the signals to stop being so bloody stupid and go home, and I’m was down to the last few sips of my water.

At 20 miles I was now on the familiar canal path, feeling a little dizzy, and miles away from finishing. Still running, I called ahead to Amanda to ask her to meet me in an hour in the supermarket car park with something to eat and drink. The marathon would likely not be over at that meeting point but I needed hydration. I just had to reach it. That was the absolute focus.

Up until that 20 mile point I was aiming at 4 hour and 30 minutes. This would have exceeded my expectations by a mile. Now though I’d slowed and my body was screaming to stop.

The next 6 miles was hell. I was losing time on the 4.30 pace and around 23 miles the running had slowed to a run/walk pace. It might sound as though a run/walk would be easy. Trust me, every step of the walk was painful.

As I turned the corner to run back to Amanda and Jack at 26.1 miles I pulled out Strava on the phone and as fast as I could, which my now wasn’t very fast. As 26.2 miles clocked up I could see my families smiling faces. Job done.ust have to cope. hours, I was determined to complete this marathon in that time.

After an intensely painful hour I reached Amanda and Jack who had two bottles of fluid and a Mars Bar for me, I just wanted to stop but I had 2.5 miles to go. I couldn’t give up. Not now. Whatever it took, my screaming body would just have to cope.

A quick refuel and off again. This was the second time I’d hit a wall. The first on the Yorkshire Three Peaks, and now today. It’s not a good experience. The mind has to take over and make the body follow. It’s a very primeval experience and situation.

As I turned the corner to run back to Amanda and Jack at 26.1 miles I pulled out Strava on the phone and ran an as fast as I could, which by now wasn’t very fast. As 26.2 miles clocked up I could see my family's smiling faces. Job done.

That was the toughest thing I’ve ever done but I’m so pleased that I’ve done it.

So I left Dover yesterday and managed a good strong 3km. I'm logging my progress each day with British Rowing and I can track myself on the map, and see how I am doing with other competitiors.

Setting goals is important for motivation and acheivement so I've signed up with Britsh Rowing to row 39km across the English Channel.

The world screeched to a halt in March 2020 and for a lot of people this was a time to reflect and reprioritise. Whatever you think is important, there is somethng always a lot, lot more important...
This thing should always be at the very top of your list...
Yes! Your health!
My name is David Fernley, and back in March I took a good long look at myself.
😟 ❌ Overweight
🙁. ❌. Too fond of the drink
😧. ❌. Daily indigestion
😲. ❌. Reflux that would wake me up panicking that I was going to die
😳. ❌. Resting heart rate of 85-90bpm
😖. ❌. Not sleeping properly
😫. ❌ Needing to nap during the day just to keep functioning
I couldn't get a personal trainer - Lockdown!
I couldn't join a gym - Closed!
I only had a rowing machine - couldn't buy gym equipment anywhere!
But I had the big outdoors 🌱 🌳 🌼 🌳 🐑 🌳 🌱 and a need to improve myself.
I set a goal to lose 5 stone (70lbs, 32kg) by the end of August, giving me 5 months.
I BEAT THAT!
I lost 5 stone in 4 months.
✅ 💖 My fitness returned
✅ 💖 My sleeping has improved
✅ 💖 My blood pressure has decreased
✅ 💖 My resting heart rate is 58-62
✅ 💖 My blood pressure is normal
✅ 💖 I feel 20 years younger
My fitness and new lifestyle regime now includes:
🏃‍♂️ Running
🚴 Cycling
🚣‍♂️ Rowing
🏊‍♂️ Swimming
⛰️ Climbing mountains
Find out how I did it by clicking the link below

In March 2020 I was 49 years old, and over 19st with a resting heart rate of 85-90bpm and I had been warned by my doctor that my blood pressure was a real concern. During lockdown, with my business in the pan, I needed to get back in control of something anything and what could be better than my health? I lost 5 stone (70lbs, 32kg) in 4 months following a consistent plan based on regular exercise, home cooking with whole food, and intermittent fasting. Find out more below: My website - https://www.davefernley.com/ Learn My Top 6 Secrets to Lose Weight & Get Fit - https://www.davefernley.com/freeguide Join my Facebook group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/fitforbusinesswithdavefernley/ My book '5 Stone 4 Months 3 Mountains' - https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08JLQLSLR