WEBVTT FILE 1 00:00:02.000 --> 00:00:07.000 Downloaded from YTS.MX 2 00:00:03.270 --> 00:00:05.628 The MDS is one of the most iconic 3 00:00:05.670 --> 00:00:06.828 ultra races in the world. 4 00:00:06.870 --> 00:00:08.688 It's the one race that a lot of 5 00:00:08.000 --> 00:00:13.000 Official YIFY movies site: YTS.MX 6 00:00:08.730 --> 00:00:11.463 multi-day ultramarathons base themselves on. 7 00:00:30.630 --> 00:00:35.520 The margins are so small, on whether you finish or don't. 8 00:00:38.070 --> 00:00:40.953 It's renowned as the hardest foot race on earth. 9 00:00:41.880 --> 00:00:45.138 There is always the risk that something could happen. 10 00:00:45.180 --> 00:00:49.638 You have to make sure everything is in place, just in case. 11 00:00:49.680 --> 00:00:51.775 Every part of me wants to stop 12 00:00:51.817 --> 00:00:54.108 and I can't cool down. 13 00:00:54.150 --> 00:00:55.458 There's one goal 14 00:00:55.500 --> 00:00:57.948 and it's to get from A to B, as quickly as possible. 15 00:00:57.990 --> 00:00:59.940 And ideally not die halfway through it. 16 00:01:06.870 --> 00:01:09.153 One simple mistake here, your race is over. 17 00:01:10.050 --> 00:01:12.048 Everything's about extremities. 18 00:01:12.090 --> 00:01:13.398 One of the major systems for me, 19 00:01:13.440 --> 00:01:15.678 is this all or nothing approach. 20 00:01:15.720 --> 00:01:17.598 Basically, the more I mess myself up, 21 00:01:17.640 --> 00:01:19.499 the longer I feel better. 22 00:01:29.756 --> 00:01:30.547 I did it! 23 00:01:30.589 --> 00:01:32.216 No you didn't. 24 00:01:32.258 --> 00:01:33.254 Arthur, you want the first one? 25 00:01:33.296 --> 00:01:34.629 Yeah. 26 00:01:36.535 --> 00:01:38.245 Do you like making your pancakes? 27 00:01:38.287 --> 00:01:40.870 I do, I like making pancakes. 28 00:01:42.360 --> 00:01:44.838 So, I've known Simon for, 29 00:01:44.880 --> 00:01:46.428 probably, nearly five years. 30 00:01:46.470 --> 00:01:48.948 I found out he was into running, 31 00:01:48.990 --> 00:01:51.528 probably within the first five minutes 32 00:01:51.570 --> 00:01:52.565 of my interview with him. 33 00:01:52.607 --> 00:01:55.038 It was quite clear from first meeting him 34 00:01:55.080 --> 00:01:57.265 that he's all or nothing. 35 00:01:57.307 --> 00:02:02.307 You know, he's all in, basically, with everything. 36 00:02:02.640 --> 00:02:05.208 After knowing Simon, he does have those, kind of, 37 00:02:05.250 --> 00:02:07.668 attributes, whereby, if he wants something, 38 00:02:07.710 --> 00:02:08.928 he will go out and get it. 39 00:02:08.970 --> 00:02:12.843 So I first met Simon in Peru, on our jungle ultra. 40 00:02:13.860 --> 00:02:16.728 I think it was his first multi-day, at the time. 41 00:02:16.770 --> 00:02:17.958 So it was a big step up for him. 42 00:02:18.000 --> 00:02:19.128 He started off as a client and he's become 43 00:02:19.170 --> 00:02:20.988 a really good friend of mine over the years. 44 00:02:21.030 --> 00:02:23.478 My name's Simon Blair, I'm a business owner. 45 00:02:23.520 --> 00:02:26.913 I was diagnosed with a ADHD, middle of last year. 46 00:02:28.080 --> 00:02:30.048 It's been a journey since then. 47 00:02:30.090 --> 00:02:33.573 But I've got three children and I'm an ultra runner. 48 00:02:35.280 --> 00:02:37.910 So the Marathon des Sables is the one in the desert. 49 00:02:37.952 --> 00:02:38.743 Oh. 50 00:02:38.785 --> 00:02:40.335 I don't want you to do that. 51 00:02:40.377 --> 00:02:42.281 Why don't you want me to do that? 52 00:02:42.323 --> 00:02:44.899 Because you're gonna be gone for, like, ever. 53 00:02:44.941 --> 00:02:46.087 I'm gonna be gone forever? 54 00:02:46.129 --> 00:02:47.547 Yeah. 55 00:02:47.589 --> 00:02:49.098 Taking forever. 56 00:02:49.140 --> 00:02:51.468 Actually, daddy probably doesn't know, when he's away, 57 00:02:51.510 --> 00:02:54.333 what do we do when we come home from school 58 00:02:54.375 --> 00:02:55.166 and before we leave? 59 00:02:55.208 --> 00:02:56.130 What do we do on the computer? 60 00:02:57.588 --> 00:02:58.458 We look where you are. 61 00:02:58.500 --> 00:02:59.676 We track where you are. 62 00:02:59.718 --> 00:03:00.888 So you look at where my little dot is moving. 63 00:03:00.930 --> 00:03:01.721 Yeah. 64 00:03:01.763 --> 00:03:02.554 Yeah. 65 00:03:02.596 --> 00:03:03.387 And panic when it hasn't moved. 66 00:03:03.429 --> 00:03:04.220 Yeah. 67 00:03:04.262 --> 00:03:05.220 Or it's in the wrong place. 68 00:03:06.878 --> 00:03:09.985 I don't think he's gonna make it to the finish line. 69 00:03:10.027 --> 00:03:11.820 He can make it close. 70 00:03:11.862 --> 00:03:14.184 Why do you not think that daddy's gonna make it? 71 00:03:14.226 --> 00:03:15.894 He didn't make the last one. 72 00:03:16.769 --> 00:03:18.971 'Cause you didn't make the last one. 73 00:03:19.013 --> 00:03:22.039 I think what Flo is trying to say, 74 00:03:22.081 --> 00:03:24.896 is, that she thinks you will make it 75 00:03:24.938 --> 00:03:26.846 but if you don't, that that's okay too. 76 00:03:26.888 --> 00:03:28.176 Is that right Flora? 77 00:03:28.218 --> 00:03:29.801 Yeah, definitely. 78 00:03:33.770 --> 00:03:36.198 In 2021, post-pandemic, 79 00:03:36.240 --> 00:03:39.645 I went and tried to complete the Marathon des Sables. 80 00:03:39.687 --> 00:03:41.598 But I think, with some honesty, 81 00:03:41.640 --> 00:03:44.178 I probably wasn't quite mentally match fit. 82 00:03:44.220 --> 00:03:46.311 I think it's taken me this long to build myself up 83 00:03:46.353 --> 00:03:50.058 to a point where I feel mentally resilient enough 84 00:03:50.100 --> 00:03:54.048 to go back to the scene of the original crime. 85 00:03:54.090 --> 00:03:56.628 There's always a danger in terms of doing these 86 00:03:56.670 --> 00:03:57.461 kind of things. 87 00:03:57.503 --> 00:03:58.398 As his family's concerned, 88 00:03:58.440 --> 00:04:01.338 I would've thought that Faye is probably the one who's got 89 00:04:01.380 --> 00:04:04.278 the most, sort of, issues over it. 90 00:04:04.320 --> 00:04:07.458 A big concern for me, is, 91 00:04:07.500 --> 00:04:10.668 Simon being filmed while doing this. 92 00:04:10.710 --> 00:04:13.158 It's like an extra pressure. 93 00:04:13.200 --> 00:04:16.098 And when he starts his run, we have no contact at all. 94 00:04:16.140 --> 00:04:19.188 It is just relying on the tracker to see where he is. 95 00:04:19.230 --> 00:04:23.238 I am not settled until he is past that finish line 96 00:04:23.280 --> 00:04:24.798 and then I'm like, fine. 97 00:04:24.840 --> 00:04:25.878 I worry. 98 00:04:25.920 --> 00:04:26.741 The children miss him. 99 00:04:26.783 --> 00:04:30.198 I think when people think about deserts, they think about, 100 00:04:30.240 --> 00:04:35.118 you know, rolling sand dunes and sandstorms. 101 00:04:35.160 --> 00:04:37.698 Some things are far more terrifying than sandstorms 102 00:04:37.740 --> 00:04:39.348 and rolling sand dunes. 103 00:04:39.390 --> 00:04:41.418 Nothingness is more scary than that. 104 00:04:41.460 --> 00:04:43.848 People with Simon's personality type, 105 00:04:43.890 --> 00:04:45.558 with Simon's brain, need this. 106 00:04:45.600 --> 00:04:48.528 They need this in their life, to be able to function 107 00:04:48.570 --> 00:04:50.598 and to be the best version of themselves. 108 00:04:50.640 --> 00:04:52.428 To keep pushing and keep succeeding. 109 00:04:52.470 --> 00:04:55.518 About five or six years ago, I took on therapy. 110 00:04:55.560 --> 00:04:57.978 I woke up one day and I just didn't feel great. 111 00:04:58.020 --> 00:04:59.868 I, you know, had that brain fog 112 00:04:59.910 --> 00:05:04.608 and that veil of, just a shade over my normal lens, 113 00:05:04.650 --> 00:05:06.258 you know, my positive lens. 114 00:05:06.300 --> 00:05:09.648 And I, you know, I went and sought therapy 115 00:05:09.690 --> 00:05:11.658 and some advice, straight away. 116 00:05:11.700 --> 00:05:12.978 For me, it's been the best thing 117 00:05:13.020 --> 00:05:15.678 that I've ever done, really, for myself. 118 00:05:15.720 --> 00:05:17.268 So Simon's diagnosis came about 119 00:05:17.310 --> 00:05:20.868 because I'd been doing a lot of mental health education 120 00:05:20.910 --> 00:05:21.701 with his team. 121 00:05:21.743 --> 00:05:22.998 So he'd got to know and trust me. 122 00:05:23.040 --> 00:05:25.698 He recognized that he can be quite impulsive and energetic 123 00:05:25.740 --> 00:05:27.528 and that's been a real strength at work. 124 00:05:27.570 --> 00:05:29.328 But at times it meant that he was distracted 125 00:05:29.370 --> 00:05:31.128 or struggled to focus or other people would say, 126 00:05:31.170 --> 00:05:33.138 you know, "You're not paying attention. 127 00:05:33.180 --> 00:05:35.598 You forget details and things, you know". 128 00:05:35.640 --> 00:05:38.088 It's hard sometimes to be all over the detail of things. 129 00:05:38.130 --> 00:05:42.138 But her opening up that discussion, for me, 130 00:05:42.180 --> 00:05:44.538 led to me getting tested. 131 00:05:44.580 --> 00:05:47.868 Not surprisingly, it came back fairly clear. 132 00:05:47.910 --> 00:05:51.138 I think it was both a shock and not a shock, really. 133 00:05:51.180 --> 00:05:52.818 I think he was relieved, actually. 134 00:05:52.860 --> 00:05:53.778 I think he knew. 135 00:05:53.820 --> 00:05:56.148 I think it was just having a label, 136 00:05:56.190 --> 00:05:58.428 so he could say, right, now I understand. 137 00:05:58.470 --> 00:06:00.770 I think ADHD has been a part of my character 138 00:06:01.650 --> 00:06:04.788 for as long as my memories go back. 139 00:06:04.830 --> 00:06:07.510 It's only just recently that I've realized 140 00:06:09.289 --> 00:06:11.988 how central to my being that that is. 141 00:06:12.030 --> 00:06:14.478 Yeah, I think it made sense of a lot of things for him. 142 00:06:14.520 --> 00:06:18.138 The results have been around the idea of understanding. 143 00:06:18.180 --> 00:06:19.173 There aren't solutions. 144 00:06:19.215 --> 00:06:20.658 There's no solutions. 145 00:06:20.700 --> 00:06:23.229 I think, you know, taking drugs 146 00:06:23.271 --> 00:06:27.678 to try and help certain byproducts of ADHD, is an option. 147 00:06:27.720 --> 00:06:29.358 I haven't explored that. 148 00:06:29.400 --> 00:06:31.788 For me, it's given me a much greater understanding about 149 00:06:31.830 --> 00:06:32.621 who I am. 150 00:06:32.663 --> 00:06:34.518 It's just confirmed something that I probably, 151 00:06:34.560 --> 00:06:36.063 subconsciously already knew. 152 00:06:37.140 --> 00:06:40.878 And now I'm embracing that, as like a central principle 153 00:06:40.920 --> 00:06:42.744 to what I am. 154 00:06:49.920 --> 00:06:51.078 It's interesting to think, why would Simon, 155 00:06:51.120 --> 00:06:52.278 who's really successful at work, 156 00:06:52.320 --> 00:06:55.038 want to punish himself out in the desert? 157 00:06:55.080 --> 00:06:57.948 But, my understanding, just as a spectator, 158 00:06:57.990 --> 00:07:00.048 you know, these ultramarathons, is, it's a real chance to, 159 00:07:00.090 --> 00:07:03.018 kind of, almost take yourself right to the edge. 160 00:07:03.060 --> 00:07:04.518 To find out what you're capable of. 161 00:07:04.560 --> 00:07:07.968 To really find out where, 162 00:07:08.010 --> 00:07:09.348 you know, failure lies. 163 00:07:09.390 --> 00:07:11.028 And that's very healthy for the ego. 164 00:07:11.070 --> 00:07:13.428 It's really good for the ego to be tested in that way. 165 00:07:13.470 --> 00:07:16.968 Search for balance is now become what 166 00:07:17.010 --> 00:07:20.178 I'm aspiring to try and find and retain. 167 00:07:20.220 --> 00:07:22.938 But, I can't, a lot of the time 168 00:07:22.980 --> 00:07:26.238 because it's just not natural for that to happen. 169 00:07:26.280 --> 00:07:29.748 So the extremities of what ADHD can do to you mentally, 170 00:07:29.790 --> 00:07:31.278 is that it pulls you one way or the other, 171 00:07:31.320 --> 00:07:34.548 just in the most fierce ways. 172 00:07:34.590 --> 00:07:35.928 He's always gonna be a driven guy 173 00:07:35.970 --> 00:07:38.709 and this is just a vessel to keep that drive going. 174 00:07:47.490 --> 00:07:49.338 Part of me dreads this event. 175 00:07:49.380 --> 00:07:51.018 Looking down those long straits 176 00:07:51.060 --> 00:07:53.710 and visualizing the sand dunes and 177 00:07:54.600 --> 00:07:57.828 just the memories of the overwhelming heat. 178 00:07:57.870 --> 00:07:59.538 He was facing, probably one of the hottest years 179 00:07:59.580 --> 00:08:01.128 that race has ever had. 180 00:08:01.170 --> 00:08:02.448 It was a flip of a coin, 181 00:08:02.490 --> 00:08:04.008 as to whether he was going to finish. 182 00:08:04.050 --> 00:08:05.823 In any race, in extreme heat. 183 00:08:06.810 --> 00:08:09.228 There's a few things that kinda jump out straight away. 184 00:08:09.270 --> 00:08:11.178 The Sahara Desert, the Namib Desert, 185 00:08:11.220 --> 00:08:14.088 can often go, 45, 50 degree heat. 186 00:08:14.130 --> 00:08:17.448 With that comes real risk of death 187 00:08:17.490 --> 00:08:19.398 by, heat stroke, dehydration. 188 00:08:19.440 --> 00:08:21.498 And it can happen extremely quickly. 189 00:08:21.540 --> 00:08:23.590 I had the unfortunate experience of 190 00:08:24.540 --> 00:08:28.608 running next to this guy, running almost parallel to him, 191 00:08:28.650 --> 00:08:31.368 when he was collapsing repeatedly. 192 00:08:31.410 --> 00:08:32.988 I went to help him. 193 00:08:33.030 --> 00:08:35.898 There were some other people there who were doctors. 194 00:08:35.940 --> 00:08:39.138 10, 15 minutes later, I saw a helicopter fly over my head. 195 00:08:39.180 --> 00:08:44.180 There was a very solemn, somber announcement that evening. 196 00:08:45.240 --> 00:08:46.668 It was announced he'd died, 197 00:08:46.710 --> 00:08:48.978 as a result of being on the course. 198 00:08:49.020 --> 00:08:52.938 I was messaging the company, going, "Is Simon Blair okay? 199 00:08:52.980 --> 00:08:54.078 I'm Simon Blair's wife". 200 00:08:54.120 --> 00:08:55.308 I hadn't heard anything. 201 00:08:55.350 --> 00:08:57.348 It was playing on my mind a great deal. 202 00:08:57.390 --> 00:08:59.448 'Cause I was already extremely tired 203 00:08:59.490 --> 00:09:02.358 and I had nothing left to give, 204 00:09:02.400 --> 00:09:04.428 without taking some serious risks. 205 00:09:04.470 --> 00:09:06.558 And I decided that the best thing for me, 206 00:09:06.600 --> 00:09:08.418 would be to go home. 207 00:09:08.460 --> 00:09:10.135 When he rang me and said, 208 00:09:10.177 --> 00:09:12.648 "I'm not gonna carry on", I burst into tears 209 00:09:12.690 --> 00:09:16.308 'cause I knew what he would be like if he didn't do it. 210 00:09:16.350 --> 00:09:18.618 I'd never seen him like that, 211 00:09:18.660 --> 00:09:20.658 after he got back from the MDS with that failure. 212 00:09:20.700 --> 00:09:23.238 I'd never seen that Simon before. 213 00:09:23.280 --> 00:09:25.218 That was unusual to witness, as a friend. 214 00:09:25.260 --> 00:09:27.138 As a family, we kept saying 215 00:09:27.180 --> 00:09:28.668 how proud we were of him, regardless. 216 00:09:28.710 --> 00:09:33.708 But, after the Marathon des Sables, he was really quite low. 217 00:09:33.750 --> 00:09:36.723 Anyone with ADHD, which I also have, will know that, 218 00:09:37.920 --> 00:09:39.888 you know, that we've all got this, kind of, fixation 219 00:09:39.930 --> 00:09:41.598 on certain things and obsessions. 220 00:09:41.640 --> 00:09:45.642 And, you know, running in ultramarathon's are one of his. 221 00:09:45.684 --> 00:09:47.838 And, I think, him actually pulling out, 222 00:09:47.880 --> 00:09:51.558 is probably braver than continuing. 223 00:09:51.600 --> 00:09:54.888 So I think, actually, full credit to him for going, 224 00:09:54.930 --> 00:09:56.778 do you know what, this is getting dangerous, 225 00:09:56.820 --> 00:09:57.918 now I'm gonna pull it. 226 00:09:57.960 --> 00:10:00.048 I suppose, I was actually proud that he stopped. 227 00:10:00.090 --> 00:10:03.048 Because, although I wanted him to continue, 228 00:10:03.090 --> 00:10:06.090 I mean, that would've been really dangerous and very stupid. 229 00:10:08.520 --> 00:10:10.068 The whole process is quite long 230 00:10:10.110 --> 00:10:11.881 and, you know, all the measuring out of 231 00:10:11.923 --> 00:10:15.198 various powders and potions. 232 00:10:15.240 --> 00:10:16.900 And then you see it in this form 233 00:10:16.942 --> 00:10:18.554 and you're, kind of, like, yeah, okay. 234 00:10:18.596 --> 00:10:21.138 We're kind of, one step closer to being ready to go 235 00:10:21.180 --> 00:10:22.050 with day one. 236 00:10:22.092 --> 00:10:22.985 A lot of sweets. 237 00:10:23.027 --> 00:10:24.678 Lots of sweets, yes, day one, day two, day three, 238 00:10:24.720 --> 00:10:27.345 day four, day five and day six. 239 00:10:27.387 --> 00:10:30.233 And a little medical stuff. 240 00:10:30.275 --> 00:10:31.701 Just in case you get hurt. 241 00:10:31.743 --> 00:10:33.258 Just in case you get hurt, yes. 242 00:10:33.300 --> 00:10:36.378 The first bit really is the, it's the logistics. 243 00:10:36.420 --> 00:10:38.658 You hear stories and jokes about people 244 00:10:38.700 --> 00:10:40.488 cutting their toothbrush in half. 245 00:10:40.530 --> 00:10:41.718 But people do. 246 00:10:41.760 --> 00:10:43.488 Because it saves you a few grams. 247 00:10:43.530 --> 00:10:45.318 It's a huge commitment. 248 00:10:45.360 --> 00:10:48.341 Oh, yes, that's perfect. 249 00:10:48.383 --> 00:10:49.968 There's a lot of planning 250 00:10:50.010 --> 00:10:52.638 that goes into the successful completion of a race. 251 00:10:52.680 --> 00:10:54.828 People with ADHD are often great in a crisis 252 00:10:54.870 --> 00:10:55.908 but not so good in something 253 00:10:55.950 --> 00:10:57.573 that needs a lot of preparation. 254 00:11:00.499 --> 00:11:02.521 I've got a lost box. 255 00:11:02.563 --> 00:11:03.453 Memory. 256 00:11:03.495 --> 00:11:05.418 You know, memory and retention, 257 00:11:05.460 --> 00:11:07.128 forgetting where I put things. 258 00:11:07.170 --> 00:11:10.878 I often forget my children's birthdays. 259 00:11:10.920 --> 00:11:12.318 I just don't remember. 260 00:11:12.360 --> 00:11:15.438 The memory issues around ADHD are brutal. 261 00:11:15.480 --> 00:11:17.748 A surprising number of people find themselves getting 262 00:11:17.790 --> 00:11:19.158 an ADHD diagnosis. 263 00:11:19.200 --> 00:11:21.318 They've actually gone to the GP saying, 264 00:11:21.360 --> 00:11:22.488 I think I might have dementia. 265 00:11:22.530 --> 00:11:24.288 Yeah, memory issues are really common. 266 00:11:24.330 --> 00:11:26.366 I think, also, he's got so much going on in his head. 267 00:11:26.408 --> 00:11:28.098 He goes from one thing to another. 268 00:11:28.140 --> 00:11:29.958 So trying to, kind of, keep up with him 269 00:11:30.000 --> 00:11:32.088 and keep him focused on what he's doing, 270 00:11:32.130 --> 00:11:34.188 at one thing at a time, well, it's quite hard. 271 00:11:34.230 --> 00:11:36.558 The biggest problem he'll have, 272 00:11:36.600 --> 00:11:40.068 is that he's turning his world upside down 273 00:11:40.110 --> 00:11:41.328 to get this done. 274 00:11:41.370 --> 00:11:43.689 He's extremely messy. 275 00:11:45.240 --> 00:11:47.148 Being CEO of a company 276 00:11:47.190 --> 00:11:48.978 and you're running an ultramarathon, 277 00:11:49.020 --> 00:11:52.818 they are not two things, they easily combine. 278 00:11:52.860 --> 00:11:55.158 A lot of people with ADHD, 279 00:11:55.200 --> 00:11:57.678 they've put in, sometimes, knowingly, 280 00:11:57.720 --> 00:12:01.728 sometimes, unknowingly, scaffolding and strategies 281 00:12:01.770 --> 00:12:04.008 that have them doing well. 282 00:12:04.050 --> 00:12:07.248 He has got very good at writing, like, 283 00:12:07.290 --> 00:12:08.748 a spreadsheet, that he follows. 284 00:12:08.790 --> 00:12:10.098 So he will send me that spreadsheet 285 00:12:10.140 --> 00:12:11.478 and we just have to tick it off. 286 00:12:11.520 --> 00:12:15.978 If you don't put it in place, with real knowledge of self, 287 00:12:16.020 --> 00:12:19.638 it's too finely balanced, not to fail. 288 00:12:19.680 --> 00:12:22.188 To get ready for any of these things, sacrifices a lot. 289 00:12:22.230 --> 00:12:24.558 And the support network around Simon 290 00:12:24.600 --> 00:12:25.518 is also gonna feel it. 291 00:12:25.560 --> 00:12:28.398 His work colleagues, his family, it's all encompassing 292 00:12:28.440 --> 00:12:31.158 and, kind of, just consumes your life. 293 00:12:31.200 --> 00:12:32.988 In the run up to these events, you know, 294 00:12:33.030 --> 00:12:35.835 I'm running and focusing on other things 295 00:12:35.877 --> 00:12:40.773 and my emotional and physical time just isn't as present. 296 00:12:43.710 --> 00:12:46.968 One of the downsides of ADHD is that it can make you 297 00:12:47.010 --> 00:12:50.118 so intent on getting to your objective, 298 00:12:50.160 --> 00:12:54.207 that actually, it can be difficult for people around that. 299 00:12:54.249 --> 00:12:56.574 When you're fully hyper-focused. 300 00:13:00.720 --> 00:13:03.648 There's a lot of problems that Simon will face, with ADHD. 301 00:13:03.690 --> 00:13:07.098 But actually, when preparing for these sorts of events, 302 00:13:07.140 --> 00:13:09.798 there are a lot of things that could fall in his favor. 303 00:13:09.840 --> 00:13:11.778 The focus and the obsession with something, 304 00:13:11.820 --> 00:13:14.118 is definitely gonna help him. 305 00:13:14.160 --> 00:13:15.918 It's definitely helped him in the past. 306 00:13:15.960 --> 00:13:19.458 When you have three children and then, holidays, 307 00:13:19.500 --> 00:13:20.868 when they're not at school, it's quite hard. 308 00:13:20.910 --> 00:13:23.598 So, I think, actually, to start with, I was a bit like, 309 00:13:23.640 --> 00:13:25.758 well, it's a bit of a desperate measure 310 00:13:25.800 --> 00:13:27.466 to take a break from your family. 311 00:13:28.341 --> 00:13:32.088 I'm not sure that I would be able to do these events 312 00:13:32.130 --> 00:13:33.828 on a number of different levels, 313 00:13:33.870 --> 00:13:37.068 if I wasn't supported in the way that I am at home. 314 00:13:37.110 --> 00:13:39.108 You know, I'm very fortunate in that way. 315 00:13:39.150 --> 00:13:43.248 And my children, you know, have learned from Faye. 316 00:13:43.290 --> 00:13:46.878 I think Faye acknowledges that I'm a better person. 317 00:13:46.920 --> 00:13:50.538 I'm not made to feel guilty for needing to do this. 318 00:13:50.580 --> 00:13:52.968 I think back to my 20s and I wonder how the fucking hell 319 00:13:53.010 --> 00:13:55.651 I held any relationship down, to be honest, you know 320 00:13:55.693 --> 00:13:57.693 'cause you're just like, 321 00:13:59.640 --> 00:14:01.287 it's so disruptive. 322 00:14:10.710 --> 00:14:12.360 Now he's done a number of them, 323 00:14:13.410 --> 00:14:15.483 it's a bit medicinal, really, I think. 324 00:14:17.899 --> 00:14:19.638 I'm gonna have to dig deep, you know, 325 00:14:19.680 --> 00:14:20.471 I'm aware of that, you know. 326 00:14:20.513 --> 00:14:24.138 I think, running, in its nature, is quite simplistic. 327 00:14:24.180 --> 00:14:24.971 In Simon's case, 328 00:14:25.013 --> 00:14:27.228 I think it definitely brings order to the chaos. 329 00:14:27.270 --> 00:14:29.388 He's got quite a lotta chaos in his world, in his mind. 330 00:14:29.430 --> 00:14:33.018 Even narrowing down the task list for the day, 331 00:14:33.060 --> 00:14:34.668 get from point A to B, 332 00:14:34.710 --> 00:14:38.961 can definitely just calm the noise a little bit. 333 00:14:41.978 --> 00:14:43.893 Thank you very much. 334 00:14:43.935 --> 00:14:46.688 All you've got to do, for seven days, 335 00:14:46.730 --> 00:14:48.313 eat, sleep and run. 336 00:14:49.741 --> 00:14:50.924 What an existence. 337 00:14:52.216 --> 00:14:53.007 One, two. 338 00:14:53.049 --> 00:14:54.898 I mean, for me it just sounds treacherous, to be honest. 339 00:14:54.940 --> 00:14:57.198 So, I can't imagine why he wants to go out and do this. 340 00:14:57.240 --> 00:15:01.113 People fall very ill and sometimes die on these things. 341 00:15:09.750 --> 00:15:12.138 My brain was bouncing around a bit last night. 342 00:15:12.180 --> 00:15:15.018 I think I'll feel some sense of anxiety, 343 00:15:15.060 --> 00:15:17.088 probably, when I see a sand dune, 344 00:15:17.130 --> 00:15:19.158 even if it's two meters high, 345 00:15:19.200 --> 00:15:21.888 it'll probably make me feel a bit peculiar. 346 00:15:21.930 --> 00:15:25.443 Probably not how I felt at the beginning of the last one. 347 00:15:33.690 --> 00:15:34.523 It was good. 348 00:15:35.880 --> 00:15:36.798 He won't think this now 349 00:15:36.840 --> 00:15:38.748 but if he doesn't finish, he'll also be okay with it. 350 00:15:38.790 --> 00:15:41.928 I think he's actually at a point in his journey with this, 351 00:15:41.970 --> 00:15:43.878 where, the result is one thing 352 00:15:43.920 --> 00:15:45.528 but he's realized the journey is important 353 00:15:45.570 --> 00:15:47.208 or he will, quite quickly after. 354 00:15:47.250 --> 00:15:49.098 I think he's putting a lotta pressure on himself. 355 00:15:49.140 --> 00:15:50.478 Unnecessary pressure. 356 00:15:50.520 --> 00:15:53.208 I think sometimes the bravest thing, is to know your limits. 357 00:15:53.250 --> 00:15:56.688 And I just hope that he does know his limits, 358 00:15:56.730 --> 00:15:57.798 this time around. 359 00:15:57.840 --> 00:16:00.168 He's physically stronger but mentally stronger too. 360 00:16:00.210 --> 00:16:02.298 I think he will be good. 361 00:16:02.340 --> 00:16:03.198 He'll do well. 362 00:16:03.240 --> 00:16:04.344 He better do it, gosh. 363 00:16:34.890 --> 00:16:36.798 So that gives me anxiety. 364 00:16:36.840 --> 00:16:37.814 That thing. 365 00:16:41.253 --> 00:16:44.868 It is a sand dune but, it's not a mountain. 366 00:16:44.910 --> 00:16:47.028 Thing is, it's probably what I thought about a lot. 367 00:16:47.070 --> 00:16:51.273 It's a strange feeling 'cause it's almost dreamlike. 368 00:16:54.330 --> 00:16:57.828 Everybody has a different, sort of, mindset to things. 369 00:16:57.870 --> 00:17:01.218 Some people allow adversity, previously in their lives, 370 00:17:01.260 --> 00:17:04.608 to affect the decisions that you make going forward. 371 00:17:04.650 --> 00:17:07.938 And some people use that as a position, 372 00:17:07.980 --> 00:17:09.448 in order to turn that into a positive. 373 00:17:12.810 --> 00:17:13.908 I have my own objectives 374 00:17:13.950 --> 00:17:16.128 because I'm looking to discover myself. 375 00:17:16.170 --> 00:17:19.338 I wanna understand me and what makes me tick 376 00:17:19.380 --> 00:17:20.748 and how I operate. 377 00:17:20.790 --> 00:17:23.058 But actually, it's becoming far more than that. 378 00:17:23.100 --> 00:17:25.848 I want to help people open up a dialogue. 379 00:17:25.890 --> 00:17:27.558 ADHD should be looked at as something 380 00:17:27.600 --> 00:17:31.653 that can enable people to provide positivity to the world. 381 00:17:32.660 --> 00:17:36.138 Not blocking them off and not listening to them 382 00:17:36.180 --> 00:17:38.688 because they don't hit a certain criteria 383 00:17:38.730 --> 00:17:39.558 that we've become used to. 384 00:17:39.600 --> 00:17:42.323 You know, that results in the worst things. 385 00:17:45.870 --> 00:17:47.268 It's getting gradually hotter. 386 00:17:47.310 --> 00:17:50.178 So I'm trying to be really sensible, not gun it, 387 00:17:50.220 --> 00:17:51.528 probably get halfway through tomorrow 388 00:17:51.570 --> 00:17:55.308 and then start thinking about taking some paresis, 389 00:17:55.350 --> 00:17:58.890 while we're trying to be careful with it, with water. 390 00:18:11.283 --> 00:18:13.218 I've been in this game now for two decades. 391 00:18:13.260 --> 00:18:14.358 I've either been running, coaching 392 00:18:14.400 --> 00:18:15.498 or designing these races. 393 00:18:15.540 --> 00:18:19.398 So I've got to see a lot of people take these journeys on. 394 00:18:19.440 --> 00:18:20.838 Simon is definitely one of those people 395 00:18:20.880 --> 00:18:22.638 that enjoys the highs and the lows. 396 00:18:22.680 --> 00:18:24.798 He wants to be rock bottom. 397 00:18:24.840 --> 00:18:28.541 He wants to be in that pain cave, that misery, 398 00:18:28.583 --> 00:18:31.308 that thing that's gonna ultimately push him 399 00:18:31.350 --> 00:18:32.688 to the absolute limit. 400 00:18:32.730 --> 00:18:35.148 Because he knows and he's experienced it in the past, 401 00:18:35.190 --> 00:18:39.048 that with this low, will become a real high. 402 00:18:39.090 --> 00:18:40.428 The bigger the low, the higher the high. 403 00:18:40.470 --> 00:18:42.288 And it impacts him in a way 404 00:18:42.330 --> 00:18:44.680 that has been ultimately life-changing for him. 405 00:18:46.421 --> 00:18:48.918 I think there needs to be a lot more information 406 00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:51.558 about ADHD and what it is and what it isn't. 407 00:18:51.600 --> 00:18:52.900 I think some people have a 408 00:18:54.131 --> 00:18:56.208 very stereotypical view of somebody with ADHD. 409 00:18:56.250 --> 00:18:59.058 And they think they might be that loud person at school 410 00:18:59.100 --> 00:19:01.278 or that person that sits and fidgets all day. 411 00:19:01.320 --> 00:19:03.528 But there are different versions of it for different people 412 00:19:03.570 --> 00:19:05.088 and people will adapt differently. 413 00:19:05.130 --> 00:19:07.508 Predominantly hyperactive is only 15% 414 00:19:07.550 --> 00:19:09.168 of people with ADHD. 415 00:19:09.210 --> 00:19:12.468 It's a significant proportion of women and girls. 416 00:19:12.510 --> 00:19:13.818 And so the idea that it's just a boy 417 00:19:13.860 --> 00:19:15.498 running around, is just wrong. 418 00:19:15.540 --> 00:19:17.298 People often ask me what ADHD is. 419 00:19:17.340 --> 00:19:19.008 And it's one of the ways in which people 420 00:19:19.050 --> 00:19:20.538 can be neurodivergent. 421 00:19:20.580 --> 00:19:24.018 So, neurodiversity means, basically, brain-based difference. 422 00:19:24.060 --> 00:19:25.668 And it means that you experience the world 423 00:19:25.710 --> 00:19:26.508 in a different way. 424 00:19:26.550 --> 00:19:28.488 How you feel about the world, how you think about the world. 425 00:19:28.530 --> 00:19:29.358 So it's really common. 426 00:19:29.400 --> 00:19:31.473 And ADHD's about one in 20 adults. 427 00:19:33.240 --> 00:19:37.878 I have done the Marathon des Sables in 2019 and 2022. 428 00:19:37.920 --> 00:19:39.468 I have ADHD. 429 00:19:39.510 --> 00:19:42.018 I tried to explain it to people by saying, 430 00:19:42.060 --> 00:19:44.058 it's like when you have your laptop open, 431 00:19:44.100 --> 00:19:47.328 for most, you know, kind of, typical thinkers, 432 00:19:47.370 --> 00:19:51.198 if they have too many windows open, it drives them crazy. 433 00:19:51.240 --> 00:19:53.523 I always have that many windows open. 434 00:19:54.449 --> 00:19:56.628 You can get very charged up or very drained, 435 00:19:56.670 --> 00:20:00.078 I think, just a bit more easier than others. 436 00:20:00.120 --> 00:20:03.948 And it's difficult to prioritize, sometimes. 437 00:20:03.990 --> 00:20:06.318 I think it's really important, as society, 438 00:20:06.360 --> 00:20:09.708 to understand that there isn't one-size-fits-all, 439 00:20:09.750 --> 00:20:11.598 with any condition. 440 00:20:11.640 --> 00:20:12.888 There are general symptoms, 441 00:20:12.930 --> 00:20:14.898 some may be positive, some may be negative. 442 00:20:14.940 --> 00:20:18.648 But how a person generally handles it, is up to them. 443 00:20:18.690 --> 00:20:20.883 We're all unique individuals, plus ADHD. 444 00:20:22.950 --> 00:20:26.898 The event is so vast and so big, it's a bit crazy. 445 00:20:26.940 --> 00:20:29.958 So, I'm on a journey to try and control the chaos 446 00:20:30.000 --> 00:20:32.688 and stop the noise in my brain. 447 00:20:32.730 --> 00:20:35.373 And, it's not quite like that here. 448 00:20:36.510 --> 00:20:37.510 Whatever that means. 449 00:21:00.581 --> 00:21:03.948 This isn't just a holiday to me, this is a necessary part 450 00:21:03.990 --> 00:21:06.588 of my own life journey. 451 00:21:06.630 --> 00:21:08.058 If I don't do these things, 452 00:21:08.100 --> 00:21:11.148 I will not perform at the highest level. 453 00:21:11.190 --> 00:21:14.448 I'm always aspiring to try and be as good as I can be. 454 00:21:14.490 --> 00:21:16.248 I mean, if I start with the guys in my tent, 455 00:21:16.290 --> 00:21:18.528 I might stick with them or track them a bit. 456 00:21:18.570 --> 00:21:20.568 But I'm gonna run, kinda, just getting through it, 457 00:21:20.610 --> 00:21:22.631 I quite like my own time. 458 00:21:22.673 --> 00:21:25.338 I think he would hold his hands up and say that he 459 00:21:25.380 --> 00:21:27.138 struggles with his mental health 460 00:21:27.180 --> 00:21:30.348 and actually, running, is one of the things that helps. 461 00:21:30.390 --> 00:21:31.878 Feel pretty positive. 462 00:21:31.920 --> 00:21:33.620 Just gotta tick through the miles. 463 00:21:36.158 --> 00:21:38.088 In the case of ultra running, 464 00:21:38.130 --> 00:21:40.848 the running itself is the therapy. 465 00:21:40.890 --> 00:21:43.218 Such an odd thing to try and explain to people, 466 00:21:43.260 --> 00:21:45.798 that actually, when you talk about running ultramarathons, 467 00:21:45.840 --> 00:21:50.840 especially multi-stage ultramarathons, people are, 468 00:21:51.060 --> 00:21:53.463 kind of, intimidated by the scale of them. 469 00:21:54.810 --> 00:21:57.827 But, perhaps they're looking at it in the wrong way 470 00:21:57.869 --> 00:21:59.543 or not looking at it through my eyes. 471 00:22:01.950 --> 00:22:06.018 Coming here, it's like a complete swap 472 00:22:06.060 --> 00:22:09.378 of mental capabilities and responsibilities. 473 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:11.515 People that hear that I've done this race say, 474 00:22:11.557 --> 00:22:14.388 "Oh, wow, you really like to punish yourself, don't you?" 475 00:22:14.430 --> 00:22:16.248 And it's a form of judgment, where, 476 00:22:16.290 --> 00:22:18.468 I certainly don't view it as punishment, 477 00:22:18.510 --> 00:22:21.318 I view it as push, especially when you have ADHD. 478 00:22:21.360 --> 00:22:23.943 If you push yourself to extreme limits, 479 00:22:25.170 --> 00:22:27.588 it is actually recharging the batteries 480 00:22:27.630 --> 00:22:32.058 and you go back, saying, there was an enormous challenge 481 00:22:32.100 --> 00:22:34.968 and I did that, I am capable. 482 00:22:35.010 --> 00:22:38.598 I think people with ADHD really feel that even more 483 00:22:38.640 --> 00:22:40.731 than a typical thinker. 484 00:22:53.790 --> 00:22:54.623 So slow going. 485 00:22:55.680 --> 00:22:57.168 Kind of just concentrating on 486 00:22:57.210 --> 00:22:59.328 getting in other people's steps. 487 00:22:59.370 --> 00:23:00.933 Wow, that's cool. 488 00:23:02.280 --> 00:23:03.168 Shit. 489 00:23:03.210 --> 00:23:04.429 Yeah, pretty cool. 490 00:23:06.900 --> 00:23:08.183 All right, enough of that. 491 00:23:09.225 --> 00:23:10.242 This will be here in a million years, 492 00:23:10.284 --> 00:23:11.834 so I can come back. 493 00:23:35.405 --> 00:23:37.788 I think the uphills broke my legs in, actually. 494 00:23:37.830 --> 00:23:41.702 I didn't really enjoy that bit but, then suddenly, 495 00:23:41.744 --> 00:23:44.508 running on sand felt a lot easier. 496 00:23:44.550 --> 00:23:47.508 He potentially uses ultramarathons 497 00:23:47.550 --> 00:23:50.328 as a way to keep him in training. 498 00:23:50.370 --> 00:23:52.758 You know, training and getting out and exercising, 499 00:23:52.800 --> 00:23:54.708 is basically medicine. 500 00:23:54.750 --> 00:23:57.618 And it is what keeps you, kind of, focused, 501 00:23:57.660 --> 00:23:59.735 your endorphins above, you know, ultimately, 502 00:23:59.777 --> 00:24:03.468 it's a dopamine deficiency problem, right. 503 00:24:03.510 --> 00:24:06.198 And exercise raises that dopamine level. 504 00:24:06.240 --> 00:24:08.358 I think it's almost a bit of an addiction, probably, 505 00:24:08.400 --> 00:24:10.908 on his part, in terms of the fact that he needs to do it. 506 00:24:10.950 --> 00:24:14.298 And, it's to say, I've got this ultramarathon in the diary 507 00:24:14.340 --> 00:24:16.638 and kinda use it as a bit of a way to 508 00:24:16.680 --> 00:24:18.430 manage his day-to-day life, really. 509 00:24:21.844 --> 00:24:23.761 Last 15K's been hard. 510 00:24:24.810 --> 00:24:27.528 It's all right, my feet need a little bit of attention 511 00:24:27.570 --> 00:24:29.469 but I really am okay. 512 00:24:32.130 --> 00:24:34.818 I will put 150% and more, 513 00:24:34.860 --> 00:24:37.203 leave nothing on the table, whatsoever. 514 00:24:38.940 --> 00:24:41.148 I don't think that's always healthy. 515 00:24:41.190 --> 00:24:44.628 When it's over, this brain fog, kind of, ensues. 516 00:24:44.670 --> 00:24:46.428 At the time that you're going through these 517 00:24:46.470 --> 00:24:48.520 periods of brain fog, it seems to be 518 00:24:49.560 --> 00:24:51.723 after periods of extreme hyperfocus. 519 00:24:52.980 --> 00:24:54.528 You just run out of energy. 520 00:24:54.570 --> 00:24:57.948 It's almost like your mind is trying to get some rest. 521 00:24:57.990 --> 00:24:59.718 It's extremely frustrating. 522 00:24:59.760 --> 00:25:03.948 And it's like a form of depression, probably. 523 00:25:03.990 --> 00:25:07.758 But without it taking you down those roads. 524 00:25:07.800 --> 00:25:09.258 One of the reasons I love ultra running, 525 00:25:09.300 --> 00:25:10.998 is it gives me a chance to go away 526 00:25:11.040 --> 00:25:12.978 and turn off from all these things. 527 00:25:13.020 --> 00:25:17.058 And when I come back, the brain fog has lifted 528 00:25:17.100 --> 00:25:20.628 and actually, I have then complete clarity of thinking 529 00:25:20.670 --> 00:25:22.428 and it's just complete peace 530 00:25:22.470 --> 00:25:24.378 and straight line decision-making. 531 00:25:24.420 --> 00:25:25.653 It all makes sense. 532 00:25:27.090 --> 00:25:28.658 Exercise is often talked about as a treatment for ADHD 533 00:25:28.700 --> 00:25:31.398 and there's a really good evidence base for it. 534 00:25:31.440 --> 00:25:32.508 It's also used as a treatment 535 00:25:32.550 --> 00:25:34.188 for other things, like, depression. 536 00:25:34.230 --> 00:25:35.748 And the reason it's good for the brain, 537 00:25:35.790 --> 00:25:37.218 the reason, particularly with ADHD, 538 00:25:37.260 --> 00:25:38.298 exercise is good for the brain, 539 00:25:38.340 --> 00:25:40.368 is that it increases noradrenaline and dopamine. 540 00:25:40.410 --> 00:25:42.198 And those are low. 541 00:25:42.240 --> 00:25:44.808 There are low levels of those in people's brains, with ADHD. 542 00:25:44.850 --> 00:25:46.278 It increases levels of those chemicals 543 00:25:46.320 --> 00:25:47.815 in about five minutes, 544 00:25:47.857 --> 00:25:50.328 which is quicker than any medicine can work. 545 00:25:50.370 --> 00:25:53.284 So it's something a lot of people use, to help focus. 546 00:25:56.328 --> 00:25:57.288 Yeah, it was all right. 547 00:25:57.330 --> 00:25:58.218 I'm glad it's over. 548 00:25:58.260 --> 00:26:00.198 Those second days are awful. 549 00:26:00.240 --> 00:26:03.588 I think from the last experience that I had with MDS, 550 00:26:03.630 --> 00:26:06.468 I've learned how to treat myself. 551 00:26:06.510 --> 00:26:07.698 So, like, if I feel tired, 552 00:26:07.740 --> 00:26:09.768 I'm happy to go and have a rest for five minutes. 553 00:26:09.810 --> 00:26:11.478 Previously, I'd just run through exhaustion 554 00:26:11.520 --> 00:26:12.708 and then I would've collapsed, 555 00:26:12.750 --> 00:26:15.738 I mean, I'd be in a heap but I'm in a controlled heap. 556 00:26:15.780 --> 00:26:17.568 I'm just tired and resting. 557 00:26:17.610 --> 00:26:20.160 Whereas, I'm not delirious today. 558 00:26:24.540 --> 00:26:26.418 Of course, I want the challenge. 559 00:26:26.460 --> 00:26:29.268 But actually, there's a big part of my mindset 560 00:26:29.310 --> 00:26:31.578 that's looking forward to giving my brain 561 00:26:31.620 --> 00:26:32.898 a bit of a holiday. 562 00:26:32.940 --> 00:26:36.978 And I can just relax on the most basic of things, you know, 563 00:26:37.020 --> 00:26:39.048 by getting to a tree or getting to a corner 564 00:26:39.090 --> 00:26:41.440 or, you know, just getting to the end of a day. 565 00:26:42.720 --> 00:26:44.148 It puts everything into context. 566 00:26:44.190 --> 00:26:47.658 Seeing a desert and, you know, just things 567 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:49.968 in a complete natural space, 568 00:26:50.010 --> 00:26:54.168 without any interferences from us, whatsoever. 569 00:26:54.210 --> 00:26:56.118 That to me, is peaceful. 570 00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.248 That brings peace to the noise 571 00:26:58.290 --> 00:27:00.731 that sometimes comes into my brain, I think. 572 00:27:03.840 --> 00:27:06.708 There is an additional challenge with his ADHD. 573 00:27:06.750 --> 00:27:09.768 Where he's gonna have to really focus on some certain areas 574 00:27:09.810 --> 00:27:11.088 to be successful. 575 00:27:11.130 --> 00:27:13.680 He's gonna have to quieten that noise, quite a lot. 576 00:27:15.690 --> 00:27:17.778 Today is a long stage. 577 00:27:17.820 --> 00:27:19.398 We're starting at six, 578 00:27:19.440 --> 00:27:22.275 run for about three quarters an hour, in the dark. 579 00:27:22.317 --> 00:27:25.443 But it's quite a slog, to do 85 kilometers. 580 00:27:30.103 --> 00:27:32.893 Just so much depends on how tough the first 581 00:27:34.470 --> 00:27:35.808 three or four hours are. 582 00:27:35.850 --> 00:27:38.250 Yeah, I'm just not sure what we're gonna do yet. 583 00:27:44.850 --> 00:27:48.858 The long stage is a pretty huge moment. 584 00:27:48.900 --> 00:27:50.778 Once you've cracked it, you know, 585 00:27:50.820 --> 00:27:53.448 you've done something, you're well over halfway. 586 00:27:53.490 --> 00:27:55.308 So I'm just gonna take today really slow and steady, 587 00:27:55.350 --> 00:27:58.458 just tick off the kilometers and the checkpoints 588 00:27:58.500 --> 00:28:00.708 and see how I sit by two o'clock, 589 00:28:00.750 --> 00:28:02.682 then make a decision about whether I'm gonna stay 590 00:28:02.724 --> 00:28:07.398 at a checkpoint for three hours while the sun settles down 591 00:28:07.440 --> 00:28:08.231 and then go again. 592 00:28:08.273 --> 00:28:09.498 Or if I feel good, I'll go. 593 00:28:09.540 --> 00:28:12.198 Yeah, last time I didn't do the long stage 594 00:28:12.240 --> 00:28:14.333 'cause the long stage was on the fourth day. 595 00:28:15.270 --> 00:28:16.098 Simon. 596 00:28:16.140 --> 00:28:17.478 Yeah. 597 00:28:17.520 --> 00:28:18.915 Yeah. 598 00:28:21.206 --> 00:28:22.412 Oh he's the joker. 599 00:28:22.454 --> 00:28:23.770 You're a joker. 600 00:28:25.470 --> 00:28:26.675 I didn't get to do the long stage 601 00:28:26.717 --> 00:28:29.235 'cause I pulled out on the morning of day four. 602 00:28:29.277 --> 00:28:31.698 And I feel intimidated by it 603 00:28:31.740 --> 00:28:34.908 but, I'm just gonna clock it off, you know, 604 00:28:34.950 --> 00:28:36.588 checkpoint by checkpoint. 605 00:28:36.630 --> 00:28:39.285 And have a good look at two o'clock and see how I stand. 606 00:28:39.327 --> 00:28:44.191 Oh, the distance today is, 85.3 kilometers. 607 00:28:47.181 --> 00:28:48.438 The long stage is gonna be hard for them 608 00:28:48.480 --> 00:28:49.908 to tap into flow states. 609 00:28:49.950 --> 00:28:52.278 All of the other runners around them, 610 00:28:52.320 --> 00:28:56.238 intense hunger, intense thirst, which only grows. 611 00:28:56.280 --> 00:28:59.478 It will be so hard to get into the zone and stay in it 612 00:28:59.520 --> 00:29:01.158 and not be distracted by your sore feet. 613 00:29:01.200 --> 00:29:03.888 Your 15 blisters, the hot desert sun. 614 00:29:03.930 --> 00:29:05.988 There's some parts of this where Simon's brain 615 00:29:06.030 --> 00:29:10.128 will consume knowledge at a rate, faster than anyone else. 616 00:29:10.170 --> 00:29:11.778 But at the same time, when it comes to the race 617 00:29:11.820 --> 00:29:13.878 and it comes to the time where it gets difficult, 618 00:29:13.920 --> 00:29:16.218 one simple mistake here, your race is over. 619 00:29:16.260 --> 00:29:17.868 Not drinking water on time, 620 00:29:17.910 --> 00:29:20.700 not look after a small blister, your race can be done. 621 00:30:28.384 --> 00:30:31.301 Woo, that was amazing, going down 622 00:30:33.307 --> 00:30:36.521 That hill was weirdly, quite enjoyable. 623 00:30:36.563 --> 00:30:39.228 But I'm just gonna really try and stay within myself. 624 00:30:39.270 --> 00:30:40.338 Don't overdo it. 625 00:30:40.380 --> 00:30:42.967 It's dangerous to go too quick. 626 00:31:27.196 --> 00:31:27.987 Yeah, it's getting hot now. 627 00:31:29.395 --> 00:31:31.444 Hard work, getting over the brinks. 628 00:31:45.270 --> 00:31:46.501 It's just amazing. 629 00:31:46.543 --> 00:31:49.428 As tiny as it is, you kinda, almost, like, 630 00:31:49.470 --> 00:31:53.173 compartmentalize it 'cause it's just so beautiful. 631 00:31:59.395 --> 00:32:01.553 It's getting warmer, it feels hotter than yesterday. 632 00:32:03.090 --> 00:32:04.698 Those long straights are gonna be the issue 633 00:32:04.740 --> 00:32:07.008 because I imagine there's gonna be quite a lot of those. 634 00:32:07.050 --> 00:32:09.423 The actual gains from running in the heat, 635 00:32:10.320 --> 00:32:14.328 the peak of the day, on a day like today, are just zero. 636 00:32:14.370 --> 00:32:15.161 I just don't see any benefit. 637 00:32:15.203 --> 00:32:19.248 I've felt, in reasonable spirits up until now. 638 00:32:19.290 --> 00:32:21.378 These flats, like the one we're about to do, 639 00:32:21.420 --> 00:32:23.418 the ones that cause me damage. 640 00:32:23.460 --> 00:32:27.543 So, the next two stages will be quite big for me. 641 00:32:30.060 --> 00:32:33.378 I'm sure I'll revisit some old demons. 642 00:32:33.420 --> 00:32:35.898 A lot of the focus is on the extreme temperatures, 643 00:32:35.940 --> 00:32:37.368 with these things. 644 00:32:37.410 --> 00:32:40.038 But people forget that they're still running 150 miles 645 00:32:40.080 --> 00:32:40.938 over five days. 646 00:32:40.980 --> 00:32:43.218 Even in temperate conditions, you'll still get 647 00:32:43.260 --> 00:32:46.218 repetitive strain injuries, hips, knees, ankles. 648 00:32:46.260 --> 00:32:48.528 And you have to pay attention to that, as well. 649 00:32:48.570 --> 00:32:51.078 Every day you're basically doing a different ultra, 650 00:32:51.120 --> 00:32:54.018 across some of the most extreme conditions in the world. 651 00:32:54.060 --> 00:32:56.538 All the time you're getting stimulated by your environment, 652 00:32:56.580 --> 00:32:58.908 by the other runners around you 653 00:32:58.950 --> 00:33:00.558 but you've got this goal in the background. 654 00:33:00.600 --> 00:33:03.018 So for some people who are neurodivergent 655 00:33:03.060 --> 00:33:06.108 and have ADHD, that might be the perfect sport for them. 656 00:33:06.150 --> 00:33:08.868 I'm a volunteer here at MDS. 657 00:33:08.910 --> 00:33:12.888 I was a late diagnosed ADHDer. 658 00:33:12.930 --> 00:33:15.910 I always think things end up into buzzwords, you know 659 00:33:16.765 --> 00:33:20.928 and ADHD is a superpower, well, do you know what, 660 00:33:20.970 --> 00:33:23.898 I suppose it's advantageous sometimes 661 00:33:23.940 --> 00:33:25.218 but it's also a hindrance 662 00:33:25.260 --> 00:33:27.498 because it's very nerve-racking sometimes, 663 00:33:27.540 --> 00:33:29.328 when you just wanna be organized 664 00:33:29.370 --> 00:33:31.248 and you wanna stop fighting with yourself. 665 00:33:31.290 --> 00:33:35.175 Grabbing hold of hyperfocus is a wonderful thing. 666 00:33:35.217 --> 00:33:37.008 And it's wonderful if it fits the right thing 667 00:33:37.050 --> 00:33:38.355 and it's terrible if it's the wrong thing. 668 00:33:38.397 --> 00:33:40.518 You can't always just hyperfocus 669 00:33:40.560 --> 00:33:42.856 on what you wanna hyperfocus on. 670 00:33:43.740 --> 00:33:46.458 Like, something happens and you have to do this, 671 00:33:46.500 --> 00:33:48.288 this, this, this and screw everything else 672 00:33:48.330 --> 00:33:49.121 that you were supposed to do 673 00:33:49.163 --> 00:33:50.628 'cause you're hyperfocused on this. 674 00:33:50.670 --> 00:33:52.698 We have a huge problem, 675 00:33:52.740 --> 00:33:54.338 that it's part of human experience 676 00:33:54.380 --> 00:33:55.788 to have a problem with focus, right. 677 00:33:55.830 --> 00:33:57.978 To procrastinate before something, 678 00:33:58.020 --> 00:34:01.098 potentially to struggle to focus every now and again. 679 00:34:01.140 --> 00:34:03.378 That is not the ADHD experience. 680 00:34:03.420 --> 00:34:05.568 The ADHD experience is having a debilitating 681 00:34:05.610 --> 00:34:06.498 impact on your life. 682 00:34:06.540 --> 00:34:10.428 It's exactly the same way that depression isn't sadness. 683 00:34:10.470 --> 00:34:13.938 That chronic anxiety isn't anxious on a first date. 684 00:34:13.980 --> 00:34:16.398 That OCD isn't a tidy kitchen. 685 00:34:16.440 --> 00:34:18.485 Like, they have wildly different things. 686 00:34:54.929 --> 00:34:56.511 As hot as it's been all week, really. 687 00:34:56.553 --> 00:34:58.037 It's absolutely brutal. 688 00:34:58.079 --> 00:34:59.413 Hot. 689 00:34:59.455 --> 00:35:00.872 Really hot today. 690 00:35:34.993 --> 00:35:36.631 Got strength for a walk. 691 00:35:36.673 --> 00:35:37.998 I was pretty roasted. 692 00:35:38.040 --> 00:35:42.318 Unpacked our bags, took our shoes off 693 00:35:42.360 --> 00:35:45.378 and just chilled out for about two hours. 694 00:35:45.420 --> 00:35:49.083 A real lesson in historical learning, with these events. 695 00:35:50.709 --> 00:35:52.209 I would've just gone on before 696 00:35:53.410 --> 00:35:56.028 and that would've been extraordinarily dangerous. 697 00:35:56.070 --> 00:35:58.060 I mean, we're well over halfway now 698 00:35:59.280 --> 00:36:02.298 but, drags and drags and drags. 699 00:36:02.340 --> 00:36:05.495 My mindset, with, well, you know, 700 00:36:05.537 --> 00:36:10.278 with ADHD, it's not suitable for this type of thing. 701 00:36:10.320 --> 00:36:12.648 I think one of the reasons I do this, 702 00:36:12.690 --> 00:36:16.698 is to try and exercise discipline and I struggle with it. 703 00:36:16.740 --> 00:36:19.158 You know, you're in your head, you're like, stop, stop, 704 00:36:19.200 --> 00:36:23.478 have a break, stop, just gotta keep going, keep going. 705 00:36:23.520 --> 00:36:26.433 Every part of me wants to stop, when it's like that. 706 00:36:28.320 --> 00:36:29.424 But I won't. 707 00:36:31.050 --> 00:36:34.490 My biggest problem right now, is overheating. 708 00:36:34.532 --> 00:36:37.308 'Cause my head starts to throb. 709 00:36:37.350 --> 00:36:39.393 I mean, I can't cool down. 710 00:36:44.269 --> 00:36:45.628 Good, thank you. 711 00:36:45.670 --> 00:36:46.623 Okay, thank you. 712 00:36:56.070 --> 00:36:57.556 Just to get off those dunes. 713 00:36:57.598 --> 00:36:58.389 Yeah. 714 00:36:58.431 --> 00:36:59.418 Once you get off those dunes. 715 00:36:59.460 --> 00:37:00.251 Yeah. 716 00:37:00.293 --> 00:37:01.126 A bit of hard standing. 717 00:37:02.250 --> 00:37:04.833 So that means, like, hot, hot, hot. 718 00:37:05.700 --> 00:37:07.878 When you're racing in an extreme environment, 719 00:37:07.920 --> 00:37:10.818 it's not always about the race, it's about the conditions 720 00:37:10.860 --> 00:37:12.708 that you face when you're there. 721 00:37:12.750 --> 00:37:15.948 Someone can be fine, to needing medical extraction, 722 00:37:15.990 --> 00:37:17.658 within the space of 20 minutes. 723 00:37:17.700 --> 00:37:18.648 It's certainly arduous. 724 00:37:18.690 --> 00:37:20.403 It's so still and there's no wind. 725 00:37:21.300 --> 00:37:22.548 You feel like you're baking. 726 00:37:22.590 --> 00:37:24.288 You're both going through the same thing. 727 00:37:24.330 --> 00:37:26.658 You're both feeling the same emotions. 728 00:37:26.700 --> 00:37:29.700 And, you know, together, you're almost, kinda, joint forces, 729 00:37:30.720 --> 00:37:32.988 to combat it, as opposed to doing it alone, 730 00:37:33.030 --> 00:37:34.488 which can be quite daunting and difficult, 731 00:37:34.530 --> 00:37:36.438 particularly in, you know, in an environment like this, 732 00:37:36.480 --> 00:37:39.168 when there's two of you with the same goal. 733 00:37:39.210 --> 00:37:41.028 Yeah, you can, kind of, sort of, drive each other on. 734 00:37:41.070 --> 00:37:41.861 He's been great. 735 00:37:41.903 --> 00:37:43.578 Tell me everything, put my sun cream on 736 00:37:43.620 --> 00:37:46.320 and make sure I'm drinking and so on and so forth, so. 737 00:37:53.896 --> 00:37:56.118 This is the best way to get to know anyone. 738 00:37:56.160 --> 00:37:56.951 There's nothing. 739 00:37:56.993 --> 00:37:57.959 It doesn't matter who you are 740 00:37:58.001 --> 00:38:00.228 or where you come from or what your background is. 741 00:38:00.270 --> 00:38:01.533 You are what you are. 742 00:38:03.900 --> 00:38:06.282 That to me is probably the most exciting thing. 743 00:38:20.384 --> 00:38:23.898 When you're halfway through a race, like the MDS, 744 00:38:23.940 --> 00:38:27.138 you almost certainly got something happening to you 745 00:38:27.180 --> 00:38:28.630 that wasn't part of the plan. 746 00:38:32.640 --> 00:38:33.948 Suffering now. 747 00:38:33.990 --> 00:38:35.958 Blisters, could be a whole load of things 748 00:38:36.000 --> 00:38:38.478 but, you know, a lot of people will be thinking, 749 00:38:38.520 --> 00:38:41.418 this wasn't in my plan and start to panic. 750 00:38:41.460 --> 00:38:42.678 Simon, again, is experienced. 751 00:38:42.720 --> 00:38:44.208 So he's seen a lot of these things 752 00:38:44.250 --> 00:38:45.648 and will probably stay relaxed. 753 00:38:45.690 --> 00:38:47.283 Very, very, very sore. 754 00:38:48.450 --> 00:38:51.603 Feet are really starting to break down now. 755 00:38:52.770 --> 00:38:53.958 A lot must go into these races 756 00:38:54.000 --> 00:38:57.258 to test ourselves physically and mentally. 757 00:38:57.300 --> 00:38:59.148 And at some point in the race, you know, 758 00:38:59.190 --> 00:39:00.768 we will be utterly broken. 759 00:39:00.810 --> 00:39:04.578 So it's been hot all day, now the sun's going down, 760 00:39:04.620 --> 00:39:09.093 one problem disappears and another one rises. 761 00:39:09.999 --> 00:39:11.448 So, literally, as soon as the sun's gone down, 762 00:39:11.490 --> 00:39:13.803 my feet have just stepped up about five years. 763 00:39:14.700 --> 00:39:15.678 When the sun goes down, 764 00:39:15.720 --> 00:39:17.778 there's a different set of challenges. 765 00:39:17.820 --> 00:39:20.478 The way I would like to run it would be in the daytime. 766 00:39:20.520 --> 00:39:22.338 I don't really want to run at night at all. 767 00:39:22.380 --> 00:39:23.808 I've never enjoyed running at night. 768 00:39:23.850 --> 00:39:27.408 It's very easy to focus entirely on the physical side. 769 00:39:27.450 --> 00:39:30.393 But it's a mental race, more than a physical race. 770 00:39:40.773 --> 00:39:41.940 I am so hot, 771 00:39:43.080 --> 00:39:44.343 I want water. 772 00:39:46.350 --> 00:39:48.880 It's where we have still plenty of energy 773 00:39:50.627 --> 00:39:53.028 to enjoy this part of the stage. 774 00:39:53.070 --> 00:39:54.318 It's not entirely true of course 775 00:39:54.360 --> 00:39:55.910 but we have to keep the spirit. 776 00:39:58.212 --> 00:39:59.508 I just want it done now, you know. 777 00:39:59.550 --> 00:40:02.405 Starting to not think very clearly. 778 00:40:02.447 --> 00:40:04.098 That's the problem when you get tired, 779 00:40:04.140 --> 00:40:05.793 you just start to fucking. 780 00:40:09.030 --> 00:40:11.364 Just not very organized, are you? 781 00:40:11.406 --> 00:40:12.648 You know what I mean? 782 00:40:12.690 --> 00:40:14.373 Start to fucking drop the ball. 783 00:40:16.332 --> 00:40:17.930 The thing is, you're just getting 784 00:40:17.972 --> 00:40:20.091 close to, kind of, exhaustion. 785 00:40:20.133 --> 00:40:22.278 I'm feeling a little bit dehydrated, 786 00:40:22.320 --> 00:40:25.578 despite constant drinking, every five minutes. 787 00:40:25.620 --> 00:40:28.248 But, we just need to get our heads up and go on. 788 00:40:28.290 --> 00:40:30.918 My children, keep thinking about them. 789 00:40:30.960 --> 00:40:35.268 These latter stages, you know, they strip you away 790 00:40:35.310 --> 00:40:39.131 of lots of things and perhaps that's, in a sick way, 791 00:40:39.173 --> 00:40:41.058 part of the attraction. 792 00:40:41.100 --> 00:40:42.900 That allows me to, kind of, build up 793 00:40:43.748 --> 00:40:46.488 my reserves again, in a very strange way. 794 00:40:46.530 --> 00:40:49.278 It's extremely intimidating to come back 795 00:40:49.320 --> 00:40:53.448 to a place like this and revisit those things. 796 00:40:53.490 --> 00:40:56.418 You know, this is a big achievement today. 797 00:40:56.460 --> 00:40:58.563 Honestly, I really am broken. 798 00:41:01.047 --> 00:41:05.583 I think, smiling and being jovial, is, kind of, my way of 799 00:41:06.570 --> 00:41:09.918 placating certain things, you know, normal stuff. 800 00:41:09.960 --> 00:41:13.938 ADHD at school, played the fool, disruptive, 801 00:41:13.980 --> 00:41:16.128 I guess it got me attention of some kind, 802 00:41:16.170 --> 00:41:18.783 which I was attracted to. 803 00:41:20.037 --> 00:41:22.037 And that's, kind of, like, stuck with me 804 00:41:23.752 --> 00:41:25.278 throughout my adult life too. 805 00:41:25.320 --> 00:41:27.918 I do think that's a defense mechanism. 806 00:41:27.960 --> 00:41:29.620 It would be good to help 807 00:41:30.690 --> 00:41:33.408 myself and people like me, 808 00:41:33.450 --> 00:41:37.158 not feel like they have to repress their emotion. 809 00:41:37.200 --> 00:41:39.018 There's no judgment in running. 810 00:41:39.060 --> 00:41:40.958 I love the fact that there's no judgment 811 00:41:41.000 --> 00:41:43.788 on where you come from, how much money you have, 812 00:41:43.830 --> 00:41:45.180 you know, any of that shit. 813 00:41:47.130 --> 00:41:48.230 It's really important. 814 00:41:49.957 --> 00:41:53.418 I think, you know, we're very fortunate in the west, 815 00:41:53.460 --> 00:41:55.668 you know, things are getting easier by the day 816 00:41:55.710 --> 00:41:58.818 and I think you need to remember we were born in caves, 817 00:41:58.860 --> 00:42:02.575 so we're quite robust bits of pit, as I would like to say. 818 00:42:02.617 --> 00:42:04.136 And I think it's good to test that. 819 00:42:04.178 --> 00:42:05.988 It puts things into perspective. 820 00:42:06.030 --> 00:42:09.093 I'll go away from this better than before I started. 821 00:42:10.440 --> 00:42:12.666 Both physically and mentally. 822 00:42:12.708 --> 00:42:13.698 A little broken, to be fair. 823 00:42:13.740 --> 00:42:14.628 Not physically. 824 00:42:14.670 --> 00:42:15.678 The thing with these races, 825 00:42:15.720 --> 00:42:18.078 you've gotta decompress for a bit to 826 00:42:18.120 --> 00:42:20.321 figure out what you got out of it. 827 00:42:20.363 --> 00:42:21.948 At the moment I've just got pain. 828 00:42:21.990 --> 00:42:24.003 And I miss my family. 829 00:42:25.274 --> 00:42:28.278 Which, comes part and parcel of it. 830 00:42:28.320 --> 00:42:31.743 You sign up to do this stuff, it's gonna hurt. 831 00:42:40.523 --> 00:42:42.190 Simon! 832 00:42:44.642 --> 00:42:45.639 Broken. 833 00:42:45.681 --> 00:42:46.598 Oh, my God. 834 00:42:48.236 --> 00:42:49.069 Breathe. 835 00:42:50.061 --> 00:42:50.978 Oh, my God. 836 00:43:02.193 --> 00:43:03.773 There's a lot of very hurt people. 837 00:43:12.979 --> 00:43:16.896 A little bit, you know, anxious 838 00:43:16.938 --> 00:43:18.261 about going out again tomorrow. 839 00:43:18.303 --> 00:43:19.848 But, just gotta eat today 840 00:43:19.890 --> 00:43:22.668 and make sure to make the most of the rest 841 00:43:22.710 --> 00:43:25.936 and get as much food down as humanly possible. 842 00:43:30.990 --> 00:43:32.538 Some people come here 843 00:43:32.580 --> 00:43:34.368 and they think that they are well-trained 844 00:43:34.410 --> 00:43:36.048 because they did some other races 845 00:43:36.090 --> 00:43:39.408 but, it's another story, you know, to live in the desert 846 00:43:39.450 --> 00:43:42.678 and to be able to do 250 kilometers, it's another story. 847 00:43:42.720 --> 00:43:44.298 Here the problem is the temperature. 848 00:43:44.340 --> 00:43:48.258 We have two things, is the heat and your feet. 849 00:43:48.300 --> 00:43:50.148 We are not talking about small blisters, 850 00:43:50.190 --> 00:43:52.098 like with your shoes, in your city. 851 00:43:52.140 --> 00:43:55.128 We are talking about some blister, like potatoes. 852 00:43:55.170 --> 00:43:57.258 That's why you have to take care of your feet 853 00:43:57.300 --> 00:43:58.308 every day, okay. 854 00:43:58.350 --> 00:44:01.398 Because with the sand, it can be a big problem. 855 00:44:01.440 --> 00:44:02.273 And the heat. 856 00:44:25.925 --> 00:44:27.981 I found today, that after a long stage like that, 857 00:44:28.023 --> 00:44:30.228 I've had a chance to, kind of, daydream of it 858 00:44:30.270 --> 00:44:33.078 and think about getting over halfway 859 00:44:33.120 --> 00:44:35.860 and thinking about how clear it is that 860 00:44:36.720 --> 00:44:40.218 most people have got something. 861 00:44:40.260 --> 00:44:42.190 The one resounding 862 00:44:43.050 --> 00:44:46.482 bit of drive, that's coming forward, 863 00:44:46.524 --> 00:44:48.124 is to help young people who have 864 00:44:50.037 --> 00:44:53.388 got something going on, that isn't considered normal. 865 00:44:53.430 --> 00:44:56.778 Having a neurodivergent condition, such as ADHD, 866 00:44:56.820 --> 00:44:58.338 has its challenges. 867 00:44:58.380 --> 00:45:00.888 Some of those challenges, in childhood 868 00:45:00.930 --> 00:45:02.538 or when you're a teenager, 869 00:45:02.580 --> 00:45:05.448 a young person can be really difficult 870 00:45:05.490 --> 00:45:06.468 getting help with that 871 00:45:06.510 --> 00:45:08.868 or getting other people to relate to you better, 872 00:45:08.910 --> 00:45:12.738 knowing better how you tick, how you can pass exams, 873 00:45:12.780 --> 00:45:14.388 talk to people, socialize, all the things 874 00:45:14.430 --> 00:45:16.998 that some people take for absolute granted. 875 00:45:17.040 --> 00:45:19.278 Some people with ADHD really struggle with. 876 00:45:19.320 --> 00:45:21.798 There is an increased suicide rate 877 00:45:21.840 --> 00:45:23.748 and that could be possibly addressed 878 00:45:23.790 --> 00:45:25.158 by helping people earlier. 879 00:45:25.200 --> 00:45:27.618 All focus should be on trying to avoid people 880 00:45:27.660 --> 00:45:29.748 getting to a point where they take their own lives 881 00:45:29.790 --> 00:45:33.468 or spiral into some form of unnecessary depression, 882 00:45:33.510 --> 00:45:35.628 whether they're a male or female. 883 00:45:35.670 --> 00:45:37.743 It does seem to be a common denominator, 884 00:45:38.670 --> 00:45:43.368 women feel like they're not talked about enough, 885 00:45:43.410 --> 00:45:45.321 in regards to ADHD because of the way 886 00:45:45.363 --> 00:45:47.478 that they seem to develop when they're young. 887 00:45:47.520 --> 00:45:50.658 It's just the void between the two genders, 888 00:45:50.700 --> 00:45:52.115 I think, is just less clear 889 00:45:52.157 --> 00:45:54.378 'cause boys seem so much more immature 890 00:45:54.420 --> 00:45:56.868 and it just comes to the front earlier. 891 00:45:56.910 --> 00:46:00.168 We have a massive problem in the underdiagnosis, 892 00:46:00.210 --> 00:46:01.038 a full stop. 893 00:46:01.080 --> 00:46:04.218 But we have a bigger underdiagnosis problem in girls. 894 00:46:04.260 --> 00:46:07.308 That stereotype, are you a little boy running around 895 00:46:07.350 --> 00:46:08.448 and are you disruptive? 896 00:46:08.490 --> 00:46:10.458 Whereas, a little girl is more likely to be disruptive, 897 00:46:10.500 --> 00:46:11.628 really, to herself. 898 00:46:11.670 --> 00:46:12.858 And on top of that, 899 00:46:12.900 --> 00:46:16.488 a lot of the research has been male only. 900 00:46:16.530 --> 00:46:20.028 And so, that understanding of women and girls, 901 00:46:20.070 --> 00:46:22.620 has not been researched properly and needs to be. 902 00:46:22.662 --> 00:46:23.453 Basically, you should be able to talk about 903 00:46:23.495 --> 00:46:24.438 whatever you wanna talk about, 904 00:46:24.480 --> 00:46:25.993 with whoever you wanna talk about it with. 905 00:46:26.868 --> 00:46:27.910 That's the bottom line. 906 00:46:56.340 --> 00:46:58.578 My pack feels a lot lighter. 907 00:46:58.620 --> 00:47:00.303 I think having a day's rest, 908 00:47:01.260 --> 00:47:03.438 fuck, it just makes such a difference. 909 00:47:03.480 --> 00:47:05.508 But, I'm not blind to the fact 910 00:47:05.550 --> 00:47:07.528 this could be short-lived, so, 911 00:47:07.570 --> 00:47:09.258 I'll just try and gun as much as I can, 912 00:47:09.300 --> 00:47:11.203 until the sun gets hotter. 913 00:47:14.349 --> 00:47:15.601 We're getting stronger baby. 914 00:47:20.716 --> 00:47:22.305 No? 915 00:47:22.347 --> 00:47:24.168 28.4 anyways now. 916 00:47:24.210 --> 00:47:25.001 Already? 917 00:47:25.043 --> 00:47:25.834 Yep. 918 00:47:25.876 --> 00:47:26.826 Great, thank you. 919 00:47:26.868 --> 00:47:27.888 You know, in this race, 920 00:47:27.930 --> 00:47:31.578 you can find some very, very different people. 921 00:47:31.620 --> 00:47:34.008 That mean you have some CEO of companies 922 00:47:34.050 --> 00:47:35.448 and you have some workers. 923 00:47:35.490 --> 00:47:39.138 In this race, they are not anymore CEO or workers. 924 00:47:39.180 --> 00:47:42.078 They are in the same camp, they have the same tent, 925 00:47:42.120 --> 00:47:44.058 they have the same things. 926 00:47:44.100 --> 00:47:47.946 The mind that I need to tame periodically, 927 00:47:47.988 --> 00:47:49.368 feels like it's at, you know, 928 00:47:49.410 --> 00:47:51.588 a relative peace, at the moment. 929 00:47:51.630 --> 00:47:56.418 Kind of, found my own ways of treating myself. 930 00:47:56.460 --> 00:47:59.148 It's very severe but, you know, 931 00:47:59.190 --> 00:48:03.174 I'll feel good for months, not days. 932 00:48:19.980 --> 00:48:22.218 It's almost like you can't cool yourself down 933 00:48:22.260 --> 00:48:23.051 quicker than you're heating up. 934 00:48:23.093 --> 00:48:26.688 So it's just like a bit of a chess game, really. 935 00:48:26.730 --> 00:48:27.828 Keep your sodium levels right, 936 00:48:27.870 --> 00:48:29.538 keep the fluids constantly going in. 937 00:48:29.580 --> 00:48:30.480 Dave, you going. 938 00:48:34.795 --> 00:48:37.973 My pee is dark orange, almost blood orange. 939 00:48:39.103 --> 00:48:40.970 You've got such a huge calorie deficit. 940 00:48:42.435 --> 00:48:43.968 Your body's just eating itself. 941 00:48:44.010 --> 00:48:44.838 It's a machine. 942 00:48:44.880 --> 00:48:48.108 It's widely regarded as being the hardest foot race 943 00:48:48.150 --> 00:48:48.941 on the planet. 944 00:48:48.983 --> 00:48:51.195 Essentially, you're there to get yourself through it. 945 00:48:51.237 --> 00:48:53.687 But you are an island in the Sahara. 946 00:49:00.356 --> 00:49:03.678 Flats, runable and then it just went into dune, sand 947 00:49:03.720 --> 00:49:05.793 and hell, you know, it's just stifling. 948 00:49:08.129 --> 00:49:09.803 That was very difficult. 949 00:49:09.845 --> 00:49:11.378 Ah! 950 00:49:13.533 --> 00:49:14.366 Top job. 951 00:49:16.590 --> 00:49:18.228 So we're going down a route here, 952 00:49:18.270 --> 00:49:21.468 where we're choosing to talk really openly about it. 953 00:49:21.510 --> 00:49:23.088 Most people don't have that 954 00:49:23.130 --> 00:49:25.788 and they're just locked off to it, you know, 955 00:49:25.830 --> 00:49:29.268 to the point that it really alienates themselves 956 00:49:29.310 --> 00:49:30.101 from their own life. 957 00:49:30.143 --> 00:49:34.518 I see my son, who's got ADHD and I see myself, 958 00:49:34.560 --> 00:49:36.378 as, at his age. 959 00:49:36.420 --> 00:49:38.418 He can't help it, you know, 960 00:49:38.460 --> 00:49:41.058 it's just electricity coming out of 961 00:49:41.100 --> 00:49:43.428 his every pore, at different points 962 00:49:43.470 --> 00:49:44.928 and he doesn't know what to do with that. 963 00:49:44.970 --> 00:49:49.308 We know that 76% of ADHD can be described genetically. 964 00:49:49.350 --> 00:49:51.558 We've seen that through a whole lot of studies, 965 00:49:51.600 --> 00:49:52.728 particularly twin studies. 966 00:49:52.770 --> 00:49:56.268 Almost every case, if one identical twin has ADHD, 967 00:49:56.310 --> 00:49:58.183 the other has ADHD. 968 00:50:06.930 --> 00:50:09.663 Little bit of a negative mindset. 969 00:50:12.780 --> 00:50:14.813 Just haven't been able to get into a rhythm. 970 00:50:15.733 --> 00:50:17.591 The desert is a beautiful, beautiful place 971 00:50:17.633 --> 00:50:19.413 but it's ruthless. 972 00:50:22.530 --> 00:50:24.228 Training of the mind. 973 00:50:24.270 --> 00:50:26.148 Pick yourself up, go again. 974 00:50:26.190 --> 00:50:29.088 Don't lose your focus and your temper. 975 00:50:29.130 --> 00:50:33.010 Take things in a balanced way 976 00:50:33.870 --> 00:50:36.213 and then, eventually, you get what you want. 977 00:50:37.410 --> 00:50:38.243 More dreams. 978 00:50:52.680 --> 00:50:54.678 I had a horrible night's sleep. 979 00:50:54.720 --> 00:50:57.069 Mentally, I'm choosing not to be very positive right now. 980 00:50:57.111 --> 00:51:00.611 But, the fact is, we've got one last push. 981 00:51:02.880 --> 00:51:05.688 It's been an amazing experience, in some respects. 982 00:51:05.730 --> 00:51:07.878 It's been incredible just to talk to people 983 00:51:07.920 --> 00:51:10.938 so openly about ADHD. 984 00:51:10.980 --> 00:51:12.978 It feels like it's almost a relief for people 985 00:51:13.020 --> 00:51:14.778 to open up and talk about it. 986 00:51:14.820 --> 00:51:18.108 And perhaps we're assisting in creating a bridge 987 00:51:18.150 --> 00:51:19.350 to allow that to happen. 988 00:51:23.400 --> 00:51:24.258 People say it changes you. 989 00:51:24.300 --> 00:51:25.938 You don't believe them but it does change us. 990 00:51:25.980 --> 00:51:28.518 I think everyone here definitely has a story. 991 00:51:28.560 --> 00:51:30.618 I was meant to do it with my brother and he died. 992 00:51:30.660 --> 00:51:32.298 And then, my mum's unwell, 993 00:51:32.340 --> 00:51:34.608 so I'm doing it to raise money for her hospital. 994 00:51:34.650 --> 00:51:37.908 Unless you've got a reason, you're not gonna finish it. 995 00:51:37.950 --> 00:51:40.878 I think, sometimes you need to push your limits, 996 00:51:40.920 --> 00:51:42.228 just to feel alive. 997 00:51:42.270 --> 00:51:43.128 I think it's just going home 998 00:51:43.170 --> 00:51:44.568 and appreciate things a bit more. 999 00:51:44.610 --> 00:51:46.050 Kind of puts it all in perspective. 1000 00:51:52.650 --> 00:51:55.938 There's nothing more valuable than actual examples 1001 00:51:55.980 --> 00:51:58.938 of people who have got ADHD. 1002 00:51:58.980 --> 00:52:01.608 People just don't like talking about it, 1003 00:52:01.650 --> 00:52:05.508 until it impacts them or there's a kid in their family 1004 00:52:05.550 --> 00:52:06.341 who's got it. 1005 00:52:06.383 --> 00:52:09.768 Should it be taught in school, what these things are? 1006 00:52:09.810 --> 00:52:12.045 Being more open, talking about it. 1007 00:52:12.087 --> 00:52:15.198 And then knowing that having ADHD doesn't necessarily 1008 00:52:15.240 --> 00:52:17.298 limit you from doing something. 1009 00:52:17.340 --> 00:52:19.128 It can be addressed far earlier. 1010 00:52:19.170 --> 00:52:20.538 And before it gets a chance 1011 00:52:20.580 --> 00:52:23.808 to develop into something a bit more suspect, 1012 00:52:23.850 --> 00:52:26.478 it can be blocks off and rediverted. 1013 00:52:26.520 --> 00:52:28.728 That really is where this goes. 1014 00:52:28.770 --> 00:52:30.363 But that isn't a quick fix. 1015 00:52:32.040 --> 00:52:33.378 A lot of pain. 1016 00:52:33.420 --> 00:52:35.680 This is the hardest thing I've ever done. 1017 00:52:35.722 --> 00:52:37.818 Hand down, hardest thing I've ever done. 1018 00:52:37.860 --> 00:52:39.198 I think it's really important 1019 00:52:39.240 --> 00:52:42.258 to help people find a diagnosis early. 1020 00:52:42.300 --> 00:52:44.928 A diagnosis turns the lights up 1021 00:52:44.970 --> 00:52:47.778 and suddenly you can see your mates, you can navigate. 1022 00:52:47.820 --> 00:52:48.738 When we talk to people, 1023 00:52:48.780 --> 00:52:50.808 we know how life-changing it is for them. 1024 00:52:50.850 --> 00:52:52.195 Same time. 1025 00:52:52.237 --> 00:52:53.028 We go ahead. 1026 00:52:57.479 --> 00:52:58.270 Living with ADHD, 1027 00:52:58.312 --> 00:53:00.078 you've gotta make some quite big decisions. 1028 00:53:00.120 --> 00:53:02.718 When to push yourself and when to be kind to yourself. 1029 00:53:02.760 --> 00:53:05.598 You can only really do that if you really properly know. 1030 00:53:05.640 --> 00:53:08.058 If you have a formal diagnosis. 1031 00:53:08.100 --> 00:53:09.468 There is a sense of, sort of, 1032 00:53:09.510 --> 00:53:11.298 coming home, being understood 1033 00:53:11.340 --> 00:53:12.168 and that's really common 1034 00:53:12.210 --> 00:53:14.448 when somebody has an ADHD diagnosis, is, sort of, 1035 00:53:14.490 --> 00:53:17.238 coming to understand why they are the way they are. 1036 00:53:17.280 --> 00:53:20.208 It's like a light bulb and you're so happy 1037 00:53:20.250 --> 00:53:22.488 because you're like, I knew something was wrong. 1038 00:53:22.530 --> 00:53:24.228 That explains everything. 1039 00:53:24.270 --> 00:53:27.108 I think he just was happy to go, yes, I do have that. 1040 00:53:27.150 --> 00:53:28.608 Where he comes into his own though, 1041 00:53:28.650 --> 00:53:30.798 it provides you with hyperfocus, 1042 00:53:30.840 --> 00:53:32.328 especially around things 1043 00:53:32.370 --> 00:53:34.218 that you're genuinely interested in. 1044 00:53:34.260 --> 00:53:35.118 And so the enlightenment 1045 00:53:35.160 --> 00:53:38.238 of actually knowing, is life-changing. 1046 00:53:38.280 --> 00:53:40.098 You've got the keys to the car. 1047 00:53:40.140 --> 00:53:41.748 You can seek help for that. 1048 00:53:41.790 --> 00:53:42.735 You can get medication for that. 1049 00:53:42.777 --> 00:53:44.238 You can look at support groups. 1050 00:53:44.280 --> 00:53:46.458 You can start to really play to your strengths 1051 00:53:46.500 --> 00:53:47.538 and manage your weaknesses 1052 00:53:47.580 --> 00:53:48.858 in a way you just couldn't before. 1053 00:53:48.900 --> 00:53:50.538 Knowing how you tick, helps you function. 1054 00:53:50.580 --> 00:53:55.580 I think it could just lead to a happier, more informed you, 1055 00:53:55.650 --> 00:53:58.338 which, essentially, is what we're all aiming for. 1056 00:53:58.380 --> 00:53:59.780 It's a peace with ourselves. 1057 00:54:01.437 --> 00:54:05.748 2021, it's just represented so many things. 1058 00:54:05.790 --> 00:54:07.278 It wasn't just about the race. 1059 00:54:07.320 --> 00:54:09.123 I stared into the voids that year. 1060 00:54:10.740 --> 00:54:15.108 This is a realization of how far I've come. 1061 00:54:15.150 --> 00:54:16.908 I've used something that I've probably known I've had, 1062 00:54:16.950 --> 00:54:21.798 for a long time, as an extremely positive influence on, 1063 00:54:21.840 --> 00:54:23.478 for many, many things. 1064 00:54:23.520 --> 00:54:26.358 There's absolutely no doubt that it's meaningful 1065 00:54:26.400 --> 00:54:29.868 and powerful, if it could be understood. 1066 00:54:29.910 --> 00:54:33.948 But that's different in every single child and adult. 1067 00:54:33.990 --> 00:54:36.768 And that's why it can't be, just labeled. 1068 00:54:36.810 --> 00:54:37.953 It has to be broader. 1069 00:54:39.810 --> 00:54:40.980 I see the finish line. 1070 00:55:02.936 --> 00:55:04.604 Yes, yes, yes!