logo
Student who ‘does not like running' aims to run 500km in 10 days

Student who ‘does not like running' aims to run 500km in 10 days

Sean Tilson, 21, hopes to raise £5,000 for the cancer charity Sarcoma UK.
Last year, he completed four challenges in four months, which included a 100-mile run and Ironman triathlon.
For the past eight months, Mr Tilson been training for his latest endurance feat.
The University of Exeter student is setting off on Thursday from the city and will be stopping off at schools along the route to talk with students about mindset.
His route will take him from Exeter to Fleet in Hampshire, via Birmingham and Eton and Windsor.
He credits mindset with turning his life around after he lost his mother at the age of 14 to sarcoma, a term that describes bone and soft tissue cancer.
'I'll be talking to them about mindset and my belief that the only voice that limits you in your life is your own,' he said.
'For a large chunk of my life I felt pretty powerless, like I was alone in a crowded room and didn't quite fit in, but through mindset I was able to turn that narrative around.
'I did this by imagining the person I wanted to be and defining the values I wanted to live by – courage, curiosity, kindness and integrity – and using those four values as the framework to evaluate my decisions.'
Mr Tilson, who will graduate later this year with a degree in business management, has been the president of five societies while at the university, including the endurance society IronFit.
He said that while being a good runner, he does not enjoy it.
'For me it's very much a discipline, a way to measure what I can accomplish when I stick with something,' he said.
'But it's a fascinating sport that's taught me so much about resilience and how, even in your lowest moments, like when I did my 100-mile challenge and was struggling to stay in the race, you can turn things around.
'These days I find running meditative, so I think I will enjoy this challenge, especially as I've got such a great team around me.
'Realising that mindset is where true growth lies has really helped me make the most of my time here at Exeter.
'I want to encourage others to take a step forward, be kind to yourself, but always be guided by that vision of the person you want to become.'
In the autumn he will start a graduate job in New York as a business analyst.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Newport man went from 23 stone to finishing Swansea Ironman 70.3
Newport man went from 23 stone to finishing Swansea Ironman 70.3

BBC News

time2 days ago

  • BBC News

Newport man went from 23 stone to finishing Swansea Ironman 70.3

Nine months ago, Owen Peddle was 23.5 stone, unhappy with how he looked and unable to swim a full length of a pool. Determined to make a change, he was inspired by two friends and signed himself up for the Swansea Ironman 70.3, a half-distance version of the Ironman triathlon. What faced him was a 1.2-mile swim, followed by a 56-mile bike ride and a 13.1-mile run, half-marathon distance, to finish. "The real win for me was getting myself to the start line," he said. "The actual event was the cherry on top." The race in Swansea arrived on 6 July, one of the hottest days of the year so far, and saw Mr Peddle cheered around the course by supporters shouting "Pedz" in 32C-heat. He finished in eight hours and 32 minutes. Mr Peddle, from Rogerstone, Newport, gained a huge social media following in the build up to the race as he shared his training on TikTok and Instagram, something he said helped keep him "on the straight and narrow". "I've never really trained this hard or applied myself to anything this much in my life," he DJ and events manager was inspired by two of his closest friends completing a full-length Ironman in Tenby, Pembrokeshire, last September."I was not happy with how I looked or who I was becoming, really" he said. "I just knew something needed to change." Mr Peddle, a former prop who quit rugby at 22, said he chose the event because it was a real challenge for him. "I couldn't do any of it to start," he said. "It's the most unnatural thing to swim, then bike, then run," he playing rugby from the age of 15, he had always "pretty heavy and pretty unfit".After he stopped training for rugby, his fitness levels dropped further. Trips to the gym yielded little result because he was not applying himself properly or enjoying himself."I knew it was bad. I knew something had to change but it just didn't click until I saw that (Ironman) in Tenby." Working with his coach, he built up his strength and stamina gradually, losing four stone (25kg) over the course of his started with 20-minute bike rides and 20-minute runs, alternating one minute running with three minutes of walking."I was getting a bit anxious come Christmas time when I still hadn't run10km and biked over 40km and I hadn't swum the distance in one go," he he put his faith in his coach and waited for the results to was also conscious that he needed to be careful not to injure himself and was worried about his knees and hips in particular."It was also about making sure I don't over-train. It was quite a delicate balance," he the event approached, he was training close to 10 hours a Peddle said the gradual reduction in weight as a result of his training had been much more sustainable than previous attempts to lose weight."Slowly changing stuff for me worked really well," he said. "There's still a long way to go, but it's a nice start."In addition, it brought mental health benefits."The mental clarity that comes with training 10 hours a week is brilliant," he said. Being confident he could complete the event at the start line was "the most important thing", he felt "elated" crossing the finish line. "It was very emotional.""I'm definitely going to do something else like it again," he said."In the future, not next year but in a couple of years, Tenby is on the list, so [is] the full Ironman," he year would be too soon, but "maybe 2027 or 2028", and he would also like to compete in the Ironman 70.3 event again, perhaps abroad."I really do enjoy the training," he said."I wouldn't want to go back to being the person I was, with no motivation and no drive."

Leeds Ironman event to be held in city for first time
Leeds Ironman event to be held in city for first time

BBC News

time2 days ago

  • BBC News

Leeds Ironman event to be held in city for first time

Leeds is to host its first Ironman event on Sunday with organisers hailing the city's "passion" for triathlon racing. About 2,500 athletes will take on the gruelling endurance challenge, starting in Roundhay Park and consisting of a 3.8km (2.4 mile) swim, 180km (112 mile) bike ride and a city has been associated with triathlons thanks to the achievements of the Brownlee brothers and The Brownlee Centre - the UK's first purpose-built triathlon training Leeds has not hosted an event since the 2022 World Triathlon Championship Series. Ironman race director Lewis Peacock said: "I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to race in Leeds." "It's an iconic location," said Mr Peacock."Triathlon and Leeds, they go hand in hand. It's got such a rich history in the sport."Mr Peacock said Ironman events were enjoying "an upward trend" in Britain and across the world, with the challenge "becoming more relatable and achievable for your everyday person".However, he said: "It does take a lot of hard work, a lot of training, a lot of commitment and a lot of sacrifice to get to the stage where you can complete an endurance event of this nature." A total of 2,430 people will take part in the event, including 352 youngest competitor will be 18, with the oldest aged 78. The average age of those taking part is just over 39, organisers said."There's a lot of variety in abilities of people taking part and we hope we are going to get all of them across the finish line," said Mr event - the only full Ironman triathlon in England this year - will begin at 06:00 BST. After athletes finish an open-water swim in Waterloo Lake, they will then complete a three-loop cycle route that runs through or near Shadwell, Thorner, Bardsey, Wike, Harewood, Eccup, Arthington, Adel and will then head back to the park for the marathon, which consists of four laps around the site and its surrounding streets. Road closures A number of road closures will be on place for the cycle event and include:Carr Lane between Shadwell and Thorner (closed 06:00 to 15:30)Bramham Road and part of Thorner Road, both to the east of Thorner (closed 06:00 to 15:30)The A61 Harrogate Road between the A659 at Harewood and Wike Lane (closed 07:00 to 16:30)The A61 Harrogate Road between Wike Lane and Wigton Approach, near the Grammar School at Leeds (closed 07:00 to 17:30)Alwoodley Lane between its junctions with King Lane and the A61 Harrogate Road (closed eastbound 07:30 to 17:30)Road closures in Roundhay for much of Sunday include North Park Grove, Gledhow Avenue, Jackson Avenue, Old Park Road and the stretch of Street Lane between Devonshire Avenue and Princes Avenue. Park Avenue will be closed near the Lakeside Cafe from 06:00 on Saturday until 17:00 on are expected to start crossing the finishing line – located near the park's cricket pavilion – from around 14:00. 'Special' event Athletes from as far as the US and the United Arab Emirates will be among those on the start line, with more than half of them taking part in their first race will be much closer to home for 21-year-old Sam Hollis, from Moortown."It's quite a special thing to be able to do it on your doorstep," said the teaching assistant."When we were kids all we did was go around Roundhay Park. Everywhere we are racing is somewhere relevant to me."Mr Hollis, who has been training since November, said he was inspired to take up triathlon after watching the Brownlee brothers win two medals at the London 2012 is also using the biggest physical challenge of his life to raise money for the Motor Neurone Disease Association in memory of his grandmother Barbara, who died with the illness in 2003 aged her birthday falls on Sunday."It's nice to do something in her memory," said Mr Hollis, who cycled to Birmingham and back to visit his girlfriend on several occasions as part of his training."I'm looking forward to it and excited to get it done now." Euan Holwill will also be on the start line, although the 24-year-old medical student from Cookridge admitted he wasn't looking forward to the first challenge of the day - a 03:00 alarm."I have been going 100 times a day between being really excited and existential dread," he said of the race."The sensible part of me is going: 'You have trained for seven or eight months and you are ready'."Then the other part of me is going: 'This is a stupid thing to do, it's going to hurt so much'."This is going to be the hardest event I have ever done. It's going to be a massive challenge." For 29-year-old wealth manager Ryan McCarthy, his biggest challenge has been fitting in training."You have to remember that it's a hobby at the end of the day," said Mr McCarthy, who wanted to complete his first full Ironman in the city he fell in love with as a student from 2014 to Londoner's busy schedule means training has sometimes consisted of late-night sessions on an exercise bike at home and 05:00 starts before taking on an Ironman in a city close to his heart was a "no-brainer".Having given up drinking as part of his preparations, he said he was looking forward to enjoying a few beers after the event and devoting more time to his fiancé Hannah and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - and Mr McCarthy's occasional running companion - Maisie. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.

Full list of road closures for first Leeds Ironman triathlon
Full list of road closures for first Leeds Ironman triathlon

ITV News

time3 days ago

  • ITV News

Full list of road closures for first Leeds Ironman triathlon

Residents are being warned of "significant traffic disruption" as Leeds hosts its first ever Ironman triathlon this weekend. Thousands of spectators are expected to descend on Roundhay Park and surrounding areas on Sunday, 27 July, Around 2,500 athletes will take part in the event, which includes a 2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike ride, and a marathon. Several roads across north Leeds will be temporarily closed to keep everyone safe. The park has hosted shorter distance triathlons in previous years, but this is the first full-length event of its kind. Lewis Peacock, race director for Ironman Leeds, said: 'We can't wait to welcome thousands of athletes to the home of triathlon as the very first Ironman Leeds heads to town. 'It's set to be an incredible day of racing and a great moment to have a full distance Ironman race return to England for the first time since 2023. "The spectator support in Roundhay Park is expected to be massive." The race will start at 6am in Roundhay Park, with spectator zones, food stalls, live music throughout the park and surrounding areas. The event's second discipline, the bike race, begins and ends in Roundhay Park and will cover three loops of a circular route that runs through or near communities such as Shadwell, Thorner, Bardsey, Wike, Harewood, Eccup, Arthington, Adel and Alwoodley. The main road closures to be aware of: - Carr Lane (Shadwell to Thorner): Closed 6am-3.30pm - Bramham Road and part of Thorner Road (east of Thorner): Closed 6am-3.30pm - A61 Harrogate Road (A659 Harewood to Wike Lane): Closed 7am-4.30pm - A61 Harrogate Road (Wike Lane to Wigton Approach): Closed 7am-5.30pm - Alwoodley Lane (King Lane to A61): Eastbound closed 7.30am-5.30pm North Park Grove, Gledhow Avenue, Jackson Avenue, Old Park Road, and part of Street Lane in Roundhay will be closed most of Sunday. More information about road closures along the cycling and running routes along with suggested diversions can be found here. Park Avenue, near Lakeside Café, will be closed from 6am Saturday to 5pm Monday. Cllr Jonathan Pryor said the event is another big moment for the city. He said: 'The road closures that are needed for the safe operation of the event will inevitably cause some disruption and we thank the public in advance for their patience and understanding. 'Please do take the time, if you haven't already, to familiarise yourself with all the relevant traffic and travel arrangements and how they might affect your plans.' Crossing points will be in place, and emergency access will remain fully open. Pedestrians can cross routes where it is safe. Local triathletes the Brownlee brothers have sparked interest in the sport, and a strong crowd is expected to support competitors on Sunday.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store