Our next guest is no stranger to some of
the toughest environments on Earth.
British ultra runner Russ Cook aka the
hardest Giza made history when he ran
the entire length of Africa in just
under a year. And now he's just
completed a relay run around the coast
of Iceland. I'm delighted to say he
joins me now on set. Russ, very good
morning to you.
>> Good morning. How's it going?
>> Very well indeed. Thanks. And you
literally just got back from this.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Just landed back.
>> You're looking very relaxed and uh
uninjured and I'd be in absolute agony
if I just You finished this when? On on
Sunday. Just finished Sunday night.
Yeah. I mean, luckily on this one, we
had uh I had six other people in the
trenches there with me, so we managed to
spread the load a bit, you know.
>> So, it was a breeze.
>> Yeah. I'm not sure why I'd say it was a
breeze. You know, it's over 600k. Uh
took us 2 days. We barely slept for
about 60 hours. I fell asleep on the
table a couple of times, but aside from
that, um we were just going for it the
whole time really.
>> And and this you actually changed the
plan just before you started. Talk us
through that and and exactly what you
you ultimately did.
>> Yeah. So we went from uh the most
northern point of Iceland to the capital
city in the south west um recubec. Uh so
yeah it was about over just over 600 km
in 48 hours between all of us 247
athletes. So multi- discipline we got
ultra runners, we've got higher rocks
guys. Um but everyone just collectively
hellbent on making sure we get we get
there in one piece.
>> And and and talk me through why you do
these sorts of challenges. Obviously the
Africa challenge which we spoke about
previously. Um why do you then have
another one on on the target? Is this
just because of your own sort of drive
to do these things or broader than that?
>> Yeah, I mean I' I've always got this
drive to to push and do more and uh see
what my body's capable of. This was a
new one for me as well because in in a
team environment and uh I really enjoyed
it. You know that that collective spirit
of uh we're going after it. We are we
haven't slept for two days. we're back
on the road. Um, pushing the limits is
something that we all live by. Uh, you
know, we're we're on a mission to make
it happen. We got one opportunity in
life. Going to make the most of it, you
know.
>> Well, it's a it's a great uh it's a
great mentality that I'm not sure if I
would apply it in the same grueling way
as you do. Um, what what what's next?
Have you got other challenges you want
to tackle?
>> Yeah. So, um, we're actually launching
an adventure company pretty soon. So,
we're going to be taking other people on
adventures all over the world, which I'm
really excited for. Uh, and there's
there's plenty more running and and and
mountain climbing and hikes and tricks
all coming up. So, yeah, we stay busy
out here.
>> Yeah. And I'm sure you do. And I'm not
sure you'll be able to attract all
people to to join you in your your next
endeavors. What um what about the kind
of challenge in the training and and I
guess the more achievable lessons for
people at home. Clearly, you're
incredibly fit. Clearly, it drives you
to to do more. Do you think people
should embrace a sort of healthy
lifestyle like that a bit more?
>> Yeah.
>> Yeah. Yeah, I mean I I've always
encouraged people to get out and get
moving. I think it's uh really powerful
to have that sort of mind body
connection. Um doesn't have to be
running across Iceland or Africa or any
of these other things. Um but you know,
I think if you can start where you're
at, whether that's a walk around the
block, a walk to the petrol station,
then maybe a little jog, 5K, a park run,
uh these are all amazing things for for
us to do for our mental, physical
health, and yeah, I've always encouraged
that. And and what about tips for I mean
again I can't believe that you've just
finished this and you're kind of not
hunched over in an agony. What what tips
do you have to people to to kind of keep
your body in as good a shape as possible
even when you are starting to push it a
bit harder?
>> Uh well, you know the thing I would say
is if you if you don't use it, you lose
it. So uh it's important to keep that
body active and and moving uh if you
can. Uh you know the number one tip I
would give people is is honestly just
don't compare yourself to anyone else.
It's you journey, your life. Um, as long
as you can kind of go from where you are
then then that's the most important
thing.
>> Russ, thanks so much for joining us. No
worries.
>> Fascinating. Congrats again for me on
another extraordinary achievement and
keep us posted with the next one.
>> Sweet as will do.
>> Russ Cook there joining us to discuss
his latest achievement in Iceland.