Boston to Austin

A 2000 mile run across America

Wednesday 18th August: This evening Rhys and Scott Jenkins will go out of their door in Cardiff and, like many others, run a 10 miler. They will do the same tomorrow, have a rest on Friday and then on Saturday will cover 38 miles...mmmm... that's not so common! I should also add that they did a 35 miler last Saturday!

The Boston to Austin is a challenge like no other. Scott and Rhys are brothers and along with their friend, Rusty Tolliver they will attempt to run 2000 miles from Boston, Massachusetts to Austin, Texas. The run will begin on 15th September at 1000hrs in Boston and the trio hope to arrive in Austin on the 27th November. Along the way they expect to overcome "difficult and challenging terrain, adverse weather and who knows the occasional wild animal!"

Scott Jenkins, Rhys Jenkins and Rusty Tolliver are tackling the run to raise money for The British Heart Foundation, Help for Heroes, Young Texans Against Cancer and Salute America's Heroes.

The route will take them through:

1 time zone

9 cities

10 states

100 towns

 

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They have prepared and planned well. They will be travelling in a south westerly direction. Boston is in the North East of the USA and harsh weather can occur in late autumn but they will be setting off early enough next month to expect ideal running conditions as the average temperature should be in the low 20s. They expect a similar temperature in the southern city of Austin when they arrive there in November.

They've also been busy rustling up support and sponsorship and have so far secured help from Ashley Kinnard with their website, PUMA for running equipment, compeed for the inevitable blisters (!), Bulldog to help keep them clean and SPIbelt for running accessories.

The training is going well. Scott is a personal trainer so along with some help from a physiologist at UWIC (University of Wales Institute, Cardiff) they sat down and devised a training programme that gradually increased in volume. The programme started in early May and has had them typically running 10 miles per day with longer runs increasing in distance and frequency.

They have also been training in the gym 3-4 times a week focusing mostly on the lower body and core. They have been doing exercises such as deadlifts and squats with heavy weights and low repetitions (6-8). They decided on this approach as they need plenty of leg strength and to protect the joints. They expect their muscles to gradually break down during the run and so need a good base of strength to start with.

They have also been cross training by rowing, cycling and using cross trainer to ensure a huge aerobic base.

They haven't neglected the upper body and have been working on this to maintain good strength and posture and to give the legs the occasional rest they deserve!

We have arranged an ipadio interview with Scott on Friday so look forward to hearing his thoughts on the final month's training and we also hope to catch up with them during and after their epic journey!

We will also keep tabs on them via their website www.2000milerun.com

Friday 20th August:

We chatted to Scott and Rhys this afternoon and hope you enjoy this ipadio recording!