Couch to Ultramarathon
Having never run more than 5 miles in one go before I started training in Janaury 2021, I set out to see if I could go from my couch to running what is often considered Britain’s most beautiful island chain.
On 24th August 2021 I started an attempt to run 150 miles the length of the Outer Hebrides in 5 and a half days
The short film and book about my run will follow in 2022. Sign up to my newsletter to be the first to see them.
“I used to say ‘I’m not a runner’. But what if I could fall in love with running, and achieve something that at first sounds impossible?”
The Route
See my ZeroSixZero tracking map
Why the Outer Hebrides?
Since paddle boarding Lands End to John O’Groats in 2018 which took me through part of the Inner Hebrides, I’ve been keen to go back and explore more of the Western Isles. The gorgeous, tropical-like beaches are a big draw, but so too is the remoteness, the opportunity to meet the locals and to discover all that the islands have to offer.
Of all the places to run in Britain, the Outer Hebrides has the draw of a real adventure for me.
10 islands - 6 causeways - 2 ferry journeys
Starting at the southern point of Vatersay I headed north, running across islands and causeways, flanked by stunning beaches and mountains, until I reached the tip of Lewis at Port Ness.
Wait, but weren’t you going to run the Pennine Way?
Yes, I was. But then I realised something.
It was watching Jasmin Paris smash the men's record on the Pennine Way by 12 hours, while expressing milk for her baby, that got me wondering if I could be a runner.
At the start of my training I thought being a runner meant doing what Jasmin did. Running 268 miles, on Britain’s toughest ultramarathon, non-stop overnight. I’d need over 20 support runners to enable me to do that and would just have to get my head down for 4 days and run.
But as the months have gone by and I’ve settled into my running rhythm, I’ve realised that the Pennine Way isn’t my way. It’s a challenge: a set route, aiming for as quick as possible.
But I don’t do challenges, I do adventures. I go my own route, in my own time. I stop to chat to locals and follow their directions to the best cake stops, and I most definitely avoid the cow fields.
The Penning Way has too many cows and not enough cake stops for it to be my running adventure.
So I Googled cow distribution in Britain and as a result I’m now going to be heading to the west of Scotland.
For a long time the Pennine Way filled me with dread and I couldn’t put my finger on why. Now that I’ve made the decision to switch to the Outer Hebrides I couldn’t be more excited.
This route equals adventure for me. This, the Outer Hebrides, is how I want to be a runner.
The Route
Where From Vatersay to Port Ness, c. 150 miles
Support Ellie Cartwright, of Wanderlust Action Films
When 24th August to 30th August 2021
Training Vlogs
For more videos check out my YouTube Channel.
Find out more
Whether you’re a runner or are just intrieged about the Outer Hebrides, find out about what I got up to during my run.
Sponsors & Partners
Previous Expedition
In 2018 Fiona set 3 world records when she stand up paddleboarded (SUP) the length of Britain. Over 81 days she battled a fear of the sea to cover 800 miles up the west coast, greeting creatures from the deep as she paddled over the Irish Sea and fighting past the deadly Corryvreckan whirlpool in Scotland.
She became the first woman to SUP across the Irish Sea and the first person to SUP the length of Britain on an inflatable board.
This expedition, added to her walk and cycle from Lands End to John O’Groats the year before, makes Fiona the first woman in history to complete a length of Britain Triathlon.
Press Coverage:
