MANY people would consider running a marathon as the ultimate challenge of physical endurance and willpower. The event is used as a major milestone for people looking to achieve physical and mental fitness goals but, for Joe Parkinson, that challenge just wasn’t big enough.
A former local football player turned strength and conditioning coach, Parkinson is taking on the monumental challenge of running 12 marathons in 12 days, one in each Jersey parish.
Parkinson began his challenge on Tuesday at Grainville playing fields, first completing the St Saviour marathon. Ever humble, Joe is using the challenge to raise awareness and money for the charities “MindJersey” and “The Jersey Christmas Appeal”.
Speaking about the event, the runner said: “It’s something I’ve had in the back of my mind for a few years, and now felt like the right time to do it.
“Even after doing some of the challenges I’ve done, I still want to push myself and see how far my body can take me.”
Although he is an experienced endurance athlete, having completed marathons, Ironmans and, recently, a 100km ultra-marathon round the Island, Parkinson admits this challenge has presented new organisational problems.
“It’s been a tricky event to plan. Trying to plot 26 miles in each parish has been challenging.
“Some parishes also have much greater areas of elevation compared with others, so the difficulty will definitely vary throughout each day.”
It is clear from speaking to Joe that his charity work is extremely important to him.
“Helping these charities is a big push for me. There’s been something like a 20% increase in people on the Island contacting the Jersey Christmas Appeal this year, which is crazy.
“It’s a really hard time for everybody and there are people out there really struggling.
“We’ve all been through our challenges, myself included. A lot of the reasons why I’m doing all these crazy challenges are because I have had my own mental-health difficulties, which is why I wanted to include Mind Jersey and help with the amazing work those guys do.”
The former Jersey Reds strength and conditioning coach discussed how these challenges are not as far out of reach as people might think, and credits experience and knowledge as key reasons of his success in completing these challenges.
“I studied sport and exercise science at uni and have now worked as a strength and conditioning coach for years. We work to study how the human body works and what ways are optimal for athletes to use to gain maximum potential.
“Having this scientific understanding, as well as the people I have made connections with through my line of work, is so crucial when attempting these challenges.
“Trust me, these events are not a solo endeavour. I’ve got Kit Chamier of True Food Sport Nutrition helping me with my nutrition, as well as Chloe Montgomery and Jonny Picot from Strive Academy, who will be helping look after my recovery each day.
“I’m going to be hungry, dehydrated and sore. The help they’re going to give me is absolutely invaluable, they’re incredible for agreeing to go on this mad journey with me and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Parkinson has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for the Jersey Reds rugby team, the Jersey Bulls and the Jersey women’s football team, with Strive Academy, and his own private clients for their personal fitness aspirations.
Speaking about his own training, Parkinson says he is now more keen on training strength and “general physical preparedness”.
This phrase, championed by the likes of adventure athlete and author Ross Edgley, the first man to swim around Great Britain, describes a way of training that crosses all bases of the fitness demographic, with the intention of creating the most well rounded and “prepared for anything” type of athlete.
Parkinson continues: “This is a challenge obviously physically and mentally for me, but, if I can do well, I want to do as much as possible really to raise some money for the people who are struggling this year.
“We all know someone struggling, whether they talk about it or not, which is another reason why I’ve put ‘Mind Jersey’ in there because people do struggle in silence.
“Hopefully this can inspire a few people to not only want to get out there and exercise, but also to speak up about their troubles. Whether it’s to a therapist, family member or a friend, it’s so important to share and not suffer in silence.
“I also want to share this experience with people. If anybody wants to join me for any part of it, please come and find me and say hello or run with me for a bit, I would love that.”
The inspirational runner will be wearing a live GPS tracker while running, which you can find through his social media channels and follow his journey online.
The runner is currently waiting for confirmation on his donation page, but that will also be shared via his social media accounts if people would like to support his efforts.
As Joe himself would say, into the unknown he goes.
