Achieve With Helen

Another awesome challenge achieved! Last weekend was the XNRG Multi-day endurance events Pilgrim Challenge. 108km and 2,620m of ascent over two days across the North Downs including the iconic (and destroying) Box Hill. Congratulations and well done to Marcus Whitfield on his first multi day endurance event coming in 3rd place in his age group 👏💪

Looking Back….Looking Forward

2021 will go down in history as a year not to be forgotten for many people. What a rollercoaster that was, eh?

As I sit here at the start of a new year looking back on how the last year was for me, I am struck by some fantastic moments as we came out of lockdown and the world began to open up:

⭐️ May 2021
formally launching my Achieve with Helen PT and challenge coaching business with website, logo and social media profiles

⭐️ June 2021
6 months’ training culminates in client and adventure partner Marcus Whitfield nailing his 60@60 challenge goal – a 60k trail run for his 60th birthday – a huge achievement for a novice trail runner

Supporting my brother Jeremy Milton to achieving his big 2021 challenge – a 55k hike along the Pilgrims Way to Dover Castle – hiking his further ever by a literal country mile

⭐️ July 2021
Joining up again with adventure partner Marcus Whitfield for a Midsummer 100k Isle of Wight epic non-stop 24 hour hike

⭐️ October 2021
After 3 months working with me, client and great buddy John Catherall smashes his trail half marathon target coming over the finish line way ahead of his target and with a huge smile on his face. Amazing, John!

As for me…well it was a mixed bag year with injuries curtailing a couple of events over the Summer and early Autumn, but I was delighted to complete the year’s schedule with a finish line medal at the Druid’s Challenge Ridgeway 136k event in November. A big high to end a year which included 5 separate 50k+ ultra trail runs building fitness, confidence and learning, to go into 2022 with all guns blazing.

As the new year dawns, it seems we are yet again facing a period shrouded in uncertainty. But I remain convinced that we must continue to dream, to plan, to set our sights high and hope that the longer days and the arrival of the sun will shine a light on the year ahead and bring happiness and success.

⭐️ What would I like to achieve in 2022?
I’ve set my sights on a series of long distance trail events with my pinnacle event in August - The North Downs 100 miler. This is a continuous trail run along the North Downs Way from Farnham in the Surrey Hills to Ashford in Kent. 30 hours, 100 miles, 10,000ft of climbing.

⭐️ What would you like to achieve in 2022? Whatever your challenge, whatever your distance and whatever your current activity level, I can help you prepare, train and be ready to achieve remarkable goals.
For more info and to get in touch https://www.helenmiltonsymes.com/challenge-coaching

John C
Wi******er (60s)

John signed up to Achieve with Helen having entered the New Forest Trail Half Marathon with 3 months to go. John has been a regular runner for many years and a keen cyclist so he had a good base cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength. Over the last couple of years John had tried a trail marathon and entered a number of other running events but he’d lost his running mojo and was looking for some guidance, focus and support to achieve his half marathon goal.

I put a personalised training plan together for John that built up his running from his regular weekly 7-8k and took him to the 21k half marathon distance over 12 weeks. His plan included flexibility and strength and conditioning sessions as well as speed, hill repeats and long runs. The key to success would be to build running fitness without injury and be on the start line of his chosen event feeling strong, motivated and ready to smash it!

I met John in person once every week for a one hour practical session – hill and speed work or flexibility, strength and conditioning. The other sessions in the 12 week plan he did himself reporting back his Garmin stats and progress and I coached him - adjusting his plan where needed and helping him stay on track. He put the work in, stayed focused and followed the plan.

In October 2021, John achieved his goal, crossing the line of his half marathon with a huge smile in a target smashing time of 2:15:45. Amazing achievement, John – well done!

Well that was fun! A cheeky last minute entry on the day running the first half from Salisbury to Broughton

Fabulously well organised and super friendly marshals as always! Thank you 🙏

Clarendon Marathon 2021 Marathon

Bagging a 22k run on tired legs after a 50k hike the day before. Simulates the tired legs half way through an ultra. Practice motivation, fuel, hydration and keeping moving through the tough patches.

Two weeks to the SVP 100 ultra. Taper starts now…

A timely read given this week’s heatwave. Stay safe out there….

7 tips for running in hot weather Suunto ambassador Ryan Sandes has run ultra marathons in scorching deserts around the world. He shares seven tips for how to handle the heat. Ryan is specialist at running in heat. © Graeme Murray / Red Bull Content PoolWhen Ryan Sandes ran across the Sahara Desert in 52°C heat, it felt like he ....

June has been a busy month for challenges! Earlier in June Marcus Whitfield nailed his 60@60 challenge and last weekend my brother Jeremy completed his longest ever hike (by a literal country mile!) It was an epic achievement- 55k along the Pilgrims Way from Wye to Dover Castle. Proud of you, Jeremy! It was a pleasure and a privilege to be with you every step of the way and to cross that finish line together.

Great event organised by Pilgrims Hospices! Brilliantly organised and signed and super supportive marshals, medics and feed stationers. Top job - thank you!

This is an incredible achievement!!

Cumbria's Wainwrights record broken by runner Sabrina Verjee Vet Sabrina Verjee, 40, said the 214-peak course in Cumbria had become "an obsession" for her.

Good luck to all those doing RTTK tomorrow! I was a 12 hour though runner in 2019 and loved every minute of it...well almost ;-) It holds a special place in my heart as it was a key milestone in my love affair with ultra running and long distance challenges and led me here to coaching others in big goals.

A few words of last minute advice:

1. Don't worry about the rain! You'll have a great time regardless.
2. Stick to your race plan. No taking off too fast at the start. Fuel and hydrate as you planned.
3. Everyone has bad patches. Ease back, fuel up, buddy up and chat with another runner or walker and you'll get through it.
4. Break it down into chunks and track your average page so you don't obsess over every km.
5. Love the hills! Over 88k most of us yomp, not run, them. It's a good chance of muscle use for your legs and conserves energy for the downs and the flats.

Go, go, go!!

Stoked to be sharing this particular challenge with my awesome brother Jeremy Milton! Can’t wait to cross that finish line with you!

Milton's page Help Milton Jeremy raise money to support Pilgrims Hospices In East Kent

Proud to be on the faculty team for this fantastic programme. Looking forward to supporting the new autumn cohort in physical training for functional fitness, health and well-being

PERIMENOPAUSE

The menopause is occurring to us later in life than our great grandmothers. So what age will we begin to feel the differences that perimenopause will bring? And with what mindset will we transition into this next life stage?

Much depends on your personal biological blueprint and physiology, but signs of depleting and erratic oestrogen production can begin up to seven years before your monthly bleeds cease. For some of us that could be in our early forties with indicators that include...

⭕️ Distinct lack of interest in dull in*******se and a longing and curiosity for loving, passionate s*xual intimacy.
⭕️ Refusal to suffer injustice.
⭕️ Refusal to accommodate non-sensical decisions.
⭕️ A profound longing for space & peace.
⭕️ A burning need to make changes in our life.
⭕️ Night sweats that invite you to really step into the fire, to find the courage and strength to navigate forward purposefully.
⭕️ Aching reminders of the gift of your body & our need to nourish and cherish it lovingly, rather than mindlessly or neurotically.
⭕️ A deep sense of growing in your feminine wisdom.
⭕️ A coming to knowing that this LIFE is no dress rehearsal.
⭕️ A deep reverence for the divine feminine.

Menopause is a potent transition for a woman. It's a time of physical, emotional and spiritual change. It's not an easy time, it's not over quickly. No sacred coming of age should ever be. Our work is to support you with tools for ensuring you step into this transition feeling supported to navigate forwards and beyond with purpose; stress reduction, clinical psychology, nutrition, HRT options, s*x & sensuality, yoga, meditation, breath work, Ayurveda, sleep workshops, physical training, ceremony and ritual, storytelling and moon cycle awareness.

Radiance is three month course with blended contact of both on-line and face to face - please take a look at the website (link in bio) for further details or book a call with Emma.

https://www.islandschoolofyoga.com/radiance