Never ones to let realistic and achievable targets stand in the way of a good challenge, Lee and Garry are an effective mix of enthusiasm, ambition and bloody-mindedness! In the past couple of years they have failed miserably with marathon running, struggled wilth ultramarathon events, been pretty average at hill running and Lee’s hated bikes. They have also completed an epic 300 mile kayak, run and cycle in the Outer Hebrides, been selected from thousands of applicants to take part in the Drambuie Pursuit, completed the Three Peaks Challenge three times and in February 2011 they were joint 6th, and first Brits home, winning the 100 mile (pairs) Yukon Arctic Ultra race.
2012 looks set to be another decent year. Lee is off to race the Arrowhead 135 ultra in Minnesota at the end of January and then in June Lee and Garry alongwith Greg McEwan are running, kayaking and biking the length of Scotland for Yorkhill Children’s Foundation. You can find out more information about Epic 2012 on our pages.
Lee
ultra runner, firefighter, geek, photographer, kayaker, hill runner, monkey boy, endurance eventer. i train so i can eat cake.
Good at: Lifting big, inanimate, heavy things; navigation; running.
Bad at: Cycling.
Favourite kit at the moment: Buffalo Pertex Mountain Shirt
Reason: It’s always been the right choice. I’ve never thought: “oh, why’d I bring that?” which to me, defines a technical garment as a solid piece of kit. I’ve had one for years and I’ve used it when climbing, running, walking or biking and during the Yukon Arctic Ultra at minus 40 C.
Before you leave this planet: Probably Everest. It seems a clichéd choice as so many mountain tourists are guided to the summit, but at the end of the day… it’s still Everest. If you summit, you’ve earned it.
Never again: We’ve both used those words a few times but, seemingly like the reported horrors of child birth, the memories fade; therefore nothing is totally off the agenda. Although long-distance road biking is pushing hard for a place on THAT list.
Ambition: A lot of focus now is on Arrowhead 135 Ultra so it’s hard to see past that. That’s obviously the way it should be, however, I’ve always kept one eye on a revisit to the Fire Service Three Peaks Mountain challenge. It’s a smaller, national level race but about as competitive as this type of event gets, so it would be nice to go back and beat our best finish of 6th overall (1st mixed team, 2008). And by that, I mean win.
What defines a good training session for you: vomit? Well at least a wee bit of nausea to remind you that you’re working hard!
Garry
wanabee expeditioneer (made-up word), adventure racer, firefighter, cyclist, ultra runner, relentless, cheerful, coffee drinker.
Good at: Plodding, cycling, finishing, boosting-morale, eating.
Bad at: Pretty much everything else.
Favourite kit at the moment: Just one? Ehh… Skins Powersoxs.
Reason: They may look decidedly shifty, however, when you’ve been on your feet for more than 50 miles, they are like a trusty old friend. The whole Skins range looks amazing with their blend of compression, vibration reduction, temperature control and moisture management.
Before you leave this planet: As a perennial mid-table finisher, I would like to win something. Just one thing. But it’d need to sound cool and dangerous. Yukon Arctic Ultra 100 miler would do I reckon. “Who’s that guy? Oh, it’s Garry Mackay. He won that race”. I don’t actually think that conversation would ever happen, but in my head it sounds spot-on.
Never again: Nope. That’s not really how my mind works, I don’t think. Invariably I come away from every tough one and think “how soon can I do that again?” Weird, I know.
Ambition: Did I mention winning something? Oh, and while we are at it, I will have my hairline back.
What defines a good training session for you: That feeling of “today, it all just worked”. Sleep, nutrition, hydration and mindset all aligned and driving you on to a level not previously achieved. On the rare occasion that happens, the whole world just seems to make more sense.