Competitor Spotlight – Mark Young

Competitor Spotlight – Week 9.

This weeks spotlights moves to the rebel county…Cork. Mark Young, who is clocking up events nicely, goes under the light next…

Enjoy 🙂

What is your name?
Mark Young

How old are you?
37

Where are you from?
Near Bandon in West Cork

What got you into Adventure/Multi-sport racing?
What got you into Adventure racing? I wanted to do something different instead of just running on the road. I liked the idea of doing something that regular people thought was a bit nutty 🙂

How many races have you done? 
I have done about 10 adventure races since March 2015.

Which race was it?
The March Killarney Adventure Race

Favorite race?
Hard to say. I enjoyed Quest Glendalough because of the views. I loved the run in the Moxie Adventure Race, going in through rivers and under bridges is good craic! I don’t have a specific.

Dream race?
I love the Alps and Mont Blanc. I taken my motorcycle up into the alps on camping trips. Ive never had the opportunity to run there yet. I cant wait for that day!

What inspires you?
People. The ones that tell me I cant do something inspire me. The people that say oh, that race is too tough, to long or too dangerous for you inspire me. Their negative attitudes motivates me to keep moving. The people that get up and do something knowing they don’t have good support or top fitness, that struggle but refuse to not finish inspire me.

What’s the plans for the upcoming calendar year?
From here, 2 or 3 Adventure races, 2 more half marathons, 1 full marathon and the Garmin skyline mountain race in October.

What music are you currently listening to when out?
I really don’t listen to music when I’m training or in a race.

Runner of choice?
Salomon Speedcross.

Bike of choice?
I’m currently using a Giant tcx slr2. It’s a cyclocross bike with road tyres.

Week before race…what do you do?
Hydrate all week and make sure I’m eating right. I’ll only do light runs or cycles.

Morning of race…what do you do?
If the race is an afternoon start Ill grab an early breakfast roll and get a nap. If the race is an early start i’ll just hydrate and eat something light.

Any race superstitions?
Nope.

Ideal distance?
For adventure races id say around 55km at the moment.

Post-race…do you spoil yourself, if so, how?
German beer and Doritos 🙂

Strangest thing you have seen on a race?
A guy roaring and shouting at his legs as if they were the losing side of an under 12’s hurling match 🙂

Most beautiful scenery?
This years Quest Glendalough was very pretty. The weather was epic! I ran in the Tatra mountains in Poland last year. That was stunning! Going up the back of Mount Brandon in the Dingle Adventure Race was beautiful!

Hydration/Gels? Do you use them? Do you use any particular brands?
Yes i use them. I’ll try and use the lightest i can get.

Advice for absolute beginners?
Believe in your ability. Don’t be afraid to dig deep and push a little harder. You are more than able to go further than your head tells you!

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If you know of anyone who would like to go under the spotlight, email us at greg@kayathlon.ie.

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