FITNESS Time to size up the Sea2Summit race

AFTER-RACE JOY Paul O’Brien, Walter Needham and Mary Walsh smiling at the finish of the first Westort Sea2Summit 2010.?Pic: Conor McKeown

Time to size up the Sea2Summit


Personal trainer
Paul O'Brien

Westport’s own adventure race is back! The third Westport Sea2Summit adventure race will be held on November 3. After the huge success of last year’s event, we are looking forward to a battle royale between some well-established names and newcomers for the podium positions.
Those who take on the challenge of the longer ‘Supreme’ event will again face the challenge of hiking to the summit of the ‘Reek’, as well as the tough 35km cycle through the wild Sheaffry Mountains.
However, Sea2Summit is not just about those in the top tier. The inclusion of a shorter course, the ‘Spirit’ event, makes this fantastic event available to all. The 27.5km Spirit event includes a run stage along Westport’s scenic Greenway of approximately 4km distance. There follows an 8km cycle to Croagh Patrick and a hike to the shoulder of the west’s most famous landmark. The competitors then retrace their steps back to the finish line in Westport.
But what is the attraction of these events? For those who’ve never done anything like Sea2Summit before, the event is a race against their own perceived limitations. You may be one of those people, reading this article and thinking, ‘I could never do that!’ There is a thrill in facing up to and overcoming our own self-doubt. The confidence gained by reaching beyond your current limitations can be literally life-changing for many. Apart from the obvious gains in fitness and overall health, the greatest prize is a renewed sense of self-belief.
I have seen this effect many times in my career as a fitness trainer and it remains one of my greatest joys. When I witness a transformation in a client’s life, the pre-set goals of weight loss and improved muscle tone seem to take a back seat to the change that has happened within.
We have all attended life’s ‘school of hard knocks’ recently. This can batter your confidence and deplete your vitality. To change your attitude to life, you must first change your attitude to yourself. To do that, you must reach beyond what you currently think is possible. A physical challenge is a perfect means of doing this and the Sea2Summit race offers you that chance right on your own doorstep. So why not take yourself on and join us this November 3 for an experience that just could change your life!

Look out for our training tips for Sea2Summit over the next two months.

Paul O’Brien is a personal trainer and life coach based in Westport.