Rachel's Blog | Inspired Health by Rachel Grunwell

May 27, 2017

Marathon Run Rituals – To Give You The “Edge”

Wellington marathon drink pic

Blog by Rachel Grunwell: Passionate Marathoner. Official Marathon Blogger. Good Magazine’s Wellness Columnist + Smoothie Chick. Yoga Teacher. Director of website InspiredHealth.co.nz

Follow Rachel via Inspired Health’s Facebook & Instagram for lifestyle inspo, recipes & giveaways.

Pic: Rachel with a beetroot smoothie, full of antioxidants and goodness to fuel running.

Run Rituals – To Give You The “Edge”

As race day draws near, you enter “tapering time”. I know this sounds like something a rapper might use for lyrics. But seriously, it’s a great time because you are backing off those long, hard training miles. I love this time! Here are some race rituals around this period that can give you an edge. I hope at least one resonates with you.

Be Smart About Nutrition: A nutrient-rich diet is key. Always. It’s good for the body but it also helps your mind function at its best. A big mistake around tapering time is actually eating “like a King or Queen” ie overeating. Because you are not doing as many miles, you don’t need to eat quite as much kai. Just follow your “hunger cues”. As for race day, prepare your run fuel the night before (so you are not searching for stuff early on race day which would be stressful). Eat what you are used to eating while running (and that you have trialled during training runs). Take a little extra fuel on race day too (in case you want more or drop some). Avoid all those high-sugar sports drinks if you are not used to them as they can give some runners a sore stomach. I drink water at every station, pausing to drink (so I don’t slosh it all over me!) However, if you are an elite runner, then I doubt you will be stopping (or care if water splashes everywhere).

Hydrate: Drink plenty of water a day or two before the event. This will see you go into race day hydrated. If you get bored of water have coconut water (this boasts electrolytes). Even better still, mix it up with some home-made vegetable juice. Check out my beetroot smoothie below, which is actually quite yum – and not like that horrible bought stuff. Check out my beetroot juice recipe by clicking HERE.

wellington marathon juice

Rest and Restore leading up to race day: This is the time to chill out, read, put your feet up, see friends and enjoy watching a movie. It is not the time to do massive gardening missions or doing stuff that tires you out. Save your energy.

Wear those trusty run shoes: This is not the time to try out a new pair! Unless you love getting blisters…

Sleep well: You’ll need great energy levels come race day.

Lay off the alcohol: It can dehydrate you. If you’re bored by water – drink coconut water or fresh juice that’s not too sweet.

Nut out a race plan and stick to it: Don’t be a dummy and go too fast too soon on race day; You WILL hit the wall – because the rest of the run will NOT be fun. Yeah, I’ve learned from this mistake BIG TIME.

Lay out your gear the night before race day: Again, you don’t want to be hunting for socks and fiddly things at the last minute. This will not help your nerves.

Wear what you are used to wearing is a general rule: However, I break this rule often (chuckle). But… I did learn a hard lesson once not to ever wear yoga tights during an endurance run event (I spent the entire race hitching up my tights and worried I might moon someone mid-race. Yeah, learn from my mistakes ha ha ha ha ha.

Have two goals in mind: Share one goal with friends that’s a time you know you should finish by – so this can take the pressure off having to perform like a seal on race day. Have a personal goal in mind that you hope to achieve. This is a personal thing for every runner. Don’t give a toss about what anyone else is doing – they are just running their race too and going for a personal best time – and good on them.

Encourage supporters to cheer you on out on the course: Get them to cheer you on particularly around those end miles. This will keep you motivated, lift your spirits and you deserve this support from loved-ones. Let them celebrate your success with you.

On that note, cheer others on out on the course too: This is your run tribe people! You share the same (sometimes insane) passion! Unless you are aiming to win the event… in that case, save your voice and save your energy!

Nerves are okay on race day: This is normal! Just take in 5-10 yoga breaths (slow, deep belly breaths and then exhale slowly too). You can actually rewire your nervous system in a matter of moments with this powerful technique.

Legs-up-the-wall yoga pose: This is the most delicious and restorative yoga pose. It’s so calming and good for the soul. Just a few minutes doing this with some beautiful big deep belly breaths and you will feel AMAZING, I promise you.

wellington marathon legs up the wall

Stretch gently to get your body moving well and to rebalance the body: Before the event, dynamic stretches are ideal for a few minutes to warm up the body. Post the event, stretch for a few minutes to bring length back to tight muscles- unless you love walking like “a lego man”.

wellington marathon stretch pic

Stretching feels so goooooood.

wellington maratho stretch arch over pic

Try meditation or mindfulness: These are science-proven. They are powerful tools to lower stress, can improve immune function, lift happiness levels and, well, these techniques can make you a nicer person to be around. Just saying…

wellington marathon meditate pic

Train Your Brain towards Positivity – it will Lift your Performance: This is your most powerful tool. Positive emotions affect brain function and performance. This will give you a “chemical edge”. Positive emotions flood the brain with dopamine and serotonin that can dial up your brain to perform better. A simplistic way of looking at this is that your mind-set affects your ability. So, if you think you are a success then there is more chance that this will be self-fulfilling. So in those end miles of the race, think positive thoughts. Do not focus on the fact your legs are tired!

Mantra: I know a lot of the top athletes that use this – and I do too (as a weekend warrior). You can use counting up to 10 and repeat it over and over – it’s a good thing to help you find focus and it’s a distraction from thinking “my legs are screaming stop!” Or choose three words to power your running and for you to find focus on. Choose three words that resonate with you. It could be words like: Strong, Fit, Fierce, Success.

Lastly, remember rewards go to the dogged. Believe you can and you will…

To Enter the ASB Christchurch Marathon event click HERE.

To Enter the Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon Event click HERE

Good luck to all the runners. You are all awesome.

May 17, 2017

3 Positives about this Nespresso Coffee Cup

Nespresso pic

By Rachel Grunwell: Blogger, Good magazine columnist + smoothie chick, passionate marathoner & yoga teacher. Follow her via Inspired Health’s Facebook & Instagram for lifestyle inspo, recipes & giveaways.

3 Positives about this Nespresso Coffee Cup

I sit with my hands holding a coffee every morning. It’s “me time” and I savour the mindful moment. It’s the reward after a run or doing yoga and part of my daily ritual.

This week we celebrated International Recycling Day (May 17) and this inspired me to pen three positives I get out of my cup of Nespresso coffee – because I know Nespresso is “hot” on this “recycling topic”. Plus, I figured many Kiwis may not know some other positives that can come from coffee:

If you recycle anything (like Nespresso capsules) then this positive action helps to re-wire your brain towards the positive. Having a positive mind-set in general helps with happiness. Did you know that your habits can be “contagious” too? For example, if you recycle, then you can influence others around you to do so too. That’s because our habits, attitudes and actions are keenly observed by others. So, your influence in huge! Attitudes can affect friends, family, work colleagues but actually much wider than that too as the people you know may talk about your healthy habits with others. As a magazine columnist, I write a lot about caring for yourself, others and the planet – so I hope my friends are listening (wink wink, nudge nudge)!

nespresso mag pic

Nespresso cares about recycling and sustainability and so this helps me to feel happier about savouring my morning coffee! I care about being a conscious consumer and living a more mindful life. I’m not perfect, but I know every little bit we can do is better for the planet, which is why I think it’s important to purchase products that have been ethically produced – environmentally, socially, or both. Nespresso has a sustainability vision for 2020 called ‘The Positive Cup’. The company cares about improving farmer welfare and environmental sustainability in coffee sourcing and consumption. Their global sustainability goals are in relation to coffee sourcing, the management of aluminium from sourcing to recycling and improving their carbon footprint. There are over 375 touchpoints in NZ (like NZ Post shops, Nespresso Boutiques and some florists) where you can recycle the aluminium coffee capsules. To find your nearest recycling point click HERE. (add link). By the way, the coffee grounds end up as compost and the aluminium capsule is infinitely recyclable (which means they are given a second, third, fourth (etc,etc) life as new aluminium products).

Nespresso bag to shop

Pic: I carried my Nespresso capsules into Molly Blooms in Epsom, Auckland. This is just one of many places that you can drop the capsules off for recycling. To find a place near you in NZ click HERE.

Not many people actually know there can be positives with the drink. It can improve your looks, health and longevity, according to some studies. To elaborate, some studies have shown it contains antioxidants (which is linked to anti-aging), has been linked with lowering type-2 diabetes and it may offer some protection against health issues such as cognitive decline in the golden years. Look, it’s ultimately an individual thing. I personally feel great drinking one cup in the morning, but if it doesn’t agree with you then that’s cool. Just do what’s right for you!

This blog was kindly made possible by the wonderful peeps at Nespresso. #collab #spon

Rachel's Blog She collaborates with some of NZ's biggest brands.

Follow Rachel via InspiredHealth’s Facebook & Instagram

May 13, 2017

Wheelie Man takes on ASB Christchurch Marathon

WIN! Go in the draw to win an entry into the Christchurch Marathon (winner chooses the distance). Enter via Inspired Health Facebook or Instagram pages. ps share the post to nudge a mate into entering too!

Paraplegic Ian Walker will use the might of his arm muscles to power himself on a hand-cycle through the ASB Christchurch Marathon on June 4. He tells Rachel Grunwell the “whys” behind tackling the difficult challenge.

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“Never allow what you cannot do to stop you from doing what you can do.”

That’s why Ian Walker will be out amongst the chill and crowds of the ASB Christchurch Marathon course on June 4. It’s also his motto for life.

“Life can get tough physically for me at times. But you’ve got to persevere,” says the 54-year-old Cantabrian football referee coach. “The secret is to keep trying and never really give up”.

Another strong reason for doing the event is: “It’s about being accepted… accepted as part of the community. I want people to know that being in a wheelchair shouldn’t make me less of a person and that I shouldn’t be treated any differently… I guess what I’m trying to say is: I’m no different…

“Look, it’s nice for people to offer to help me sometimes, but 99 times out of 100 times I’ll say, ‘thanks, but no thanks’.”

Ian would love to finish the event in under 2-hours. However, he knows this might be tough to achieve given the uneven terrain near the Red Zone. This area will slow him down.

This will be Ian’s third hand-cycle-powered marathon. He did the New York Marathon three years ago and the Buller Gorge Marathon earlier this year.

It will be his 13^th marathon. He ran 10 marathons when he was able-bodied. His fastest run time was clocked at 2hr 37min in Buller in 1999.

The moment Ian’s life changed forever was at 7.30am on a bright and sunny say on December 6, 2006.

He was cycling over a bridge on the Napier/Hastings Highway at 50km when he went head-first into the back of a truck-and-trailer.

The injuries were devastating and included a spinal cord injury and concussion, just to name some.

“The helmet saved my life. I was lucky; I could’ve been a tetraplegic”.

In everyday terms, Ian has no feeling from the chest down and is wheelchair-bound. He does have some movement in his left foot.

“For some time, on reflection, I felt quite bitter about the accident. However, I’ve come to accept it was an unfortunate set of circumstances that culminated in a devastating conclusion”.

He spent months in the Burwood Spinal Unit in Canterbury recovering afterwards. That’s where he first saw that sign – his adopted motto. It’s on a plaque in the kitchen that reads:

Ian's motto correct

Ian wishes he could reverse that day, rewind the clock, freeze that moment in time and change it somehow.

“Not a day goes by where I wish I could walk. I’m 6ft2 and I can’t reach stuff on the tops of shelves at the supermarket. It’s the little things that are so hard. But I live with acceptance better now”.

It has been a hard road to recovery including nine major operations, pain medication therapy, physio and regular medical checks. He can do “every day” things.

That includes powering his hand-cycle at speed. He has been training for the Christchurch event using his hand-bike, but also goes to the gym and swims (using an inflatable belt around his middle).

He credits his partner Louise as his anchor and “constant in life. Without her “most of what I do and achieve wouldn’t have been possible”.

Speaking of that word “possible”. Ian says by participating in the ASB Christchurch Marathon, he hopes to show other Kiwis with disabilities that events like the marathon are possible to take part in.

“I want to show that being in a wheelchair doesn’t mean the end of getting out and being involved in the community and be involved in events like this. It’s for runners, walkers, everyone. We are all there for that finish-line feeling”.

The ASB Christchurch Marathon is a fundraiser for Ian’s wish to tackle the NY Marathon Achilles this November. Please consider donating. CLICK HERE

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Ian mastering a cool “selfie” above.

+ Find out more about entering the ASB Christchurch Marathon. Click HERE.

Rachel's Blog She collaborates with some of NZ's biggest brands.

Blog by Rachel Grunwell who will be running her 18th marathon at the ASB Christchurch Marathon. She is the official blogger for the event. Follow her via the Inspired Health’s Facebook and Instagram pages for more inspiring stories, wellness advice, recipes and awesome health-inspired giveaways.

Blog by Rachel Grunwell: Writer, Good magazine’s wellness columnist + smoothie chick, passionate marathoner (Christchurch Marathon will be her 18th marathon) & yoga teacher (who teaches yoga-for-runners). Follow her via Inspired Health’s Facebook & Instagram for lifestyle inspo, recipes & giveaways.

Meanwhile, read about another inspirational ABS Christchurch Marathon participant Blair Williamson (pictured below) who is going for a Guinness World Record attempt. Click HERE.

Blair & Rubik's cubes

April 20, 2017

Bionic Woman walks the Gazley Volkswagen Marathon event for The Heart Foundation

helene

Pictured: Helene Kay

WIN: Go into the draw to win a free entry into the Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon event. Enter on our Facebook or Instagram pages!

By Rachel Grunwell

Helene jokes she’s kind of like ‘A Bionic Woman’ – she’s in part made of titanium. But that won’t stop her from entering the Gazley Volkswagen Wellington Marathon event on June 18 and fundraising for The Heart Foundation .

The 59-year-old Kapiti Coast mum (and soon to be grandma) suffered from rheumatic heart disease a year ago. She was so overwhelmed by the care and help she received from The Heart Foundation, that she wants to “give back” now that she is well. She is raising money for the foundation by walking the 21km distance at the Wellington Marathon event and has so far raised over $2300.

Helene says her world was turned upside down last year. She had been feeling unwell, and just generally fatigued, but doctors couldn’t pinpoint why this was the case for quite some time. Finally she had an echocardiogram and doctors discovered she had rheumatic heart disease, which was traced back to having undiagnosed rheumatic fever when she was very young.

Two heart valves were failing and so she needed open heart surgery to replace these with mechanical valves. Hence, she reckons she’s a bit like the Bionic Woman (a series based on the adventures of Jamie Sommers, who is rebuilt bionically and goes on dangerous missions).

Helene’s heart ticks loudly with the mechanical parts and you can hear it if you stand close to her, she says. She jokes she will become ‘The Ticking Nana’ when she becomes a grandmother for the first time (her grandchild is due in June).

Since her health issue, she has been slowly rebuilding her strength and fitness and says an 8-week exercise course post surgery run by the foundation had been integral to her great recovery.

To get even stronger, she set the goal to walk the Wellington event so she can get back to her fitter self (she recently returned to work teaching exercise classes again). She says her goal for the event is simply to finish. And she’s ecstatic that one of her two sons, Devon, will join her on this mission.

She has fundraised the biggest amount for the foundation through this event to date – and credits this to some wonderfully generous friends.

She also hopes to raise awareness that people should seek help and get thorough check-ups when they are feeling unwell.

Helene wants to thank her husband Paul, and other family and friends who have helped her on her heart journey. She couldn’t have done it without them. She particularly credits friend Lyn for inspiring her to walk most days to help her on her journey back to wellness.

Helene is looking forward to reaching the finish-line at the Wellington event, saying “it will feel like the end of my rehabilitation and the beginning of a new me”.

Join Helene by entering the Wellington Marathon (and run or walk for charity too if you choose). Click HERE
If you’d like to sponsor Helene’s fundraiser click HERE. The Heart Foundation is NZ’s heart health charity leading the fight against heart disease. They fund research, promote healthy lifestyles and aim to advance cardiac care in NZ.

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Blog penned by Rachel Grunwell: Writer, marathoner, Good magazine’s wellness columnist + smoothie chick & yoga teacher. Follow her via Inspired Health’s Facebook & Instagram for lifestyle inspo, recipes & giveaways.

April 20, 2017

Heart-Felt Heroic Fundraiser about to Kick Off – Please Help

hamish-on-the-boat

Blog by Rachel Grunwell: Blogger, marathoner, Good magazine’s wellness columnist + smoothie chick & yoga teacher. Follow her via Inspired Health’s Facebook & Instagram for lifestyle inspo, recipes & giveaways.

Greg Rieger & his wife Donna are about to tackle the Rotorua Marathon event on May 6 in memory of their beloved son Hamish (pictured above – picture kindly supplied by Jamie Troughton), who tragically died after being swept off the rocks at Mt Maunganui, in the Bay of Plenty, on January 23 last year.

In this blog, Greg and Donna talk in their own words about why this is a heart-felt fundraising mission and there are a few ways that we can all help to support their amazing fundraiser – through cheering them on, running for the charity cause too, or kindly giving a donation (details are below). ps the latter is the easiest option 🙂

Here are their heart-felt words on why they are doing the 21km distance at the Rotorua Marathon event:

“In 2015, Hamish received a scholarship from Mount Maunganui College to sail on the Spirit of Adventure. It was a life-changing experience for Hamish, who came back even more determined to become a police officer and to get fit enough to run a half-marathon (at the Rotorua Marathon event). Although Hamish sadly didn’t get to achieve those goals, his zest for life continues to inspire others, including us as his parents. We want to give back to the Spirit of Adventure Trust by running and walking 12 half-marathons in 12 months, raising money for future scholarships to send deserving students on the Spirit of Adventure. We want others to jump aboard the ‘health train’, as Hamish called it, get themselves fit and sponsored and help donate to the scholarship fund.

Please support the ‘I Ride With Hame’ fundraiser with a donation to: ASB 12-3011-0461607-52 (all money goes to The Spirt of Adventure Trust).

If you want to join the Riegers by doing the Rotorua Marathon event then you can enter now – CLICK HERE

Meanwhile, Greg and Donna want to say “a BIG thank you” to those who have supported them by raising $700 to date and thanks too to ASICS for sponsoring their awesome running shoes and the team’s shirts. This support means so much.

Meanwhile, Greg says training for this event has seen him turning into a healthier version of himself. He has lost a couple of kgs through running (usually to work and back if he can’t fit in a long run) and he is drinking less alcohol too because he’s so focused on training.

“I’ve become so unsociable,” he quips!

Greg says there are about 20 family and friends joining them to tackle the half marathon at Rotorua so far, but he says it would be awesome if anyone else is interested in joining them. Please contact Greg via the I Ride With Hame Facebook page to let him know if you are getting your running shoes on too. CLICK HERE

greg and hamish

Greg is pictured above during a training session at Mt Maunganui. His son Hamish (and inspiration for the fundraiser is pictured right).

Margi Mellsop, from The Spirit of Adventure Trust, has previously said that Greg and Donna’s fundraising mission is inspirational and she is so grateful the money will go to their trust.

“We are so moved by Greg and his family’s commitment to celebrate the life of Hamish in this way. Their efforts will ensure that Hamish’s spirit of adventure will be passed to other Mount Manganui teens . What an incredible legacy they are creating,” she said.

Top pic of Greg and Donna hand-in-hand was kindly supplied by marathon-photos.com

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Pic: Rachel Grunwell, who will be running the Rotorua Marathon event too, leading a blind runner as an Achilles charity ambassador.

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April 12, 2017

Ginger Fire Injection

Pic by Aimee Magne

By Rachel Grunwell

This delicious and nutritious juice I created was published in Good magazine. You can get the recipe via the mag by clicking HERE.

I create a healthy recipe every issue for this magazine (as well as penning the Wellness Column). Make sure you subscribe to the magazine for the latest delicious delights! I’m biased, of course. But I actually love to read every page of this magazine too. It’s full of awesome inspo.

ps I also work with lots of brands creating recipes. Get in touch if you want to collaborate. My email is [email protected] 🙂

Here’s a bio on what I do: Click HERE

April 12, 2017

Chocolate Lovers’ Smoothie Bowl – By Rachel Grunwell

choc smoothie

This Chocolate Lovers’ Smoothie bowl recipe was published in Good magazine. I create nutrient-dense and delicious smoothies for this magazine every issue (as well as writing their wellness column). For this recipe you can get via the magazine’s website by clicking HERE.

Avocado is the hero ingredient in this smoothie, which could just as easily be whipped up for dessert. I love avocados as they are delicious, but also full of healthy fats (they’re an amazing skin-food!)

Check out the latest magazine for my latest recipe. It’s delicious and beautifully styled too 🙂

April 12, 2017

Conquering Le Race with TV3’s Mike McRoberts

Mike and Rach after Le Race

By Rachel Grunwell

As Good magazine’s wellness columnist, I take on adventure challenges quite a bit. I write about fitness/health/wellbeing & happiness generally for the magazine and part of being happy is taking on hairy/scary/bold challenges for a thrill (and then I write about them!)

I firmly believe that you can change yourself by challenging yourself. I live for adventure and get the biggest kick out of goal-crushing.

I wrote a weekly blog for months leading up to the Le Race event (a 100km cycle race from Christchurch to Akaroa), covering tips on nutrition, health, wellness, strength work, cycle classes and skills with riding, and how I prepared for the event thanks to my awesome coach Richard Greer from Team CP.

Here’s the final column published with the magazine. Click HERE

Meanwhile, that’s a pic of Mike McRoberts and I at the finish-line – sweaty, but smiling!

April 7, 2017

Are you making this big fitness mistake?

SKINS 1

Blog by Rachel Grunwell: Marathoner. Yoga teacher. Good magazine’s wellness columnist. Blogger. Follow Rachel via Inspired Health’s Facebook, Instagram & Twitter for inspo, recipes & giveaways.

If you are passionate about being fit, and excelling at your sport, then don’t make the BIG mistake of ignoring all that post-workout recovery stuff.

It’s important if you an elite athlete – or a “weekend-warrior” (and health-geek) like me.

Rest, recovery, getting enough sleep, and tapping into all those awesome recovery options will help the body repair and strengthen. Recovery is as important as all those running miles, or all those tough hours you’ve committed to at the gym.

Sadly, recovery is an area that many athletes and gym-goers often ignore. But they should be aware that overtraining can lead to injury.

Here are some of my top recovery tips:

* Get enough sleep (adults generally need at least seven hours nightly). If you feel tired then listen to your body and rest. If you turn up to a workout when you are exhausted then you are at risk of injury. It’s just not worth it.
* Hydrate and eat nutritionally-rich foods that fuel your body well. If you want recommendations for nutritionists then comment below and I’ll recommend some top peeps. J
* Wear compression gear. It supports your muscles and reduces movement (so there’s less soft tissue damage and soreness post your workout). I love the brand SKINS (which I am wearing in these blog pitures). I feel like Olivia Newton-John in the movie Grease trying to put them on (they’re supposed to be snug and tight by the way for the best support). But man, they feel like an amazing snug, second skin and I love wearing them when I run. I made the mistake of wearing a pair of yoga tights in a race once and spent the whole time hitching up my pants! So, it’s compression tights, or nothing now when I run. And the latter option isn’t pretty, so I’ll keep wearing compression tights, thanks… If you want to check out the SKINS range then click HERE.
* Do yoga, Tai Chi, or just simply stretch your body gently and mindfully. This will help you to move well and perform better. It will also help you to walk less like a “cowboy poised ready for action” too. You know, when you walk funny because your muscles are so tight from a tough workout.

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* Use a roller to iron your muscles out. This is a great self-massage tool. Even better, see a great masseuse weekly (if you can afford it).

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* Do something to chill out daily. It will help your body to unwind and de-stress – and you’ll be a nicer person! Just saying..

Here’s a legs-up-the-wall yoga pose that’s utter bliss for recovery!
* If you feel stressed then do a five-minutes’ meditation (better still do meditation with your legs up the wall (my favourite yoga pose) and take in some slow deep belly breaths to calm down your nervous system. Count to four breaths as you inhale and feel the belly rise, and then count to six as you exhale slowly and feel the belly deflate. Keep repeating this for a few minutes and then I promise you will feel more Zen-like. Doing this at night before bed-time would be an awesome idea.
* Be positive. This helps your body function at its best. X X
ps: this post was sponsored by the awesome peeps at SKINS. I’ve worn their compression tights for a few marathons I’ve run.

April 7, 2017

Runner Aiming for Guinness World record

Blair & Rubik's cubes

Blog by Rachel Grunwell: Official blogger for the ASB Christchurch Marathon. Rachel is a marathoner, yoga teacher & Good magazine’s wellness columnist + smoothie chick. Follow Inspired Health’s Facebook, Instagram & Twitter.

Puzzling Marathon Mission: Runner going for Guinness World record

Most people consider running a marathon tough enough. But Christchurch personal trainer Blair Williamson aims to try and break a Guinness World title too when he tackles the ASB Christchurch Marathon on June 4, 2017. The 26-year-old wants to solve the most Rubik’s cubes while running NZ’s fastest and flattest marathon course.

Williamson aims to solve around 200 Rubik’s cubes while running the event (in under 5-hours). He needs to beat American Shane White’s record of solving 175 of the cubes during the Rock ‘n’ Roll Savannah Marathon in America in November 2012 (in 4hrs 53mins).

Williamson, can usually run a sub 4-hour marathon. But he may slow down his stride so he can get in more puzzle-solving missions throughout the race. This event will be his fifth marathon challenge and his second crack at the Christchurch event.

He’ll have a support crew of about three mates who will help him on race day. He’s yet to fully sort the logistics ie how many Rubik’s cubes he will use, whether a mate will run beside him and mix them up in-between Williamson solving the cubes, or whether someone might need to transport 200 fresh cubes to him throughout the course.

He applied to the records office in January to try and officially break the record and hopes to hear soon on approval (it can take up to 12-weeks to lodge an attempt at a record through the “free” entry option). The Guinness World Record office will also send him guidelines around his mission ie how he will need to get the official evidence of his success on the day (ie should runners watch him every moment and verify the numbers or should they video the puzzle solving.

Williamson says the idea came about when a fellow trainer sent him a link about a runner holding a title for the mission near the end of last year. The friend knew Williamson loves running and is an expert at doing the puzzles.

The personal trainer (at Limit Zero gym in Christchurch) has since been training – on the road and on a treadmill with the cubes. During a two-hour training run he managed to solve 88 Rubik’s cubes.

He says he learnt how to master the puzzles nine years ago when friend taught him “how to look at it a different way”.

“The puzzles used to confuse me and give me a headache. But a friend showed me how to do a pattern and it’s just now like doing a puzzle. It now is just common sense to me,” he says.

He says he can do the puzzles as fast as under a minute. And this great pic shows he can also juggle the colourful cubes.

Blair juggle rubik's cubes

I asked him if he’s afraid of falling over while he’s trying to do two things at once? Williamson admits he did “semi-roll” his ankle once already. But it hasn’t put him off his goal.

“I’m looking at my hands while I’m looking down at the ground anyway. So, there’s a peripheral view. But looking down gets my neck a bit crocked too. But I’ll put up with that on race day,” he says.

Join Williamson by running at the Christchurch Marathon’s full or half marathon, 10km distance or sign your kids up for the “kids mara’fun” by clicking HERE.

Blog penned by Rachel Grunwell: Marathoner. Blogger. Good magazine’s wellness columnist. Yoga teacher. Follow Rachel via Inspired Health ‘s Facebook, Instagram & Twitter pages.

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