MATTHEW AND THE 50K RACE

Matthew Brennan, Director of Horwath HTL Health and Wellness, and Director of Finance for GOCO Hospitality, will be taking part in the North Face 50km race on Saturday, 4th February in Khao Yai, Thailand.

Sub-divided into a series of different course lengths from 15km to 100km, the 50km course is designed for experienced runners only and leaves participants with a 13.5h time frame to finish. To escape the most brutal heat, the race will begin at 5.30am and lead through a mainly rural terrain in Southern Khao Yai.

We have spoken to Matthew about his motivation to run this challenging race, how he is training for it and what his personal goals are:

1. How long have you been running for?

For this race, I have been training since November, but I have only really been focusing on my training since January of this year. If not preparing for a particular event or physical challenge, I don’t tend to run on a daily or weekly basis. I prefer to attend functional training fitness classes and CrossFit classes.

2. When did you start competing in races?

In Thailand, I have done two races so far. A 15K obstacle run in Hua Hin and a 35K trail run in Koh Chang, the location of our upcoming GOCO Spa Koh Chang. This event will be my third race in Thailand, and this will be my longest race to date. Next year, I hope to do a 75K or 100K race.

3. Why are you competing in this race and what inspired you to do it?

To challenge myself, both physically and mentally. Also, I love the feeling after completing a long, challenging run. It always feels like you accomplished something special. My inspiration came from a couple of team members who run for fitness, compete in these types of events, and have provided encouragement, advice, and support during my training period. Concerning external support, I was inspired by the book “Living with a Seal.” It is a great read, I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun and inspirational read about fitness and overall mindset.

4. How do you train for this race? 

For training, I focus on interval training and on my off days I go for 10 to 15K runs. I have two weeks until the race day, so between now and then, I will continue to run, focus on my nutrition, and focus on getting good nights rest.

5. What do you see as the biggest challenge of this race?

I think the hardest part of the race will be between the 35K and the 50K portion. I have never run more than 35K, so past this point, I will be in uncharted territory. I’ll have to make sure I remained focused and mentally strong.

6. Do you have a particular goal for this race?

No, not at this time. I would like to complete the race in under 7 hours. 

7. What advice would you like to give to people who aim at improving themselves?

To get better and to get stronger, I think it’s important for everyone to seek out activities, adventures, and other opportunities to challenge themselves.

We will follow Matt on his journey and keep you posted on his progress and the outcome of the race.