About Pat

Your Name: Paddy

Occupation: Builder

Home Town: Poole

Twitter Account: @PatRobbins

Website/Blog: What is a blog?

Runners Questions

What is your running background?

I was going out to the 2003 Dublin marathon to drink Guinness and cheer a mate on. 8 weeks out, he entered me for the race having never run.

 

When did you first start running Ultra marathons and why?

Had never heard of ultras, when in end of 2006 the same said mate (Rob Colliver you have a lot to answer for) told me about MDS, sod waiting for 3 yrs and get stiffed for £3k. So not having run since Dublin, I stupidly entered 2007 GUCR expecting qualification races etc. Was told to send a cheque for £30 and I was in. It was a baptism of fire.

 

When or where (at which events) are we most likely to see you?

Pounding the streets of Poole/Bournemouth, but head to the Purbecks trails/Jurassic coast when I can. Also can be found canalside, plenty of weirdo’s there so feel at home. These days, can occasionally be seen on trails north of the border (wearing earplugs)

 

What are your personal key running achievements to date?

Representing England and GBR 24hr team.

Spartathlon 2013,

LLCR130 2014,

Any of my GUCR’s (Especially not s*****g myself last year, pitied anyone following me along the towpath)

 

What was your hardest race experience?

Martin Yellings (Marathon Talk) Magic Mile last year, longest 5 minutes of my life and my only ever spew to top it off.

 

What events do you have planned for 2015 up to Spartathlon?

World and European 24hr Champs, Turin 11/12 April 2015

 

What is your typical race strategy for an ultra?

Even pacing.

 

What does a typical training week look like?

30-50 miles, predominantly speed and tempo work. Try to avoid junk miles (take note Stouty).

 

What one tip would you pass onto people running an Ultra marathon for the first time?

Suss out your nutrition

 

Can you tell us one interesting fact about yourself?

I used to be a debt collector and was offered sex by a bad debtor to clear her balance.

 

 

Spartathlon Questions

Have you taken part in the Spartathlon before?

Yes, 2013

 

How did you get on? 

Joint 7^th in 27.09

 

What tip would you pass on to those taking part for the first time?

Don’t pet the dogs, they may look like Scooby Doo but they are feral.

Wear a hat and soak in the buckets of water at CP’s

 

What are you looking forward to at the Spartathlon race?

The start, seeing the Brits that man the mountain base CP, soaking up the atmosphere of the last few km and then kissing the foot of Leonidas’ statue.

 

What are you not looking forward to during the Spartathlon race?

Seeing Stouty trying to nail Pinnington in the hot tub

 

How will you prepare specifically for the Spartathlon race?

Hopefully better than 2013. As much road running as I can cope with, hopefully it will be a hot summer too.

 

Will you be bringing any support crew to the race?

No, the checkpoints are every 3-5km so crew not that important.