My first memory of Dirty Sanchez was of three off the wall Welsh boys and a token English bloke being sick and jamming their private parts into unsavoury vices.
So it came as a bit of a surprise to me when a friend mentioned that Pritchard, skateboarder, founder of Dirty Sanchez and general crazy extraordinaire was taking on a 100k challenge.
‘An ultramarathon?’ I had asked.
‘No, he’s trying to raise 100k for charity, in thirty days by completing 30 iron distance triathlons during the month of March.’
‘Pritchard?’ I said. ‘Pritchard? Balls of Steel, Pritchard?’ I said.
‘Yeah, he does loads of stuff like that.’
I was intrigued and upon further investigation it was confirmed; he does do loads of ‘things’ like that, things, as in, running, cycling and swimming but thirty 70.1’s in thirty days? Even the craziest would recognise that as a somewhat epic challenge on all proportions.
So, both in awe and a little bit fascinated I caught up with the man himself to get the lowdown.
So, Pritchard, have you always been fit? *she says wondering whether she’s entered a parallel universe*
I was a skateboarder since the age of 15. I did first Cardiff half at the same age too. I partied very hard from the age of 25 to 35 hence making a change to my lifestyle which involved running and triathlons etc.
How did you decide on this challenge?
Jeff from Big Moose (non-profit charity that I’m raising money for and organiser of my challenge) showed me The Iron Cowboys Instagram (the guy who completed 50 full ironman races in 50 states in 50 days) and it blew my mind that something so hard-core was possible. Of course it played on my mind and it took a training run for me to start thinking “I wonder if I can do 30 half iron distances in 30 days” and the more I ran the more it sounded like a good idea. I even pictured myself finishing the challenge which I think is very important mentally. If you can picture the finish line your half way there. I’m not saying you’ll finish but it’s a huge positive way of thinking. Positivity breeds positivity and all that.
During my scouting, I read you came off your bike recently. Apart from that (sorry about that by the way hope you’re recovered!), have you had any disasters during your training?
Ah it’s all good. At the end of the day shit happens and you’ve just got to get on with it. I could have decided to sit on my arse making up stories of how hurt I was just to get extra compensation but let’s be honest; no one ever did anything spectacular sat on their arse’s feeling sorry for themselves. As long as they replace my written off bike and clothes I’m all good. I have a sore back and that’s it, coccyx is surprisingly fine.
As for other disasters nope touch wood everything been ok.
How many hours are you training?
I’m currently training 6 days a week. Not really putting stupid hours in but my biggest day is Thursday. I jump into the pool at 6am then cycle then run and I’m normally done by 11.30am. Swim 1.2 miles, cycle about 35 then run 9. Sunday is a big bike day and the rest of the week is made up of a mixture of running and strength work. I’m working with Mark Whittle (ex GB triathlete) from WhittleFit and he knows his onions when it comes to this kind of stuff. I’ve been on his books since January 2015 and he gets it spot on all the time. I never feel drained or over worked so I know I’m comfortable with him coaching me. Between me and my brother I’m sure Mark waits to hear what ridiculous ideas we have up our sleeves every year. I like to look at it as were his guinea pigs. (laughter)
Any worries?
Nope, leave them at the door.
What’s the best advice you’ve been given so far?
Reading Whittle’s training plans. Before I was on his books I used to swim, bike & run till my arms and legs almost come off (laughter).
I saw on your Instagram about Route 66, do you reckon that will be next?
Me and my brother want to swim the English Channel, cycle France and run Spain. It’s finding the funding to do such things so if there’s someone out there who can sponsor us then I’d like to do that next.
Running American has been a dream of mine since I saw Forest Gump many years ago. I’m a massive fan of the film and watched it so many times it’s a bit geeky (laughter). I’ve been to Santa Monica pier in LA many times and each time I’ve stood there and said to myself “One day I’ll be leaving this pier to run the length of the U.S” and one day I will. I’d run LA to Miami and was thinking of a support team but now I’m contemplating a one man unsupported mission. I’ve bought books of people who have already done it to get some tips which I’m currently reading.
Do you reckon you’ve had, or will have, any ‘flipping heck! An epiphany!’ moments during this challenge? (I had one the other day, Sheryl Crowe was right, if it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad!)
I ran John O’Groats to Lands’ end a few years ago and I had one on that. I knew endurance is what I wanted to do. Challenging myself, pushing myself to limits I never thought I would. It’s what makes me happy.
Apart from the 100k do you hope to achieve anything else during this challenge? (Not that the 100k is not big enough in itself but for example, I’m running London and I want to finish it but I’d also like to get a smaller bum in the process!)
Hahahahahaha I wish you all the best. I just want to raise the £100,000 for the great charity’s I’ve chosen and complete the challenge I set myself out to do and that’ll make me very happy. It’ll make me physically and mentally stronger than I was when I first started this idea and that’s always a good thing. You then introduce that positivity into other parts of your life.
What’s your favourite training life hack?
Just training full stop.
Where do you like to run?
From the treadmill to the outdoors, anywhere really but if I had to choose it’ll be by the sea somewhere warm.
What are your thoughts on Geese?
Their fat make good roast potatoes (I’m vegan now so no more for me), their on the bottles of Grey Goose and they make a lot of noise at farms!
And on that note, I wish you all the very best as I’m sure does the nation!
And I do wish him all the best, what a challenge, what a man!
If you’d like more details on Pritchard’s 100k challenge here’s the link to the website:
http://www.pritchards100kchallenge.com/
Also, if you’d like to donate: