Athlete's kit

I arrived home today to find a parcel outside my front door.  Even before I'd ripped open the TNT plastic outer wrapper, I knew it was X-Alps stuff - the sending address of Zooom Productions in Fuschl gave that away.  Once I'd fought my way through a layer of bubble wrap I came across the most peculiar blue bag with the biggest zip I have ever seen.  I must be missing something as the bag seems quite specialist but for the life of me I can't think why anyone would want a padded bag with a giant zip on it.  If you know what it is for then leave me a comment.  Anyhow, the really interesting bit was the data contained inside.  The first step to getting proper details of what the 2013 race has in store for us.  There are some provisional details on the route, but I can't reveal anything on that front until it is official.  Don't worry though, if you are an X-Alps fan and desparate to know the 2013 route then it will be announced on www.redbullxalps.com in the coming weeks.  Also included was a sponsors pack, branding guidelines and lots of stock imagery to use.  It all makes it feel that bit more real!

 

Don't step on my blue trail shoes...

As training picks up it is time to renew my running gear.  As I was still using my trail shoes that did most of the work in the last X-Alps, it was clearly time to change.  So back I went to see my old friends at New Concept Sports in Geneva.  This is, by far, the best running shop in this part of Switzerland, run by runners, for runners.  Laurent has once again agreed to help equip me with the right running gear I need for the race.  The first priority was to get new road and trail shoes for training.  Assuming these work out well, in May I'll get identical new ones for the event itself. This time round both pairs are from Brooks and the triail shoes pictured were advised by Laurent based on his personal experience - 'I used these for the Marathon des Sables'! Tested to extremes then!  Good to know.

  

Paperback now available

As mentioned in my last post, many people asked me for a paperback version of the book.  Although initially I wanted to just do this as an ebook and save the trees, so many people have now asked that I have made a paperback available also through Amazon.  Simply go to your local amazon site (.fr, .co.uk or whatever) and search 'Hanging in There'.  Here is the link for the book on the Amazon.com site.

Interactive maps from the book are now online

Day 3: Moos to Grosskirchheim

The interactive maps for Jon's book "Hanging In There" are now online. You'll find all the links on the book page, so you can follow Jon's adventures in 2011 step by step as you read. Right now you'll need a modern browser, or Internet Explorer 9+. Support for older browsers should come soon.

Cross Country magazine interviewed Jon today, where he reveals more about just what it takes to compete in this incredible race. The interview is a must-read.

You'll find the book on Amazon, and all the proceeds from the book will help support Team GBR in the 2013 Red Bull X-Alps.

Overwhelmed

I've been overwhelmed by the reception my book has received.  Top of the bestseller list on Amazon in its category and several rave reviews!  It is more than I could have imagined. 

I have also now arranged for a paperback version of the book to be available due to popular demand.  It should be out at the end of this week, but I'll put up a post with the link once it appears.

Thanks to all our teams supporters. 

More news to come soon on team sponsors and lots of other exciting news from team GB!