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That Mule Life... ⁣ ⁣ Day 3 on the @japanese_odyssey and so far so good, we’re hanging in there, this is up there with one of the hardest events I’ve taken part in. So much climbing!! @pelo_galway
Scottish / Irish lead out train #chaingang @stucowie1 📸: @japanese_odyssey
Here we go! Myself and Stu Cowie about to kick off here under Sakurajima volcano to take part in the Japanese Odyssey a 2,200km journey to Tokyo. Tracking link in my bio
Main reason for Japan visit is Ramen, specifically Hakata style Tonkotsu pork bone broth. Rich and creamy that literally takes days to make. I’ve got my ramen app sorted and ready to cycle the bejesus out of Japan in search of more slurpy goodness.
Seriously I’ve been a lot of places in my life, all 7 continents, filled many a passport with visa’s but the place is another world altogether. #japaneseodyssey @japanese_odyssey
Arrived in Kagoshima where we start our adventure - at the base of this very active volcano, 2,200km by bike back to Tokyo, hoping the brunt of the incoming Super Typhoon Hagibis misses us, Japan is mega!
Moody. Damp. Cold. Quite. ⁣ ⁣ Spent the day in the pain cave getting dragged up long climbs by Diver 1 @stucowie1 ⁣ ⁣ After the disappointment of pulling out of TOR during the summer, I went full bore into planning another adventure, this time by bike. We’re bikepacking around Mont Blanc by road. It’s 330km with 9,000m over 4 days, taking in some absolute Tour De France classic cols. ⁣ But this is only a prelude as next week we’re going on a mega adventure, stay tuned.
Tour Du Mont Blanc with the Buckie boy @stucowie1
Got my amazing Genesis Datum out here in the Alps courtesy of @pelo_galway
Sightseeing the absolute living daylights out of Chamonix with Jules... 500 steps up and down to Mer De Glace not a bother to her as well as a Panoramic trip across the high alpine glaciers to Italy
Confirmed Stress Fracture after an MRI, unfortunately I won’t be doing TOR this year. Obviously very sad after so much training and sacrifice but live by the sword die by the sword, maybe I’ll learn something this time! Back to the drawing board for now, thank f**k I live In paradise and my spirit is not crushed.
0517am @dee_from_the_sea Swimming the English Channel currently. 4h30 in and going strong.
Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI) ⁣ ⁣ Still not ran and to be honest I’m having trouble walking at the moment. Posting this at 3.30am as I lay awake here with stabbing pains in the front of my legs. Got up a few times already to do some band assisted stretches to relive it, then lying down or sitting sets it off again. Today has been my worst day for it yet and I feel like I’m going backwards.⁣ ⁣ Just trying to do what I can to assist the rehab and help my body recover. I’m not thinking about TOR at all, i feel a million miles from it at the moment. ⁣ ⁣
Caught the first train to Montenvers this morning and had a mellow hike across to Plan D’Aiguille. One of my favourite sections of trail in the valley.⁣ With amazing views up the ever dwindling Mer De Glace. ⁣#thetrailtotor
Recovery.⁣ ⁣ Saw physio yesterday. Apart from a impinged TFL and a small bursa under hip flexor I’ve no lasting damage. Taking the rest of the week off running and judging by last nights 11 hour sleep it’s needed. Thanks for everyone’s support and messages.⁣ ⁣ Yesterday spent some of the afternoon chilling at Col De Balme overlooking the valley and grateful to be here. 53 Days 😬🥳😬🥳 #tordesgeants #tordesgeants2019
⁣⁣ Gran Trail Courmayeur DNF 😥⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Unfortunately I had to drop out of the race around the 60km mark over the weekend. I did something to my hip flexors the week before after a light strength session. In hindsight after a very big month of June volume I should have stayed clear of this. Also the week of the race I knew there was some soreness but took the risk on it as I really wanted to race. Despite the difficulties during the race the fitness and leg endurance was there but I was limited by my achy hip flexor which subsequently seized completely. Now I have trouble weight bearing and walking on my left side. Physio tomorrow to hopefully figure out the issue and get over it. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I spent the last 24 hours wishing I could go back in time to either not do that strength session or have the foresight to not do the race based off the symptoms I had. But that can’t happen and the pain and frustration has left a valuable lesson. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ I’m totally committed to this sport at the moment and love living in Chamonix. I’m doing everything in my power to stay on here long term while chasing this aesthetic of moving light, fast and efficiently through the mountains. ⁣ ⁣ Big well done to friends and inspiring athletes who got the job done over the weekend @runningdutchie @trainersoverheels @markdoyle100 @the_plantpowered_adventure @petterrestorp @danielwrowland

Gavan Hennigan is an Irish Extreme Environment Athlete who hails from Galway... Read More