Europe
Next week Dan Martin, extreme athlete, will embark on his biggest journey to date, as he attempts a Global Triathlon – swimming, cycling and running around the world. This will include a grueling 5700km swim, as Dan attempts to become the first man in history to swim the Atlantic. He starting point is Virginia, swimming across Atlanta, cycling through Siberia, trekking through Alaska, and finally ending back in Virginia.
VIVOBAREFOOT are happy to announce that we will be support Dan along the way and supplying him with our barefoot shoes. Dan visited our New York store this Thursday, May 17 and he chatted with us about his upcoming global triathlon:
VB: In your training and preparations for you Global triathlon you undoubtedly been working on your physical strength and stamina – how are you preparing mentally?
DM: “The unknowns make it difficult to be fully prepared in any way – there are lots of situations but cycling from Korea to Cape Town helped me picture the situations he might run in to.”
[He has attempted to place himself in situations he may encounter, but when it comes down to it, expecting the unexpected is what Dan will have to prepare for.]
VB: You’ve got a good team supporting you on this challenge, how did you convince them to help you out?
DM: “They all wanted to come! They bought into the adventure.” [An adventure it is alright; it isn’t every day you meet someone carrying around a contraption that repells sharks with electric fields.] “I really think it’s for peace of mind though.”
VB :Is raising money and awareness for your charity, the Dan Martin Foundation, one of the main motivators for attempting and then completing your challenges?
DM: “Besides the fact that it’s never been done, it certainly makes it easier to keep going.”
[The Dan Martin Foundation is a charity specifically designed to help under-privileged children around the globe. The Foundation is focused on providing education in the remotest parts of the developing world.]
VB: In your last expedition, you cycled from Korea to Cape Town by bike, what were your main difficulties? And how are you going to try and circumvent these difficulties in your next challenge?
DM: “Two things: The perception – I was cycling through the axis of evil (North Korea and Afghanistan) and then the preconceptions of how dangerous it would be.”
[Dan has rarely ran into any trouble in his adventures, something not hard to comprehend as his friendly demeanor can put anyone immediately at ease.]
VB: You say you try and think up jokes whilst you are cycling; what’s the best joke you’ve come up with?
DM: “Why should you never wear Ukrainian boxers?…Because Chernobyl fall out”
VB: Do you find the cultural differences to be problematic ever?
DM: “No, I usually get on well with everyone. When you are in places like Africa, they’ll see you and know you need two things: food and water.”
[People greet him with open arms and even though language might be a barrier, he never finds it hard to communicate with body language.]
VB: We’re extremely happy to be supporting you on your Global Triathlon, what is it you like about VIVOBAREFOOT?
[Dan became a convert through reading ‘Born to Run,’ and was able to learn more about VIVOBAREFOOT. He was introduced to Lee and Galahad felt our message was in line with that of Born to Run. He built up the barefoot technique and is an avid wearer of our shoes. So much that I now have an old pair of his worn through Aqua Lites that I replaced with Breatho Trails.]
VB: How important is it to have the right gear for your expeditions?
DM: “The conditions you are facing, the odds are against you and it’s key to have the right gear.”
[We gave Dan the Achilles sandal, Breatho Trail, and Evo, all shoes that cover the terrains and are apt to come in handy.]
VB: Do you think a shoe can have a large affect the way you perform?
DM: “Yes, a shoe affects the way your foot impacts the ground. That leads to the ankle, the knees, the hip, everything.”
VB: You say swimming the Atlantic is impossible, do you believe is it possible?
DM: “I do believe it is impossible to swim the Atlantic as a whole, but breaking it down into chunks makes it possible.”
[He will have a team following his every move, and every day he will increases his mileage, swimming and with running.]
VB: Which do you find the hardest: trekking, cycling, swimming, or running?
DM: “Environmentally, cycling. Physically, running. Psychologically, swimming. There is really nothing around you, you kind of feel trapped, so that makes it hard.”
Dan’s progress on his epic journey will be broadcast on his website. You can also follow him on Twitter #globaltriathlon
