Some of you may not know our next runner by name but you would have heard of (one of our Brand Partners) Run the World and Run Down Under which is Travis Ireland’s baby. His goal with RDU is to keep people active and healthy long term to achieve epic goals.
Travis’ next baby is a Kids App that promotes daily activity and gets school aged kids more active. After several trials in 2019 he knew what needed to be done and so in 2020 he set about starting what is now known as Follow Felix.
There is still work to do with developing the App and unfortunately funding has dried up. Follow Felix is set up as a Not for Profit and will be FREE for all school aged kids across the entire country…. and as such they are continually looking for grants, sponsorships or funding.
Travis is hoping to have enough funds raised to launch Follow Felix to school kids in late 2022.
- How long have you been running and why did you start?
I have always run…. Ever since I was a kid. I can always remember being part of cross country from primary school. I’ve always loved to run!
- What draws you to the backyard ultra format?
Curiosity. I’m by no means an Ultra runner, but I’ve been following the format for 2 years now and it intrigues me. What makes people stop? Where does your mind go? How much does it hurt? So I thought I’d answer it myself and enter.
- If you could do any race in the world what would it be?
London marathon!
- What is your greatest running moment to date?
My first marathon in 2014 – an event 365 days in the making after overcoming my addiction…. A long story but a very special day!
- What has been your worst running experience?
I don’t think I’ve ever had one? Doing Razorback Mt Hotham in -8 degress and gale force winds was up there as the most horrible thing I’ve ever done. But thawing out by the fire and sharing stories at the end…. I’d do it again!
- If you could share a course with any runner/athlete, who would it be?
Number 1 is Kipchoge…. An easy choice. I’d also love to have Lance Armstrong riding on the bike beside us to explain to me why he did what he did. I idolised him and he has some explaining to do!
- What advice would you give to a new runner thinking about doing a backyard ultra?
Prepare for it!! Mentally AND physically. Of course – this is coming from someone that is yet to run further than 50k…. so not really sure I’m the best for giving advice.
- What inspires you to stay motivated?
MYSELF and my own goals.
- What do you think about during long runs?
EVERYTHING! My pace, my body, what I’m going to title the run on Strava, what I need to do for the week, what I need to do when I get home, lesson I can teach my kids today, how am I going to get the boys to footy Sunday, why did that dog sniff the tree. I don’t do music or podcasts, so it’s my thinking time – and being a solo runner its mainly my ME time as well.
- For you, running is like…?
THERAPY!
- What is your next race?
My bucket list race – London Marathon in October.
Thank you so much for sharing with us Travis. We can’t wait to see you in action as a LOSER’r and marathonning.
