#45: From Paralyzed to Running a Fast Marathon, with Ash Lewis

Ash Lewis, 37 from Jersey UK, has an incredibly inspiring story to share about overcoming challenges.    At age 28 he had a staph infection that resulted in being paralyzed from his waist down. This spinal injury resulted that he was in a wheelchair and had to completely learn how to walk again.    Fast forward 9 years and Ash just completed his 2nd marathon in 3 hours and 7 minutes.    We discuss Ash’s running journey, his experiences with MAF low heart rate training and great advice to those experiencing challenges in training, racing and life.      YOU CAN FIND ASH LEWIS:

• Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/56526119
• IG running: https://www.instagram.com/runningtattooartist/
• IG tattoo: https://www.instagram.com/ashlewistattoo
• Spinal Research Charity Page: https://bit.ly/ash-charity-page

  YOU CAN FIND ME, FLORIS GIERMAN HERE:

• Personal Best Program: https://www.pbprogram.com/
• Strava - https://www.strava.com/athletes/1329785
• Website - https://extramilest.com
• Podcast - https://extramilest.com/podcast/
• Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/florisgierman

 

SHOW NOTES

• Background Ash as an athlete, playing soccer (3:40)
• At age 28, paralyzed from his waist down (6:55) 
• Recovery journey to learn how to walk again (10:40)
• Mindset Ash had during his recovery (14:20)
• Floris shares his story when a doctor said in 2008 he would never run another marathon again (15:57)
• April 2020, Ash’s painful first 5k (16:45) 
• Michael Ovens guiding Ash to slow down his running intensity (18:30) 
• How Ash used Maffetone’s 180 formula to calculate his MAF hr training zone (19:50)
• Overcoming frustrations and challenges walking and running slow at MAF (21:00)
• What made Ash stick to low heart rate training, although it was challenging first (23:20)
• Adding some speedwork and getting ready for race day (24:20)
• Important lesson for those starting with MAF training (26:00)
• Second marathon experience for Ash, finishing strong (28:00) 
• Post race blues Ash experienced (33:35)    
• Running on purpose without a heart rate monitor (35:25)
• Sub 3 goal at the London Marathon + ultras (38:00)
• Strength and conditioning session to complement his running (41:52)
• From tattoo world to excitement for the running world (44:30)
• Learning to run with a baby stroller (46:00)
• Any other thoughts for runners looking to improve your runner (47:00)
• Social platforms Ash is active on (48:45)
• Ash asked Floris if you can keep improving + future running goals (48:52)