Adam ‘Tango’ Holland is an extreme endurance runner, athlete and world-record holder.

He has a huge number of incredible achievements, including:

• Completing almost 450 marathons and ultra-marathons

• Winning more marathons and ultra-marathons than anyone else in Europe (top 5 in the world).

• Becoming the fastest person to run 10 marathons in 10 days - averaging an astonishing 2 hours 45 minutes per marathon

In this article, Adam tells us about his biggest achievements, his top tips for running and his nutrition and kit advice.

And we can learn why he’s called ‘Tango’!

Enjoy!

This is the third interview in ‘inspiration month'.

1. The first was with expert pacer Paul Addicott, who has paced more than 80 races.

2. The second was with Mountain Man Matt Poulton. He’s on a mission to run all the 284 Munros of Scotland, the 214 Wainwrights of Cumbria and the 3 classic rounds - The Bob Graham Round, the Paddy Buckley Round and the Ramsay Round.

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JamesRunsFar: Hi Adam. Thanks so much for taking the time to talk with me. First, could you give us an overview of your running background, please

Adam ‘ Tango’ Holland: I was born in Devon in 1987, and I started running at school as my friends were all doing it and I loved sports - football, cricket and hockey.

Team activities gave me a feeling of camaraderie and a sense of having worth. As I was dyslexic, the classroom for me was a very lonely place.

Later on, when I was 20, I decided I wanted to become the youngest person to run 100 marathons.

At 23 years old I achieved that goal.

Since then, I have challenged myself to more and more events and pushed myself to see how far I can go.

I am still discovering my limits.

Some highlights from my running career include:

• Becoming the fastest person to run 10 marathons in 10 days

• Running from John O’Groats to Land’s End (more than 800 miles) in 17 days.

• Running 262 miles around the UK visiting schools to encourage their participation in the sport was also a very rewarding experience

• Completing 444 marathons/ ultras

• Being in the top 5 in the world for marathon wins (263)

JRF: You recently won the 10-in-10 in Italy. Can you tell us a bit about that race

ATH: I have won the Lake Orta 10 in 10 – organised by Club Super Marathon Italia - for three consecutive years.

I also took part in their 4-in-4 this year and took the winning title for that race also.

The race is an out and back, two lap course, snaking through tiny Italian villages and along the shores of the stunning Lake Orta.

It really is an amazing location and the team and marshals are wonderful. You really do get the warm Italian welcome. And pasta and cake seemed to feature every day!

The weather can get very hot and being in the mountains, it can also get humid and stormy. So be prepared for some spectacular lightning storms and torrential rain plus hot, clear days. It reached 39C when I was there on a course with an elevation of 2,350ft.

I managed to break the record for the fastest person to run 10 marathons in 10 days here in 2017 (and the three in three record) with my times averaging 2 hours 45 minutes per marathon.

JRF: What’s your favourite race?

ATH: I actually don’t have a favourite race.

For example, I’ve run the London Marathon 4 or 5 times and it has been a different experience every time.

I would say I prefer running out in the countryside but I do like a bit of urban running too.

JRF: What is your dream race, if money wasn’t a problem?

ATH: The 7 marathons, 7 days in 7 continents! That would be a great experience. 

JRF: Who inspires you? Either running or non-running?

ATH: The runners I see at every event.

Everyone has a reason for running, be it running for their mental or physical health, running to support a charity or a cause close to their hearts.

I am a firm believer in celebrating everyone’s wins.

We all run the same distance and we are all winners crossing that line.

JRF: You’re an ambassador for Kids Run Free. Can you tell us a bit more about that?

ATH: Yes, I was honoured to become their Ambassador alongside Global Ambassador Sir Mo Farah, to join their mission to get kids moving!

It is a very inspirational charity that encourages school children to get active.

As a father of two young children myself, I know how important exercise is for healthy young minds and bodies and to build the foundations for a healthy life right from the start.

JRF: Could you tell us your top tips for running?

ATH:

1. Enjoy it!

2. Get the right kit - Clothes you feel comfortable in, shoes to suit your running style and some decent waterproof gear for those rainy and dark days.

3. Go for a run with a friend - If you are feeling unmotivated, go for a run with a friend or go to a local Parkrun to re-ignite that passion for running.

4. Don’t always worry about your time or distance - Sometimes it is great to just focus on the act of running and maybe find new places to explore.

5. Mix it up a bit - Go for a bike ride, play a sport- I like Hockey. You will find that this helps your body to tone up different muscles which will ultimately improve your running times.

JRF: What kit and nutrition do you use and recommend?

ATH: Kit wise, I am a Polar Ambassador and wear the Polar Vantage V in orange.

It has great battery life and you can map your runs onto it, which is a great feature.

In terms of clothing, I suggest trying out different brands to find what suits you.

For night time running, I do recommend ProViz as they make some very high-quality reflective clothing.

Shoes, again it depends on your foot shape, how you run and where you run. Try out some brands and get your gait analysed at a running shop, as this will help you to choose the right shoe. 

Nutrition wise, I am a firm believer in eating foods that are plain the night before a run. For example, pasta, pizza, chicken, bread.

Often on the morning of a marathon, I won’t eat very much at all, perhaps something light - toast for example.

Top tip - I never eat eggs pre-run as they do not sit well in your stomach when you are running!

During an ultra and post-race I will have something sweet, jelly babies are always good and after a race a chocolate milkshake.

You really don’t need anything other than a healthy and balanced diet and a great training plan plus a healthy dose of commitment.

Adam’s Top Kit Suggestions

• Polar Vantage V Running Watch

• ProViz Reflective Running Vest

Please note that if you buy anything using these links I will make a tiny amount of money. But it will not cost you any more than usual. For a full explanation of how I use affiliate links, please click here.

JRF: What’s up next for you?

ATH: I am looking forward to the Logicom Cyprus Marathon in March 2020.

This will be my third time here and I am hoping for a hat trick, as I have won it for two years consecutively. It’s a great course.

I am also looking to run a 20-in-20 in April 2020 with Phoenix Running.

I’ve run a 24-in-17 but never attempted a 20-in-20.

So right now, I am in training and as I'm Ambassador to the treadmill company Noble Pro, I am very fortunate to be able to skip some of the bad winter weather and train on my Elite i8 treadmill which has a screen that links to Strava and Zwift- so I can run with others virtually. 

Ok that is probably too geeky for this interview!

It's a fantastic machine though, and I have tested it out by running at 12mph.

It survived.

Apart from that, I am very excited to be launching my first online 12 week running course.

For the past 13 years, runners have been asking me how I can run fast and keep the pace going, especially on multi-day events, so I am finally going to deep dive into that.

The course ‘Faster, Stronger, Smarter’ is aimed at runners who are already getting results but are looking to better their personal records in 2020, over any distance.

I am very excited to finally be sharing my knowledge with everyone.

JRF: Where can people follow you?

ATH: If you can’t catch me you can follow me on:

• My website: www.adamholland.uk

• Facebook: www.facebook.com/adamtangoholland

• Twitter: www.twitter.com/tango5tavy

• Instagram: www.instagram.com/tango5tavy

• Strava: www.strava.com/athletes/3648938?hl=en-GB

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKRr15miRPLWCfdt4lHubgA

• My online running course - www.runityourway.com

JRF: And, most importantly, why are you called ‘Tango’?

ATH: Tango was a nickname given when climbing at school. I loved orange and was wearing an orange T-shirt so someone shouted 'Go Tango' and it stuck.

[Note from James] I’ve been told that he is also very good at dancing!

JRF: Thanks so much for taking the time to give us such great advice and insight. And I hope your future events go well. I look forward to following your journey.

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