“IT WILL PUT ME THROUGH A LOT OF PHYSICAL & MENTAL STRESS”
With 10 years in the SAS under his belt, Jay Morton now has his sights set on a gruelling triathlon challenge in 2021
I’ll be taking on a triathlonbased ultra endurance challenge, doing the full length of the UK. So myself and fellow adventurer Frankie Tinsley will cycle from Land’s End all the way to John O’Groats – and on the way concurrently swim the length of the largest lakes in England, Scotland and Wales, and run to the top of the highest peaks in each, too.
You could do that comfortably in 30 days, but we’re trying to do it in 14 days. To give you an idea, an average bike day will be 160 miles and the swims will range from four miles across Lake Bala to 10 miles on Windermere and two 12-mile swims across Loch Awe. The runs are a full marathon up Scafell, 12 miles up Snowdon and finishing with Ben Nevis, which will take a good day and a half.
I’ve done one triathlon before and yeah, I really enjoyed it! I did an Olympic distance in Bassenthwaite in the Lake District with my brother. I can’t remember my time but I do remember the swim was a struggle. I never had proper swimming lessons and when I got on the bike I was like ‘woah!’ as all the blood was in my upper body.
Loved it, though. I’d have liked to do more, but fitting it in while in the SAS was difficult. I was built for shifting weight, not endurance!
I’ve never been superfit, but in the military I always passed everything. I was in the Parachute Regiment then the Special Forces and over time that exposure to each difficult situation builds a resilient mindset. So when I’m completely exhausted, I know I’ve been to those dark places before and, weirdly, I kind of enjoy them and know I can cope.
Swimming is the thing I’ve found hardest, to be honest. It was a real eye-opener to get some coaching from Swim Smooth. They basically just taught me to swim again! I’ve not done the maths yet, but some of the swims might take me eight or 10 hours. I’m wondering how I’ll cope with the cold – I need to get Ross Edgley’s point of view on that!
“I know I’ve been to those dark places before. I know I can cope”
People around me have struggled with mental health. Suicide is the last thing that happens on a mental health downturn, so how can we help people avoid getting to that point? For me, maintaining that balance has been about physical exercise and a good relationship with it. Go for a run or a bike; hit the surf; chat to family or a friend.
It’s just about trying to push that positive message out. Over the 14 days of the tri challenge, I’m going to put myself through a lot of stress both mentally and physically. But at the end of that, I’ll be stronger mentally and physically. Your mind always gives up before your body. If you can then push through when your body gives up, it’s your spirit that drags you over the line.