Henry Blake figures he started running back when he was a snowboarder. Best known for the kind of runs that put him on podiums, as well as first name terms with the staff at A&E, his speed was strictly limited to the snow. Even his dad once famously put the smack down on him during a five mile jog.
Three years later Henry Blake Jnr turned the tables and more than a few heads when he was crowned Scottish Duathlon Champion. Victories at The Great Wilderness Challenge and Highland Cross followed. And despite just “fucking up” the prestigious Zegama Mountain Marathon Skyrace (a 60 mile warm up run just six days out has since taken the blame) he’s now getting ready for the Commonwealths in Delhi 2010.
But having switched up his sports once before it should come as no surprise that the boy from the Highlands is about to change things up again. Citing influences that range from Lance Armstrong to Kilian Jornet, ‘Henry Blake mountain runner’ is fast laying down tracks to become ‘Henry Blake mountain-biker.’
Vollebak talks to Henry Blake
What’s your hometown?
Dingwall.
Favourite spots to run?
Ben Wyvis, Fryish, Black Hill.
Do you class any Scottish mountains as un-runnable?
No.
What’s your favourite mountain pass?
The Bealach on Ben Wyvis.
What can you downhill mile in?
Dunno. Faster than I can uphill mile.
How often do the mountains try to kill you?
Only in winter. They never will.
Henry Blake kills bugs fast.
Name your training partners.
Breagh, Mungo RIP, Graeme Campbell, Tom Owens, Tony Hay.
You trained with a bunch of Eritreans last year. What happened?
They ran off.
What’s your longest ever run?
Islands Peaks Race – 200 nautical miles and 60 miles of running in 2 days.
As a young snowboarder it’s rumoured you had no fear of death. Did you start the rumours?
No.
You race duathlons too. What was your best race?
Highland Cross 2008.
Name a sport you suck at.
Nope.
Which mountain animals can you outrun?
I can outrun a capercaillie over a short distance.
How about household pets?
Minnie, my mum and dad’s 12 year old Jack Russell.
Do you ever eat midges while you’re running to get some protein?
No, my dad ate a midge sandwich once. Put me off for life.
How does the weather in The Highlands impact on your training?
I run in the rain.
Do you find running on flat tarmac weird?
No. Love it.
What shoes do you train in?
Inov8 Mudrocks.
What was your last training session?
1 hour 40 along the Cornwall coast.
Vollebak: At what gradient would you think about swapping running shoes for ropes?
Henry Blake: Never.
How many Munros have you bagged?
174. I bagged the best one called Isabella Munro (Henry’s 5ft 8 girlfriend – not a 3000ft mountain).
When did you last think ‘I’m going too fast’?
When Bella drives the car.
What’s your recovery food?
Indian takeaway.
Who are the toughest runners you’ve ever trained with?
Jethro Lennox, Tom Owens and Alec Keith.