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Running the Kent Coastline for Veterans | Kevin Dove's 300km Summer Challenge
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What do you do when you've nearly completed 100 organised 10Ks, you're ticking off European capital cities one run at a time, and you're looking for your next adventure?
For PE teacher Kevin Dove, the answer was simple: run the entire Kent coastline.
In this episode of the UKRunChat Podcast, we catch up with Kevin just a couple of days into his challenge, having already completed almost 50km.
Kevin shares how conversations with endurance runner Nick Butter inspired him to think bigger, why he's deliberately taking a day-on, day-off approach to recovery, and how this challenge is preparing him for an even bigger ambition in the future.
Along the way, Kevin is raising money for Veterans' Growth, a Kent-based charity supporting military veterans through counselling, community projects and wellbeing initiatives.
In this episode
- Kevin's running journey, from athletics to endurance challenges.
- His goal of running a 10K in every European capital city.
- Why he decided to run the entire Kent coastline.
- How Nick Butter inspired the challenge.
- Breaking a 300km adventure into manageable 20km sections.
- Why recovery days are just as important as running days.
- Managing nutrition, hydration and recovery during a multi-day challenge.
- Planning routes, logistics and avoiding injury.
- How Kevin is adapting to running during a summer heatwave.
- The importance of strength training after previous injuries.
- His favourite moments from the first 50km.
- Why this challenge is about enjoying the journey rather than chasing times.
- Supporting Veterans' Growth and the impact the charity has on the veteran community.
Fancy joining Kevin?
If you're local to Kent and would like to accompany him for part of the route, whether that's 5km, 10km or a full day's section, you can get in touch via Instagram. Kevin is updating his progress throughout the challenge on both Instagram and Strava, and welcomes company along the way.
Supporting Veterans' Growth
Kevin is fundraising throughout the challenge for Veterans' Growth, a charity based in Kent that supports former military personnel through counselling, community activities and wellbeing projects.
Every donation helps the charity continue supporting veterans and expand its services, including plans for a new community café and improved transport for those accessing support.
Support Kevin here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/kentcoastline300km-kevin-dove
Follow Kevin
Follow Kevin's progress on Instagram and Strava to keep up with his journey around the Kent coastline, find out where he'll be running next and, if you're nearby, join him for a few miles.
If you've enjoyed this episode, please subscribe to the UKRunChat Podcast and leave us a review, it really helps more runners discover the show.
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Transcript
Kevin's Running Motivation and Journey
00:00:00
UKRunChat
Welcome to the UK Run Chat podcast. This week I'm joined by Kevin Dove who's currently in the middle of an incredible endurance challenge. He's running the entire Kent coastline to raise money for veterans growth. Now when we recorded this episode Kevin had covered almost 50 kilometers of his journey so far so rather than talking about what he hoped might happen, we'll instead get to hear about the challenges that he's already facing en route as as the challenges unfolding.
00:00:31
UKRunChat
So we'll chat about the inspiration behind the project, and the realities of life on the road, and the highs and lows of the opening stages, and what still lies ahead.
00:00:41
UKRunChat
So here's Kevin. Welcome. Tell us a little bit about yourself, Kevin, just for our listeners, please.
00:00:47
Kevin Dove
Hi, Michelle. Thanks for having us and um I'm pleased to share my story with you. um I've been running my whole life. Started off predominantly when I was at school, did a lot of athletics growing up. ah Very fortunate when I went to Brunel University to study for my degree. It was kind of in the Olympic cycle. So I started in 2008 and obviously London and Very, very fortunate to have linked for Christie's sprint squad training there. And I was very fortunate to watch them train and c see them and had see them develop as I went through cycles. That's a big part. um In terms of recently, I kind of pick took a break from my running because i had a couple of injuries which prevented me doing the London Marathon. I had shin splints which kept me out for a while and had a problem with some knee ligament damage previously. So that i kind of knocked my confidence a little bit to do the larger endurance runs. So I kind of wanted
Running Across Europe: Goals and Inspirations
00:01:37
Kevin Dove
to rebuild. So I did 10 10Ks for a local charity by me and I got used to it. They predominantly run through UK events.
00:01:45
Kevin Dove
and Since then, I've actually had a season ticket with run through yeah UK for about ah two years of my second season So I want to try and do 110 Ks with Run Through yeah UK. At the moment, I've done 82. So we're 82 and counting on that.
00:02:00
Kevin Dove
um And the next challenge was, I think, really do a lot of travelling when I was younger, to tell the truth, Michelle. So ah one thing that the running has done is kind of taken me all over the world. So my current challenge is I'd like to try and run a 10k in every capital city in Europe.
00:02:16
Kevin Dove
um I've currently done 11, being in Prague in July, the start of July was my most recent one. The next one will be in the end of this challenge, hopefully the end of August to Amsterdam. And the good thing about it is, is with these 10ks in Europe, and I actually plan a route myself. They're not like a structured race. So I actually get to go to the different sites as well in terms of my favourite city at the moment, which I'm sure you could ask me, is and my favourite one in terms of the route was actually Paris, because we were able to start at the um obviously the main cathedral. I went up to the big roundabout, and then ah um and I came all the way down to the Eiffel Tower. So I was able to see the big iconic sites as well, which I'm pleased about. So the next European one will be Amsterdam.
00:03:02
Kevin Dove
And my current one, as you know, i'm actually running the Kent
The Kent Coastline Challenge for Charity
00:03:05
Kevin Dove
Coastal line. Started it a couple of days ago. and I wanted to fundraise for a local veterans charity, so the Veterans Association is a charity I'm doing. It is located in Kent as well, so that's obviously a good thing. and Started at Canberra Sands.
00:03:18
Kevin Dove
ah The finish line is at Gravesham Pier, which is where my man actually lives. So i've hopefully my men my parents will be at the finish line, I'm sure they will. And I'm just heading around now. In terms of calculation, it's roughly three hundred k um trying to break it down into 20k blocks. I've had two days of it so far. I've done about 45k, nearly 50k. So I'm kind of, when I say in front of myself, I'm in front of myself at the moment in terms of my target distances. And um so, yeah, and where did I get the idea from?
00:03:49
Kevin Dove
ah The idea come from Nick Butter, the endurance runner, who I'm sure you're aware of. He was the first man to run marathon in every single country in the world.
00:03:56
UKRunChat
Oh, he was. Yeah.
00:03:58
Kevin Dove
And also he actually run the English Coastal Line, so the whole of the UK Coastal Line. And um actually got i've read his books. I got in touch with him. I spoke to him a couple of times. And um everyone kind of wants, if you're an endurance runner, you kind of want to, the dream is to kind of do the Land's End to John the Grove.
00:04:15
Kevin Dove
So I'd love to be able to do that. But before I do that and jump in straight away, i want to try and build my distances. So the Kent Coastal Line was a local one for me. Being a PE teacher, I'm able to utilise my spare time during the summer holidays, school holidays.
00:04:24
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:04:28
Kevin Dove
And so, yeah, I started it and Saturday, started the Canva Sands, and I'm back out on the road tomorrow. Tomorrow I start at nine o'clock in the morning from Folsom Harbour, and I'm hoping to end up kind of towards Dill.
00:04:43
Kevin Dove
So that's around about between 20 to 25K So, i want
00:04:46
UKRunChat
Yeah, so it struck me i mean when I asked you before we started recording, actually, i said, how far in are you?
00:04:47
Kevin Dove
yeah
00:04:51
UKRunChat
And you you specifically said to me, you're not kind of you're not going at this as to be ah a grueling challenge in that you you're going to break yourself. You're taking recovery days, aren't you?
00:05:02
UKRunChat
You're kind of doing every other day, which I think is great. Like, what what a brilliant example to set for other runners, actually, that you can do a big challenge like this and still have time to recover.
00:05:13
UKRunChat
So talk to us about the thinking behind that.
00:05:15
Kevin Dove
Well,
Recovery Strategies and Innovations
00:05:16
Kevin Dove
the idea behind that really, that sort of came from when I had a Zoom call with Nick Butter a about this. He said to me when he did his, and he was doing like two marathons a day and he said, you need to have a team of people around you.
00:05:26
UKRunChat
Thank you.
00:05:28
Kevin Dove
It's more of a mental challenge because you said physically it's going to be tough because you know your own body. But the mental side was can you push yourself? Can you get into the routines? Can you do that? And obviously at the moment and what I'm doing is I'm doing a day on a day off.
00:05:43
Kevin Dove
um So that does actually let me rehydrate properly, which is obviously key getting the nutrients and the calories back inside me as well. um And having a rest and recovery does enable me to stretch as well, which is obviously quite important.
00:05:57
Kevin Dove
And one thing I've been doing in the evenings is in the evenings after my run, I've just been going to my local gym, use get just getting into good habits, stretching, using a roller, doing the band work for my glutes.
00:06:08
Kevin Dove
And that enables me to stretch out the following day. And also I'm able to navigate and plan the route just strategically for the next for the next stretch, if that makes sense.
00:06:15
UKRunChat
Thank you.
00:06:16
Kevin Dove
So at the moment, we are on a day on, a day off at the moment in terms of that. um I would love to finish it. I've got no rule. I'm not really fussed about times. I just want to see the Kent Coastal line as well. I want enjoy the experience.
00:06:29
Kevin Dove
um I'm there to raise money for the charity as well, the Veterans association Association, which is great. But for me, this is kind of like a stepping stone to the next challenge because all those... i was coming to the end of the 110Ks. was doing the European cities as well during the school holidays. I just wanted to see what the next challenge could be. And those conversations with with Nick Butter in particular, that took me to the next level and thought, yeah, before I do, or seek to do the Land's End to John O'Groats, doing the Kent Coastal Line, is actually a good prep for the logistics of it as well, in terms of putting everything together. But look cover the recovery has been key. Gels going on board all the way around as well.
00:07:07
Kevin Dove
Science in Sport have given me to set the supplements for that, which I'm pleased about. Tendin Energy have given me their energy drinks to help me get through it as well. and Hydration is obviously being quite key. i was a little bit concerned after I did my first one because I did about on my first one and was slightly concerned about my hydration levels at the end. um So I've actually been starting a little bit more early and nearer to 8.30 because of the temperatures that are coming in with the summer as well. So had a big part of it as well. So obviously thank you to both of those companies for helping me out with that. and But in terms of actually cooling down as well,
00:07:42
Kevin Dove
um I've just been having a dip, when I've been finishing off at the beaches, I've been having a dip in the sea. That's my equivalent that's my that's my equivalent of ice bath, Michelle.
00:07:47
UKRunChat
Perfect, isn't it? Yeah.
00:07:51
Kevin Dove
It gets the temperature down, it's nice and cool, salt water does be quite good as well. So it' so it's how you' there and I'll just literally jump in, vest comes up, straight in, obviously I'll leave my trainers outside and and that is the equivalent of my ice bath, to tell the truth.
00:08:06
Kevin Dove
but Also, the reason why I've taken a rest days is actually helps in my sleeping pattern as well. I'm able to rest, recover properly. i feel good. And, yeah, it sets me up well. So, at the moment, we are going a day on a day off. I'm no real pressure for the finish. It's just I'd like to get it done before the end of August because I've booked the trip to Amsterdam before I go back to work in September. So, yeah. Yeah.
00:08:32
UKRunChat
Yeah. so So is that doable with having this kind of day on, day off pattern?
00:08:37
Kevin Dove
and yeah
00:08:38
UKRunChat
You can like,
00:08:38
Kevin Dove
at the moment it is it definitely is at the moment um i was looking to do um around about between 60 to 80k a week to start with and then i actually spoke to um a good friend of mine shalania austin clarker i went to university with and i'll speak to her and i speak to shalania regularly and uh she was telling me about making sure that you don't push yourself too hard especially in that first week and um I mean, I'd love to do, ah I was thinking, yeah, if I could do it like five days out seven, I want to be able to to do and it won't take me as long. But I know that isn't going to happen because the rest days also enable me not only to stretch more, but
00:09:16
Kevin Dove
I may get niggles or injuries along the way. So i might get I may get the common one, like when you roll your ankle or sprained ankles or things like that.
00:09:19
UKRunChat
Thank you.
00:09:24
Kevin Dove
So i just I'm just being a little bit mindful of the actual routes that I'm taking in terms of going along the coast, making sure it's not a trail run, trying to make sure surfaces are flat as well. But and yeah, in terms of that, ah the recovery has definitely helped with that just to try and avoid injuries in terms of strategically planning. But im so far, so good. We're about forty five k in ah which i'm pleased about so i'm kind of when i say 5k in front if i'm trying to do it in 20k blocks um i'm i'm really pleased with the progress at the moment so yeah i'm really quite pleased with it
00:09:49
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:09:53
UKRunChat
Yeah. That's brilliant. So you mentioned you're trying to stay mainly on on tarmac, are you?
00:09:59
Kevin Dove
yeah i mean when when when i'm planning the roots at the
Navigating Challenges Along the Coastline
00:10:02
Kevin Dove
moment it's predominantly along the sea front um i'm trying to so i'm trying to stay on like a flat surface and and the tarmac just to make sure it's obviously a lot more flatter lot more easier
00:10:04
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:10:11
Kevin Dove
um At the moment, touch wood, I haven't had any issues in terms of going down trail routes or any problems with the coastal paths at the moment. There was a pebble beach recently, so i kind of went sideways to that. You might have just seen that much driver where went a little bit sideways.
00:10:25
Kevin Dove
and But in terms of the route, predominantly sticking to the ah to the coastal paths, no issues there. On the first day, one thing I did strategically, when I say had to adapt to, was when I got down to Dungeness, when the Seawolf finished, there's a big barbed wire fence. i thought, well, what was that? It no entry. It's actually the military base.
00:10:43
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:10:43
Kevin Dove
So you'll most probably see it my Strava. The reason why had to go up and around the north of Dungeness and back down was it because it was a government facility. So it was like a military base, so restricted area. So I can actually continue around that coastal path. So on the first time, my Strava, you see me kind of go along up and then back down.
00:11:00
Kevin Dove
so um So again, having that extra day to recover helps me strategically plan for these things. So at the moment, I'm trying to focus on flat surfaces purely for that.
00:11:07
UKRunChat
yeah
00:11:11
UKRunChat
Yeah, yeah. I guess it makes the running a little bit easier, doesn't it?
00:11:14
Kevin Dove
Yeah, yeah.
00:11:15
UKRunChat
Yeah, when you're not worried about where your feet are going. so So describe the first couple of days for us then. So you've covered this almost 50k. What have the first two days held for you?
00:11:24
Kevin Dove
Well, like I said, I'm trying to start about nine o'clock in the morning or just before, just because of the temperature. that obviously helps me out. and In terms of planning it ah strategically, I try to give myself three finish points.
00:11:38
Kevin Dove
So the first point is normally around about 20k. Second one is about 22k. Third one is 25k. So if I do feel good in myself and I feel I can push the boundaries further, um i um I'm trying to aim for that. At the moment, I've kind of finished in...
00:11:53
Kevin Dove
for the first two attempts or the first two stretches i've finished in the middle point so i'm going just above 20k so i'll give myself that type of thing and also there's certain checkpoints as well there's certain landmarks that i'd like to see so high of beach was one of them also going past the military base at dungeness there was sandgate castle that i see recently um folkestone harbor so i'm actually able to stop and see these different coastal line areas um Tomorrow when I set off from Folkestone Harbour again, I'll be going past the Whitecliffs of Dover and I'll be heading up past Doverport and I'll be heading up into deallong built ah towards Dill Pier. So again, strategically, I can kind of see to certain landmarks as well, which which is fantastic to tell the truth.
00:12:37
UKRunChat
Yeah. So I know you're not far into the challenge yet, but what's been the best moment so far for you?
00:12:44
Kevin Dove
um The best moment for me, to be being honest, the best moment for me was at the start of second day. When I got there, and i was feeling, when I say heavy, i felt my felt my joints and so my joints and my muscles. I know that obviously they did 25K, kind of like two days before. So I was thinking, oh, am I going to be stiff?
00:13:07
Kevin Dove
But once I got going, the tempo was fantastic and I was really pleased for myself. So i just getting it, I'm pleased that I've been able to get myself into really good habits. um I haven't really had to push myself yet because it's early, but the fact I'm able to get off and shake off the stiffness and once the rhythm starts flowing, that's the one thing I'm ah um i actually quite proud of at the moment.
00:13:19
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:13:27
Kevin Dove
fact, when I get to the start line, I'm ready to go. So that's the one thing that I'm really pleased about.
00:13:31
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:13:33
UKRunChat
That's a good sign, isn't it? So are you doing all this from home, Kevin? So you're kind of going point to point from home.
00:13:38
Kevin Dove
Yeah, um to be honest with you, again, strategically speaking to Nick Butter, I did put out some project packs. um ah but off I'm not sure if I sent it for each other, but did put some project packs to see.
00:13:49
Kevin Dove
um I wanted to see if I could get a team of people to perhaps try it in a camper van and try on all different routes like that because i've got the advice from Nick. um It's difficult to kind of get the right sponsors in because i've been actually I think partly my fault, I think start distributing it to the Easter school holidays around about April time.
00:14:06
Kevin Dove
um A couple of other companies did get back to me and said, well, we do have finances for that, but we've already distributed. So if I'm to do something like this again, ive obviously need to give it at least six months notice. but um in terms of strategically i've got volunteer drivers helping me out um the good thing about it is because i actually live in kent and i'm a resident in kent the commute isn't isn't too bad at all so the commute at the moment is kind of about an hour there hour back in the cars and i get dropped off at start point um they're given a map that print out they they get to meet me at the different checkpoints in the finish line and to come back and that That is actually quite a good thing at the moment because that is going to help with the recovery, the nutrition, hydration, also the sleeping patterns. I've got a comfortable bed to come home in.
00:14:51
Kevin Dove
So so that with definite left I know that if I was to do the Land's End John of Grimes, it would be much more challenging logistically because I would obviously have to take a camper van and you might have to think about different hotels every now and then.
00:15:04
Kevin Dove
According to Nick, when you when he ran the um when he ran the UK Coastal Line, he said um having a travel lodge was a luxury. good that That was like the treat.
00:15:12
UKRunChat
yeah
00:15:14
Kevin Dove
That was like the treat every well like once a week to have a travel lodge because you're going to be in a camper van. So um at the moment, logistically, I've got volunteer drivers helping me out, which is great. And it is literally an hour's commute to the start point. I run it.
00:15:28
Kevin Dove
I then come back. I can sleep well. So yeah, that has actually worked in quite well that has. So I'm quite pleased with that.
00:15:34
UKRunChat
Yeah, yeah, that's fantastic. So I'm sure you've not experienced any tough moments yet, have you? It's all been nice and relatively.
00:15:41
Kevin Dove
common At moment, you speak it's it's been very it's been very nice. and the the one The one thing that was tough was doing the first 25K. I was a little bit worried that I pushed myself a little bit too hard because what I'm doing is I'm keeping it a diary of the positives and the negatives and what is going on.
00:15:52
UKRunChat
Right.
00:15:57
Kevin Dove
One reflection thing that doing at the end of each day was in the first reflection ah I put, don't push yourself too hard too early, stick to your 20K blocks, and if you feel good, then you can obviously perhaps go that a little bit further.
00:16:11
Kevin Dove
As soon as I thought of that, that's when I now start to put in those three finish points, those three finish marks, which which is great. So if if I know that i I can get to the first one, if I feel good, I can then go on to the next one.
00:16:24
UKRunChat
Yeah, so so that's something you're kind of sussing out on the run when you see how you feel,
00:16:29
Kevin Dove
yeah i mean that's something i'm sussing out on a run i do also have when i say checkpoints the checkpoints i normally around about eight or ten k for the first one just to take my gels on board and to get some water on side me um and then the next checkpoint is around about 15 16 k to get the second gel on board and then after that if i'm feeling good um i might make the phone call to the drivers and say right i'm going for checkpoint one Meet me there, I'm going for finish point one or two or three. And then and that's kind of the way we're going about it at the moment. So once I get the hydration on board, I'm kind of making that judgment as I go.
00:17:04
UKRunChat
Yeah, brilliant. Yeah. so So recovery is good. You're pacing yourself nicely. It sounds like it's all going really well. So what what section are you most looking forward to then? Because I'm guessing there are bits of the coastline that you've not you've never seen before.
00:17:17
Kevin Dove
Yeah, I mean, there are bits and bits of the coastline. um the one The one area that is going to be a little bit challenging, I've looked at logistically, is when I get to kind of like um around about the Gillingham area, the Medway area, I need to make sure that I don't take the Medway tunnel, because I believe the Medway tunnel doesn't actually allow pedestrians through.
00:17:38
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:17:38
Kevin Dove
So i've believe i've got to take them, I think I've got to take the Rochester Bridge, or it's the other way around. So I've got to make sure logistic. So that is actually going to be be a little bit of a logistical challenge. so For that one, I think I will be on the coastal line, but i may have to come inland a little bit to to obviously go over to go over that river area and it then to come back out. So that's going to be that's going to be interesting. and I'm looking forward to doing Whitsterbourne, Herne Bay and Rekova because I've actually got relatives down there. And one of them actually said that she would like to run that section with me. So I'm pleased I've got a guaranteed running power there. And I do try to get down to see him in the school holidays every now and then, but it'd be real good to see to see ah see my see my friends down there. So that that beat I'm looking forward to that type of stretch. And the fight the final one will be obviously just getting to Gravesendpere, which will be interesting because it could be a number of days. So it's just interesting to see how I shape up and how I'm able to get to get through the pain barriers.
00:18:33
Kevin Dove
So yeah, it's it's good.
00:18:34
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:18:35
Kevin Dove
for it's um I'm looking forward to it because at the moment the Coastal line is actually very good and it's very straightforward because obviously I've got to see on my right hand side as I'm running.
00:18:45
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:18:45
Kevin Dove
and So and it's been decent. It's been decent so far. So yeah.
00:18:50
UKRunChat
And you've got nice weather, thankfully. now Now, is that help or hindrance? Because the UK is entering its fourth heat wave at the moment, isn't it?
00:18:59
Kevin Dove
Well, um
00:18:59
UKRunChat
What's the temperature been like for you down there?
00:19:00
Kevin Dove
well Well, when when ah when I spoke to... and to Matt at Run Through Uko, you know, he I'm very fortunate whereby he actually gave me the kit, which is decent of him. He gave me a a Run Through Kit voucher, so Run Through supplied me with a discount to purchase some of that kit, which is great. And when I speak to him about I said to him about doing it in the summer, because because I've obviously been a PE teacher, but he said that could actually be quite a good thing, because if you're going to do it that in the autumn the winter months, it's going to be more challenging. and So I'm a little bit concerned in terms of tomorrow, because I'm trying to
00:19:34
Kevin Dove
Keep the momentum going, but I notice it's going to be near to 32, 33 tomorrow at its peak. So starting in the morning, it's going to be under 30. how we go is going to be so at the moment and I don't actually see as an issue because being on the coastal line there is quite a nice sea breeze coming in anyway so so that that is actually quite a good thing and I'm gonna have I'm gonna be have to be honest with you I'm gonna have to monitor that especially as I'm going through the challenge because as soon as I go over a hundred K
00:20:08
Kevin Dove
body is naturally going to fatigue isn't it and obviously we've spoken about the importance of recovery nutrition but um logistically that's something i'm gonna have to think about when i get near to the finish line in particular because if we if the heat wave does continues and it does come in certain stages and for it might be for three or four days and it will stop i need to finally think about that logistically moving forward definitely
00:20:31
UKRunChat
Yeah, so have you have you got a contingency plan in place for that already or is that something further down the line?
00:20:35
Kevin Dove
and I think that would be more further down the line because it's a little bit unpredictable, isn't it? I mean, we're expecting it to be nearer to 30s this week down by me.
00:20:42
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:20:46
Kevin Dove
Then after that, I think it cools off a little bit. and I think that'll be a kind of thing when i when i sit when I settle down day by day and I start to judge it and see it, then obviously. And also, one thing I'll be... I was really fortunate whereby and when I did it um two days ago, there was actually quite a bit of shade in that in that second day. So that did make a big, big difference.
00:21:07
Kevin Dove
in terms of that, because my body temperature definitely felt better and well-maintained in the second day. and But to tell the truth, Michelle, that is kind of like a day-by-day thing in terms of the logistical planning. and If it does get above your 33s, your then obviously I need to seriously consider if I do continue to do it, because when that heatwave did come, there were schools were cancelling in the sports days, and um Run Free UK were cancelling events as well, like they'd their Chase of Sun events that I would have been a part of. So so those types of sporting events were were obviously getting postponed or cancelled. So that's one thing I definitely need to think about logistically moving forward.
00:21:47
UKRunChat
Yeah, well, hopefully, fingers crossed, everything stays sensible temperatures for you and you manage to finish it all.
00:21:51
Kevin Dove
Yeah.
00:21:54
UKRunChat
So just talking a little bit about, because you mentioned kind of preparation there, how what kind of training have you done for this then? have you Are you used to running in kind of those kind of distances over the years?
00:22:06
Kevin Dove
um I'm not really used to running the 20Ks. On a good week, I will run two run-through UK events, for example. So I may do a Wednesday and a Saturday or Saturday and a Sunday. and I try to do three 10Ks a week, so they don't have to be run-through events. I normally do once in a week. and One thing was very important, I've got a very good physio called Jackie Lee, who's from Kensington Physio. He's actually done a lot of my recovery, maition who every um mean my nutrition plan recently. But um he was telling me obviously the importance of doing the strength training as well.
00:22:40
Kevin Dove
So strengthening different areas of the body as well. And I did actually go to see Mark Adonis a few years ago. when I had a bad plantar flasher injury and he told me about strengthening my glutes and things like that.
00:22:50
Kevin Dove
So I've kind of been doing the incorporating the strength training, ah which which has definitely helped me because I'm not getting as many niggles as before. And like a lot of your athletes that you interview, Michelle, it's kind of like the progressive overload, making sure that I can progress through and through the gears and over the different distances.
00:23:05
UKRunChat
Yeah.
00:23:09
Kevin Dove
And, um, I'm not looking for any PBs. um i'm not I'm not going to... I haven't run my 10K PB now for for a good six months. I'm not overly bothered about that. It's just a case of trying to pace myself, get through it, and obviously different tenures and that dictate what I put into it. But overall, it's just a case of being progressive. and Prior to the event, um ah did i did I did up it a little bit, a little bit whereby I was doing it ah trying to do between 18 to 20K once a week for about a month prior. That has been done at the weekends locally by me, which is actually quite a good thing because i haven't done those distances for a long time since I was marathon training a very, very long time ago.
00:23:49
Kevin Dove
So um it's just really just kind of progressing the distances to tell the truth. But at the moment, i'm feeling I'm feeling quite fit and healthy and strong, quite confident in completing 20K every time we go. So, yeah.
00:24:01
UKRunChat
Yeah, so it sounds like you you're approaching this with with a lot of wisdom, actually. It's really good to hear. sounds like you you're getting it spot on. So I really hope you manage to complete it. and So you mentioned, Ellie, you were looking forward to meeting up with some family on the route. Now, you've got an invitation for our listeners, haven't you?
00:24:20
Kevin Dove
Yeah, basically what it is, um you can track my journey via my social media, via Instagram and Strava. um I've got a male shot of local running clubs and athletic clubs that I'm going to get out to. But if you do track my progress and you do follow the journey, if you do want to join me en route to do to do a certain part of the distance, it can be the 20k on the start line, it can be a five or ten k or if you just want to experience running a part the coastal line because it's something completely different, it's quite unique, not a lot of people do it, then just if you can drop me a message on Instagram, I'm more than willing to have runners do it with me to encourage me and to push me through it. And I'm definitely going to need you. I'm going to need runners from the running community and members of running community, especially as I as i go through the latter stages to push me over the finish line. So, yeah, I mean, by all means, please please do. It's an open invitation. If any if you follow my journey through those platforms, please do drop me a message and I'll let you know where I'm where i'm at and perhaps you can join me on the journey. It'd be fantastic.
00:25:21
UKRunChat
That would be lovely. So we'll put your Strava link in the show notes and your Instagram. What is your Instagram handle for anybody listening right now?
00:25:27
Kevin Dove
ah The Instagram handle is
00:25:35
UKRunChat
Brilliant. Yeah. So go and go and follow go follow Kevin and just get in touch via Instagram to find out where you are on any given day. Is that how it's working?
00:25:44
Kevin Dove
Yeah, that's how it's working. Like said, I'm doing a day-on-day-off. If you can just drop me a message there, I may let you know when I have rest days and when I'm doing it. Every now and then, this the schedule may change, obviously, depending upon the volunteer drivers.
00:25:58
Kevin Dove
But at moment, they've been very good to me. So I've always kind of got a driver to get me to the start points. But yeah, if you if you are local in Kent and you fancy running the stretch for me to get involved, then please do.
00:26:09
Kevin Dove
You're more than welcome to. It'd be fantastic.
00:26:10
UKRunChat
Oh, fantastic. So hopefully kind of any any abilities, any any paces, welcome.
00:26:15
Kevin Dove
Yeah, like I said, I'm not running any PBs at the moment. In terms of the times, ah for the 25k, the first time I did that in two hours, 26, believe, or two hours, 27, something like that. The most recent one I did just over two hours, I did the 20k to Folkestone Harbour in about two hours. So I'm not really looking for any any any particular times. I just want to get around safely and get to the next stage to tell the truth.
00:26:40
UKRunChat
Yeah, yeah. And just enjoy it, I guess, on the way, take it on.
00:26:43
Kevin Dove
Well, yeah, just soak it in. Soak in the atmosphere, soak it in, breathe in the sea air, get get some fresh air in your lungs. And just it's it's ah' it's a fantastic journey. It's a running journey. And it's the next stage of my journey, which I love. So I'm coming towards the end of 110km. The European cities are being conquered one by one. And i' I'm just looking forward to to to getting into to getting this done. And is is really i'm really set it's really pleasing for me because it's a fresh challenge where I've taken myself out of my comfort zone.
00:27:15
Kevin Dove
And it is a journey. And with running, as I'm sure a lot of your viewers and a lot of your ah your athletes and and whoever you interview will tell us, sometimes tedium and boredom can sit in a little bit if you are doing the same routes. And that's one thing I actually found out.
00:27:31
Kevin Dove
when I was in particular marathon training, I was just going out my front door, I was progressing the distances, but I was going around the same areas. Joining Run For UK is able to me to go all over the country. And it's slightly more motivating because you get to see different venues.
00:27:47
Kevin Dove
ah Never travelled before, so running European cities is fantastic. And now I'm going to be running the Kent Coastal line. So, yeah, I've started at Canberra Sands. We're slowly moving up on the map on the fridge.
00:27:58
Kevin Dove
And so, yeah, if feel free to jump in, guys. i'm more than I'm more than happy to have any volunteer runners of any abilities to come along and and join in and soak up the atmosphere. It'd be fantastic.
00:28:09
UKRunChat
Oh, fantastic. Well, if you're listening, I would like to join Kevin, do get in touch with Kevin and let us know as well. And and please tag us in in photos and posts of what you get up to en route as well. We'd love to hear all about it. and So, Kevin, something we haven't mentioned yet is you're raising money for charity.
Supporting Veterans: Purpose Behind the Run
00:28:27
UKRunChat
Tell us a little bit about that.
00:28:28
Kevin Dove
Yeah, so ah the charity I'm raising for is a veterans association. It's a veterans charity based in Kent. um Predominantly, they look to support ah former military personnel, male and female, a lot a lot of the work that they do.
00:28:44
Kevin Dove
is they focus on predominantly helping and former military servants with PTSD. They do offer one-to-one counselling. They've got a community hub at the moment and a food truck which branches out into the local community. They give fun activities and safe activities. I'm actually going down there on Saturday, the 1st of August, and to to meet the directors again, Aaron Short, who's been fantastic support. Some of the local media are going to be down there, so I'm looking forward to going to the headquarters to see that.
00:29:13
Kevin Dove
and My local school, so the school that I actually work for, has actually done a fundraiser recently. We did a 5K at a Lee Valley with Run4UK. So it really is a fantastic course. and They are looking to expand it into different areas, and they provide a safe space for our military veterans, male and female. I really am looking forward to seeing some of them as well when go down there soon, because They've got fecent some fantastic stories and a lot of them, like they have served on the front line and it is a great way of supporting them.
00:29:43
Kevin Dove
And yeah, it really is a fantastic call and one I really am proud to be supporting. I've set up a just giving page, as you know, and that is available via my social media links, Instagram, just got my bio. I give regular updates on that as well. I'm in regular contact with the charity. It really is a fantastic community project that they've got going forward. In terms of where the funds are going, it's going to the charity. They want to open up a new cafe hub. They're talking about getting getting it upon me getting um a mini bus so they can help with the journeys and things like that. So, um yeah, I'm really pleased to be supporting that charity. and
00:30:19
Kevin Dove
It's a really, really good course. And it's a local one en route. And um I've been told when I'm kind of near there, I need to branch in to run in to stop off then go out. So that's part of the route as well. but it's a fantastic community and um the main director, Aaron Short, has been very supportive and he really is a fantastic charity to to be a part of and I'm very proud of that.
Q&A: Kevin's Experience and Insights
00:30:39
UKRunChat
Oh, wonderful. Thank you, Kevin. and So I've got a few quick fire questions to finish off this episode, if that's a few.
00:30:45
Kevin Dove
Okay, let's go.
00:30:47
UKRunChat
So nothing too hard. You'll hopefully know all the answers. They're all about your runs. So and best view on the route so far.
00:30:55
Kevin Dove
Best room on the route, Folkston Harbour.
00:30:59
UKRunChat
Beautiful. and Hard as climb.
00:31:03
Kevin Dove
Hardest climb, and the hardest climb will most probably be tomorrow when I hit the White Cliffs of Dover.
00:31:14
UKRunChat
Yes.
00:31:14
Kevin Dove
um Yeah, so with that one, and that is just before the port of Dover as well. Actually, if you see my latest post, you'll see me with with the folks, the mermaid actually pointing at the White Cliffs.
00:31:24
UKRunChat
Okay.
00:31:24
Kevin Dove
I don't know if any of have seen that, but that at the moment so far, it's been quite flat, but I think the toughest one is going to be tomorrow, and I'll let you know how get on with it.
00:31:24
UKRunChat
thank
00:31:33
Kevin Dove
going to be the white cliffs of Dover. That's going to be the toughest tenure at the moment, I believe.
00:31:38
UKRunChat
Yeah, yeah, please do let us know. Favourite on the run snack?
00:31:45
Kevin Dove
Favourite on the run snack? ah
00:31:50
Kevin Dove
Well, I'm going to say the gels are very good, so i thank you to Science in Sport for the gels, but I actually like a baby bell.
00:31:58
UKRunChat
Oh, good one.
00:31:58
Kevin Dove
I actually like a baby bell because You can slip it in your running belt. It's disposable with a waist. um It's not particularly heavy. It's easy to pack. um It does, I believe, I've been told it it had some sort of protein in it. but um And also, you don't need to stop for it. So, actually I actually generally... I like a baby bell, yeah.
00:32:16
UKRunChat
Yeah, I've not heard that before. Yeah, good one. and One bit of kit that you couldn't do without.
00:32:16
Kevin Dove
I like a baby bell.
00:32:25
Kevin Dove
like baby bell. Well... I'd be lost without my phone to tell the truth and the apps on it if I do get lost. But in terms of one one think one piece of kit that has actually really helped me recently it's when I was having a problem with my plantar flashers, I've actually got the support socks and they are actually very good in terms of actually helping me in terms of strengthening my ankles and actually making sure that that the the ah the base of my foot, my plantar flashers is supported.
00:32:52
Kevin Dove
So at the moment, the actual support socks are... for my feet and particularly helping me out my plantar flashes that has been that has been a piece of kit that has been very good so far so yeah yeah
00:33:01
UKRunChat
Yeah, brilliant. We're back to recovery again, aren't we? Yeah, that'ss that's a big theme. and And then last one is three words to describe the challenge so far.
00:33:13
Kevin Dove
um it's motivating um you get sightseeing you get to see the coast so sightseeing would be one um
00:33:25
Kevin Dove
I would say the moment it is it's inspiring at the moment because it's the next stage of my running journey because I was coming forward to finishing those 110 Ks. The reason why it's inspiring is also i'm supporting a fantastic charity, the Veterans Association. So at the moment, yeah, I'll go with those three. But when we have the next catch up, when I get near to the finish line, that may have changed a little bit, Michelle.
00:33:49
Kevin Dove
It may have changed a little bit.
00:33:49
UKRunChat
Okay.
00:33:51
Kevin Dove
But at in the moment, yeah, I really am enjoying at the moment. So, yeah.
00:33:55
UKRunChat
Yeah, yeah, we're we're quite early on and you've got a long way to go yet.
00:33:57
Kevin Dove
Okay.
00:33:58
UKRunChat
But I think it's fantastic that you've picked a challenge that you can get done in your six week break from school. It's wonderful.
00:34:04
Kevin Dove
Hmm.
00:34:05
UKRunChat
And you're still finding time to look after yourself in it as well. Yeah, I think it's great. I think it's very inspiring for a lot of our listeners. So yeah, do let us know if Kevin's is inspired a you to think, right, I'm going to do my own challenge over the summer. We'd love to hear what that is as well. and Thank you, Kevin, for taking the time to chat tonight while while you're in the middle of such a brilliant, epic challenge. We really appreciate it. Is there anything we haven't covered that you just wanted to to mention?
00:34:31
Kevin Dove
No, again, thanks for having me, Michelle. and I really do appreciate that. and Just another shout-out to all your listeners and your viewers. If you do fancy joining me on the Kent Coastal Line, please do just drop us a message. and Please do follow my journey on my Strive on my Instagram pages. I like to increase the social media so we can spread the good word. And the JustGiving page of Donate is in my link as well, guys. So hopefully I'll see some of you on the journey.
00:34:53
Kevin Dove
And ah one thing I was thinking about doing was, whilst we progress, I may do a challenge like the last 10 weeks or the last 5K, where we have an open invitation where you can all where you can all see me through to the finish line. But I'll give you more details about it in a little bit. But yeah, fantastic, guys. Just follow my journey. And please do get in touch because it's satisfying. It's a great challenge. And I'd love to see some of you get on board with it as well.
00:35:16
UKRunChat
Oh, thank you very much. If you've enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe. um And we'd really appreciate it if you could leave us a review. It really helps more runners discover the show. So thank you so much for listening and we'll see you next time on the UK Run Chat podcast.