Phil smith runs marathon for hair charities

Published 14th Apr 2008 by sophieh
Phil smith runs marathon for hair charities Phil-Smith-Marathon.jpgSpending five hours running round London on a wet and windy Sunday morning might seem about as far removed from working in a hair salon as you can possibly get, but for Phil Smith the pair go hand in hand. Because, since taking up running 18 months ago, the five-times British Hairdresser of the Year Awards nominee has just completed his third marathon. "When I started running, I said I wanted to try to do a marathon before I turned 40," says Phil. "As it happens, I've done three in a year and there's still time to spare before my fortieth. "The London Marathon on Sunday was really tough because I didn't really want to do it, but when I was offered a place I still said yes! "At 23 miles, when the hailstones started to fall and I realised that I wasn't going to achieve my target time of five hours I started to get emotional about that decision!"Phil's new-found interest in long distance running is not about becoming a fitness fanatic, it's the mental challenge of completing the greulling course that's got him hooked. And the former British Hairdressing Business Awards Business Director of the Year believes that mental toughness has given him extra determination to succeed in business. Phil adds: "When you do the marathon, you really do feel like you can achieve anything. While you're running round you can see landmarks and they look so far away; you're exhausted and don't have anything left to give, but you want to get to the finish line so much. "That's when the mental side of it kicks in and you have to push yourself and be determined to succeed. It's the same as in this business; success doesn't come easily but you have to push yourself to overcome the challenges that you face. "At the end of the day, it is just a run; you're not changing the world or finding a solution to poverty but the feeling of achievement you get from completing it is overwhelming." Phil-Smith-Marathon2.jpg Even getting to the starting line wasn't easy for Phil, who has juggled his training regime with running over 20 salons, including those in Canada and Austarlia, having his own consumer product range and an ever-increasing list of high profile clients. "I've been running three times a week. Two of those runs have been less than 10 miles, but I've been getting up at 5.30 or 6am to do about 16 miles with my personal trainer, before I go to work," he explains. "I think you really need to do at least three 20-mile runs before the marathon; but I just didn't have the time to do that around my business. "It is frustrating not to be able to do as much as it takes; but considering the job that I do I'm really pleased to have completed it in 5 hours 18 minutes." While Phil believes that both he and his his salons have benefited from his marathon running; he, in turn, has raised some much-needed fund for the hair industry's charity HABB and the Toni & Guy Charitable Trust, which is aiming to raise three quarters of a million pounds to contribute to building a children's ward for King's College Hospital in London. "The first marathon I did, the staff in my salons were brilliant and they really got behind me, but they are losing interest now!" adds Phil. "My clients have been fantastic, though. "On Saturday, my wife managed to drum up £600 in pledges just by telling clients how I'd be spending my Sunday. "I'm still aiming to raise half a million pounds for the charities and if anyone would still like to donate, that would be great. It would only take every salon in the country donating £5 for me to blow away my target." If you're thinking that you'd like to follow in Phil's footsteps, then he's got some key pieces of advice for you: "Train, train, train!" Phil concludes. "You have got to take it seriously, but the feeling at the end is incredible. It is worth the sweat and the tears and the bleeding nipples." If you'd like to show you're support to Phil, it's not too late to do so. Just drop him an email or send your cheques to Phil Smith, Toni & Guy, 44 Silver Street, Salisbury, SP1 2NE.
sophieh

sophieh

Published 14th Apr 2008

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