James, one of the highest try-scorers in European rugby, is nearing the halfway point of his challenge. Unsurprisingly, it’s an uncomfortable process. “I’m getting to a stage where I’m just hanging on,” says the 45-year-old. “My energy levels are depleted, but come 31 days I’ll look back and be glad I stuck with it.”
By the time he has finished, he will have covered just over 812 miles. “It’s not a bad little milestone,” says James, in something of an understatement. It’s all in aid of Hafal, the mental health charity, and Noah’s Ark, the children’s hospital charity. James knows the great value of both, and for him they go hand in hand.
He has spoken honestly and eloquently about his mental health battles in the past. It formed part of the basis for taking on the challenge, particularly when he found himself in a rut. James says: “January is a blue month for most of us, it can be pretty bleak. I thought I’ll try and do something every day for 31 days. Somebody suggested doing a marathon. For some people with mental health issues, just getting out of bed is like doing a marathon. I want to show them that if I can do it, anyone can.”
There were complications following the birth of one of James’s sons, which led him to Noah’s Ark. “I understand the problems parents can face and the worry that it brings,” he says. “They’re under vast amounts of pressure, whether it’s because their child has been born premature or needs an operation.”
James has enjoyed keeping fit for as long as he can remember – something he traces back to his parents, and his early days living in South Africa. “My parents were quite active, my dad in particular,” says James, who was born in Zambia. “I looked up to him. He was into rugby, football, squash. I used to train with him and I try to encourage my teenage boys to do the same because, with all the tech they’ve got today, you need to make sure they keep active.
“I would be up on the Highveld with my dad while he was playing rugby. The weather was more conducive to outdoor living and my brother and I were out all the time, cycling, riding and running. We couldn’t watch the telly because it was in Afrikaans!”
Such is the high level of fitness in which James keeps himself, he was tempted to come out of retirement to play for Pontypridd, his former club, a couple of seasons ago. This month’s challenge, however, is a different one altogether.
“The concept was essentially to do a triathlon every day, albeit with rowing instead of swimming [due to the weather and pool closures],” says James, who has an S&C background. “I did have quite a pragmatic plan in place, but I’m starting to get fatigued and my ankle is a bit sore from the running. And if anybody knows the rower, they know it’s not easy.”
Weather permitting, he likes to cycle outdoors, and if any motivation was needed to get out of the house to complete his running, it’s his working cocker spaniel. “I’ve got to take him out anyway – he’s happy if I’m running around the dunes in Kenfig. I’m not doing the easiest routes. I like to challenge myself daily to get the best out of myself.”
With a daily endurance battle to be fought, it doesn’t pay to get too hung up on fitness trackers. “I’m trying not to get too obsessed with stats and times,” says James. “I know there are people who will say, ‘Look how slow he’s done it’. But I’m doing 26 miles a day. You do get critics, but I’m not a professional athlete any more. I’m doing it to help other people.”
This year will mark the 20th anniversary of that dazzling first Lions test against the Wallabies; one which has gone down as one of the greatest in the touring party’s illustrious history. James scored a try in the unforgettable victory at the Gabba. “That’s gone very quickly. They were good times,” says James, who featured in all three tests. “It was an incredible atmosphere, like playing at home. We hammered them, but just ran out of steam by the end of the series.”
Unlike that 2001 tour, which some players suggest came undone due to over-training by the Lions coaches, James is now the master of his own fate as he looks to complete his marathon-a-day in January.
You can visit James’s donation page here.
