'I like to exercise mid-afternoon to break up the day'

Giles Brown is a freelance journalist, copywriter and business writer for in-Cumbria magazine.

How many times a week do you like to exercise? 

Three to five. 

What sort of exercise do you do? 

Rock climbing, HIIT workouts, running, yoga and daily dog walking. 

Do you have any fitness goals? 

In September I ran the Ambleside 50k and I want to keep up my longer distance running in the fells over the winter. I’ve never run all of the Yorkshire Three Peaks before so I might try and do that with the dog before Christmas. I’m also starting to get back into swimming and I might set myself a swimming challenge for next summer. Ullswater or Wastwater are both very appealing.  

What’s the most physically challenging thing you have done in your life? 

Probably completing the Saunders Mountain Marathon Bowfell class two-day race in June 2018 during a heatwave.  

How does keeping fit impact on your work? 

Exercise helps me relax and focus and gives me a structure to my day. I like to exercise mid-afternoon to break up the day and then work into the evening. I also have a lot of good ideas (or at least they seem good to me) while I’m out walking the dog or running up a hill.  

Which sportsperson/fitness expert do you most admire? 

Anyone who’s pushing themselves, finding it hard but realising they can do it anyway.  

When in your life did you feel at your fittest? 

I actually feel at my fittest now, even though I had fewer aches and pains 20 years ago.  

On days when you don’t feel like getting out of bed, what motivates you to get up and go? 

Breakfast (and the dog whining at the bottom of the stairs). 

How do you ensure a work/life balance? 

Remembering that having time off to relax actually helps me perform better at work.  

What’s your top tip for remaining motivated? 

Do something you enjoy. If you don’t enjoy the style of work or exercise you’re doing then you’ll never stick with it.