[Advendure]: The documentary “Run Again”, directed by Alexis Berg, opens with your words: “I am a husband, a father, a brother, a friend, a singer, a runner.” With so many layers to your identity, how do you balance these different versions of yourself, and which one feels closest to your core?

[Dave Pen]: Well my life does get split into many different parts but I’m always a father and husband and think of my kids all of the time. On my latest race of the Tor Des Geants in the Italian Alps, across the two hundred and ten miles my youngest daughter was sending me the best messages of support as I was doing the race which was amazing and really helped as I was doing the race solo with no support crew. Whenever I go on stage I think of them and my family and friends always. I guess balancing it all just comes as it is, it’s not easy but this is who I am and I chose to do these things so it’s made me who I am today.

[Advendure]: What is the common thing between being a singer of a band and an ultra-runner? Which is the line that connect a live of “Archive” in a stadium with a race?

[Dave Pen]: They are so different, when running it is silence and nature and just me, nothing else, with performing live it is adoration, lights and noise – Big Noise ! I think the connection is I’m always pushing myself and laying all of my emotions on the line. When I perform I mean every note I play or sing and when I run I need to myself into some other place in my mind and body which is quite soul searching.

[Advendure]:When you are out on the trails, do you listen to music or podcasts, or do you prefer the silence of nature? If you do listen to audio, how does your playlist change between a high-intensity workout and a relaxed long run?

[Dave Pen]: I never listen to anything. I go with complete silence and the sounds of my body and nature.

[Advendure]: The Spine Race or Tor des Géants? If you had to pick just five words to sum up your experience participating in these two legendary races, what would they be?

[Dave Pen]: Step in to the unknown.

[Advendure]: Every ultra-runner speaks of the "pain cave." How would you describe yours, and what is your strategy for breaking out of it? Do you have a specific mantra or words that you whisper to yourself when things get tough?

[Dave Pen]: I’d like to say I have experience in these things now as I’ve been doing ultras for over ten years but the pain cave comes in many different shapes and sizes. Sometimes it can be unbearable and relentless but you have to breathe and know it won’t last forever. When you throw in sleep deprivation your whole world can turn to shit pretty quickly especially with bad weather too so you have to always be prepared and be patient that you will get through it. There isn’t one particular method I use, I just know pain is temporary and to trust I will get through it. It’s ok to cry and tell everything to go to hell but then it passes and you are in love with where you are again.

[Advendure]: Have you ever been inspired to write a lyric or a piece of music in the middle of a grueling, long-distance race?

[Dave Pen]: I don’t remember there being an exact moment but I do know I’m always taking things in mentally and the emotional journeys I’ve been on so ultra running has shaped certain songs and lyrics for sure. I guess the song - “Like A Mountain” is one of the most inspired from nature and my world in ultra running. (Note: “Like A Mountain” is a song by BirdPen, the musical duo formed by Dave Pen and Mike Bird. It was released in 2015 on their album In the Company of Imaginary Friends).

[Advendure]: When you are on tour with the band, do you manage to find time to run? Is running your way of exploring the new cities you visit?

[Dave Pen]: Oh for sure yes, I run with my guitar tech JP on days off and we get lost in forests and mountains sometimes which is a great escape. I do sometimes have to be careful though as I used to run a lot while on tour, I once ran a marathon on a day off but I put so much energy into the live performances that I’ve almost burnt out before as was doing too much so now I like to run smaller distances like 10km every other day or something like that and discover a city we are in, it’s a cool way to see things. As much as I like doing long runs in the mountains, I also like finding a bar and having a few pints of Guinness and relaxing on days off when on tour!

[Advendure]: What is your absolute favorite running route in your hometown, and what makes it so special to you?

[Dave Pen]: I sometimes run a route, which takes me down to the waterfront as I live in a port and run right along the water and then through some areas I spent a lot of time in my early musical career rehearsing for gigs in. The route then takes me past

Southampton’s football stadium of which I am a season ticket holder with my father and then up through the city and back across the common (a big park with lots of space) which is near where I live and then back home, its about 6 miles or so and early in the morning its nice and chilled. Whenever I run this route I have so many memories from where I live and what I’ve done, it can be quite nostalgic.

[Advendure]: I know you’ve performed in Greece multiple times with Archive! Have you ever managed to hit the trails or roads for a run while in Greece, and would you ever consider returning to take part in a Greek ultra-race?

[Dave Pen]: When I was training for UTMB on year I was in Greece and thought I should get some warm weather training in so went for a run at around lunchtime and it was so hot, I ran to the Acropolis and it was great but boiling!! I’ve also done a few evening runs when I’ve been there too around Athens. I would like to run a race in Greece for sure – It’s the original land of the Marathon!!

Konstantinos Korozis

Photo copyright: Alexis Berg, Charlotte Lindet, Tor Des Geants, Aimeji