Their lives are filled with adventure, DIY, crafts and building, but also saving the day. They rise to the challenge and are always totally committed. Aside from the inherent risks they face professionally, these everyday heroes open themselves up to other dangers away from their jobs, which should not be underestimated. That they remain relaxed and focused as they achieve excellent results is down to their exceptional equipment. They place their trust in uvex safety products. Our home stories allow people to share their experiences with their favourite uvex products in unique fields of application.
It all started with a running joke – if you’ll pardon the pun – after a business run with the company running group: “We could do something different.” Perhaps something involving a sense of team spirit and fun? Still feeling that familiar adrenaline rush and full of endorphins from the run, Daniel and three of his colleagues decided right there and then to enter Wildsau Dirt Run in Bregenzerwald, Austria, that very same summer. You might think that they would soon start to have second thoughts…
The group of four soon convinced a total of 15 colleagues to join them – some were inexperienced runners but they all wanted to reach the end as a team. However, to even get a glimpse of the finish line they had to overcome the obstacles in their way: wading across a river, diving into a pool of cold water, traversing a muddy motocross course, climbing over mountains of tyres and also running along a few picturesque trails. In total, the team was faced with two seven-kilometre circuits that, after a week of heavy rain, created almost perfect conditions for the competition.
But there was no backing out now!
uvex: Please explain your hobby in a few sentences and how uvex PPE products come into play.
Daniel: For my part, I have always been a sporty person: from martial arts to triathlons, long-distance cycling and, in recent years, mainly running. A few years ago, I took part in three survival runs just for fun and for something a bit different to long-distance training. So I knew what would be waiting for us …
Apart from three people in our team, we all run regularly with the company running group and one participant has even done a few Tough Mudders in the last two years. So we were pretty well prepared.
uvex: What kind of dangers and challenges did you encounter?
Daniel: It’s not totally safe to run through forests and crawl through rivers, mud and culvert pipes after a week of rainfall. We would also have to navigate sharp stones, bits of foliage and slippery hillsides.
All runners reached the finish line together – filthy, tired, but in the best of moods and safe and sound apart from a few scrapes and sore muscles.
uvex: Which uvex products did you wear for protection?
Daniel: Along with long trousers and suitable running shoes, we were equipped with uvex phynomic XG gloves: non-slip and lightweight, so you barely even notice that you’re wearing them, yet sturdy enough to prevent splinters. Everyone in the team agreed that they were the best option.
uvex: Has using uvex products changed the way you practise your hobby?
Daniel: As I’m such a staunch uvex fan, my whole family (small children, wife and I) use uvex helmets and eyewear for cycling and skating and Alpina helmets and goggles for skiing. My mirrored uvex pheos eyewear, which I use while driving, would have to be my absolute favourite uvex product.
I’d like to thank uvex for supporting our crazy event – we’ll be there again next year, we’ve already got the gloves for it!