Mastering Mindset: no regret, just powerful memories
For new readers what happened in Portland to end 2022, in essence was a wrecked hamstring and my last 30km of the 60km event were a struggle to say the least.
No power to run up hills, was a killer but we got the job done and the event was completed. Moral of this story: a strong mindset is everything and determination makes up for what the body cannot give. So when I coach people as one of the best life and mindset coaches in Australia, I coach it from a place of lived experience.
But to cut a long story short, the second go at the Portland run in 2023 was great. I finished in the top 10 passing 4 or 5 athletes over the last 10 kms and the experience from start to finish was far better than the year before, considering it was run into 50+km headwinds all day. By the end, I'm happy and content in many ways.
So what can I share with you this time?
The motivation and fuel that drives you
Trying to find the fuel or motivation to push you forward is one of the biggest challenges we have in life. It often is the difference between success or failure.
The wrong fuel might have you sputtering in 2024 already.
The motivation is often the reason why we are trying to accomplish certain things. Why it means so much, our why keeps us focused on and in pursuit of the prize.
But sometimes, the fuel feels unavailable to tap into and the spark we are needing to go that bit further, is harder to find.
The fuel to help you be successful in work could be your motivation to achieve higher status or your family needs. The fuel to help you achieve better relationships could be the human motivation for deep connection or your craving for love.
Your motivation to achieve that difficult goal could be a sense of accomplishment and validation in self.
There was a moment in Ultra #6 where I went searching for fuel, as the enjoyment of the run was not working. The “I choose to be here” mantra which I often use had faded into the background.
So I went to some dark, angry and mean place. Conjured up all the negative thoughts I’d ever had about myself and brought them to the surface and then I crushed them into the ground with each step.
It was powerful, magical and exhilarating. My mindset in that instance was locked in, into a powerful fuel.
And eventually it was gone.
Maybe it was a reminder to me that there is no quick fix in life and taking the mind to another place lasts only so long before you need to come back to the reality of the task at hand and get to work.
The work of taking action. Action and repetition, nowhere to hide if you want to achieve what you set out to do.
Life, goals, accomplishments will always be about riding the waves of emotions and thoughts, some of it will be about overcoming negative beliefs.
Emotions to give up, emotions to give in.
Thoughts of not being good enough or being a failure.
It always comes back to focusing on the process, the behaviour, the next step, silenting the chatter, the doubt and that inner voice that says ‘stop and quit’.
It’s about remembering that you are capable of amazing things, if you push past discomfort.
It is about living with no regret, just powerful memories.
Reflections on the journey and commitment
Truth be told, my training for Ultra #6 was good but not all it could be. Somewhere deep down inside, I knew that I could do this lengthy run of 60km, so I didn’t push like I could during a key 4-week period of training, which is disappointing to admit but the truth. Of the 4 weeks, 2 were at the right level, the other 2 fell short by a few longer runs.
My base training in August and September was incredibly fun as I was travelling, running across different countries, sand in Tunisia, beaches in Normandy (France), mountains near the French Alps and a local forest near our homebase in the North East of France.
I was primed to really go hard and put the cherry on top with a final few weeks back in Australia before heading to Portland. I had planned to run a marathon about 3 weeks out from the Portland event, but my commitment and focus somewhat wavered.
I lost sight of what could be and was satisfied with what I had. The chance for living with regret was born because I forgot the pain it caused in the past.
The unavoidable lesson you sometimes learn the hard way
Don’t lose sight of the big picture and the big picture for me is living with no regrets. It’s what got me across the line in the Bright 100km event (read about why there’s no room for regret when you’ve hit rock bottom: an Ultra runner’s tale), and it’s what altered my life when I walked away from the corporate world.
So because of two missed runs, I now have to accept the regret and move on.
Powerful Questions
Are you doing or not doing something right now that could lead to regret further down the road?
Did you start out 2024 by wanting to achieve something special to you and you’ve given up already?
2 choices: evolve or stay as is
Many months have passed since Ultra #6, and I’m in two-minds. To stop and finish where I’m at or dig deeper into why I started running in the place.
The reason I started was to do hard things, commit to the training and be proud of my efforts regardless of what happens on event day. The adventure of the run and the experience of hours in nature.
I’m contemplating the idea of a 100 mile (160km) event in 2024. I’m scared that I will not finish it.
But isn’t that the reason for starting the adventure?
The love of the journey, the process and going to the edge or beyond of what you think you are capable of?
It is about living with no regret, just powerful memories.
Believe in yourself and go for it
Over the last weeks, you will probably have created resolutions and goals for 2024. The thoughts of commitment or failure might make you anxious.
By now, the goal might have been given up already. Maybe it’s hanging in there by a slender thread with nearly 25% of the year gone already.
But I'm here to tell you that it's okay to feel nervous and doubt yourself. In fact, it's perfectly normal. It's a sign that you care about what you're doing and that you're taking it seriously.
It is the start of having the right mindset.
You may fall into the trap of comparing your vision for 2024 to others and want to give up before you start.
Don’t!
Because you are always capable of more than you think.
There is always more to give.
Your achievements are worthy and worthwhile if they have pushed you past where you are now.
It’s about believing in yourself and going for it!
2024 is ready for you to lean in. Are you?
Go after it and take action. Let’s go!
Towards living with no regrets, not anymore.
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