When I first started to write a blog I was worried that I would not be able to think of things to write. However, this has not been a problem because something always comes to fruition the day before I am due to write.
The seed for this week's subject was planted a few weeks ago when I attended an event in London to honour the 'Unseen Powerful Women Who Changed the World'. These were local women from many different countries who worked in some of the most disadvantaged and marginalised communities. One of the receipients of an award quoted an African proverb.
"If you want to go fast go alone.
If you want to go far go with others"
This set me thinking about endurance running because I firmly believe that you can only succeed with the help of others, whether that is during the event or training for it. Many a time during a long race I have gone through a bad patch and been pulled through it by another competitor who has run with me and kept me going. I began to ponder the wider role played by people in my and others running achievements. As John Donne (1572-1631) said in Devotions Upon Emergent Occasions, Meditation XVll 'No man is an island, entire of itself'.
A whole range of people including partners, family, friends and work colleagues are likely to impact on your running achievements. There is a chapter on this in the book I wrote with Phillip Howells called 'Ed & Phil's Get Running'; currently out of print, but if there is a publisher reading this do get in touch.At the weekend during the 3 day Druid Challenge I listened to a talk by Rory Coleman, who had just run his 700th marathon. Rory talked about how he had re-engineered his life and one of the things he did was to get rid of all his friends who were negative and sapped his energy. A bit drastic, but probably a good idea; we all know people who drain our energy and sap our spirits.
So Edward's proverb is;-
'If you want to go fast go alone
If you want to go far go with other like minded people with a positive can-do attitude'
I know that I haven't said much about my training so far, that is because I am not doing much; still in the recovery phase from the last event. I am taking part in the 45 mile Becons Ultra this weekend. Help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Get more advice on how to improve your mental strength in The Bug's Mind and Motivation Section.