athlete
A world champion?
A world record for a long endurance challenge?
It still doesn't feel
real. As Confucius said, "a journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step." Sometimes you don't quite know
where you took that first step, but somehow
you find yourself on a journey on an unknown path. You don't
know where it is going or even if there is a destination. But inside
you know you have to follow where it leads you, to have the courage not
to look back. There are moments when it feels almost easy,
and there are moments when you have to fight deep within yourself just
to stand still. You learn there is no destination - the
journey is its own reward.
For me as an endurance athlete who almost stumbled into the world of ultra distance and mountain running by chance, this is how it happened. That first step - I didn't know what opportunities would lie before me, I didn't realise the potential that I had.
To find myself becoming well known in the world of ultra and endurance running, to compete internationally, to represent Great Britain, to win races, to win medals and to become a World Champion - it still takes me by surprise. I always knew I had endurance, but I didn't foresee how it could and would be expressed through competition. But the race in the end isn't what it is all about. For me the competition is very much within myself - to try to do the best I can in that moment. It is about the journey - physical, mental and spiritual - the preparation - the in between - the looking for the 'edge'.
Looking back although I seemed to 'fall' into the unknown world of competitive sport, I was 'training' in the raw each and every day of my life. Endurance for me is a way of life rather than a sport. I can no longer compete anonymously and be a 'surprise', for sure the expectations are high. But the expectations I have of myself are greater. It is an incredible feeling when the running is 'flowing'. It is hard when injury or your head stop you from doing what you know you can. But learning to ride out the rocks and the rolls is part of the journey. That is life.
For me as an endurance athlete who almost stumbled into the world of ultra distance and mountain running by chance, this is how it happened. That first step - I didn't know what opportunities would lie before me, I didn't realise the potential that I had.
To find myself becoming well known in the world of ultra and endurance running, to compete internationally, to represent Great Britain, to win races, to win medals and to become a World Champion - it still takes me by surprise. I always knew I had endurance, but I didn't foresee how it could and would be expressed through competition. But the race in the end isn't what it is all about. For me the competition is very much within myself - to try to do the best I can in that moment. It is about the journey - physical, mental and spiritual - the preparation - the in between - the looking for the 'edge'.
Looking back although I seemed to 'fall' into the unknown world of competitive sport, I was 'training' in the raw each and every day of my life. Endurance for me is a way of life rather than a sport. I can no longer compete anonymously and be a 'surprise', for sure the expectations are high. But the expectations I have of myself are greater. It is an incredible feeling when the running is 'flowing'. It is hard when injury or your head stop you from doing what you know you can. But learning to ride out the rocks and the rolls is part of the journey. That is life.
Becoming more 'known' (all be it relative - endurance running isn't football!) gives you a platform, a responsibility, an incredible opportunity. I will always run, it has become part of me, but I may not always compete. But for now, if through my running I can reach out to people, to inspire them in some small way, then it gives it a deeper meaning. This is my dream.