Don’t be like me: Demand more from yourself

Life has been ticking along for me over these past few months. Usually it is hectic, organising people and events, stretching myself, taking part in a challenge…Then somewhere along the way it became stagnated and comfortable with ‘it’s been a hard year, time for a rest’.

Blog writing came to standstill due to a busy period at work followed by the festivities. And suddenly a regular activity turned into a non- existent one.

A foot injury sustained during the Oxfam Trailtrekker Challenge in June meant that running / impact sport was off the menu for several months. The excuse for not getting back into a routine was that ‘it aches’.  There exist several others similar situations and ‘excuses’ which have resulted in bedding down into a comfortable mediocre routine.

That was until I picked up a book with what seems to be a ‘politically incorrect’ title called, ‘Run fat b!tch run’ by The Grit doctor (Ruth Field). There was something in its hard hitting no nonsense yet refreshing approach which was like a slap in the face with a wet fish.

The Grit Doctor tells it as it – ‘Is there a large arse-shaped dent in your sofa? Strip naked, stand in front of the mirror and stare at what you see and then utter the words ‘you fat bitch’.

Some might say that this is insensitive, unsupportive and not empowering.  I see it as being brutally honest with oneself. And that was just what I needed. To stop deluding myself that I had little available time, that my foot was not quite ready…..and all those other excuses.

Sometimes we want things to be easy but it often takes grit to achieve anything worthwhile. Indeed, most of my achievements have been gained through hard work, long hours, little sleep, no holidays…..

As I am writing this I recall the words of Dean Karnazes, ‘the human body has limitations, the human spirit is boundless’. Dean Karnazes pushed his body and mind to develop extraordinary endurance and mental strength, achieving epic sporting feats such as running  217 km  nonstop in temperatures of  120 °F (49 °C),  marathon to the South Pole at −40 °F (−40 °C) and  50 marathons in 50 states in 50 consecutive days.

Stepping out of the comfort zone and stretching oneself may be difficult, hard work, uncomfortable and perhaps even painful at times. But it is often from undertaking such acts and developing mental toughness that we grow, progress and achieve our greatest accomplishments.

Time now to live by my words. I have started by writing this blog, by running twice a week….

Have you ever lost your motivation or got into a rut? How did get out of it and what did you do? Would love to hear from you