For some people it’s a personal challenge to themselves to see if they can be pushed to their physical limit. A good challenge of course and one no one would question.
But what I mean is where do you go for inspiration when the training is getting seriously tough? What pocket of your mind do you dig deep in to?
For me, one of the reasons I signed up for my first triathlon, an olympic one at that, was that I wanted to do something in memory of a dear friend I lost about a year ago. It’s coming up to the anniversary of when we had to say goodbye, so more than ever, she’s been on my mind a lot.
Don’t get me wrong, selfishly I’ve been looking for a challenge like this for a number of years but when I joined Emily’s charity some years ago, I said I’ll pretty much do anything that’s needed of me apart from long runs, long bike rides or any forming of jumping out of planes or off of bridges (Sky dives and bungees to be clear!). I just wasn’t going to do it.
So it was quite fitting that my challenge was pushing the limit of 2/4 things I said I’d never do ( I will still never jump out of a plane or off of a bridge though!).
Two days ago, I ran the furthest I’ve ever run (14.5km). I wasn’t going out to set any records, but I wanted to see what I was capable of achieving.
I’ve been in Vancouver for work, so I’ve taken advantage of running out the doors of my hotel and into the amazing surrounding countryside. If you’ve never done it, you should definitely partake in a trip around Stanley park. The scenery is next level beauty. Every corner you turn or straight you run, you’re looking up down / left / right taking in some awe inspiring surroundings.
But… That only gets you so far! The first 6/7km or so we’re fine. After that, I started to struggle. Remember that I’ve never run much further than about 2 km in my entire life 8 weeks ago, so this is a huge advancement!
When my knees started hurting and chest started to pound, I wanted to turn the next corner and head home. But, my wonderful friend Ems sparkly face appeared almost as an apparition in front of me.
I thought of all the years this wonderful human being struggled with cystic fibrosis, but still managed to live life to the absolute full. She never gave up. She created an awesome family and a beautiful daughter. She inspired (I think) thousands of people And she lived life to the absolute full all of the time. She made the absolute most of the deck of cards she was dealt with.
So I’m thinking, sh!t, if she could do it… So can I!
So my inspiration, when the tough gets really tough, comes from the memories I’ve got of this most incredible of human beings and the daily battle she lived, just to breath.
She never gave up and neither will I.
Love you Ems
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