Blog #3

Tentsmuir 8....now there was a challenge and a half....

The day kicked off with a 6am departure from Aberdeen with friends Tony, Freda and Emma. After a wee stop for a coffee (and a McSomething for Tony) at MacDonalds en route we arrived in good time at 8am to register, organise our kit and attend the race briefing. We were very lucky with the weather - a bit overcast to begin with, but not a breath of wind. My goal was to run 8 laps, which equated to just over 34 more miles, more than I had ever run before. The race started promptly at 9am (it was all fantastically organised by NU Limits) and we set off to find out what the 4.33 mile loop entailed. It was a perfect route, nice forest tracks and mostly flat. There was an aid station halfway round with an amazing array of goodies, although I didn't partake in any until later in the day. The first 3 laps went by quite quickly, and a half-marathon was achieved. There was a lot of camaraderie during the day, ultra running is a real community with lots of encouragement from other athletes, spectators and marshals. I stopped to refuel after lap 4 (very easily done at the end of the lap as you could leave all your stuff very close by). By lap 5 the runners were spacing out more, and it was becoming a bit quiet at times, some participants accomplishing whatever their own personal goals were and finishing. Lap 6 was a bit challenging, but marathon distance done. On lap 7 my knee started complaining about what we were up to, so I had another little break and refuel at the end of that lap. Lap 8 became quite challenging, mentally and physically, but I kept telling myself this was the last one and I was done. Or was I?!?!

The definition of purpose is why you do something (Cambridge Dictionary). The definition of perseverance is the continued effort to do or achieve something, even when this is difficult or takes a long time (Cambridge Dictionary). The relationship between purpose and perseverance is a powerful one. So I went back to my why. The purpose that got me to the start line in the first place was the curiosity to see what I was actually capable of and challenge myself, so I had to dial back into that and focus on my why. Because perseverance doesn't come from sheer willpower alone, it comes from meaning. When we have a strong sense of why we're doing something, it fuels us through the moments when motivation falters and doubts creep in. Purpose turns obstacles into milestones and transforms I can't into I will.

So off I set on lap 9. A few treats (slices of fresh watermelon, jelly babies) and some massive encouragement from the halfway aid station, more banter from those still out on the course, and seeing Tony, Freda and Emma at different points all around the lap all helped. Lap 9 completed! Finally I could stop. Except......I couldn't. Lap 10 was calling. Although I did have to give myself a rather severe talking to and pull up my big girl pants. I topped up my flask with an emergency bottle of pre-prepared flat coke and set off for that last lap. I managed to run nearly the whole way, but by now my knee was complaining bitterly about what it was being made to do. The heart and head were good for 11 laps but the knee was most definitely not. 7 hours 32 minutes of racing, 44 miles and 2nd place female. Delighted is an understatement.

We all achieved our goals at Tentsmuir 8, although by the time we arrived back in Aberdeen at 8pm (thanks enormously to Tony for driving there and back) nobody was in much of a state to celebrate. There were a few choice expressions as we all tried to get out of the car, many apologies to our neighbours. The plans are already underway for the next adventure....could it be 50 miles?!

There's a rather significant parallel between endurance sports and life itself. We all hit stretches where the road seems endless and every instinct urges us to give up. But when we connect to our purpose (whatever that may be; becoming healthier, growing our confidence, or simply being a better version of ourselves) it is possible to discover a strength we didn't know we had.

Perseverance isn't sprinting; it's being in it for the long haul. Sometimes it's just the quiet decision to take one more step, to keep moving even when it hurts and when your head is telling you to stop (which it does quite a lot in ultrarunning). Purpose and perseverance are interdependent - purpose gives us direction, and perseverance gives us movement. Together they can carry us much further than we ever thought possible.

Whatever challenge you might be facing, remember your why. Hold it close and let it guide you when things get hard. Because when your purpose is clear, your perseverance will follow.

Coachy bit......

Take a moment this week and ask yourself:

• What is one goal or challenge I'm working toward right now?

• Why does it matter to me?

• How will I remember that why when things get tough?

If you let your why be your anchor it will always help you take the next step.

🌟