CRU 100 - Part 1
Take home message
WE ARE MORE CAPABLE THAN WE KNOW.
For Coaches
Who is on your team?
For Athletes
Have a go. We want to see you succeed!
“That would be cool” and the words were out of my mouth before I had really processed the reality. “A 100km trail run”.
My wife’s heart skipping a beat, thinking here comes the mid-life crisis. Her mid-40’s husband thinks he’s actually mid-20’s.
And so began a 9-month journey. I was certainly not entering a race with an intention to win. This was an event and funnily enough, as a coach of elite athletes, here I was after the participation award. And to quote the cliche, it was not about the result but once again, the journey and the lessons it provided (although, between you and me, finishing 100km is pretty sweet and I’m already thinking about the next one having told everyone that one is enough).
I’ve been asked for some thoughts of the prep and event. So with plenty of time to think (13 hours give or take) I gained these important lessons which I thought I’d share:
We are capable of more than we know
Everyone needs a team
Everyone wants to see you succeed
Identity and habits
The importance of preparation and trial and error
Narrow your focus
We are capable of more than we know
When someone congratulated me on the achievement, I thanked them, but said anyone could do it. They disagreed, correctly (but sadly) stating that not everyone has the mental strength to do it. It’s sad that there’s an element of truth in that because if you know me, it’s not a physical gift that got me through. I work with genetically gifted athletes - I know what special is and I am not it. This was completely about mindset and we all have that ability. Like endurance or strength, I agree it is a trained quality, but I don’t believe mental strength is reserved for a few but is actually available to anyone.
For me, part of this was about seeing how deep I could go. In one respect, you could say I have led a sheltered life and never had struggle or misfortune. I’ve been dealt a good hand. This was one way to test myself, can I really push myself?
In training, the most I had run was 70km for a number of reasons. One, it takes a long time! I just don’t have those sort of hours to go out running and running all weekend. I have other responsibilities and commitments in my life (training for something like this is quite selfish and I am grateful to my family for allowing me the time to prepare for this challenge). Two, my research said I did not really have to go more than this in training to finish a 100k’er (the stuff I looked at anyway).
And three, this was approximately where the 20km diversion for the 100km runners was, so it was a real mental barrier (the course was actually 81km with a 20km diversion 9km from the finish. I mean, really, talk about nasty! Turn right and this is all over in 9k. Turn left and you’ve another 4+ hours. That’s messing with your head!). I’d sort of set myself up that this was the point where the race with myself started. This was where I would see what I was made of. (Also, I know people have run across Australia, or trekked 100’s of kilometres through Alaskan wilderness, so I’m far from pushing the limits of human endurance, but I think it’s a fair personal challenge).
People asked what special tunes I listened to. I chose not to wear headphones for two reasons. One, when you are out in the middle of nowhere, you might miss a call for help which would be bad. And two, part of this challenge is about relying on myself. Finding the right voice inside my head (out of the many). I could not rely on Dave Grohl to get me out of this - he might not always be around. I needed to. I needed to learn how I could push through.
I can stop here.
Having a purpose is also important for the mental battle. During the “dark” 85-92km section, knowing that a number of people expected me to finish kept me going. I could not bear the thought of disappointing them. The look on their faces. I had to keep moving. It was also fascinating how focussing on the process was so important. During this dark period (not just because of the fading light), looking out for the marker to turn home on the diversion became very dangerous as every empty bend led to heartache. I altered my focus from not to set myself hope (“it will be just around the corner”) only to be disappointed, but instead focussing on constant progress to keep going. I was telling myself that there was nothing to be achieved by stopping now; no one is going to help me here, so I might as well keep going and I could stop at the end.
2. Everyone needs a team
No one succeeds alone. There is always a team, even in a solo event.
I love being in a team. Domestic team, work team, sports team. There is something about sharing skill set, expertise, support and having each others back. Whilst I did the run alone on the trail, I could not without a team. During the prep was important and especially on the day.
Lifelong support crew.
You know you are surrounded by the right people when you share, a somewhat outrageous goal such as a 100k run, and they don’t bat an eyelid and instead ask, “What do you need?”. Close friends provided all forms of wisdom and encouragement, concern of course, but more from a completeness strategy, rather than a talk-me-out-of-it perspective. From assistance with injury concerns, nutrition strategies to busy schedules and travel, or even just interest and encouragement in progress, they always found a way to support me.
The best part was the last 5km, a run I will never forget. Arguably the most special 5k run yet. Having watched me battle at checkpoints throughout the day, forget my manners, and perhaps worried about my safety, in pitch black darkness with a head torch, my daughter Holly ran the last 5k with me. Her encouragement was special (her eager pace after 96km perhaps not as pleasant), but an indication of how important it was to her that I achieved my goal - it also became hers - and how important a team is to achieving any goal. I suppose the questions are: who is in your team? And also whose team are you in? We all need to play lead and support roles in our teams.
I think the alignment, desire to see a goal achieved and the potential inspiration achievement possessed, bonded my group and is something I will be more aware of in teams I work with and create.
3. Everyone wants to see you succeed
I’ve seen a few examples of this lately and I’m convinced (maybe naively) that the world wants to see people succeed.
I had people close to me that wanted the best for me, and gave me their best. My wife gave me support, encouragement and understanding. So too my daughter and my mate. These important three part of my prep and event team. Colleagues at work were also naturally interested in the training and day.
And without downplaying these critical people, the point I’m trying to make here is that despite having a handful of people on the day, at each checkpoint I had a team of what seemed like 50 people cheering me on. Every other support crew member and aid station volunteer - complete strangers - were cheering me and every other runner. Everyone wanted me to succeed. And tell me how good I was looking - especially when I was not!
No one wants to see the gymnast fail the landing. Or the weightlifter miss an attempt. We are actually hoping they succeed.
A surprise team to make sure I started.
It’s something I need to be more conscious of in all my endeavours. If I’m giving a presentation, there is no one in the room hoping I make a mistake, that the slide is wrong or the projector won’t connect (remember, it’s always the HDMI!). Everyone in the room is backing me and wants to witness a great talk. I’m already going in with their support and expectation to deliver.
And perhaps it’s because our success in someway inspires others. I did not do it to inspire others, but I know it did. If a normal person like me can do it, then anyone can. I know as a result of my run, I now have a responsibility to help others achieve their moonshot goals.
What are you waiting for? Have a go. We’ve all got your back!
Halfway mark
That’s the first 50k. I will catch my breath and post the second half soon.
Thanks for reading. If you’ve enjoyed this post (or previous ones) please consider sharing via your favourite social (a couple of links below).
Thanks again. BA.