Mental toughness

Over the years this blog has been running I have covered the important topic of mental toughness. In Ironman and MdS it was as much mental as it was physical. This morning when I woke to the sound of the wind whistling past the house with sheets of rain battering the windows, I though what nutter would want to go out in this weather?  I was meeting up with my ultra pals but I knew they might do a shorter (10-15 miles) but faster run.  That didn't really suit me and the fact they were going out on the roads therefore being fully exposed to the elements didn't appeal either.
So I headed off to run 15 miles on my own on a forrest trail to get some protection from the wind and rain.  It was very wet and cold and as I approached the end of the first lap I was considering giving up.  My feet were soaking wet and I was past trying to avoid puddles as they were every where. Some company would have helped but feeling sorry for yourself doesn't help.  Then I remembered I'd be writing this blog and what would my excuse have been? I needed to toughen up and just get on with it, so I did. When I got home I has to hose the mud off my running tights, while wearing them, before I was allowed in the house. Does that count as an ice bath?
Preparing for a 53 mile ultra isn't easy and there will be lots of dark moments as there were today.  But you need to put yourself in these positions where doubt, pain, discomfort and fatigue are in abundance so you can work your way through it. The more you do that the better your results. Having you read my blog also makes me "man up" when required so thank you. Mental toughness is required in all aspects of life but it's something you continually need to work at as I found out today!