Sunday 30 January 2022

Dare to dream

I'm typing this as I watch the Australian Open and Nadal is staging a come back having been 2 sets down.  Obviously I don't know what the outcome will be but he's putting everything into this match that would make him the worlds best ever tennis player with 21 Grand Slam titles, if he succeeds.  The reason I'm bringing tennis into my blog, is that even Nadal will dream of winning and his focus is laser sharp.  Even when it looked like he was down and out he believed in himself and is still going strong.  Every training session he ever does will have that goal of a 21st Grand Slam - today we will see if he can convert them but he has a worth opponent who is equally dreaming of his 2nd Grand Slam victory. The commentators have just said this is all about "heart and hunger" and hopefully he can pull off what would be a miraculous victory. 
Back to every day life now.  Back to how to go from 12 km to 150km in 13 weeks!  This week I had a back niggle that needed treatment but this just disrupted my gym work, not my running.  It's sorted now but a reminder as to how your plans can be disrupted and I really can't afford to be injured.
It's getting real.  My Canadian friends Mike & Kristine are racing the Ultra 125 X in Inverness with me - they entered first and I was going to support them but then decided it would be better to join them in the race.  Mike is going to run solo so I will be running with Kristine, as long as I can keep up!  I'm now starting to look at the logistics and yesterday went out and bought new poles to replace the ones I broke in the ROS last year.  My pal Michael Martin is already talking about mountain running so I bought some micro crampons as it will be snowy and icy at the mountain tops.
And all of this is because I dare to dream.  The dream is going back to Romania for the 250km multi staged ultra.  I aim to build on last years disappointment and come home with the precious medal around my neck and a rucksack full of wonderful memories. In the end it's the memories that are the most precious take aways from these adventures.  What's your dream and how bad do you want it because in the end, that will determine your success.  I'd wish you luck but luck has nothing to do with it - it's sticking to a well thought out plan and executing it.