Why do you do it?

This is a question I get asked a lot, and last night when socialising with new neighbours , I was asked about my running.  I gave them an insight into my adventures and what usually happens is the focus goes on the difficult stages where you are digging deep.  Deeper than most people think is sensible but that's because they are working on the "factory mode safety setting" in their brain.  Achieving anything worthwhile, whether it be a fast 5k or your first half marathon or ultra marathon, involved you pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and into uncomfortable territory.  Territory where the "health and safety officer" is screaming at you to slow down.  If it was Star Trek, Scottie the engineer would be saying "the engines canny take it Captain" - but they always do.  But you're built of stronger stuff and the factory setting are to be ignored, more than once in my experience.
But you've got to want it enough to put up with the pain you are putting yourself through.  You know when you've crossed that finish line that within 10 mins, 1 hour or if really hard in a few days you'll feel better and have a big grin all over your face for the achievement.  That's also helped if you blog because you know you're going to have to report back on what you've promised.  Social media also means you'll be held accountable or your Strava followers will give you kudos which is always welcome.  It also helps motivate you to keep going - pain is temporary, but failure is forever.  And if you do give up, unless for a serious medical problem or injury, you'll regret it within 30 minutes and there's no going back.
So back to the why?  The short answer is because, as I approach my 59th birthday I realise that this journey has opened my eyes, my mind as to what is possible - I'm the fittest I've been in my life and it feels good.  I've ran in the Sahara Desert for a week and the same in the Grand Canyon while living under canvas - what a privilege, what an experience.  I've ran for 3.5 days in the mountains in Lake Tahoe, non stop, and pushed myself as close to my limit as I've ever been.  I've raced in Ironman competitions with thousands of competitors all of whom are on their own individual journey with their own story.  I go out training with my pals, like today, and we all push each other while having fun.  I guess I'm lucky to be able to do it and I was reminded of this when talking to a friend who's in his 80s today.  He said walking 300 yards to get his papers in the morning and back to his house was a real effort but he was determined to do it.  That to me sounds like a hard work out and it's all relative based on your circumstance.  If he gives up and stays house bound that would be terrible as there's plenty of life left in him yet!
So I do it because I can.  I do it because I enjoy pushing myself and showing my kids that even at this age I am still "in the game and competing" and hope it will help them raise their "bar". I do it because through these daft adventures I've raised a lot of money over the years for Maggie's Cancer Caring Centres who do such an amazing job in supporting people and families affected by cancer.  I do it because I've met people all over the world that I call friends and in Tahoe last year 9 of us from around the world joined up to run together and it was so special.  I know we'll get the chance to do it again in the future.  I've always said we're all capable of so much more and aim to keep proving that to myself.  I hope this will help you adjust your "factory mode settings" and take on some challenging adventures - you've one life, make the most of it.