How bad do you want it?

Another weeks training in the "bag"and a step closer to my goals  for 2021.  The weather's not been kind but it's preparing me for the winter months ahead.  It takes a certain mental approach, one which I am constantly working on, to be lying in a warm bed listening to the wind and rain battering the windows and head out to complete a run session in the dark. My choice of clothes becomes essential as too many layers and not only will I boil but my performance will be affected.  On the other hand if I I'm too cold then that really does slow me down.
On Monday I had to step up my distance and ran 16 km in cold windy conditions.  Saturday was again wet but at least Chatelherault provided some shelter.  Fortunately this week I've had 4 indoor cycling sessions so I haven't needed to face the elements so much but I've probably come out of some of those sessions wetter than being out doors in the rain - they can be a real sweat fest! But I'm getting into my turbo sessions and enjoy having visible targets / measurements to aim at all the way through the session.
I've made some progress in the gym and can now complete pull ups and dips which before wasn't possible.  I can feel the difference in my body and as I'll be carrying a week's provisions on my back for a week while running in my "A" race next year, I will need to be a lot stronger.  Running 6 mountain marathons in 7 days will be hard enough but carrying your own gear saps your energy  meaning you have to be strong physically.
This leads on to the title of today's blog; How bad do you want it?  This to me is the "killer question" because a week (my "A race") of discomfort is tough to go through.  Every day you wake up under canvas and hopefully it hasn't rained so you are dry.  You're generally cold as it's early morning and the sun isn't up.  You make your breakfast, usually porridge or wheetabix, powdered milk, nuts and raisins before dragging your stiff body to the start line.  You're excited about the day ahead but know you will have to manage the physical pain, perhaps blisters or chaffing from the ruck sack, and the mental demons that have a habit of disrupting your peaceful mind when it gets tough.  When you finish the day you tend to your feet before anything else as this could end your race early.  Then prepare dinner (boil in the bag freeze dry food) then climb in your sleeping bag and get as good a nights sleep as you can - in Grand 2 Grand I didn't have 1 night on an even floor - there were rocks and jaggy bushes to contend with and well as some steep slopes.
That description might not have you rushing out to sign up for a multi-day staged race but it's that challenge that drives me.  If it was easy then what would the point be.  Meeting people from all around the world who share this passion is great fun, a collective of "inspirational lunatics".  Everyone has an amazing story and much of the week is learning from each other.  They become friends for life and social media makes keeping in touch and planning the next adventure easy.
Through my blog I try and give you an insight into my journey, the adventures, the challenges I face and how I get through them.  I've said before Mohammad Ali said "If your goals don't scare you then you haven't set them high enough".  In the end it comes down to How bad do you want it?  Go smash those goals.