Dreaming Big
that’s runnable
The 15th Edition of your favourite running newsletter
Welcome back to your weekly dose of run chat.
A quick read of insightful tips and thoughts to help you with your running.
There are few things more inspiring than seeing someone reach a goal they’ve been working hard to achieve for months and even years. Imagine how satisfying and empowering being that person yourself could be. This week, we’re going to spend a few minutes together thinking about self belief and dreaming big.
Something to Think About
People that achieve great things, at some point, started believing in themselves. They’re not people that say “I could never”, they’re people that say “what if”. They’re optimists. They dream big, and get to work.
Something to Ask Yourself
When was the last time you achieved something you once believed you never could? Is there something that inspires you, that you think only others can do? What if it was you crossing that finish line, inspiring others and proving to yourself that you’re capable of more than you once thought?
Article of the Week 📄
This article “Setting Big Running Goals: A Conversation with Nicole Antoinette” emphasises the value of ambitious running goals to boost motivation, physical and mental growth, and self-confidence. Nicole advises focusing on why the goal matters, breaking it into achievable steps, and practicing self-belief. The journey requires discipline, mental preparation, and resilience in the face of setbacks. By following her advice, runners can discover their potential and achieve significant milestones in their running journey.
Track of the Week 🎶
One of my all-time favourite artists has started to gift us with new music. So, this week’s Track of the Week is:
S P E Y S I D E by Bon Iver (2024)
Personal Lesson
During the COVID lockdown in the Summer of 2020, I started watching Youtube documentaries from Billy Yang, Wes Plate and others. I’d heard of ultra running, but it was never something I thought I could do. Imagine running more than a Marathon distance in one push! But these beautifully made documentaries were captivating to me. I found myself fascinated by these everyday people pushing themselves to their absolute limits.
I’m not sure when it happened, but one day I started to believe that maybe I, too, could take on a challenge like this. Maybe I could prove to myself I was capable of more.
I’ve spoken about it in a previous Newsletter, but the finish line of my first 100KM mountain ultra is the most memorable day in my running journey so far. I’d taken on a challenge I once thought only others could do, and I’d proven to myself that I, too, was capable of great things.
Without dreaming big, I never would’ve put in the time and dedication to achieve this audacious goal. It started with inspiration, then a dream, then action.
Running – Life’s Metaphor
You have to dream big if you’re to start taking action to achieve big goals. But achieving anything big has to start with self belief. If you don’t first believe you can, and don’t dream big, you will never take the necessary action to achieve things you never thought you could.
Final Thoughts
Dreaming big is a powerful force when it comes to setting and achieving your running goals. It ignites a sense of purpose, pushing you to break through mental and physical barriers that once seemed insurmountable. By aiming high, you challenge yourself to go beyond your comfort zone, unlocking new levels of endurance, strength, and mental resilience. Big dreams create a roadmap for progress, fuelling your motivation even on the toughest days. They keep you focused on the possibilities, reminding you that growth comes from ambition. In running, as in life, it’s the bold, seemingly unattainable goals that lead to the most profound achievements and personal transformation.
While dreaming big is essential, it’s equally important to break those dreams into actionable, smaller steps. Achieving ambitious running goals doesn’t happen overnight, but through consistent effort and incremental progress. Each mile, each training session, and every personal record along the way builds toward the bigger picture.
The journey is just as significant as the destination, teaching you discipline, patience, and the value of perseverance. When you stay committed to the process, those big dreams gradually come into focus, transforming from distant aspirations to tangible realities. Ultimately, dreaming big sets the vision, but it’s the daily dedication that turns those dreams into accomplishments.
So, dare to dream big, commit to the work, and watch yourself shatter the limits you once thought impossible.