The 53rd Edition

So, you’ve set a goal and you’ve started training… and now reality’s hit!

Something to Think About

Big goals sound cool until you realise what they actually ask of you.

Something to Ask Yourself

Have you taken the time to understand what your goal truly requires?

Article of the Week

Runners give up more than just sleep-ins, they trade comfort, spontaneity, and even social lives for the rhythm of training. This read explores the unseen emotional and lifestyle sacrifices behind the miles, helping you feel a little less alone in the grind.

Track of the Week

I love this band.

This week’s track of the week is…

By the way, if you didn’t know, I put all these tracks in a Spotify playlist…

Personal Lesson

When I first got into ultra training, I didn’t consider the increased time I would have to dedicate to my training.

It wasn’t just about going for a few longer runs each week. If I am to perform well and sufficiently prepare for demanding ultra events, I’d have to treat this like a serious part-time job. 

That was a bit of a wake-up call. Because it forced me to stop pretending I could just “fit it in.” I had to start making room. Not squeezing it between things, but actually building my life around it. And once I accepted that, things got a lot more manageable. Still hard, but at least I wasn’t lying to myself about what it would take.

Running – Life’s Metaphor

Whether it’s running or anything else, most people love the idea of big goals. But when it comes to showing up for them, consistently, especially when it’s hard or boring or messy, that’s where people start dropping off. Understanding the reality of what’s required is the first step to actually getting there.

Final Thoughts

It’s easy to fall in love with the idea of a big goal. The finish line, the glory, the version of yourself that stands on the other side. But what’s harder is learning to love the reality of what it takes. Early alarms when you barely slept. Long sessions when your legs already feel gone. The quiet discipline of showing up when no one’s watching. None of that is glamorous. But that’s the work that counts.

You won’t get it perfect. You’ll miss sessions. Life will interrupt you. Doubt will creep in. You’ll question your plan, your progress, maybe even the point of the whole thing. That’s all part of it. What matters is whether you keep coming back with honesty and effort. Not because it’s easy, but because you’ve chosen to honour the commitment anyway.

You’ll have to make choices. Say no to things that used to be automatic. Protect your time. Rearrange your priorities so they reflect what you say you care about. It’s not about becoming obsessed. It’s about living in alignment. Letting your actions echo your intention.

So if you’re chasing something that scares you a bit, then good. That means it matters. But don’t just ask if you want the goal. Ask if you’re willing to carry the weight of it. If you are, then you’re on the right path.

Thanks again for reading and subscribing.

Run the runnable, and keep showing up for yourself!

Tommy 🙂