I quite often write about WHY and its importance if you want to reach a goal in any area of your life.
Yesterday I ran the Bupa Birmingham Half Marathon with a couple of Team Achieve members along with approximately 20,000 other runners.
Each had their own reason for doing it,
some had their reason on their t-shirt. Running for charity and to support loved ones who were struggling with illness.
Every runner would have had a different reason that meant something to them personally and gave them a reason to finish. It was a warm but windy day and the route is challenging, in the final 3 miles we saw about 10 people lying at the side of the road with medical assistance.
Completing a half marathon is something that many people believe is beyond them and with that belief they are right. It is certainly a challenge that should not be taken lightly but I believe that it is within everybody to complete anything the wish if they have a strong enough WHY.
I enter events to support our members and to keep proving to myself that I can.
I completed an extreme Ironman last year because I wanted to prove that I wasn't old at 40. Our members enter them for many reasons including those above, sometimes because I have encouraged or gently coerced them, sometimes because I have signed them up and put it in their diary ;)
The Birmingham Half Marathon was a great event with plenty of support and jelly babies on route. The full route was lined with
spectators who were shouting and cheering for the strangers that ran through their neighbourhoods.
One of our members wore a Superman t-shirt that ensured he high-fived his way around the whole route with kids being excited and shouting out to the superhero running past. To the point where he is now considering full fancy dress for the next one :)
Knowing your reason WHY is the key to achieving anything you
want. We can help you do that as part of the coaching we offer at Achieve. Our next bootcamp starts a week today, you can apply to join here - http://www.achievebootcamp.co.uk/when/application-form/
Darren 'why not?' Checkley
P.S. This email was inspired by one of members who ran yesterday and posted the following status. Sometimes the
only why you need is that you can. Thank you Kathryn.
Today, I dragged myself around the Great Birmingham half marathon. As I was struggling along between miles 7 and 8, the wind blew a scattering of autumn
leaves from the trees, and it reminded me to appreciate how beautiful the world can be. For a few minutes, I forgot the pain, to just be in the moment and enjoy its perfection. There are so many people running for charity. It made me think of all those who can't run, due to illness, disability or lack of belief in themselves. I realised that one of the things I like about myself is that I keep signing up to these things, even though I know it will hurt and I will dread it. For all those of you
who have asked me why I put myself through this, the answer is that I do it because I can. In a world where so many people can't, maybe it's because I should.