Samaritans’ Post

Walking 100 KM is not impossible. But how many get to do it and experience it? In the year 2013, I did a 100 KM walk as part of an NGO fundraising event/initiative. I had run a half marathon by then and was very anxious if I could walk 100 KM. I prepared for the same for about 3 months and I could do it in about 22 hours. We secured the 25th position out of 200+ teams. What's the point? Any damn thing seems difficult and impossible to do when you have not done it. In walking from point A (100 KM seems like a crazy distance) to point B (walking 100 KM in 22 hours), I discovered the following. 💥 Human endurance is really crazy. The more you work on it, the more you can expand it. Both physically and mentally. 💥 I could stay sane all through walking that distance. 💥 I learned I can make progress despite challenges that came my way (several injuries) 💥 I learned that I could enjoy training for the same if I had a great team with me 💥 I learned that there were people who ran that 100 KM instead of walking! 💥 Every participant was going through pain and agony as part of walking that 100 KM, but no one was sort of the spirit that they brought together as a team. And many more. In life, anything that looks extraordinarily huge to you, know that it can be done. Just break it down into pieces and start doing it in small sizes. In no time, you will have not only achieved it but will be going beyond it as you discover the truth for yourself as you do it. By the way, 5 years from there, I did a 24-hour stadium run (I did run and walk) and finished about 107 KM. :-) #endurance #nothingisimpossible #mindset #author #motivation #ganeshkuduva 🎯 Follow me if you liked this post and share ♻️ it in your network

I had the opportunity to be a volunteer cheerer for Samaritans at Sunday's marathon and what a great experience, a few things I took from the day: 1️⃣ I will never be able to run a marathon! 2️⃣ The important of allyship and supporting others.  I wondered how much impact a cheerer could have until I saw runners breaking into smiles and running that little bit faster when they heard their names being called out by strangers in the crowd. We all need a cheerleader in our lives, but do we do enough of it? Look for that opportunity to cheer someone on today. 3️⃣ Life is a marathon!  We are all in it for the long haul and there will be parts of life’s course that are tougher to get through than others and that’s ok. Not every training day will have been a good one for the runners on Sunday but they picked themselves up, learned something from the experience and got up and ran again.  4️⃣ The Samaritans are a great organisation Samaritans' vision is that fewer people die by suicide. Their volunteers spend over one million hours a year responding to calls for help, and every 90 minutes, someone in the UK or Ireland dies by suicide. Whatever you're going through, call them free any time, from any phone on 116 123. If you participated, what did you take from the experience? Travelers Europe #mentalhealth #marathon #allyship #inclusion #resilience #growthmindset #believeintomorrow

Looking at goals through a different lens: My goal this year was to train for a 200mile relay with a 12man team, run a 1/2 marathon in Indy, and was seriously pondering a full marathon too making a full Fall race schedule. Training for those events means little downtime between the end of Fall 2023 and picking up training again. Training that included more strength along with keeping the miles going. Each of these races came with a commitment to not only be physically ready, but to find people (people like YOU!) to come beside me and join me in ending the water walk ($50 changes 1 life). Anyways —- my goal stays the same - raise $15,000 changing the lives of 300 people by November 2024! I’m at it by putting miles in, but miles aren’t fast. That isn’t a failure. Scratching off the races this season isn’t a failure either. Just changing perspective. Mommas are walking everyday to get water for their families. They are walking pregnant, sick, injured, tired, hungry, (full in the blank). So because they are moving even when their bodies are telling them otherwise, I’ll keep moving too. My mile time today means nothing. Okay it does mean something and it takes work to change that perspective! But it is a change worth making. It’s just the beginning of a new year - you may be working on your family budget or work budget. Would you consider adding Team Workd Vision into your budget? Even 12 wks pregnant I’m still moving because mommas are doing it all the time for their kids. My year changed dramatically and I can’t wait, but that doesn’t mean I just ditch a goal. It’s time to dig in it a different way! #runningmomma #goals #perspective #changemakers #waterislife

It’s all about perspective, and boy, how it can change. 10 years ago, running the marathon was all about racing and pushing myself to my limits. 70 mile weeks, speed workouts, training with a coach, and one hell of a competitiveness…mainly against myself. 10 years ago I ran the Marine Corps Marathon with my sights on running a qualifying time for the Boston Marathon. 26.2 miles, nonstop, at 8:09 min/mile. At 38 yrs old, I finally made it. Snagged myself a spot for the 2015 Boston Marathon with a 12 minute cushion. I was so proud of myself. Flash forward 10 years…2023. It’s all so different now. In October, I will be running my 3rd Marine Corps Marathon. It’s been four years since my last marathon. I’m nervous. It’s going to hurt. 26.2 miles always does no matter how fast or slow you go. However, this time, it’s not about the race. I’m running to normalize the conversation surrounding mental health in the first responder community. Yesterday was my first run in almost five weeks (I have a lot of catching up to do). Got five miles in and felt pretty good. If I was on track with training, today would have been a 15 miler, but of course I’m not. Life happens, but it’s ok. Today’s altered goal…8 miles no matter how long it takes, and 90 minutes on my feet. I must say, by mile six these legs were tired, but I chugged through. Solid 8 miles done with a half mile cool down walk to hit those 90 minutes. 13 miles in two days…just about halfway to 26.2. I’ll take that as a win 🙌🏻 Did you know that each year, more first responders die by suicide than any other line of duty death? Did you know that an estimated 80% of first responders experience some sort of negative mental health symptom at some point in their career or in retirement? This is why I’m running on the Survive First team for the First Responder Resilience Project…so that our first responders never have to fight alone. So here we are. 11 weeks out from toeing the start line again, and I’d love to have your support! I’m just under half way to my fundraising goal of $2,500. Would you consider making a donation? I can tell you your dollars will go toward saving a life and I can also tell you we can’t do it without you. Our programming is dependent on the generous contributions from people just like you. All you have to do is click the link below to make your contribution. Be part of the change and save a life in the process. Thank you so much, and always remember… Together we make a difference. Together we save lives. Donate here👇🏼 https://lnkd.in/eiqKAUZJ

Nothing and everything has changed since September 11, 2022.  Each 9/11 remembrance day is significant in my life. But this one seems different than all the others. Last year, on September 11th, I stood in the mud for 20 minutes on the grassy shore, waiting to enter Lake Monona in Madison, Wisconsin, on a cold, wet, dreary day with zero chance of respite from the conditions. I was preparing for the start of Ironman Wisconsin. It would be my tenth full-distance triathlon. I was racing in honor of the fallen heroes and families of 9/11 by raising funds for the Tunnel to Towers Foundation, a charitable organization founded in tribute to New York Fire Department firefighter Stephen Siller, who died on September 11, 2001, during attacks. I knew the race would be challenging. Still, in my mind, the outcome was never in doubt. As I have done in nine previous Ironman distance races, I finished. Over a lifetime of endurance sports and personal challenges, I have developed the mindset for enduring by building the physical and mental strength to overcome adversity. Like the victims of the 9/11 attacks, I didn't know my fate that day. But somehow, I knew this race could be my last Ironman and the beginning of a new phase of my life. Three months later, I was diagnosed with a tumor that would turn out to be cancer. Sometimes, we don't get to choose our destiny; our destiny chooses us. Every Ironman race is a long, hard day. It helps to have a mantra to keep you focused. For Ironman Wisconsin, my mantra was "Move Forward."  As the cliche states, the secret to endurance sports and enduring challenging life experiences is to "put one foot in front of the other." My dedication to endurance has taken me to a great place in my life. It has transformed me physically, emotionally, and mentally into who I am today: a man ready to take on cancer. #neverforget #endurance #theironceo #mindset #livingmybestlife

🎖 I completed my first Marathon! 🎖 This past weekend, I ran The San Francisco Marathon! As with all challenging tasks, what you learn through the process far outweighs what were you seeking in the beginning. Here are some lessons I learned that made it all worth it: 🏃♀️ Honoring Individual Pace: Every runner has a different pace in a marathon, and trying to match someone else's can be detrimental. Just as in life, honoring our individual journey is crucial, and comparisons are unnecessary distractions. Whether you complete a marathon in three hours or five, the triumph lies in your perseverance and the courage to keep moving towards the finish line. 📣 Harmonizing External and Internal Motivation: The cheers and support from the crowd were energizing, and deciding to do the run for charity kept me from giving up on my training. As uplifting as community support and a meaningful mission are, they should be balanced with a potent intrinsic motivation to learn and grow. (To that end, I am beyond grateful for my friends and family, who, through Race to Rescue, raised over $1500 for the International Justice Mission! 🙏 Your support is invaluable, and for those still wishing to contribute to combatting human trafficking, please use this link: https://lnkd.in/g5VDyzVB). 🤕 Embracing Discomfort as a Catalyst for Growth: Whether it's IT band syndrome, plantar fasciitis, or cramping (I experienced them all), it's important to remember that discomfort is a signal of growth. It means you're stretching beyond what was previously feasible. So, let's reframe our perception of discomfort, viewing it as the springboard for lasting transformation. 🎉 The Power of Celebrating and Being Celebrated: Individual achievements are milestones along our shared path of growth. Celebrating others is an acknowledgement of their efforts, fostering a culture of positivity. Conversely, allowing ourselves to be celebrated affords others the opportunity to share in our joy, reinforcing bonds of empathy and gratitude in our collective human experience. What personal passions or pursuits have you found parallels in your professional development? I'd love to hear about your metaphorical "marathons" below! #MarathonLessons #SanFranciscoMarathon #PersonalDevelopment #GiveBack

It is always a daunting task to make a transition from what you've been used to (particularly if it's a fast paced corporate/technical environment) to one where you must support yourself (freelancer/entrepreneur/coach). I've always found that running has been a grounding and therapeutic activity for me. It's what has kept me going through thick and thin; it's what's kept me healthy and well through these troubling, uncertain times; and the biggest reason that I have been able to overcome all the obstacles that have come my way. I'm curious - what is YOUR HEALTH trick? What do you do to stay healthy and mentally/emotionally well? I am currently training for my 6th marathon on my 6th continent: Chile, South America in October and while I've been training, it's been HUMBLING. As you age, there is much more to consider to stay healthy and injury-free, such as stretching, rolling and doing cold plunges, in order to keep running without worries. I am fundraising for my race, as I'll be supporting and bringing awareness to Suicide Prevention, which is a personally important cause for me based on my own lived experiences. If I've ever been of service to you and helped you in any way, please consider a donation. Even $10 or $26.2 can make a difference. Feel free to learn more and make a contribution at: https://lnkd.in/eGJbAKMj I am also interested in creating a new support group for those wanting to run their first or next marathons. If it's been a goal of yours to run your first marathon, please reach out to me. I remember what it was like, how difficult and miserable it was in the beginning training by myself. Being a part of a supportive, motivational group with other likeminded runners will be helpful for getting you to the Finish Line. If you're interested in running marathons across the world, including on Antartica, I have an article about my run on my profile, and would be happy to share about how you can accomplish such a goal as running a marathon on every continent. I hope that we can all find something, such as running, that can offer us peace of mind and serenity during our difficult times to get us through, stronger than ever. Thank you for your time and attention! It is greatly appreciated, no matter how small or large. When we support one another, however we do it, we pay it forward and the world becomes a better place. With warmth and joy, 🤗 jenney #motivation #humpday #humpdaywednesday #humpdaymotivation #marathon #marathontraining #marathonrunner #7continents7marathons #7continentsclub #aspirations #aspirational #fundraising #suicideprevention #suicideawareness #suicidepreventionawareness

Let's talk about choices, risks and rewards (and a bit of walking, just for the hell of it 😉). Next Saturday, I will (hopefully) participate in the Macmillan Cancer Support #GowerPeninsularMightyHike in memory of our friend Tracey. I have come to uttering words that I had no concept I would say 8 months ago. If completed, it would be my 2nd marathon hike in just over a week and my 3rd (bar a couple of km) in 3 weeks! However, last week’s #JerseyParkLewis100 (https://lnkd.in/eGDTBfFK) might have been one step too far. Pounding around the tarmac path for lap after lap has given me a knee issue. I ascended 1500m, but of course, also descended 1500m, and it played havoc with my ageing left knee, leaving me with difficulty walking this week. It was my choice to squeeze in the walk, although in hindsight, it was a little close to the #GowerMightyHike, but I thought everything would be fine given the training completed. The risk was obvious; if I injured myself, I would potentially fail at my goal. The reward, however, was more than I imagined. Not only did we swell the Just Giving page (https://lnkd.in/eMzeVMtj) to £1800, but there was some inspirational help and encouragement from the local community. This leaves me with another choice. Do I protect my body and call off the hike I have been building up to, or do I throw caution to the wind and battle on regardles? The risk in participating (after talking to the quack) might be lasting permanent damage to the knee. So, by not participating, the reward is my body lives to fight another day. However, the penalty of not participating would mean that not only do I let down my sponsors and the memory of Tracey, but I also wonder what impact that would have on my mind. I have come to understand the importance of creating a decent work/life balance, looking after oneself and the people closest to you, and the need to belong to a local community. For many of us, the harshest critic we would ever encounter is yourself (although, if you know me, you might say it is me arguing with you 😅). So, I need to be comfortable in my choice, balance the risk vs reward, and choose wisely. As with all risk analyses, you can also look to mitigate those risks. In this case, I have knee strapping, freeze spray, Voltorol, Deep Heat, walking sticks, the backup of the Macmillan team, everyone in CloudShare, you lot, and a guy I have yet to meet. Steve Williams and I started this journey at a similar time for similar reasons, and we have often spoken over social media. His words last night were, “I’m going to be walking with you from start to finish, mate; we can carry each other across the line if it comes to it; we will both be ok… we will cross that finish line together”. What can be more encouraging than this? So, let’s strap up and get going. If I must hop 27 miles, I will. What could possibly go wrong? 

Last night I had a Bad Run 🏃🏻♀️ It was supposed to be our last big run before the Leeds half marathon next weekend. We designed it to give us confidence and a psychological boost, to prove our legs had the distance. The final push before I go Tapering in Tuscany next week (hurrah). But I barely got 15k in before I boinked. I started berating myself. This time last year I was running full marathons, what’s wrong me with me? I gave myself the full dressing down; you’re too old, you’ve gained weight, you’re letting your friend down, you’re a total fraud… Urgh, who needs enemies when you’ve got Imposter Syndrome! It does something funny to your brain, having to quit on something that ‘should’ be easy. But here’s the thing I’ve learned about Imposter Syndrome - it should be celebrated because it means you’ve done something to feel fraudulent about 🎉 I may have been feeling like my shins were about to snap off, but I was out there, on a cold Monday evening, putting in the miles. And once you’ve celebrated all you’ve achieved, it is SO much easier to be kind to yourself. Mega mega gentle and kind. So that’s where I am this morning. No self-flagellation. No existential crisis and questioning my life choices. It was just one Bad Run and I’ve got this 💪 #impostersyndrome #running #mindsetmatters #entrepreneurmindset #leeds

Hidden in plain sight, and watching every move I made. And trust me, as a non runner on my second training 'run' for the #Cardiff10k- I can guarantee it wasn't a pretty sight for this deer hiding in the long grass! 🦌 Well, not by my usual graceful standards of being a lane swimmer, or a hip swaying Latin dancer. I know what I'm good at, and I know how to delegate, which was something that took me a long time to master. When it comes to getting a #manuscriptassessment or our #books edited and published, there are many who don't delegate tasks to those who know what they're doing, Choosing instead to produce something homemade, and which looks it. When it comes to my 'running' it doesn't take an expert to know that I'm struggling, or that my technique is all off, along with my breathless singing... and not the sexy kind of breathless either! I may enjoy the scenery, maybe loving the new #running playlist I've downloaded to motivate me and keep pace, But the tightness and inability to breathe? ... yeah, no. Not so much. So why the hell am I choosing to do a 10k for Tough To Talk ? Well, #mentalhealth issues aren't easy to deal with either, and yet many of us struggle through them, often alone. If I found running easy, then doing a 10k to raise money and awareness wouldn't be a challenge representative of the challenges faced by those I'm raising money to support. Many of the men in the #ManUp book channeled the overpowering testosterone through sport. Others got out into nature. So for me to honour the stories shared by these men, I thought I'd go for a run out in the fields - which also meant I could hide my own embarrassment of being seen running, Again, something many who suffer mental health issues do - they hide what they're going through. I'm still not brave enough to run through the streets of Cardiff, but I'm going to go for my 3rd training run today without hiding in the fields of the Berkshire countryside. Hiding doesn't do us any good at all. Whether that is hiding our success, our talents, our views or our challenges. So if I can motivate or inspire just one of you to do something you've always wanted to do, go somewhere you've always wanted to go, speak up for something or someone - including yourself, Or encourage you to reach out and get the help you need - or want, Then that for me is a great day. You'll find lots of help and support in my books, courses, #coaching, and by messaging me. I may not be able to help you directly, but I can point you in a direction I feel may help you. Remember, we're all in this game of life together, and if we can make someone else smile, then it's worth waking up. Have a great day everyone, you deserve it! With love and #gratitude to all of you who show up here as yourselves with me, for me and most importantly for yourselves and others! Together we can make a difference... even if it is a hot sweaty mess at times! Until tomorrow folks! #authoractivist