Barriers, Obstacles, Challenges Oh My!

On 14th April 2017 I undertook the 10k Rough Runner in Hampshire in the aid of a charity A2i Dyslexia. This was a very big challenge for me. I am no longer in my 20s and I was doing the run on the back of contracting Glandular Fever. To say that I wasn’t prepared is an understatement. Two weeks before undertaking the challenge I succumbed to pinched nerve in my Left arm. You can imagine what bad timing that was. Because I was unwell and had a pitched nerve in my arm I was unable to train for the event so I thought it unlikely that I would make it to the finish line.

On the day I met up with the rest of the team, one of whom was my best friend. Thank goodness for her she was quite calming and reassured me that I would make it through and if I didn’t it would not be a disaster. With her confident voice ringing in my ears I went to the starting line ready for the off with the determination to finish.

Those of you who have never heard of Rough Runner, its just like Tough Mudder, lots of obstacles, lots of hills, lots of water and yes lots of mud it’s not for the faint hearted. As I pulled myself over obstacles, ran up and down hills and scurried under netting face down in the mud it was then I thought the Rough Runner is a lot like life!

The obstacles were the barriers to my success, the hills represented my journey and crawling under the netting was my determination to succeed. I am sure those of you reading this article can relate to these analogies. We put ourselves through many challenging situations to get to the place we want to get to. Some of these challenges are thwart with danger others can be stepped around to ensure that your ready for the next encounter. The obstacles can be of your own making but often they are put in front of you by others who do not wish you to succeed for one reason or another.

Some of my journey has been thwart with danger and part of the journey has required a slight detour to enable me to regroup ready for the next stage. It is this that builds character and allows you to have the determination to carry on. When I organised the RISE Conference, I experienced all the metaphors mentioned barriers, challenges but above all determination. The results of the RISE Conference made me realise all that I had been through to organise it was 100% worth it.

When we undergo these challenges in life the end result is not always satisfactory, but how we deal with it is what makes us stand out from others. We can all say don’t give up the fight but sometimes its hard and your emotions may take you down a bad road. These feelings will not last forever but you must acknowledge them and work through them so you can fight another battle. Stay focused and remember that even if you haven’t trained you can still make it!

I made it to the finish line of the Rough Runner even though it was tough, messy and exhausting. Step by step, mile by mile I conquered the obstacles, I wanted to reach the finish line and I was able to help others by raising money for a great charity.

No matter how hard things get don’t give up. Work through the your issues get support and remember each day you try to succeed will bring you closer to your goal.

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