From the Rugby Pitch to 100K:
If you’d told me a few months ago that I’d be spending my May evenings tracking kilometre after kilometre, I would have laughed you right out of the clubhouse.
As a rugby player, I’m built for short, explosive bursts of power. In May, I decided to take on the 100k in May challenge for Summits Up.
As a rugby player, I’m built for short, explosive bursts of power. In May, I decided to take on the 100k in May challenge for Summits Up.
The beginning of the month was brutal, long-distance running felt like a mental battleground. There were days when my legs felt like lead, the rain was coming down and my body begged me to stop.
But as the days ticked by the kilometres started stacking up.I wasn’t just running away from my comfort zone; I was running toward a better version of myself.The Power of Purpose
The biggest surprise wasn’t the physical transformation, but the mental one. Lately, I’d been feeling a bit adrift. By committing to 100k, I suddenly had a daily anchor.
- A Daily Mission: No matter how chaotic or low my day was, I had a definitive goal to hit. It gave me a powerful sense of purpose.
- Breaking the Cycle: The challenge forced me to take a hard look at my habits. Instead of heading to the pub after a stressful day or a weekend match, I was lacing up my trainers. Cutting back on drinking for the month.
- Building Healthy Habits: Swapping pints for pacing woke me up to what my body and mind actually needed. I slept better, ate to fuel my runs, and woke up without the mental fog of a hangover.
"I realised that the discipline I use on the rugby pitch could be used to protect my peace off it."
Setting Bigger Goals
Now that I've done the 100k my next challenge is the Nottingham Robin Hood with the Summits Up team. I never thought I'd run a half marathon but this challenge has shown me how powerful stepping out of my comfort zone is for my physical and mental health.
