I’m currently sitting in a small courtyard, within Galle Fort Sri Lanka. I have a fresh pineapple juice, a perfectly cooked tuna steak. To my side is my notebook and I’m penning my thoughts 3 days following the DNF at Ultra X Sri Lanka.
This race was the dream race; it was always the goal. I remember the moment like it was yesterday when I made the decision I was going to do this race, that, I was going to do, and complete Sri Lanka. That was the 27th July 2019, and where the story begins.
The start line was scheduled for March 2020, but a certain pandemic changed that, and whilst I was packed and ready, but, 24hrs before I was due to fly out, the borders were closed and Sri Lankan Airlines cancelled the flight.
In hindsight, I think this was a blessing in disguise, as the reality is, I was probably very unprepared for this race, and was akin to a lamb to the slaughter!
It remained the target, the goal, and the dream, yet my training fluctuated as the unpredictability of the pandemic meant trying to build for anything, hard work. My training took a knock as did my mental health.
The result of the on-off approach to training and me trying to push myself threw me into a cycle of injuries. The list includes damaged ankle ligaments, a couple of cases of tendinopathy, one grade 1 tear of the right calf and one grade 2 tear of the left calf.
Apparently these ‘experiences’ are meant to make you stronger. Maybe it did, but it also tested my patience no end! 2022, and it’s back on. The grade 2 calf tear I mentioned, well that occurred on the 13th September 2021; it was at that point, we had no idea if I would even make the start line, but why give up before we have even started? There is always a way to make the dream happen! So let’s try!
Over time, through many events, I have learnt to always have more than one goal at any race, ideally, 3. Gold, Silver and Bronze!
Usually, this goes as PB, Finish, then enjoy it no matter what… in that order.
Focus on the journey, not the destination. Joy is found not in finishing an activity but in doing it.
Greg Anderson
The journey really starts from the moment you decided to sign up, to well after the event is finished. The memories and your reflections also form part of this.
It will be full of twists and turns, and things you never expect, but that’s also part of the fun.
“Control what you can control, and have fun with the rest!”
Everything, believe it or not, will help you grow. (Although we don’t always see it at the time!)
I honestly feel, if you just want a finish line, chase a 5k, 10k or a half marathon, whatever works for you. A marathon will challenge you, and an ultra marathon will change you.
If you want to go deep inside yourself, do a multi-stage ultra.
Ultra X has always been about the experience, centred around the community. A community that very quickly feels like family.
I have watched many people join Ultra X over the past 3 years and immediately ‘get it. They very quickly become part of, and embrace the experience.
It’s taken me these 3 days for the disappointment of not finishing, for me to go back to those 3 goals and remember that bronze target; Enjoy the experience.
How it’s enjoyed is a very ‘type 2’ way, but that experience is, and was, incredible.
From the fellow competitors, sharing a tent with 5 others, and they become your family. The locals who don’t speak a word of English, but are there with buckets of water, a smile and will encourage you forwards. These are memories that will never leave me.
I stand proud of what I achieved. As I said, 6 months ago, I didn’t know if I’d make the start line, and I did make it. I covered 100s of KMs. I made it to day 5 and checkpoint 2, to a point where I was 30 km from the finish.
We showed up, and we gave it everything we had, everything.
You don’t always get the cards you want to play the game you planned, however we get the cards we need.
I’ve learnt to accept that.
This is my journey of growth. My first Ultra X, 5 Day Multistage has taught me so much.
More than I could have ever asked for.
And the journey doesn’t end here.
Photos by @aaronrolph / @ultraxco
Running To Feel 
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