Planet Earth - Duran Duran

This is Planet Earth - Le Bon, Rhodes & Taylor

Life is a series of moments strung together over a period of time. That time being called 'Life' itself. The moments we love to recall are those of great happiness and success perhaps, and like most people I can recall plenty of fist punching moments during my sixty-three nearly sixty-four-year existence on planet earth.

 

I can of course recall an equal number of dark moments when 'Life' didn't make sense and when things were so bad there seemed to be no way out, but luckily those moments passed away, and I’ve navigated myself to safer waters.

 

I recall warmly my final run into Lisbon after 2004kms on the road, knees buckling in relief, but I also recall taking just four steps after being paralysed with GBS with equal warmth.

 

Each has its own merits and I'm glad both moments are engrained into my DNA.

 

My message to day is to enjoy 'Life' and take whatever it brings you good or bad as it's these moments that make 'Life' worth living.

1,233 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - 1 Life 

A Momentary Lapse of Reason - The Pink Floyd

One slip and down a hole we fall - Gilmour

Is there anything in the world that's free? Even the air and water aren't free! Especially if your car requires either at the petrol station or at Waitrose where a litre of ionised water costs a staggering £2.25.

 

However, ‘Free-time’ is actually what it says - Free. A Free gift, which sadly gets frittered away whenever something else pops up to distract us from taking advantage of a momentary lapse of freedom.

 

Take today, and I'm sure just like you I've had a Trojan of a first week back, working all hours God sends to make my business succeed. I did however make some space today to run 42.2km and enjoy the elements of a very cold yet bright trip to Barrybados and back.

 

On these 'Day outs' as I refer to them, topography is viewed, change is seen, weed is smelt (a lot) and most of all, life's good things are realised. I mean, the whole 42.2km is free. Free from distraction, negativity and demands of others. All you do is breath in the scenery and keep running until you've had your fill.

Over the weekend why not spend your free time more wisely and cash in on the outdoors?

1,233 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - One Life

Good morning Judge - 10cc

Judging your progress against other peoples can do far more harm than good. Whilst observing others can often inspire, measuring your success against someone else’s life, abilities, or achievements is rarely a good thing as it can undermine your confidence, motivation, and mental well-being.

Firstly, everyone’s journey is different. People start at different levels, have access to different resources, face unique challenges, and carry unseen baggage. When you compare yourself to someone else, you are usually comparing your inner failings to their visible success. 

You’re not aware of their failures, sacrifices, doubts, or support systems that shaped their progress. Judging yourself without accounting for these hidden factors gives an unrealistic view of your own value.

Secondly, constant comparison erodes your self-esteem. When you focus on what others are doing better, you train your mind to overlook your own strengths, growth, and achievements. Over time, this can create a sense of inadequacy, even when you are making genuine progress. No matter how much you achieve, there will always be someone who appears to be more successful, more talented, or further ahead than you. If your self-worth depends on being ‘better’ than others, you will never feel secure or complete.

Thirdly, comparing yourself to others distracts you from your own goals. Instead of asking, ‘What do I want?’ or ‘What matters to me?’, your attention shifts to meeting external expectations. This can lead you to pursue paths that don’t align with your values, simply because they look impressive or are socially rewarded. True fulfilment comes from progress that feels meaningful to you, not from keeping pace with someone else’s timeline.

Another reason to avoid self-judgment through comparison is that growth is not linear. People develop at different speeds in different areas of life. Someone may excel early and struggle later, whilst another may progress slowly but steadily over time - your current position does not define your potential.

Finally, self-comparison weakens self-compassion. When you judge yourself harshly, you leave little room for learning or mistakes. Yet mistakes are essential for growth. Treating yourself with understanding allows you to improve without shame. 

In the end, the most meaningful comparison is not between you and others, but between who you are today and who you were yesterday. Progress, however small, deserves reward. By letting go of comparison, you give yourself permission to grow at your own pace, define success on your own terms, and appreciate your unique path.

1,232 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - Never Self-Judged

Changes - David Bowie

Time may change me - Bowie

Anybody can change. But you can’t change yesterday. Lots of people live life looking in the rear-view mirror - it’s not about what’s gone it’s about the way ahead. You can’t change what’s gone but you can shape the future, and that future for me was a sheet of blank A4 paper. 

I knew the things I didn’t want to do anymore. I didn’t want to drink, I didn’t want to smoke, I didn’t want to eat rubbish food. I didn’t want to waste my time. That was the hard thing. I was wasting my time, I was wasting my life, I was going to waste my future. 

 

What I could do was to shape the things that the new Rory Coleman was going to do on one side of A4. 

 

It was a truly exciting moment. A moment when I thought, okay what shall I do? I know I’ll start by getting fit.

 

After standing on the scales, I went for a run from my front door on a very cold and wet January evening in 1994, for about 100 steps it turned out, in my jeans, my winter jacket and my leather shoes because I hadn’t any running gear. There was no Internet to go to, and research how to run, so I just thought ‘let’s do it’. And passed out after 100 steps but it didn’t matter because I’d found my thing.

 

For any budding marathon runner, London is always the bait, is always the lure, and I signed up for the London Marathon in April 1995. 56 days post my first marathon in Telford, I was lighter, faster, fitter and literally I jogged around in 3 hours 54 minutes. Marathons one and two ticked off…

 

Going past Cutty Sark, going over Tower Bridge, running over the cobbles (you did back then), and then turning that final corner by Buckingham Palace, I was caught on the BBC TV highlights coming over of the line, arms in the air, and that was it. 

 

I’d arrived and it was just the most amazing feeling ever. 

 

And I loved it so much that I went and ran another marathon the week after and another one the week after that. And I’ve been running marathons every 8.7 days since. 

 

You see, I believe everyone’s elite. We’re bombarded by eliteness. We see eliteness all of the time. We see athletes, musicians, entertainers and we look at these people. They’re household names, aren’t they?

 

I’m not a household name, far from it, but I’ve pushed myself as far as my body and mind can go. I’ve wrung out every last drop of effort I’ve ever been able to muster and put it into what I’ve done so far in life. 

 

Anything is possible. Literally anything. 

 

We all love to be inspired by people, inspirational people that can tell you just how amazing they are.

 

Well, you’re amazing too. It’s just that you haven’t realised how amazing you are.

1,232 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - One Big Change in 1994

Don't stop believin' - Journey

Everybody wants a thrill - Perry

I often say that the ‘journey is more important than the destination’, especially when I’m speaking with new clients who are about to start working with me. The hard part is explaining that we’re not sure where that journey is going to go and what will happen along the way or how long the journey will actually take. 

It can be a huge leap of faith!

 

You see, we all know that life comes with its highs and lows, ups and downs, mixed up with a cocktail of people, throughout time - and somehow, we use this to determine our direction. And whether it’s the right or wrong direction, we tend to go with the flow and take on the world and everything it has to throw as us in a very ‘ad hoc’ kinda way. 

 

We learn as we go putting things right, adapting and recreating as we move on. I often wonder why? We don’t do this with other parts of our lives - I mean on a traditional family holiday we know the itinerary before we go. Knowing the flight, hotel and destination details well before we depart. Imagine going on holiday and just turning up at the airport and getting on the first plane? Similarly, how many times have you carried on regardless and not given much thought to what lay ahead.

 

Maybe it’s that easy life we are looking for? 

 

Being afraid of failure or upsetting those around us, provides an ideal excuse for not stepping through the ‘sliding doors of success’. I’m sure most of us has heard the famous Dolly Parton quote, ‘If you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain’. And how right she is, as ‘Success’ I believe, comes at a cost.

 

It’s just a question of how much you are prepared to pay. The price? Well, that can be financial of course but also there’s a physical and psychological cost to pay too. What or who are you prepared to give up, to achieve your goal. For some the financial cost is a simple pay/no-pay equation whereas if your partner isn’t prepared to travel with you on your journey – then you might have to leave them behind. It sounds callus but I encounter that situation with many people seeking a more successful life.

 

Having paid the price a few times myself, I’ve learned that ‘Conversation’ makes the ideal accompaniment for any ‘Journey to Success’. A clear direction with clear directives aimed at those around you, will help your progress no end. There are enough barriers to negotiate without adding extra miles of egg-shell walking with loved or not so loved one. It’s a good test.

 

I often think the journey to the Marathon des Sables delivers more than the race itself. What one can learn in the months prior to the race against the few days of the race is beyond comparison, and if you are going in April or trying to climb your own Mount Everest in the near future, enjoy the journey. It might be better than the destination itself.

1,232 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - One Vision

Doubt - Jesus Jones

Doubt affects people in many different ways throughout their lives. It’s the internal voice that questions your abilities, decisions, and self-worth, often leaving you feeling inadequate and insecure. Whilst occasional self-doubt is a natural response to challenges or uncertainty, persistent self-doubt can limit growth, affect relationships, and hold you back from achieving your potential. Understanding its origins and learning how to manage it are essential for overcoming this common complaint.

Self-doubt often stems from past experiences, comparisons, or peer pressure. Negative past experiences, such as failure or criticism, can leave long-lasting scars that influence how you see yourself today. If you’ve been told you’re ‘not good enough’ or have faced repeated setbacks, those moments can fuel a pattern of self-defeat. I remember being asked at school ‘why I was so thick when my brother was so clever’ – that stuck with me.

 

As you can see, comparison is often a major contributor. In today’s age of social media, it’s easy to measure yourself against the highs of others’ people’s lives. Seeing others succeed can lead to feelings of inadequacy, even when your own journey is progressing well.

 

Societal and cultural expectations also play a role in building self-doubt. The pressure to meet certain standards, whether in appearance, career, or in achievements, can create a fear of failing. This fear can spiral into doubt, making it difficult to recognise your own strengths and accomplishments.

 

Persistent self-doubt can have a profound effect on mental health and overall well-being. It often leads to a fear of failure, which results in procrastination or avoidance of challenges altogether – you know what I think of procrastination! You may find yourself stuck in a cycle of inaction, too afraid to take risks and afraid to try new things.

 

It also erodes self-esteem, making it harder to trust your own judgment. In relationships, self-doubt might cause you to second-guess your worthiness of love or connection, creating unnecessary tension or insecurity. In the workplace, it can manifest as imposter syndrome, where you feel like you’re faking your success and in fear being ‘exposed’ as inadequate.

The first step in overcoming self-doubt is identifying when it arises. Pay attention to negative self-talk and ask yourself whether those thoughts are based on facts or unfounded fears. Reframing negative thoughts into positive or neutral ones can help shift your perspective.

 

Make a habit of reflecting on your accomplishments, no matter how small they might seem. Writing them down can serve as a reminder of your capabilities during moments of doubt.

 

Break tasks into manageable steps and celebrate progress along the way. Achieving smaller milestones can build confidence and provide a sense of accomplishment.

     

Talking to friends, family, or a Coach can provide valuable perspective and encouragement. Sometimes, an outside viewpoint can help you see your strengths more clearly.

Instead of fearing failure, view it as an opportunity to learn and grow. Mistakes don’t define you - they’re simply part of the process.

 

While self-doubt is a natural part of the human mind, it doesn’t have to define your journey. By recognising its traits, addressing its impact, and using strategies to build confidence, you can overcome self-doubt and unlock your full potential. Remember, self-belief is a skill that can be nurtured with time and practice, and that you are far more capable than you realise.

1,232 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 Marathons - 10 MDS - No Doubt

Road to Nowhere - The Talking Heads

'Come along and take that ride' - Byrne

Well today sees me complete thirty-two years of sobriety. Yes that's thirty-two long old years without even the hint of an alcohol mouthwash let alone a pint of strong lager (my previous choice of weapon).

Have I missed out? 

Missed out on what? Being dead at forty? Living a lonely life on the street? Drowning in the negativity associated with being addicted to alcohol? Nah, I didn't miss anything. I dodged a bullet. The one with my name firmly on engraved on it.

Sure, there have been ups and downs within those thirty-two years. A couple of marriages and four births immediately come to mind (I'm not counting the marriage I was in and the three children I already had in 1994), along with hundreds if not thousands of people that have come into my world. Some are still there and much love comes from me to you today.

I didn't think back then that I would run so many marathons and achieve some very satisfying feats of endurance, but when you set out on a new life, who knows what's in store along the way.

It was just a new life, living it alcohol-free.

Looking back, I did this the hard way. My way. No rules. No support. No end date. With NO fail. And that's what's got me through to being sober today. A mindset where failure isn't an option. I mean how could I go back on my promise not to drink and smoke too? It just felt like after a few days, life felt a bit rosier and better things started to happen as I wasn't getting pissed - so I've just kept going.

Now this isn't a 'look at me' kinda blog, I'm not looking for 'well dones' - this is actually a look at YOU kinda blog and if you can see yourself in me as I was back in 1994 and want to make a positive life change, just email me rory@rorycoleman.co.uk and join the hundreds of people that have changed their life by inviting me to help them.

It's hard, I know, but I've done it and you could do it too?

What do you think? Or are you happy being a loser like me back in 1993, ignoring the fact I was out of control and on the 'Road to Nowhere'.

1,232 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - 32 Years' Sober