When the going gets tough - Billy Ocean

I never let nothing stand in my way - Ocean

Following on from yesterday's blog, early in life, I believe I adopted a coping attitude that could possibly be summed up by the well-known saying 'Toughen up Buttercup' - and it's become one of my stock mottos, ever since. Of course, now it sounds somewhat harsh telling someone to stop complaining and deal with a difficult situation, especially as the world is now so woke.

But back then it's what we did. Well, it's all we could do, as there was no one to reach out to and no one prepared to listen. And did it toughen me up - most definitely both mentally and physically I’d say. Did it isolate me? Sure, but then maybe it was the isolation I needed to create a way of living and a way of getting through adolescence and make sense of living life as an adult. That semblance of order took a long time to understand, and then to put into action. A very long time, but it’s kinda worked in its own peculiar way, and it’s of my own doing.

 

Being tough, resilient, whatever you decide to call it has helped me make it through all sorts of life cresses and crazy running situations and will continue to do so - especially when I need to be a Tougher Buttercup. And ‘yes’, reading back through this, it does sounds harsh but maybe you know where I am coming from as you are currently toughening up your own buttercup.

1,233 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - 1 Tough Buttercup