Zero 7 - Simple Things

The Journey's Long...

Zero 7 was the brainchild of sound engineers, Henry Binns and Sam Hardaker and this 2001 album featured one of my favourite trance anthems - Destiny.

It's well worth another listen if you haven't heard it in a while and if you can, pick a quiet time, reflect and think about your own destiny as the song unfolds inside your head. 

In my super-duper B&W Headphones, the track sounded amazing to me just now.

Possibly it's that 'Reflection Time' that we miss in our busy lives. I'm noticing more than ever that I blog a lot of the 'Time', literally about just that - 'Time'.

But it's that 'Time Out' that we all need to try and make sense of all the goings on around us. All the problems we have or encounter have one common denominator - ourselves you see - let's be honest. Our trials and tribulations are in fact a reflection of our own short-comings and failures. 

I mean who else can we really blame?

And yet we'll blame everything and everyone around us when we mess up. I mean, how on earth could any failing be of our own doing? It does make me chuckle...

This is the fascinating part of the 'Destiny Concept'. Was it 'Destiny' that I went for a run one day that lead to me running a marathon to make it my life and then write about it for you to read on here, or is it just a set of actions, coincidences and happenings that have lead you and I here today on this webpage?

Belief is an interesting thing and if you believe in God and Christianity, then everyone alive is 'Predestined' and our entrance and exit dates are already set, which makes me slightly nervous about some of the choices that I've made along the way. Luckily, I'm someone that's quite happy to go with the flow and be happy with the decisions that I've made - good or not so good so far and happy to face up to the future with whatever it brings.

Well let's face it, there's not a lot I can do to change the past is there - but I do know that I can affect the future and perhaps therefore my own destiny.

Are you in a position now to shape yours?

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,640 Days' Alcohol Free - 488 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

Moby - 18

Are you on Target with your new identity?

The first time I heard the music of Moby, I was blown away. Couple his music with one of the best film franchises that's ever come out of Hollywood and you end up with 'Extreme Ways' the track that's played with the credits to all five Bourne movies, and one of the real standout tracks on Moby's sixth studio album 18 from 2002.

I love the original Bourne Trilogy and it's the double identity of actor Matt Damon's character in the movie Jason Bourne, that I find really interesting and the subject of today's blog.

For those that haven't seen the movies (really?), Jason Bourne is but one of many aliases used by David Webb, a Foreign Service Officer who is deployed by the US as an elite assassin. If you haven't seen the movies recently and you are looking for ninety minutes or so of pure escapism, then visit the bargain bin and enjoy the ride. The car-chases are worth it alone.

So are the double identity issues that our hero Jason Bourne goes through in each of the movies. I mean, not knowing your true identity is a complete mind bomb. Then again it's something I see in folk that go through massive life changes both in body-size and their habitual behaviour. I know it's something I found very challenging when I turned my life round all those years ago and redesigned the new Rory Coleman.

Getting used to the person looking back at you in the mirror takes time. In my experience it took me about 12 months to become comfortable with the new 'Me'. I then needed a personal software update to cement those changes and then created another path of personal enlightenment that followed, and is still updating. It's hard to explain if you haven't been there yourself but it's something that a few of my clients are encountering at the moment and it's a real sink or swim time in their personal progression, even though they believe they've left their old 'Me' well and truly behind - they haven't.

You see, that person creeps up on you if you are not careful and it becomes too easy to revert to type especially when you are least expecting it. Once a year on the date you changed your life is the best time to reassess your 'Extreme Ways' as some folk might see them and work even harder on your secret mission - just like Jason Bourne, David Webb or whatever you are calling yourself today.

Maybe it's time for an identity update?

Amen.

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,639 Days' Alcohol Free - 487 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

Urban Hymns - The Verve

Tell me...Do you feel lucky?

As I continue my self-indulgent voyage back into the last 23 years, I'm enjoying listening to some of the classic albums that have accompanied me along the way. The Verve's ‘Urban Hymns’ is one such album and 'Lucky Man' has always been a stand out track for me, even though it was 'Bitter Sweet Symphony' I played over and over again in its 'Treat Infamy' version during my 24 hour Treadmill Guinness World Record in October 1998.

‘Lucky Man’ is well worth another listen today if you are struggling with life, addiction or pain. I know those emotions myself but somehow at my lowest point found the resilience and energy to change. The lyrics sum it up perfectly for me.

It's just a change in me, Something in my liberty - Ashcroft

You see it was the feeling of being FREE that I loved and still love today. The LIBERTY I've felt this past post-addiction lifetime has been the best 'life-experience' anyone could ever wish for. There are many solutions in overcoming Alcohol Addiction nowadays, 23 years ago there were two. Give up and toughen up or AA. I chose the former as AA didn't look much fun if I was being honest and being surrounded in a room of people that I saw as 'failures' just like myself certainly wasn't attractive.

The thought of never being able to ‘leave’ as I saw it back then, was also far too suffocating.

That's when I thought that actually, I'm a 'Lucky Man'.

Lucky to still be alive that is and 'Lucky' that I'd found something that was going to point my life in the right direction. Focussing on that made being 'Alcohol Free', easy and never letting ANYTHING chip away at my inner resolve an oath I will take to my grave.

You see, it's far too easy to lessen your grip on your values. Alcohol-Free Beer that has 0.05% Alcohol in it is the latest bit of 'Marketing Bullshit' I've seen and for those trying to quit, makes only for a slippery slope of deceit. So, my question today is folks 'Do you feel Lucky?' And if the answer is 'Yes' then why are you fuck your life up drinking?

Amen.

My Book 'A Rebel and a Runner' is back in print :-)

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,638 Days' Alcohol Free - 486 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

Ray of Light - Madonna

After having a bit of a downer on ‘Madge’ the other day, I thought it only right that I chose one of her greatest albums in the lead up to my 1000^th Marathon (I’m sure she’ll sleep well tonight knowing that). But in all honesty back in 1998 I thought, and still do that ‘Ray of Light’ is a brilliant album. The title track is one of the album highlights but I prefer ‘Frozen’. It’s well worth another listen especially if you haven’t dusted off your CD rack recently… it’s even better with a good pair of headphones on.

Lyrically, it’s just perfect and over my lifetime, I've connected with all of the following:-

You're so consumed with how much you get,

You waste your time with hate and regret,

You're broken,

When your heart's not open.

But then again, I’m sure we all have been consumed, wasted time and been broken at one time or another… let’s face it, being ‘Frozen’, ain’t much fun and getting life back to running with a full head of steam can be a tricky old thing and take a lot of time on your own. There's so much help available nowadays - it's worth reaching out if you are in need. People are only too glad to help if you ask... I know.

It only takes a spark to get things going to let that ‘Ray of Light’ back into your world and live life to the full.

Amen.

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,637 Days' Alcohol Free - 485 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

Black Grape - It's great when you're straight...Yeah!

Album Choice:- I remember listening to this album on my way to the 80 Mile World Trail Running Championships on the South Downs in June 1996. Yes, they were the 'World Championships' back then masterminded by the famous Harry Townsend. I'd loved the Happy Mondays, and Black Grape was a great progression in my opinion, that sadly only lasted another album.

As far as the race went, I must admit to feeling a little apprehensive on the start line as the only person I knew who'd previously taken part said that he'd wanted to 'lie down and die at half-way'. I got to the 40 milepoint in 8hrs quite nicely and went onto finish in 16hrs 43mins and claim a 134th place  and a World Ranking which I've always been proud of.

There was something most special about being burned to a frazzle on one of the most picturesque National Trails that the UK in has to offer as well as heading into the night to complete the race in the dark on some tricky descents down into a spectacular finish at Eastbourne.

It was also  the day I learned that running in Speedos would have been a much better idea than shorts with a liner if you didn't want to finish an ULTRA running like a cowboy that's lost his horse and also that you should take on board what folks say that have been where it is that you want to go, but not to take it as gospel.

I also found out that 80 miles wasn't my operational ceiling and that I'd have to find another goal to seek out my 'Limit of Human Endurance'. It must have been a brilliant experience though as I ran the race the following year and again in a slightly shorter 100km version in 2002 where in a team of four, we won the now famous Trailwalker Event organised by the Gurkas and Oxfam.

Over the years, as a person and a runner, I've found pushing myself and my barriers has led to much of my inner happiness and I've found out who I really am I believe. If you are searching like I was all those years ago, I'm not suggesting that you need to go and run an 80 mile Ultra-marathon but it might be worth trying to find some space where you can assess your direction, make plans and assess you are going.

Back in 1994, I felt very lost and yet in a short space of time I felt invincible all from a 'Bit of Running'. I believe the Reverend Black Grape got it right preaching at the time, 'It's great when you're straight...Yeah!

It makes a huge difference when you are not looking at life through a fog.

You can hear me preaching my gospel on BBC Five Live at 11.30am tomorrow btw.

Amen.

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,636 Days' Alcohol Free - 484 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

Depeche Mode - ULTRA

Kinda Beautiful...

Album Choice:- Well, as I'm in the 'Final Countdown' to marathon #1000 I thought it only right to choose some of the albums that have accompanied me over all my years of running. Any album, I'm sure you'll agree, titled 'ULTRA' should easily make any runners' shortlist but this Depeche Mode, (post Dave Gahan Melt-Down) album has a really dark sound that's great to run along to. Have a listen here to the track 'It's no good' and see what you think.

'I'm going to take my time, I have all the time in the world' - Gore

I love that line and we DO have ALL the time in the world.

Anyway. I thought 'ULTRA' was a good fit as it's 22 years' ago TODAY that I did my first ULTRA at the 33.94 mile Grantham Canal Race from Notts Forest Football Ground to Grantham on 27th August' 1995 along the disused Grantham Canal. I ran it hard as I remember too in 5hrs and 2mins including vaulting endless five bar gates and limboing under some very low road bridges.

It had a profound effect on me too as there were a couple of runners who had completed the Two Bridges Ultra in Scotland the previous day to much applause at the start. I was most impressed by that and little did I know that one day I would go on to run hundreds of Marathons and ULTRAs back-to-back and head to Nottingham some twenty-two years and 984 marathons later, to create my own piece of running history in the same City.

You see anything is possible, you just have to go and make it happen. The feat started all the way back in 1994 when the Telford Marathon caught my eye in Runner's World and I decided to send off my £10 for the entry fee to start my marathon journey. Yes' the rest might be history but it started with a spark and a simple decision to go and run the classic 26.2 mile distance, the one that was going to define my life it's worked out.

I always say making a choice is 'Simple'. Sticking to it much harder only if you do you'll enjoy the freedom that's accompanies the journey and in my case has been the best decision I've ever made,  for a million reasons .

Maybe it's time for you to make a similar decision today and then stick to your goals come what may. I mean you have 'all the time in the world'.

Amen.

Rory Coleman - 998 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,635 Days' Alcohol Free - 483 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.

The Boys of Summer - Don Henley

Aberystwyth - 25th August 2014

Lyrics:- 'Nobody on the road, nobody on the beach. I feel it in the air, the Summer's out of reach' - Henley

Song Choice:- 'Oh Woe', is me! Are you 'Oh Woe is me', too... You see, I feel Summer's fading fast down here in God's Country, the once Horse Chestnut vibrant green leaves in Llnadaff Fields are now rusting up for Autumn and it's August Bank Holiday Eve.

Yikes, what a downer!

Now you know I'm not a 'Glass-Half-Empty', 'Energy Vampiring' kinda guy but I've never seen much good come from the long weekend in August especially as it heralds in September and our Central Heating Boiler going into overdrive.

Maybe it's the nights drawing in perhaps or the last four weeks of rain that have put a dampener on it?

Anyway, to improve the mood, hopefully running my 998th marathon in Blandford Forum tomorrow will breathe a ray of late summer sunshine into my Bank Holiday Weekend and pray that an Indian Summer is on it's way for our September... Perlease!!!!

Well, we can all hope eh? But we can all still try to be 'Awesome'... before Summer's out of reach.

Amen.

Rory Coleman - 997 Marathons - 244 Ultras - 14 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,633 Days' Alcohol Free - 481 Days' post GBS

Location: Cardiff, Wales.