Big Time - Sir Peter of Gabriel

 Big Time – ‘Not me, I'm smarter than that, I worked it out’ - Gabriel

How do you measure success? By how much you earn? By where you live? By how little you have to work? Or by the size and make of your car?

 

Why are we programmed to see objects as a sign of success? And hey, before you say it, I’m just as ‘signs of success programmed’ as the next person.

 

I mean, the car thing always got me. And It’s possibly a young man’s game and like most, I was suckered in during my sales career where a ‘Ford Mondeo Ghia X’ was perceived as the pinnacle of car company hierarchy. On finally getting my career-eager hands on the keys I found it cornered like a shopping trolley and was really an old man’s car!

 

And when I reached the next level - BMW status – I found that everyone else on the road, even though they don’t know you, instantly thinks you’re a ****. It’s kinda sad that we mark success by the outward signs of wealth rather than by what we’ve achieved.

 

You see it’s the things you can’t see that really matter. It’s not where you’ve been, it’s how you’ve done it that counts. It’s experience that makes you smart and being smart leads to success. Success that you simply can’t buy and that you earn, over time.

 

Now, we are not all world beating athletes, but we can outplay our own dreams and succeed in areas we once thought were unachievable. I know – been there and got the T-Shirt, many times over.

 

I found that success comes from hours and hours of training, focus and determination and if you feel you have yet to succeed in life, make plans, and start to make it happen. You probably won’t get anything tangible to show for your efforts but inwardly you’ll know what true success feels like, especially when looking back in decades to come.

 

And for the record, if someone has already paid the price both physically and mentally in doing what it is that you want to achieve – listen hard - take it on the chin that you’ll have to go back to being a complete beginner that has to ‘wax on and wax off’ many times before you can call yourself even marginally successful at anything and be humble as real success takes a lifetime – I know.

 

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Vision

Tomorrow Never Knows - The Beatles

Existence to the end - Lennon Mccartney

Training for an Ultramarathon challenge requires discipline, consistency, and mental toughness. Procrastinating during any stage of this preparation isn’t good practice as every missed session not only delays progress but can make the eventual challenge even harder. Unlike short-term goals that can be completed at the last minute, ultramarathon training depends on gradual improvement over weeks, months and in some cases even years. The idea being to build endurance slowly so one’s body can adapt safely. Delaying training sessions not only weakens physical preparation but also damages confidence and kills motivation.

Endurance isn’t built overnight and the body needs repeated practice to strengthen muscles, lungs, and cardiovascular system. Every training session contributes to stamina and resilience. When you skip a workout saying, ‘I’ll do it tomorrow’, the opportunity to improve is lost and can never be recovered. Missing one long run may not seem important at first, but several missed sessions can seriously reduce fitness levels considerably. Preparation works like building a house - if the foundations aren’t there, the entire structure becomes unstable and falls apart.

Procrastination also increases the risk of injury. Many who delay training try to make up for lost time by pushing themselves too hard too late. Sudden increases in mileage place stress on the knees, ankles, and muscles. Proper preparation follows a balanced schedule with gradual progression and recovery days. Ignoring this process can lead to exhaustion, muscle strain, or more serious injuries that prevent training altogether. Procrastination doesn’t save energy or effort; it creates even bigger setbacks.

Delaying workouts causes guilt and stresses people who constantly worry about falling behind schedule, which in turn reduces enjoyment and motivation. Over time, procrastination makes an exciting personal challenge a major source of anxiety.

People training for Ultramarathons have to balance work, school, family responsibilities, and social activities. Procrastination wastes valuable time that could have been used more productively. Instead of completing a planned workout, people may spend hours scrolling through social media, watching TV, or making excuses. And once that time has gone, it’s gone forever. 

Completing an ultramarathon is a major achievement that requires commitment and perseverance. Those who train consistently learn self-control, patience, and determination. By procrastinating, people deny themselves the satisfaction of knowing they gave it their best shot. The finish line feels far more rewarding when reached through steady hard work rather than last-minute panic action.

Ultramarathon success comes from consistent effort and smart preparation, not excuses or postponement. Every training session matters, and the sooner you start, the stronger, and more prepared you’ll become.

Training with @TheRoryColemanMethod increases your chance of success and if you want to stop the Procrastination Rot – give me a call and #RaiseyourAverage.

1,240 Marathons  - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 0 Procrastination

Begin Again - Knife Party

Photo - Ian Corless

Completing the Marathon des Sables Legendary is a life defining achievement. It’s the ultimate test of physical endurance, mental resilience, and the ability to persist through extreme personal discomfort. After such an intense and all-consuming experience, it might feel only natural to rest, reflect, and even step away from running for a while. However, planning another adventure soon after is not only beneficial - it’s essential for maintaining psychological momentum.

One of the most important reasons to plan another adventure is to preserve the mindset that carried you through the MDS. Training for and completing such an event requires months, sometimes years, of focus and commitment. You develop habits, routines, and a strong sense of identity tied into pushing your limits. Without a fresh goal, that structure quickly dissolves, leaving a sense of emptiness or loss. I call it Post Traumatic Race Disorder (PTRD) – a psychological phenomenon often experienced after major achievements.

You see, after the high of completing something extraordinary, everyday life can feel flat or uninspiring by comparison. Planning another adventure provides a forward-facing perspective. It shifts your focus from ‘what I’ve done’, to ‘what’s next,’ which is crucial for maintaining motivation. As humans are inherently goal-driven, and having something to strive towards helps sustain that sense of fulfilment.

The MDS teaches valuable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and self-belief. However, this shouldn’t stop at the finish line. New adventures present different challenges - perhaps a colder environment next time, or a jungle adventure or even a multiday mega-day marathon. These experiences build on what you’ve learned, whilst pushing yourself into new areas of discomfort and development. Without continued challenges, the lessons from the MDS fade quickly rather than evolve.

Planning another adventure also reinforces identity. Completing an extreme endurance event changes how you see yourself. You’re no longer just someone who wondered if they could do it; you’re someone who did. By committing to another adventure, you solidify your identity as someone who seeks challenge and embraces discomfort. I mean, you are now a Desert Warrior!

Additionally, having a future goal can make recovery more purposeful. Instead of drifting after the event, your rest, nutrition, and training help regain direction. Recovery becomes part of preparation rather than an endpoint. 

Experiences like the MDS remind you that life is more than routine and comfort. They expand your perspective, connect you with other like-minded people, and create life-lasting memories. Planning another adventure ensures that this spirit of exploration remains a consistent part of your life rather than a one-time event.

So, think of the MDS not as just a finish line - it’s a launching point. And where to go? Well, there’s a lot of events out there to take you to the limit of your endurance and raise your average.

Why not give me a call and we can look at where to head to next – I know where I’m going.

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 MDS - 1 Big Life-Adventure

www.theRoryColemanMethod.co.uk