I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For - U2

Have you ever reached a point in your life that you’d been working towards for years, only to find yourself asking, ‘What now?’

For a long time, I thought life was about reaching a destination. Get a good job. Build a career. Find happiness. Create a comfortable life. I believed that if I worked hard enough and kept moving forwards, I’d eventually arrive where everything would make sense.

 

Every milestone I reached brought me joy, and I’m genuinely grateful for each one. But after the excitement died down, there was always a quiet voice asking, ‘What’s next?’. It was an uneasy time for sure

 

Now I think it was just part of being human.

 

And the truth is, I’m still searching. Not because my life’s empty, but because I’m still growing.

 

I’ve realised that what I was looking for in my twenties isn’t the same as what matters to me now. Back then, success looked like achievement and recognition. These days, it’s more like peace of mind, meaningful conversations, time with the people I love, and waking up with a sense of purpose.

 

Life has a way of changing one’s priorities over time.

 

If I’m honest, some of the biggest turning points in my life didn’t come from success at all. They came from hating myself, disappointment, uncertainty and those moments when I genuinely wondered if I was heading in the right direction. At the time, it felt uncomfortable. Looking back, they were my greatest lessons in life.

 

It’s incredibly easy to scroll through social media and believe everyone else has found the secret. Everyone seems happier, more successful, more certain. But I’ve come to believe that we’re all carrying questions we don’t like to share. We all have moments when we wonder if we’re good enough or if we’re on the right trajectory.

 

Maybe it’s something we have in common more than we realise.

 

These days, I’m trying to notice the ordinary moments a little more. A good cup of tea in the garden. A conversation that stays long after it’s ended. A message from someone saying how I’ve helped them. These moments don’t seem extraordinary at the time, but they’ve become the moments I treasure most.

 

And I’ve stopped waiting for one big moment that will make everything click into place. Instead, I’m learning that purpose isn’t something we stumble across once and keep forever. It’s something we discover again and again in the way we live, the people we love, and the courage we need even when we don’t have every answer.

 

So yes, I’m still searching.

 

But these days, the search doesn’t feel frustrating anymore. It’s hopeful.

 

It reminds me that there’s still more to learn, more people to meet, more stories to hear and more of life to experience. And perhaps that’s the point. Perhaps we’re not meant to have all the answers.

 

Perhaps we’re simply meant to keep on living.

 

If you’re reading this and feel like you’re still searching too, you’re not alone. I think most of us are. The difference is that I’ve stopped seeing it as a sign that something is missing.

 

I’ve started seeing it as proof that the journey isn’t over yet.

 

And, somehow, I find that really comforting.

1,244 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 19 MDS - 10 GWR - 1 Life

Adventure of a Lifetime - Coldplay

Scared of signing up for the Marathon des Sables? Join Team Coleman and take the first step…

Each year, I speak to hundreds of runners who have the same dream - to take part in ‘The World’s Toughest Footrace - The Marathon des Sables.

And every year, I hear the same worries. ‘I'm not fast enough. I’m worried about getting lost. I’ve not even run a marathon before. And what if I fail?’

The truth is everyone who signs up for the Marathon des Sables has these thoughts. Even experienced runners wonder whether they’re capable of taking on one of the world’s most iconic endurance events.

The Marathon des Sables has a reputation that can be intimidating. Six stages over seven days in the Sahara Desert – self-sufficient – in extreme conditions. It sounds like something reserved for elite runners and hardened adventurers.

But after nineteen MDS Legendary finishes, and thousands of miles in deserts around the world, I can tell you something that might surprise you. The biggest challenge isn't the desert. It’s taking the first step and believing you can do it. That's exactly why my ‘Team Coleman’ exists.

You don't have to do it alone…

One of the biggest mistakes people make is thinking they have to figure everything out themselves. What shoes should I wear? What food do I need? What backpack works best? How do I train? How do I cope with the heat? How do I avoid the dreaded blisters?

These questions can feel overwhelming, especially if you've never done a multi-stage race before. But when you join my team, you aren't simply entering a race. You're joining a community of people who are on the same journey as you.

Some are experienced runners looking for a fresh challenge. Others are complete beginners who never imagined they would one day cross a desert. What connects them all is a willingness to challenge themselves and a desire to achieve something extraordinary.

Over the years, I've helped thousands of runners prepare for desert races. I've seen people arrive with doubts, fears and uncertainty, only to leave with memories that last a lifetime. The transformation is wonderful to be part of.

Why people succeed…

People often assume success in the Marathon des Sables comes from natural talent. It doesn't. Success comes from preparation, consistency and mindset.

I've seen elite runners in their twenties struggle whilst people in their sixties smash it. I've seen people who considered themselves average athletes complete the race high up in the field.

The common factor isn't speed. It's commitment. The runners who succeed are the ones who trust the process, prepare properly and refuse to give up when things get tough. That's exactly what Team Coleman is designed to help you do.

From training plans and equipment advice to race strategy and mental preparation, I’ll guide you through every stage of the journey. By the time you arrive in Morocco, you're not wondering whether you can do it.

You're ready to prove that you can do it.

The Adventure of a Lifetime…

The Marathon des Sables is far more than about running. Sure, you'll see incredible landscapes. You'll experience vast dunes, rocky plateaus and unforgettable desert sunsets.

But the real magic happens between the checkpoints. It's the friendships you’ll build. The shared experiences with people from around the world. The moments when you discover what you're truly capable of.

Years later, most people don't remember their finishing time. They remember the journey. They remember the challenges they overcame. They remember becoming a stronger version of themselves. That's what makes the Marathon des Sables so special.

You see it changes people. It changed me. And that’s why I'm going back for my Twentieth Marathon des Sables.

People often ask me why I keep returning. After nineteen finishes, surely I've seen it all? The answer is simple. The Marathon des Sables keeps on giving. Every edition is different. The route, the weather and the people change, year-on-year.

And I continue to be inspired by the incredible individuals who take on this challenge.

Watching someone who once doubted themselves cross the finish line is every bit as rewarding as finishing the race myself. The event has been a huge part of my life for decades. It’s introduced me to lifelong friends and allowed me to help others achieve goals they once thought impossible.

Returning for my twentieth Marathon des Sables isn't about adding another finish to the list. It's about celebrating a race that has shaped my life and continuing to support the people who are beginning their own desert journey. I mean, not many people have met their lifelong partner at the race, like I have. Or had the pleasure of running the race with one of their children, twice and soon to be third time! And had a daughter be a race Blue-Jacket.

There's something incredibly special about standing on that start line and seeing a Team Coleman runner who once said, ‘I don’t think I can do this. And then watching them prove themselves wrong.

Your journey starts Today…

If you're reading this and wondering whether you should sign up for the Marathon des Sables, let me tell you something. The fear you're feeling is normal. The uncertainty is normal. Your doubts are normal.

What matters is what you do next. The Marathon des Sables isn't reserved for superhuman athletes. It's for ordinary people willing to take on an extraordinary challenge. You don't need all the answers today. You simply need the courage to begin.

Join Team Coleman, and I'll help you with the rest.

Together we'll build your confidence, prepare you properly and guide you every step of the way until you stand on that start line in the Sahara. Let's make your desert dream a reality.

1,242 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 Marathon des Sables - 1 Vision

 

 

Photograph - Def Leppard

RC, Bottom right corner...

The photo was posted on a Facebook Group for people who want to reminisce about the good old days of Shakespeare Country (me included) - when of course everything was a whole lot better, and life was a whole lot simpler. Now, I'm sure we all feel that way now and again, and there's nothing remarkable about the photo. One of the comments posted said 80's? another possibly 60's? - however I know it was 25th May 1970.
 
How do I know? - Well it looked like an uncannily familiar scene to me, and to my amazement there I am in the bottom righthand corner of the photo,  in a jumper knitted by my Nan - and to my left, in brown, my favourite Grandad Geroge (who drove one of the engines in the photo) and my older brother wearing a similar jumper.
 
A candid moment captured in a time long forgotten. Do I remember the day, well yes, well somewhat, and the photo is the only one I have of me and my Granddad together. However, we shared fantastic times with him and my Nan in their somewhat cranky cottage in Wilmcote, near Stratford-upon-Avon and even though it was the seventies at the time, they lived in a 40s time-warp without the mod-cons of the time. My Granddad of course felt VERY old to me but was only 52 at the time of the photo and never got to where I am now at 64 - smoking 60 Woodbines-a-day wasn’t good for his life-expectancy. He would have loved being a Great-Granddad for sure.
 
However, his memory lingers on in a single-snapshot taken a lifetime ago. Photography wasn’t cheap back then and of course we didn’t have the digital age to capture every moment of life. Those photos are precious, and in the future, they will be a reminder of happy times spent with the people you love.
 
Spend them wisely and capture the love.

1,241 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 MDS - 1 Life

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

19 - Paul Hardcastle

Well, my nineteenth Marathon des Sables is complete. And 'The World's Toughest Footrace' had a bit of everything if I'm being honest, even a few drops of rain on the last day plus a sandstorm that would take any Polar Explorer clean off his feet.

It also had the longest ever stage, some 100km, which sent most of the camp limping off to the medical tent, but apart from that I'd say it was 'Middle-Par as far as the race went as the top temperature was 37c on my wrist. Which made it doable by most with only 85 DNF from 1430 starters.

Anyone there for their first desert outing would have got a good impression of what running or walking in the desert for long periods of time does to one's feet. There were so many people hobbling backwards and forwards to the medical facilities. Yes sand really sucks!

Best part for me was completing the race for the second time with son Sam, and having daughter Pearl helping as a Blue Jacket all week. A proper family affair. Priceless moments.

To those that made it - a big well done, and to those that didn't - well maybe next time. And to all my people in Team Coleman - thanks for working with me and speak to you all soon.

1,240 Marathons - 292 Ultras - 10 GWR - 19 Marathon des Sables

Time - The Pink Floyd

'Ten years have got behind you.  No one told you when to run.  You missed the starting gun'.

Ten years, or as we refer to it as a decade, is a relatively long passage of time. It can include many life events, both good and bad, and in my case the last decade the one that started ten years’ ago today has proved to be life affirming.

 

Yes, 21st March 2016 marked the beginning of an agonising brush with the neurological condition Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS).

 

Now I've written many times about how I survived the setback - came back to life and continued running where I'd left off prior to the illness. My 976-marathon count of March 2016 is now 1,238 - some 262 further on, includes a Tenth Guinness World Record, five Marathon des Sables and three ULTRA-X events in Jordan to highlight a few. 

 

I've been lucky, to say the least.

 

What I can say is that for the past ten years I've enjoyed living life with a much greater level of clarity and now see things in a much more simplistic way.

 

As a 'Second-Lifer' as I call people that have overcome such life-threatening illnesses or accidents - I don't waste my time and I'm quite happy to speak up if I'm not happy or disagree with any situation. But then it shouldn't take that kinda wake up call to trigger a new way of living.

 

This attitude could be adopted by anyone at any stage of their life. You just have to say ‘No’…

 

And I'm not saying that you should become an aggressive, super-assertive ogre overnight - just take it from me that even in the darkest of times, when you look back some ten years on, you'll might see the moment where things changed hopefully for the better.

 

Now, I'm off heading towards 21st March 2036 - who knows what's in store or even if I'll make it - but I hope to see you there.

1,238 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Life 

Don't Look Back in Anger - Oasis

Oasis #1 on this day in 1996

There are certain days in your life that really stand out from the rest. And these might include the day you were married, the birth of your children, the day of your exam results and for many people like me - the day of their Marathon Personal Best or as we call it ‘Our PB’.

 

Some thirty years' ago this very day I ran 3:24:21 at the now long-gone Borders Marathon in Suffolk. A cold day -2c at the start and one I remember vividly as I thought at the time, this is it! This is the one I'll engrave on my headstone, this is the one I will be measured by. A day where everything was just perfect and all the planets lined up on my 15th lifetime marathon.

 

You see in 1996 there were no Gels, Garmins or Energy Drinks. Timing was on your wrist using a Timex Ironman watch and the 26.2 miles could have been anything in reality as I'm sure it was measured with a piece of string on a map. But who cares, it's my PB and one of my life highlights and one I'll take to my grave.

 

Why is it so important? Well, it just is, as I'll never get anywhere near it now that I'm 64 (my next closest PB attempt was actually my 95th marathon a few years later – but who cares).

 

So, today is a day of remembering the good times but also rejoicing that a) I'm still on planet earth to do that reminiscing and b) still doing what I love if somewhat slower.

 

My lesson today is to enjoy the moment, as they are soon specks in the rear-view mirror of life.

 

Amen.

1,237 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 MDS - 18 MDS - 1 Life

Stop - The Spice Girls

It's about now MDS-40 days that I usually give my be careful message about training and injuries leading up to the race.

By now, you should be well trained and able to cover 42.2kms comfortably in one go, in good time. Let's face it, if you can't you’re doing the wrong race and you'll be coming home medal-free and totally miserable.

 

You'll also be miserable if you make an injury worse by continuing to train on it or if you are running when you are ill.

 

For the record, I've just had a week off with a nasty chest cold and have just had to rest up and let it take its course. Am I cheesed off yes, but looking at my resting heart rate and HRV it's really obvious which day it started, peaked and then faded away. There are a lot of health features built into a GPS watch which will show this - so why not use them? 

 

Basically, if it says you are ‘Strained’ or your HRV is in the red - you’re knackered.

 

The simple fact is that you won't improve your MDS now by much, if anything at all, but you can ruin it 100% - so please don't. If you are not sure, ask me, give me what’s been going on and I'll give you some advice that may just change the outcome of your MDS.

 

Getting there, injury free and well rested is the best way I promise - see you there safe and sound - raring to go.

1,234 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS Legendary - 1 Vision

Feeling a Moment - Feeder

Don't let it go...

Moments in life slip through our fingers like grains of sand. Ordinary days blur into one. Conversations we have are quickly forgotten and things we promise to remember, we simply forget. But then there are moments that are different. They make us stop in our tracks. They can be completely overwhelming and these moments matter.

The truth is, we can’t choose the moments that change you. And to remember such moments, you must first be in the ‘now’.

Without question, we live in a constantly changing world. What’s next? What’s better? What’s trending? It’s rapid alright. We end up replaying yesterday’s regrets whilst fast-forwarding through tomorrow’s worries, yet the present moment is the only place where life actually happens. Not in the past. Not in the future. Right here – right now.

Memory isn’t just a mental recording it’s an emotional imprint. We can’t remember every detail of our lives, but we can remember how moments felt and if you want to remember the moment, let yourself feel it fully. 

Sometimes remembering the moment means putting down your phone. It means resisting the urge to capture everything on film and instead experiencing it for yourself. A photo can remind you of a place, but presence allows you to relive it. There is a difference between recording a memory and creating one.

It’s also important to remember that not every meaningful moment is happy. Some are more difficult, uncomfortable, and bittersweet. In the future, what feels ordinary now may be the very thing you long to revisit. So, take a deep breath and look around. Feel your feet on the ground and let a moment really register.

Life isn’t made of years – it’s made of moments. And the ones you choose to capture are the ones you will carry with you forever.

One of mine is looking down from Jebel Otfal in the Marathon des Sables in 2017 a year after being paralysed with Guillain-Barré Syndrome. A place I thought I’d never be able to see in the dark days of recovery.

What’s yours?

1,236 Marathons - 291 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Moment

Approach - U2

People often ask me how I approach the Marathon des Sables, as if there’s a secret formula. And if there is it’s ‘respect the race, respect yourself, and never underestimate the desert’.

I’ve completed the Marathon des Sables many times now, and every edition has taught me something new. No matter how experienced you are, the Sahara doesn’t care about what you’ve done as it strips everything back. Out there, there are no egos, and it’s you, alone with your pack, and alone your thoughts.

My approach has changed over the years. In the early years, I was far more gung-ho. I believed toughness alone was all I needed to get through. Toughness matters, of course, but what really gets you to the finish line is preparation and patience. These days, I obsess more over the basics – kit choice, pack weight, foot care and nutrition nothing glamorous, but all super important as small mistakes in the desert don’t stay that small for long.

Training for MdS isn’t about trying to destroy yourself every day. It’s about consistency. You build resilience slowly, stacking in the miles and time on your feet, learning how your body reacts when it’s tired, hungry, and hot. I want runners to arrive at the start line confident, not broken. The race will do enough of that on its own.

Mentally, I approach MdS with one clear objective - to finish. I’ve never been interested in racing other people out there. The real competition is the voice in your head telling you to stop. When things get dark as they can do I remind myself why I’m there. Most people who sign up are either running away from something or running towards something. Knowing which one you are, makes all the difference when you’re trudging through soft sand at 2am in the morning.

I break the race down into bite sized chunks. Never think about the full distance. Never think about tomorrow. Think about the next checkpoint. The next step. Sometimes the next ten steps. Momentum is powerful, even when it’s painfully slow.

One thing I’ve learned is that finishing strong doesn’t mean finishing fast. It means staying calm when things go wrong, because they will. Blisters, heat, fatigue, doubt. You don’t fight them; you manage them. You accept them as part of the experience.

The Marathon des Sables isn’t just a race to me. It’s a mirror. It shows you who you are when comfort is removed and excuses don’t work anymore. Every time I return, I’m reminded why I started running in the first place, not to escape hardship, but to prove I can work my way through it.

Crossing the finish line never gets boring. Not because it’s heroic, but because it’s honest. You’ve earned every step. And in the desert, that’s enough believe me.

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Approach

Faith - George Michael

Here’s a clear thought for the day.

Belief in the people you surround yourself with is a quiet act of trust. You give your time, your loyalty, and your care, hoping it is met with the same reliability and love you offer. 

 

Some people rise to that standard effortlessly; others reveal themselves only when tested. It’s worth asking whether those closest to you show up consistently, speak honestly, and protect your wellbeing as you protect theirs. 

 

Belief should not mean blind faith. The right people steady you, challenge you kindly, and stand firm when it matters. Mutual belief is where real connection lives and lasts.

Who do you have faith in?

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 10 GWR - 18 MDS - 1 Mind

Three Little Birds - Bob Marley and the Wailers

Every little thing is gonna need alright - Marley

With 60 days to go until the 40^th Marathon des Sables, your focus should now shift from building endurance to refining your training. Your level of fitness is largely in place and what matters now is to sharpen the things that will carry you through the desert when things get tough.

Firstly, prioritise your exercise specificity. Long back-to-back runs will mimic race conditions as closely as possible. Running on tired legs with steady pacing, and time on feet is more important than chasing PBs. If possible, train in heat, but do it sensibly. This is about adaptation now, not about being a hero.

Secondly, lock in your kit choices. Shoes, socks, pack and gaiter choices should now be made. Practice packing your rucksack exactly as you’ll race with it and get comfortable moving with that weight on your long runs. Small annoyances now can become big problems in the Sahara.

Thirdly, work on fuelling and hydration. You should know what you’ll eat, when you’ll eat it, and how your stomach responds under fatigue. Test, test and test again.

Just as important is your mental prep. Visualise low points and rehearse how you’ll respond. Break stages into bite sized chunks and decide in advance how you’ll talk to yourself when things get hard - it will.

And finally, protect your body. Sleep well, manage niggles early, and respect recovery. Fitness gained now is minimal, fitness lost through injury could cost you getting to the start line.

Sixty days out is about confidence, clarity, and consistency and most of all ENJOY this time - it’s meant to be fun.

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - 0 Worries

Take a chance on me - ABBA

I'm the first inline - Anderssen/Ulvaeus

Sometimes things just don't turn out the way you'd planned. You didn't get the job, or you simply didn't fit in with team - so what?

It just wasn't for you. There were people that were better qualified, interviewed better or were more suited in someone else's view - that's down to opinion and there are many times I've felt overlooked or robbed by folk I've been trying to impress.

 

But again, I say, 'so what'. You can't tick everyone's boxes and be it's good sometimes to rejected to realign your strategy and nine times out of ten - it will come as a blessing that your deepest wish didn't happen and that your second option came true. That's a common theme in every success story - take it from me.

 

And if you are stacking all your options on Black and Red comes up well that's life, but there's always a second chance of success.

 

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 18 MDS - 10 GWR - Never looking back

 

Sleeping Satellite - Tasmin Archer

I blame you for the moonlit skies - Archer

Who’s to Blame?

‘I blame you for the moonlit sky and the dream that died with the Eagle's flight’ – Archer

 

In truth, we like to ‘Blame’ everyone but ourselves. It’s down to something I’m told called ‘Psychological Projection’, which is a theory in psychology in which the human ego defends itself against unconscious impulses or qualities (both positive and negative) by denying their existence in themselves while attributing them to others.

 

Yikes, that’s deep and no wonder Tasmin Archer was so upset back in 1992.

 

Anyway, if you’ve ever watched ‘The Apprentice’ – I love the part of the show where the Candidates are trying to save themselves by ‘Blaming’ everyone else in the Boardroom for their team’s failure. The scene is a perfect example of ‘Psychological Projection’. The way they latch onto the minutest detail to try and convince Lord Sugar that even though they’ve messed up themselves, someone else has messed up more and they need to be fired. Luckily Sugar’s BS meter usually catches them out, which not only makes great viewing but underlines that we all love to point the finger at the weakest link or in some of the programmes I’ve watched, the greatest competition.

 

You see, I believe we’ve been hard-wired into ‘Blame Culture’ over recent decades – as they say ‘Where there’s ‘Blame’, there’s a claim’. Nowadays, banks are reeling from PPI Claims and Personal Injury Lawyers are advertising on TV during Jeremy Kyle commercial breaks, trawling for new business from folk looking for easy cash.

 

Yes, there’s money in ‘Blame’.

 

For some folk I meet and for some I’ve worked with in the past – they deserve ‘Blame’ but somehow are Teflon-Coated. The ‘Blame’ just runs off them, like water off a duck’s back - nothing sticks. They always have the perfect excuse and it’s never their fault. Try and pin some ‘Blame’ on them and it’s like trying to nail jelly to a wall – it just ain’t gonna happen!

 

So, why do they come across that way? 

 

It could be that they have narrow bandwidth of opinion. Maybe, they are 50:50 folks not looking to rock the boat. They exude a of ‘Middle of the Road’ attitude that’s agreeable to everyone enough so not to be abrasive enough to ruffle other folk’s feathers. And as they’ve never had any confrontation, confrontation doesn’t find them.

 

‘Sticking your neck out’ or having a ‘Strong Opinion’ – well you may as well say ‘Blame Me’ as folk no doubt will. It’s human nature to hand it out to those that stand out.

 

Are you ever wrong?

 

You never make mistakes? - well I don’t believe you. No one’s perfect. Sure, if you are right or if your sound and experienced opinion is being contested – fight. If you’re not, why not be honest and just own up and move on. If you are wrong and cover it up and then get found out – well that’s a proper sin. The ‘Reply-All’ email was designed for such occasions I believe.

 

You know the ones where a colleague emails you to tell you that you’ve messed up, made a mistake or have been duplicitous – and sends it to ALL your colleagues and bosses as well, highlighting just how awful you’ve performed. As if it wasn’t bad enough to make a mistake, they tell the world about it too – don’t you just hate them?

 

And even though it’s ‘Tomorrow’s Chip Papers’ – it’s bloody annoying and one of ‘Blames Cultures’ more sinister aspects I think. Broadcasting ‘Blame’ on others in order to deflect attention from one’s own mistakes, especially at work – well that really sucks.

 

No, I believe it’s much better to be more introspective about ‘Blame’. ‘Blame’ starts within by taking responsibility for our actions and standards. It’s just that ‘Blame’ can’t be measured. We simply know it exists and use it to describe how things have gone wrong for us in the past.

 

Here are some translations:-

 

Folk ‘Blame’ their education – maybe, they weren’t open to being taught. School is all about finding out what sparks your imagination and rarely folk end up doing what they went to Uni for. 

 

Folk ‘Blame’ their parents – we’re not children very long and we make our own life-choices. I understand that not every childhood is a bed of roses, but adulthood brings choice and a world of opportunity. Where that road takes us is up to ourselves and no-one else.

 

Folk ‘Blame’ their partner – with a ‘Divorce Rate’ of 50% in the UK, it’s not surprising that there’s ‘Blame’ attributed to one or both of the parties in any partnership in crisis. Stating the ‘Blame’ of the collapse of a marriage is part of the court proceedings to see if it’s worthy of a divorce. A simple ‘It’s my fault, let’s move on’ would be a far cheaper option rather than the usual court ‘Blame Battle’. The only ones who win, are the Lawyers.

 

Folk really will ‘Blame’ anyone but themselves.

 

Trying not to be a ‘Blame Victim’ when things are going wrong can be super-tough. I know. During my GBS illness it would have been far too easy to say that it had ruined my life and to have lived out the rest of my years feeling very bitter and twisted about how it’s physically and mentally changed me.

 

And naturally, when you find yourself in such a situation, you look at who to ‘Blame’. Was it a disease? Who gave it to me? Was it something I ate? 

 

Well it could have been self-generated. A payback of years, pushing my body beyond its limits and the stretch of my immune system. Who knows. I’m always proud to say that during 30+ years of running, I’ve never been injured – I haven’t, but in the case of GBS, maybe - I have.

 

It’s ok though and I don’t ‘Blame’ myself – I’m happy with what I’ve achieved and where I am. You see, I’m someone that doesn’t have the ‘Blame Gene’.

 

Being honest about yourself, what you do, what you project and how you live life will stop you ‘Blaming’ the world around you for your predicament and today could be the day to take the ‘B’ word out of your vocabulary – You never know.

1,234 Marathons - 290 Ultras - 10 MDS - 18 MDS - Zero Blame