Design for Life - Manic Street Preachers

Lyrics:- 'What price now for a shallow piece of dignity' - Bradfield, Moore & Wire

Song Choice:- This song is 21 year's old, believe it or not, and was the first to be written and released following the mysterious disappearance of figurehead Richey Edwards the previous year. The track struck a chord with me aback in 1996, and still does. It's the one that comes to mind as I often bump into lead singer James Dean Bradfield in Pontcanna, as he lives locally to me here in Cardiff.

You see, the track has a great title and brilliant hook in 'A Design of Life'... It's a phrase I've often considered and really mulled over many, many times. For me, it conjures a mental picture of having your life being printed out clearly in front of you, with all the highs and lows, there to be seen. Everything is visualised and everything is planned. 

Wow, what a thought and I wonder how many people would follow theirs if they had one?

I thought about the track again this morning when I was writing to one of my clients. I messaged him, 'We are the Architects of our own Failure'. Ok, it was harsh but then actually it isn't - it's a totally spot on comment. I mean given enough latitude and lack of concentration and commitment, we f@ck up our lives good and proper without even trying sometimes. 

Well let's be honest, we all do don't we.

Now this isn't like some Sunday Morning Sermon Blog, where it's all about asking for forgiveness for being a weak old sinner (no wonder no one wants to go to Church much anymore) - this is about searching for a positive solution and framework that can be used to erode the negativity that we sub-consciously let into our lives. There's nothing worse than having all your good work being demolished through a moment of weakness of one's own design.

Everyone can be their own better Architect...

No doubt the track will raise its head again as I circumnavigate the 400m track at Leckwith Stadium in Cardiff 105.4 times for the marathon there on Sunday as I will no doubt be thinking wtf am I doing this for - but then again, I've got no-one to blame as it's all part of my own blueprint that I'm following.

How's your 'Design' looking?

Rory Coleman - 984 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,465 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Adventure of a Lifetime - Coldplay

Lyrics:- 'Turn your magic on, everything you want's a dream away, we are legends, every day' - Martin, Berryman, Buckland, Eriksen, Hermansen & Champion

Song Choice:- I know I've had 'Adventure of a Lifetime' before for one of my blog titles but it's one of Coldplay's finest IMO as I've always found the lyrics very inspiring and it's even more pertinent as the song reflects my day. just perfectly

You see I had to get medically signed off to compete in this year's Marathon des Sables by my GP. He was great BTW but the form is a right faff if I'm being honest, but it's part of the race to have a signed off ECG and Medical Certificate, as the MdS is run under French Athletic Rules. It's an indemnity nightmare for the Doctor and up to a 30 day retrospective view of one's current state of health - The beauty is that if something horrible happens, well you were ok prior to the MdS so that's a good enough snapshot of whether you are going to be a medical nightmare in the sand. Hopefully that won't be me this year...

Luckily, apart from the obvious recent GBS nightmare, I was passed out 'fit and healthy' to compete next month which is a relief - 'Adventure of a Lifetime' sums it up quite nicely and as the lyrics say, 'I feel my heart beating, Like I'm alive again'...

That's what the race does to you, and maybe that's why I keep going back. Who'd have thought that last year! 

It feel like I've turned the 'Magic on'.

More tomorrow...

Rory Coleman - 984 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,464 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Ease the Pressure - The Beloved

Lyrics:- 'If you talk to me, then I will tell you something, like how it ought to be' - Marsh & Marsh

Song Choice:- This is a great song from way back in 1996 and it's one that I use a lot in my training and racing. Great lyrics, great driving beat and a great way of passing 4:35 minutes of any long run if you ask me.

'Pressure'...

Just uttering the word seems to increase any 'Pressure' that you might feeling, right now, and it's close friend 'Stress' both have a lot to answer for in my opinion, especially in our modern day live's where there's little time for considered thought and even less time for thoughtful actions.

Pressure and Stress are emotions I don't believe I suffer from too much, but it's 'Pressure' that I'm really interested in exploring for today's blog, especially when it's 'Peer Pressure' and in my case is something that's been affecting my world from someone else's thoughts that have been 'projected' onto them.

I won't go into detail but being whom I am I suppose and having some strong opinion on things based on extensive research and experience, I do get the odd bit of trolling from a minority amongst the masses. I've just got used to it over the years and if you stand out from the crowd, folk are bound to take a few pot-shots aren't they?

Anyway, I had a lovely email from one of the '2016 MdS Runners' saying that they 'wish that they would have spoken up more against the bullies' last year. 

'How lovely...

It was actually, and I'm sure we've all been guilty at one time or another of 'going with the flow' or 'siding with the bigger children in the playground', rather than standing out and risking the focus of the ridicule being shone in our direction instead. 

Let's face it - who wants to be associated with the guy that's getting all the flack?

Well I don't mind one bit, as I know my own thoughts and can make my own decisions without 'Peer Pressure' affecting my opinion.

Ask yourself - Who's driving you today? - I'm firmly behind my own steering wheel, are YOU?

Rory Coleman - 984 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,463 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Never Enough - Jesus Jones

Jesus Jones - Awesome

Lyrics:- 'Don't you know happy is never enough, looking for big answers getting nowhere' - Edwards

Song Choice:- Taken from Jesus Jones first album 'Liquidizer' this 2.41 minute track is pretty  rough to say the least, but is a great prelude to their later material which I was lucky enough to experience at Wembley's 'SummerXS' in 1991. Download some of their back-catalogue and you'll understand where I'm coming from and enjoy the music and lyrics of Mine Edwards - Genius.

In my first blog for a week, 'Never Enough' highlights my thoughts perfectly over this last week in 'Coleman-World' as I've spent a huge amount of time and energy helping a number of new clients see the world in a whole new perspective and some existing ones change theirs too.

I think a lot about folks personal circumstances, goals and aspirations, it's my job, and I see some real trends in their personalities, successes and their failures. At one end of the spectrum I have the 'Over-performers' that are trying to achieve their own level of 'Personal Greatness' but don't realise that they are already actually... erm Great. It always amazes me how folk can't see the truth looking back at them in the mirror. I spend a lot of time damping down their burning desire to train even harder and go for even bigger goals before the ones they have in hand.

At the other end of the spectrum are the 'Under-performers' whom through their own  personal mis-management and oversight have got into a spot where they need some outside help to get them back on track.

The interesting thing is for both groups, it's 'Never Enough'. 

Everyone at the start of this year's Marathon des Sables will say they haven't done 'Enough' training and that they could have done more. I get that but I'm realistic in my own thinking that personally I've done as much as I can with what I've got and that I'm lucky to even get to the start line, let alone cover the 156 miles. However,  I found it amusing that when I posted my race-number on FB, some people were amazed I was going back this year - what else would you expect of me and of course I'm going - as I'm a person that goes the 'Extra Mile' - I always have been and I always will be - that's me. Why should a life de-bilatating syndrome stop me from enjoying myself?

It's getting the 'Under-performers' to go that extra 1760 yards, that's the hard bit. A lot of the time results are slow (not if you are Dan) and I feel just as mean to them as I do to the 'Overs' but it works... it works really well, every single bloody time, given time. It's such a shame that life, bad management, procrastination has got in the way of their aspirations and happiness in the first place.

Don't get me wrong, I don't live in a state of Utopia and I'm just as guilty as the next person of all the above traits, it's just that I know when to go the 'Extra Mile' and then  a 'Further Mile' and when not to. That's what 55 years' has taught me... and it's been a tough lesson.

If you want something 'Enough' be it Work, Home or Leisure - Get a clear idea of how to achieve it or give me a call and I'll help you see the world in a whole new light, where you can be 'Happy' with whom you really are - as I believe thats all that anyone really wants.

Are you 'Happy Enough' or will it 'Never be Enough'?

Rory Coleman - 984 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables

9 Guinness World Records - 8,462 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Cardiff, Wales

Elise - Thomas Newman

Damon & Blunt at their best...

Song Choice:- Well here's a choice of song that will be controversial within the Family Coleman as recently, Mother Coleman says my blogs are 'Deep but Depressing', and Lady Coleman thinks this particular track is quote ' A Real Wrist Slasher' - So I've decided to ignore their feedback and I'm adding 'None of them are you' from the same album for added pain for the non-believers especially as it follows on quite nicely from 'Elise'... and hey, if we all liked the same stuff life would be boring wouldn't it...

For the record, I think both tracks from Thomas Newman's 'Adjustment Bureau Soundtrack Album' are totally bloody amazing! Truly evocative, especially if you've seen the film itself and if you haven't, here's a brief clip of it for you to see what you've been missing. 

It's one of my all time-favourites.

The music really fits my mood right now as you see it's been a very interesting day, with a classical theme and a complete spectrum of folk to train and meet. More will follow in the next few weeks on that and I could have chosen something more musically classical but if I'm being honest I don't really know my Brahms from my Liszt, so this is about as classical as this particular Coleman gets - or even wants to.

I think it's the concept and the imagery of the film that I love and the music accompanies it perfectly. But then again, I like a lot of Newman soundtracks to movies such as 'American Beauty' and 'Road to Perdition' which btw are also in the 'Wrist Slasher' category in our home movie collection.

Anyway, the thing I found most interesting about today is the complete spectrum of opinion, choice and decisions that we make about absolutely EVERYTHING that affects the world that exists inside our heads and the immediacy of sharing it with anyone willing who'll listen to them.

Why do we care so much what other people think? I can make my own mind up - can't you?

Don't get me wrong as I'm as guilty as the next man but I'm willing to stand out from the crowd and make my decisions and stand by them. You see I know other people aren't like me and 'None of them are YOU' either. So think-on...

More tomorrow from the Cliff-Edge, get your wrists and Band-Aids ready :-)

Rory Coleman - 983 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables
9 Guinness World Records - 8,456 Days' Alcohol Free

& 1 Inspirational Running Memoir - Get your copy here.

Location: Cardiff, Wales