The Race for Space - Public Service Broadcasting

Lyric:- 'We meet in an hour of change and challenge' - John F. Kennedy

Song Choice:- Here's another selection from Public Service Broadcasting which uses the famous JFK speech, 'We choose to go to the Moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard; because that goal will serve to organise and measure the best of our energies and skills, because that challenge is one that we are willing to accept, one we are unwilling to postpone, and one we intend to win' - September 12, 1962.

I love the last word of the speech the most - Win. Winning's important, well it was in the Race for Space for the USA in the 60's and it is for me too. If you are enjoying the Olympics as much as I am, you'll know everyone loves a winner. Even a silver or bronze however hard won just doesn't cut the mustard. As for Fourth? Well you might as well be 44th.

Heroes are made and years of dedication and hope are lost in a split second, it's edge of the seat stuff.

It sounds harsh doesn't it but the Olympic motto 'Citius, Altius, Fortius', which is Latin for 'Faster, Higher, Stronger' highlights how we should look at our own lives perhaps, all of the time, and not every four years.

Getting into the right mindset's the hardest thing as there's a whole world of mediocrity out there to relax into. Modern life has so much distraction, it's amazing that we ever get anything done, let alone strive for winning or being the best in the world at something.

I'm happy that I want to be a winner and want to be the best I can, there's no shame in that. I wonder how many folk would agree. Then again getting the most out of life doesn't have to mean landing on the moon or win an olympic gold, it's just about getting the most out of what you've got.

Try being a winner today. You might enjoy it!

Rory Coleman

976 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables - 9 Guinness World Records - 8262 Days' Dry

www.RORYCOLEMAN.co.uk

Go - Public Service Broadcasting

Lyric:- Guidance? Go, Control? Go, Go, Go, Go, Go - Willgoose Esq. & Wrigglesworth

Song Choice:- Another track from Public Service Broadcasting and a fascinating use of  archive footage from the Apollo 11 mission to the moon. Take a look here if you haven't heard these guys yet as I think they are the best thing to hit my ears for years! I just love their creativity and the fact that when you think music can’t evolve any further, they've only gone and done it.

It’s ‘Evolution’ that I’m interested in for today’s blog. The two dictionary definitions of Evolution are ‘the process by which different kinds of living organism are believed to have developed from earlier forms during the history of the earth’ or ‘the gradual development of something’. Putting the Darwinism to one side, during my illness, it’s been a fascinating process to go from being totally immobile from the neck down, to now being able to walk using poles as stabilisers, moving freely from A to B in safety at long last.

My six-week journey is considerably less than the 7.5 billion years of Evolution since Hominina (humans and biped ancestors) and Panina (chimps) separated, yet I feel I’ve already travelled light years. Relearning something that’s been totally instinctual for my 54 years, has been most strange and I’m still a long way off getting myself walking perfectly, unaided. 

Is it frustrating? Well, funnily not, as I know in my heart of heart’s that I’ll get there eventually.

It does make you think about a lot of the basics that we take for granted in life. And whilst ‘Landing on the Moon’ or developing the ‘Driverless Google Car’ is remarkable and thoroughly exciting, our own health and well-being is far more important. As part of my rehab, I saw a Psychologist yesterday to see how if I’m coping ok with the mental pressures of SIDP. I’m not sure whether there’s ever a definitive answer and I always think I sound quite mad when I vocalise my ‘Life Rationale’. I didn’t get carried away by men in white coats or end up heavily sedated so I must have some sanity left. So I'll move on up the evolutionary scale and keep working on my walking.

How’s your Evolution going?

Guidance? Go, Control? Go, Go, Go, Go, Go.

Rory Coleman

976 Marathons - 241 Ultras - 13 Marathon des Sables - 9 Guinness World Records - 8261 Days' Dry

www.RoryColeman.co.uk

Spitfire - Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

Lyric:- 'See how they wheel and bank and glide: Perfect' - Willgoose Esq. & Wrigglesworth

Song Choice:- A second track from PSB's 'Inform, Educate, Entertain' album. Take a look here at one of their live performances to see why I find them and their music so exciting. It's a track I've listened to a lot today during some more tense times for the Family Coleman.

The great American Football player and coach, Vince Lombardi famously said, 'It's not whether you get knocked down, it's whether you get up'. It's a great quote and one I've used any times over the past few months and one I've used again today following our latest trip at Accident & Emergency with 19 day old Charlie Coleman.

A raging temperature and him not being his usual self, gave us great concern for all things Meningitis last night but 'luckily' it appears he only has an infection. He's now on a multi-day course of intravenous antibiotics, which will hopefully see him on his way to a full recovery. Lady Coleman, is staying with him in at our second home, University Hospital Wales in Cardiff until he's better.

It does make you wonder what's next in store for our family. We are certainly being tested but I believe we are stronger than ever and can cope with anything that comes our way. Charlie and I are very lucky that our illnesses are treatable and I take that as a real bonus tonight as hope and recovery both breed strength.

At times like this, feeling strong is vital. 

My question is, how strong are you right now? Are you being tested? Are you struggling? Do you need to ask for help? It's not a weakness, it's a sign of great strength.

Our little man looked very ill last night but he's still perfect in my eyes and we have a whole lifetime ahead to watch him grown, bank and glide.

Amen.

Rory Coleman

976 Marathons, 241 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records, 13 Marathon des Sables, 8257 Days' Dry, 1 Vision

www.RoryColeman.co.uk

Inform - Educate - Entertain - Public Service Broadcasting (PSB)

Lyric:- 'Who knows what miracles are yet to come' - Willgoose Esq. & Wrigglesworth

Song Choice:- If you have 4:15 mins free tonight please take a listen here and be prepared for the best musical experience you'll get for many a year. It was a real first time listening to Pink Floyd, Pendulum, Royal Blood moment for me. I'm disappointed that PSB haven’t been a part of my musical world already.

They are bloody brilliant! In fact, they are so good, I might even have a PSB themed week, so be prepared as I'm very driven right now.

Anyway, it's great to have new things pop into one's world when you are least expecting them as it keeps things nice and fresh. There's nothing worse than feeling stale or being in a state of endless procrastination, as nothing ever gets done. Why do we let the world we know exists out there corrode away before our very eyes. I'm guilty myself I'm sure but if you are in touching distance of your goal and changing your life, please KEEP GOING!

Is it just too darned hard to cut to the chase, grasp the nettle and simply get on with it? Or is it that other people get in the way of you and your dreams? How many times have you been talked out of a good idea or opportunity that you know you could maximise?

Well, maybe it's time to get the most out of whats on offer. That's where I am right now. I'm walking, but it's not GOOD walking. It's far from it but 'Who knows what miracles are yet to come' and I'm going to get as fixed and less duck-like as possible before I walk the 1.3 miles home to #48. I'm going to bloody well do it too. 

The lyrics continue, 'It’s tiring always stretching up for something that is just out of reach, but I’ll get it.' - How apt are they for me today? Are they apt for you too? I'd love to know.

More tomorrow...

Rory Coleman

976 Marathons, 241 Ultras, 9 Guinness World Records, 13 Marathon des Sables, 8257 Days' Dry, 1 Vision

www.RoryColeman.co.uk