The Agony, The Ecstasy and The Possibility Just over four weeks ago I was lying in an MRI scanner in Portugal, wondering if my first Hyrox race was slipping through my fingers.
I’d trained hard for five months. And now, with a painful knee, I could barely walk.
I had no idea if I’d make it. But I showed up every day as if I would.
Fast forward to last Friday in Madrid. Hall 9 at the IFEMA was absolutely buzzing. The atmosphere was electric. Thousands of competitors, music thumping, crowds roaring. The same electric atmosphere I’d experienced in Barcelona the year before, when injury had forced me to watch from the sidelines.
But this time, I was racing.
No perfect preparation.
The first half of the race went well for me … ski erg, sled push, sled pull, burpees. I felt strong. We held our pace through the row and the farmers carry.
I was in the pain cave mentally. No problem with that. I’d been there a hundred times before, but I didn’t have any more gears.
The final kilometre and wall balls were excruciatingly.
I was in agony and ecstatic!
Physically only fumes left … emotionally supercharged!!
If you’d like to see a short clip of my post-race thoughts … click here.
812th overall.
If you’d like to watch a short video giving super overview of our weekend … filmed by the super fit and incredible chef Stevie Beaddie, click here.
When I lay in that MRI scanner on 29th October, it looked like the race looked doubtful. It would have been easy to quit. But something inside kept me moving, kept me on the path, and all the way to the start line. Making the start line the goal changed everything.
It’s easy to think things need to be perfect to produce a great result. But this experience showed me that even when the plan falls apart, something brilliant can still come through. Maybe even something better than you imagined.
I’ve also remembered how much there is to learn at the edge of discomfort. When you’re physically and mentally stretched. When your body’s screaming, and you still choose to keep going. That edge always has something new to teach me about what’s possible.
And maybe that’s the biggest insight of all. That more is possible … but only always.
If this resonates, I’d love to hear how. Email me at peter@pm-coaching.co.uk
And if you’re facing a big challenge in your business or life that’s pushing you to your edge and you’re not sure you can keep going …
Call me.
I may be able to help.
Much love,