Being ready when we're not ready

I recently completed the Routeburn track in Queenstown and it’s got me reflecting on being ready when we’re not actually ready. If I’m honest it was my wife’s idea, I just went along with the plan and didn’t really think about it until the week before! I’m not really a walker, in fact I have no anterior cruciate ligament following a rupture playing soccer so it’s not ideal – it’s a challenge!? I also meant to do way more training than I did, I’m not as fit as I know I should and definitely not used to carrying a pack up a mountain.? I was worried as I should have been but it got me thinking about being ready when we’re not ready as is so often the case when we take on a challenge.

It’s about being ready even when we don’t feel ready.? Even if ideally more could be done or we could have had more time, money, experience or whatever else we’re telling ourselves.? Start where you are and bridge the gaps where you can – employ some mitigating strategies.? Once you’ve made the start it’s often too late to go back so we have to make it work, we figure it out.? We ride the wave and overcome the challenges, in fact this is so often how we learn.?

So what did I learn having now overcome that challenge?

Preparation is key: setting my intentions, knowing what I needed and taking some mitigation strategies to account for my gaps (in fitness in this case)!? Packing all the things you’ll need for a journey like this is the best way to start.

It’s important to look back to see how far you’ve come, this helps motivate us to keep moving forward even when it’s hard.? And yes it gets hard.? Some days the track is covered in snow, it’s steep and grueling and you wonder what you’re doing.? Other days it’s sunny and flat and seems a breeze.? It always seemed hardest first thing, before we’d warmed up and before we’d really got into our stride – just like any new journey and challenge.? It get’s easier the more you do it.

Each step is progress, just keep putting one foot infront of the other.? No matter how small the step it’s a step in the right direction and one step closer to the finish line.

Take rest and use support where you can.? It was the first time I’ve used walking poles but leaning on them was a life line – they also doubled well as crutches on my more tired days!

The huts were a welcome rest and shelter as was the encouragement from others along the track coming from the others direction ‘not far now’.? It’s key to get encouragement and advice from those ahead of us or who have traveled where we’re heading.

As we learn and travel further down the path we shed things along the way – in my case it was unfortunately toe nails!

So what are you worrying about not being ready for? How can some mitigating strategies and support help you take that step out of your comfort zone and make a go of it anyway?