Learning to Expect the Unexpected

If you don't prepare mentally for uncertainty it can?be?overwhelming.??

"Expect the Unexpected" is a maxim I have lived by and has helped me make the best out of situations that could otherwise bring you down.

In January 2020 I was on a high - I performed to my max and won AEE Fan Dance Trident - a multi-event based endurance race for civilians run?by ex-Special Forces personnel.??

You have to wear boots and carry a pack weighing around?35lbs/16kg?(Masters category) across mountainous terrain - it is arguably the toughest load bearing event in the world.

In early?February 2020 I attended a training day with Elite Outdoor Fitness (EOF). I chatted with Nick Grainge, founder of EOF, and he asked me "what next" .

I said I had peaked and I had achieved what I never thought possible so decided from now on I'd just?do stuff and enjoy it... not compete to win.??He said "Mark, this is the start... you will only get stronger!"

I trusted Nick and signed up to the Summer 2020 Fan Dance Event, setting myself new goals - to go faster and "win again".??

Then it started..... lockdown(s).?Event postponed to September 2020.?Event then postponed to January 2021.?Event then postponed to July 2021.

It would have been easy to call time on "getting?stronger".?It would have been easy to start doubting myself and Nick.

However, I embraced the challenge. I kept up my training and set "mini" goals along the way.?I kept myself "race ready" for over 15 months (a challenge in itself!).

Finally lockdown eased and the?event took place in?July 2021.??

I did the Fan Dance in 3hr 8 mins and High Moon (night event) in 2hr 55mins to?achieve a combined time of 6hrs 03 mins for the AEE Black Edition event.??

I achieved my goals - I did win again and set new?personal?bests for both events.

Nick was right... I had become stronger.??

Expect the Unexpected.