Learning from the All Blacks

Champions do extra. Yes I know the All Blacks didn’t win the recent Rugby World Cup in Japan, but with a win percentage of nearly 80% over more than 100 years of Test Match rugby, it is the All Blacks that people look to for ideas on how to raise their game.

During the World Cup I was given the book “Legacy” by James Kerr. It lays out the All Blacks blueprint for success, however it was the power of one tiny phrase that really captured my attention…… “Champions Do Extra”.

At work (and in life), you don’t have to be an actual champion to act like a champion. Imagine what you could achieve with your own “Champions Do Extra” attitude in an organisation that has a “Champions Do Extra” attitude! 

This year I was privileged to become “Fan Dance Race Champion, Winter and Summer”. This is an iconic event in the Brecon Beacons of Wales that follows the 24km route of the oldest military Special Forces Test March in history. 

Exercise High Walk, more commonly known as “The Fan Dance”, is a pass/fail marker for prospective SAS and SBS recruits at the beginning of the Hill Phase of their Selection.

The “Champions Do Extra” mantra inspired me to push myself further for the upcoming Winter 2020 race event in January.  I have set myself a new goal and entered “The Fan Dance Trident”.

Trident is a combination of three races in just over 24hrs, totaling around 70km.  Of the hundreds of people who will attempt the Fan Dance Race, only a handful will attempt Trident.

Those that do will be racing in total for around 12 hours, wearing boots and carrying a pack weighing 35-45lbs.

In between the events there is limited time to rest, eat and sort out kit for the next race start. In addition, the winter weather will play its toll with freezing temperatures, howling winds and likely nasty ice and drifting snow to contend with.

As you can imagine, training is tough. I just finished Week 5 of a 12 week plan. This week I need to do at least 66km running. Yesterday I did a 22km hill run….. today I’ll do another 22km with a 30lbs pack.

Every training run is a challenge but a necessary step towards the Trident start line. When the pain kicks in and I want to cut short my training I just think "Champions Do Extra", put my head down and keep going!