London marathon #8: 13 weeks to go

This week I was reminded of the famous line from a poem by the Spanish poet Antonio Machado, "As you walk you make the path." Exactly what Machado meant by this phrase sits with him. For me, it sparked this week's self-leadership lesson, but first the running log...

• Tuesday: Tempo run, Death Road, Bolivia

• Wednesday: Recovery run, Tuan Chau Harbour, Vietnam

• Thursday: Interval run, Kaptagat Forest (Eliud Kipchoge country), Kenya

• Friday: Walk, Amfiteatrul Trail, Romania

• Saturday: Long run, Santana, Madeira Island

• Sunday: Easy, progressive run around the streets of town

• Monday: Rest day

"As you walk you make the path"...

Any challenge or journey has to start somewhere. But, as the saying goes, the first step is often the hardest. Why?

• Fear of failure?

• Fear of the unknown?

• Fear of being criticised?

• Stepping outside the "character", the person we are known to be and accepted for?

• Can I buy a return ticket?

• Do I have what it takes to do this?

These are all self-limiting feelings and thoughts, and yes, I'm guilty as charged. The best way I have found to rise above these inner voices is to put my life into perspective...

• The person who cares most about how I live my life is me! I can't be waiting for someone else to inspire me, motivate me, point me in the right direction.

• I'm a blip on the history of humankind, millions of people for thousands of years have had "their time", do I want to waste my go? No, it's up to me to make "my time" a valuable journey.

• Do I have people around me who love me unconditionally and support me in everything I do? Yes, absolutely!

• Zoom out. We become so attached to the path we are on; it seems impossible to change direction. When we step back, we can see there are many possibilities, but often we only take a different path when it's foisted on us.

• What have I really got to lose by seizing opportunities, by being brave enough to do something I really want to do?

• Oh, and when I think of the detractors out there, I turn to Queen Victoria's famous quote: "The important thing is not what they think of me, but what I think of them."

"As you walk you make the path, and as you turn to glance behind you see the trail that you shall never return to tread again." - Antonio Machado