Solid rating for Brockmann’s sheer mental willpower, the timing of this story entering my life (and running journey) and how it pulled me out of a (very long) reading rut.
It’s a bit preachy and self-helpy but I like how the book has a no-BS, authentic tone. At first, Brockmann comes across as a bit mad for embarking on this journey and a bit naive for approaching fundraising with his pure heart and intentions. But you can’t even fault him for how consistent he is. Such skepticism transforms into respect. I enjoyed this book and feel v fitspired 🔥🔥
+++
- “if you’re going through hell, keep going.”
- “I was aware only of my breathing and the accumulating fatigue in my legs. I found that I was enjoying the solitude with no interruption save the occasional shriek of birds. It felt like I was enjoying some rare gift. Running along the road I was free of all obligation, driven by my own determination alone. I experienced the thrill of independence mixed with a growing sense that I might be capable of achieving more than I believed.”
- 75 hard challenge
- “Running was simply the tool that would enable me to test myself and push myself further.”
- “There’s always a moment, the tipping point when things suddenly get very real. When the test becomes seriously hard and uncomfortable. That’s the point when you’re going to be tempted to throw in the towel you feel that level of physical distress - your pulse hammering, your lungs gasping for more air - your brain’s natural reaction is to quit.”
- “When you’ve finished and recovered, take a mental note of how you managed. Congratulate yourself on how you were strong enough and gutsy enough to confront that adversity head-on. And what actually happened? You survived to tell the tale and maybe even gained some extra pride and self-belief in the process.”
- Passage from Ned’s mum got me tearing up
- “Whatever you want to achieve in life, the reality is this: it’s not about how good you are, it’s about how much you want it.”
- “Rain or shine, you take care of your duties no matter what… actions speak louder than words. Indeed, what both my parents wanted their children to learn was that we are what we do, not what we talk about or say we’ll do.”
- “Quitting was not an option. I was committed to finishing what I’d set out to do.”
- “Regardless of how long someone’s been marginalised, the need for connection never leaves. It simply lies dormant, ready to be awoken before a receptive stranger.”
- “just as sickness gives meaning to health, death to life, discomfort gives meaning to pleasure.”
- “basically what I do… is that I burn the boats”
- “Try speaking to yourself with the same encouragement you’d use to talk to a friend. If you wouldn’t say it to a mate, don’t say it to yourself.”