22 Reflections for 2022
I know I said there wasn't going to be an edition of Peak2Soon until next year, well I lied. Not running has given me plenty of time, so I thought I'd share 22 thoughts or reflections of the past year
People are sent into our lives to teach us things that we need to learn about ourselves.
Mandy Hale
Got inspired through the writing of Running Rare and Benny A’s thoughtful pieces reflecting on the year that was for both of them and the lessons they’ve learnt. It’s impossible to fit everything that you learn in a year into 22 different bullet points, but I’ve tried to do the best I can to write about the things that have helped shape me in 2022.
Getting out of my comfort zone and training with people I’ve never met has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. This year I joined the Elevate Running and Fitness group, and while I was initially anxious as I don’t deal well in a group of people I don’t know it’s been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Being open about my feelings and mental health has empowered me and I feel a lot more confident as a person as a result, and I hope to play a part in lessening the stigma that surrounds men talking about their emotions, and the goals that Running For Resilience has going forward.
When I think I can’t give anymore, I learnt that it’s only just the beginning and I’ll be able to do far more than I ever thought possible. There was so many times this year I really felt like I was not going to be able to go any further in races, during the Special Forces Challenge or when I worked twice doing a double shift at work (4:30am to 6:30pm), and somehow I was able to find that little bit extra.
Next year I’ll be aiming to get better sleep, after short changing myself this year on too many occasions. It hasn’t had a deep impact, but I know it’s something I can make big improvements on going forward.
Finding your own balance between work, social life and training is the most rewarding thing you can do for yourself. Particularly finding lots of time for your significant other. I found making sure I was able to spend time quality time with Cassandra outside of my training, or organising training so I could spend time with her was a huge driver in my success this year.
If you try to please absolutely everybody you’re going to learn very quickly that you can’t, so spend that energy wisely, and don’t waste your time with ‘Energy Vampires’
Not everyone is going to be capable of or willing to put in the same effort as you whether that be in work, training or everyday life, so don’t be disappointed if they don’t put in the same for you as you do for them.
I’m okay for people to not understand why I run long distances or even run at all. Everyone is different and that’s what makes the world a great place, I’m grateful for having the opportunity to share where I’ve come from and where I hope I’m going. It’s a niche sport and not many people are prepared to go to the lengths that we as ultra runners are, and that’s perfectly fine.
Being part of the first Aussie Rules premiership for the town of Murrumbateman against arch rivals Yass is going to be a feeling that’s going to live with me for a long time. Being one of the inaugural players who’s been thereover the last four years, and to go through the journey to the premiership made it all the more sweeter.
Calorie counting has become such a simple and effective way for me to make sure that I’m not under fueling my day. I use Alfred, and would be happy to show more people how they could utilise eating enough to make the most of every day.
Public speaking is never as bad as you think it is, and even if you do stuff up no one is going to stew on it for long enough for you to care enough about it.
Completing ridiculous physical challenges like a Special Forces Challenge and 100 kilometre ultra have only grown my interest in finding out what I can push my body to achieve.
I’ve found this year that my friendships will fluctuate, I’ve met a ton of new people, some people will remain a constant, while others have filtered their way out of my life. Just because someone isn’t in my life as much as they used to be, doesn’t mean they’re no longer my friend, in my opinion a friend made is a friend for life, no matter how much you drift.
The old saying is true, you only get better at something the more you do it. This year was my second year as head commentator for the 2CC Raiders Call Team, and it was also the first year I put a lot of energy into trail running, I feel I’ve made huge strides in both just through repetition and hard work.
It’s important to be kind to your body after forcing it to lug you around in an ultra. I’m terrible at being patient when it comes to getting back to physical exercise, but an elevated heart rate for a longer period of time following a quicker parkrun on Saturday has me realising I’m still quite a way off being 100 per cent.
Advice is advice, but how you choose to use it is up to you. This year I took on a lot of advice, some of it was really good and some of it I’ll never give the time of day again, it’s also worth noting who gives you the advice. Find your trusted sources, and use them as often as you can.
If you feel like something is going wrong with your body, go to a doctor and get it sorted. Costochondritis was giving me dramas for a month before I went to a doctor, and within two weeks I was sorted and back to full fitness.
The older I get the less I feel like alcohol is required for social situations. I used to get absolutely tanked at birthday parties and social gatherings, and this year I feel like a couple of beers, if any, is more than enough.
Experiences matter more than money. A previous relationship led me to have what I realised was a pretty toxic relationship with money, and I was holding on too tightly to my money, not realising it’s hard to enjoy your hard earned if you’re not spending it on anything. Thankful to have been able to go over to Perth twice, the Gold Coast this year and have my first overseas trips booked for next year.
I’m constantly thinking about what’s next on the horizon for me. As I write this I’m due to work a week of 4:30am starts, where most people across the country don’t even know what day it is. I’m always talking about my job and I love it, but the early mornings pre and post 100 have taken their toll. All I know is next time, at a minimum, I’ll be blacking myself out either side of my next big race.
There are many ways to learn, and mistakes are one of them. I still laugh about how badly I stuffed up my nutrition from my first ultra in March, but I’m proud about nailing a 100 kilometre nutrition plan just 8 months later.
Finally I’ll never, ever, ever take running for granted. Movement is a gift and we are blessed to be able to have the opportunity to take in some pretty incredible places through the power of my own legs.
I’m keen to hear what others have learnt this year, or anything reflections you might have as we near the end of 2022!
Experiences do matter more than saving all your eanings. You would just end up just with a few extra grands and extra regrets.. Money is a form of reward for sacrifices we make on daily basis and we should definitely spend them on good things that refill us with life.
And I think the way you wrapped up your year with these pieces of reflection is way better than a new year’s resolution. We are all way better off reflecting and being grateful for what we have come through and also making sure we stick to what we know to be right for coming years.
Merry Christmas and a Happy new year Brent !
Well said mate and absolutely avoid energy vampires like the plague.