What comes after mastery?

The first day of my fifteenth month of running a mile each day.

My quadricep muscles are still really stiff. I think I was being slightly overconfident by not stretching after Sunday's half marathon.

When will I ever learn when it comes to stretching?

I have now finished Daniel Pink's excellent book "Drive". In the book, Daniel Pink suggests that there are three key things that are most important to us when it comes to motivation.

The first is autonomy, which is not necessarily the same as independence. It's the ability to choose what we work on, when we work and who we work with, either within or outside an organisation.

The second key is to have the opportunity to develop mastery in what really interests us. This is the type of work that every now and then lets us experience the phenomenon that's known as "flow".

It's not about attaining mastery. Is it actually ever possible to do that? If it is, what comes after mastery?

The final key is to have the sense that what we are doing is contributing to something that is more important than ourselves and also more important than profit alone. This is what we might call purpose or making a difference.

Autonomy, mastery and purpose. Sounds like something worth aiming for, and in a funny way my experience in Sunday's half marathon ticked all those boxes.

Talking to myself

Yesteray I ran 10km for the first time in many months, probably six. It wasn't easy and yet it was also really enjoyable.

There is nothing like pushing myself, stretching myself (no, not that type of stretching - I'm terrible at doing that), challenging myself, with the wind in my hair, the sun on my face and body, and the sound of birdsong in my ears (as well as my own breathing and the occasional traffic noise when I venture near roads).

I also talk to myself out loud when I run. It could be the first, or possibly more advanced, sign of madness, but is a leftover from pre-iPhone times when I used to run with my mobile phone strapped to my arm, connected by earphones, recording my thoughts and ideas.

Note to self - I really should find a device that allows me to strap my iPhone to my arm so I don't look quite as demented when I'm out running in public.

8 weeks completed

It's Nicky's and my 15th anniversary today, so lunch out, and a glass or two of wine no doubt.

I have volunteered to be part of the support team for the Tunbridge Wells Half Marathon this Sunday. Apparently, I will be in the sweep car picking up any runners who are struggling and need a lift to the finish, although hopefully everyone will make it to the finish and feel justifiably proud.

It will be great to see the inspirational Kelly Holmes again. She will be starting the race, and cheering people on. She's one amazing, and incredibly nice, lady!

Nicky asked me yesterday whether I'd be able to run the half marathon now. I haven't run anything like that distance for at least a couple of years, so the answer is probably not, at least without injuring myself.

However, I am starting to feel an urge to stretch my mile a bit further, maybe just every once in a while. I'm not sure why. I suppose half the fun of my mile each day challenge is that it's a challenge.

At the moment I'm in my comfort zone, and it's usually good to stretch that comfort zone. The trick is to stretch it whilst keeping my running easy, light, smooth and FUN!

““Think Easy, Light, Smooth, and Fast. You start with easy, because if that’s all you get, that’s not so bad. Then work on light. Make it effortless, like you don’t give a shit how high the hill is or how far you’ve got to go. When you’ve practiced that so long that you forget you’re practicing, you work on making it smooooooth. You won’t have to worry about the last one – you get those three, and you’ll be fast.” - excerpt from Born To Run

You live up to your own expectations

"this ninety-five-year-old man came hiking twenty miles over the mountain. Know why he could do it? Because no one ever told him he couldn't. No one ever told him he oughta be off dying somewhere in an old age home. You live up to your own expectations..."

Another quote from my book of the decade (so far) - Born To Run.

That's my goal in life - to be that 95-year-old hiking over mountains because I don't know any better. But for now it's just day 53 in my run a mile each day programme.

While I was in the shower this morning, I worked out that I have already lived more days than my Dad did. He died at the age of 54, my age now, but I am already closer to my 55th birthday than he ever got.

When I look at it like that, each day is a blessing, each run is an incredible blessing. I feel so lucky and privileged to have been given the ability and the freedom to just lace up my shoes and be in motion with nature and the elements.

Blimey, I'm coming over all profound!

So anyway, my expectations? To love life, the people and experiences I encounter from day to day, and to stretch myself physically, mentally and spiritually a little more each day.

How long for? Who the hell knows but it's a stunning journey while it lasts.