Neil Featherby: how to sail in life after clash after the race

“How do you feel after your incredible race in the comrades marathon?” I asked Mark (Armstrong) earlier this week.

His answer did not surprise me a little after having known how he gave his absolute when it was a question of training and finishing the 90 km race in a brilliant period of just over 9 hours.

“Try to adapt again to normal life after such an incredible experience,” he said.

A comment very similar to that of my good friend Bhaskar Kumar who finished his first marathon in Stockholm three weeks ago. Although with Bhaskar more linked to fatigue and having caught a heavy cold a few days after his arrival from Sweden.

We spend not only weeks, but several months preparing our body and mind for what is a great challenge like a marathon or a large ultra marathon which most often leads to an ecstatic summit once finished.

However, and even if the top can last several days, so much covers that I have not only seen but I knew an accident (anti-climax) once the euphoria has died out.

Usually, when you look around and realize that the specific journey has ended and as Mark said, “it’s back to normal life.”

While the bubble has not necessarily broken up, things may perhaps feel a little more banal.

Even when he is running, he always looks like something.

I am sure that many people can understand what I say, especially for those of us who are dependent on the challenges.

“I know that the bottom will pass, but when you have had something that has defined your training and your approach to life for almost a year, now it’s over, it looks almost like a loss,” said Mark, describing his feelings.

He also asked me how I gave myself such things.

“Easy”, I replied. “You are looking to start again and look for more mountains to climb.”

In this case, I know that Mark already has something specially aligned, but he will of course inform everyone through his weekly columns in the future.

I will also let him know and remind him how he currently feels when he will emerge the next Grind by training for his next big challenge!

Regarding Bhaskar, he already has creations on his next marathon.

“I know I can run faster,” he keeps telling me, and he can.

As I told him before his first, he will have to run a marathon to understand exactly what it is and be the very deep and thoughtful person, he now has a greater understanding of what it really takes.

Oh, and this next being the Loch Ness marathon on September 28. He will direct him with his partner Alexis who has a 3 hour and 24 -minute pb marathon.

The establishment of objectives can be presented in many different forms, but having a plan to work while remaining motivated is something we all need in life.