August 2020 to December 31st 2020 is the final stages of my physical and mental training before I ease off ready for my 1,000-mile trek to parts of the Yukon and Alaska; unsupported.
I’ve been planning this expedition trek for many years and already had an attempt cut short due to injury; avoiding a spinning car hurtling towards me on a frozen road.
Part of my training is to empower my mind and body to maintain 45 miles a day pulling my pulk which will weigh approximately 45 kilos over unforgiving terrain.
Only 7 months ago I had an operation to repair a ripped meniscus and multiple tears in my cruciate ligament on my right knee. So, I can’t quite put into words at the moment how excited I feel about being able to train at the level I am.
Saturday 1st August was weekend 3 of my final 5-month training plan. I walked, pulling a large tyre over the Derbyshire Peak district. 51.57km (32 miles) over many peaks, hills, over boulders, rocky paths, tarmac and grass land and old roman roads.
Each Saturday my plan is to increase the distance by 10k until I hit the magic 45 miles (72.5km) in one day pulling the tyre. If I average 2.75 mph or 4.5 kmph, then my time walking with the tyre, attached to me, will take me 16-17 hours with breaks.
As you can imagine these are long days! Yes, you could say they are very tyre-ing, Do I get tyred? It must be tyre-some! I know sounds like humour but after a while you get bored of the comments from other people looking at you weirdly!
72.42 km is my target distance which equates to 45 miles.
On the 1st August I found my energy levels were fine up to 40k. Whilst planning my route, I knew the section between 40-45k was probably the toughest of all the route I had chosen for that day. My first challenge was to ensure my mind didn’t gear me up to think it was tough.
I could have approached my route clockwise, which meant the section between 40-45k would have been all downhill, but that would have only resulted in me cheating myself.
It is 5k of sheer undulating inclines in hot weather. I’d be lying if I said it was a doddle. It certainly required my mind to take over and I became the passenger on the journey. That way I wasn’t worrying about the incline, just enjoying the journey the best I could, considering the obvious – insanity for taking on such a personal challenge!
You see, it’s easy for anyone to say “think it, believe it and you can achieve it”. But I truly believe you have to go deeper within your mind to understand your “Bear”. If you train your mind in a specific way, then you find you can adjust your mindset at any given point.
People say to me, Jon, you must be super fit, the distance is insane pulling a tyre! How do you gear your mind to take on 50k? I always say, well, I don’t focus on the high number for a start. Yes, I have a plan and I break things down into sizeable chunks at times. That way I don’t get lost in the mist or overwhelming thoughts of tiredness just thinking of the distance that needs to be covered.
I believe, with the right mindset training, if you can run or walk 10k, you can run or walk a marathon. If you can complete a marathon, you can run an ultra. If you can run an ultra, you can run or walk any distance you desire. You just need a plan, strategy and the right state of mind and body for whatever you so desire to achieve. The same applies with life and business. Break it down, have a plan, listen to successful people who have done what you are setting out to achieve.
Please, please DO NOT listen to what I call academic people of life. This may sound negative, but there seems to be an ever-increasing number of people claiming to be specialists in certain things, yet they never seem to actually apply their knowledge in the real world with themselves!
With myself, I will be completing 1,000 miles in arctic conditions with so many variables. There aren’t many people out there that have completed 1,000-mile distances in arctic conditions, so it’s a little challenging to get a mentor to learn from. That said there are plenty of people who are experienced in distance navigation and survival skills; for example, which I have quite rightly spent time learning from them.
Try not to let the fear of the unknown take over if you can’t find a mentor. Many people are conditioned from stages in their life to either fear the unknown, or the fear of not succeeding first time. I say stuff them all! You never know, you may actually succeed!
It’s Friday 7th August as I write this article. I have two more weekends before I hit the target distance of 72.42 kms; with tomorrow being a 60k target training session. Yes, it’s exciting in many ways, but planning and preparing for such a distance, away from as many people as possible, so I can just get on with training, can and does prove challenging. It’s not that I’m unsociable, but I do like to allow myself to focus and be the introvert that I truly am. There is only so many puns you can take during any one given day!
Yes, people are curious, inquisitive which is great, but sometimes you just want to be left alone to get on and train. Also, when your mind is purely focused on your goal, if someone says something to me, I can often come across as if I am ignoring their questions or remarks. It’s not the case. I’m merely just focused on my mind; being free of everything else except my inner self. That’s why I prefer the early morning part of the walk, or even late evening when people have gone home!
So, to come back to my initial headline comment, is pulling a tyre for 51k over the Derbyshire peaks physically hard? At first, yes. But after a while, it becomes second nature and you just “crack on” as they say. Your mind becomes attuned to the motions of just doing it. Just like anything else in life. If you put the effort in, you get the rewards out.
Want to know how to adjust your own mindset for the next stage of your life? Why not get in touch or reach out, maybe register for the updates and blogs which provide hints and tips.
Warmest wishes
Walking With My Bear
June 23rd 2020, It’s 5.30am, I’m lying in bed, a full day clearing all the building waste in the back yard to the tip, a sense of joy comes to my mind.
I made the decision to move to my rental property I own to do it up and focus time with my boys.
It’s been a tough 12 months and a period where I embrace with many learnings.
Covid-19
Covid-19 has brought many challenges as well. Yet, I find myself striving forward with my dreams, aspirations and goals held strong within me.
Currently I’m enhancing my map reading skills and still pursuing my 1,000-mile trek for the Yukon and Alaska in 2021, even though travel restrictions are still in place at present. I’m maintaining my focus that the travel restrictions will lift and relax nearer the time!
I ask this question: –
“If you have a dream/vision of what you hold your future to be right now, are you willing to risk everything in your pursuit to achieve your dream?… I am. Some think I’m nuts, some think I’m mad and much more. I just think I’m a man with a vision, a goal and a level of tenacity to pursue the life I desire".
I admit, having lived around many people who think and say I’m crazy, selfish, reckless and much more, being that I am channeled in my vision to achieve what very few people achieve in life continues to hit me head on each day. Yet, I surrender to my dream as it is my reality and choose to enjoy my journey whilst having faith in my actions.
My next adventure
With my countdown clock for my next adventure now live on this website, all my kit is ready excluding expedition food and booking of flights, which I will book and order later in the year when appropriate. I’m so excited to say the least…
July 2020, Covid brings so much uncertainty. For many, uncertainty of the unknown!
If you’re mind isn’t able to work with curve balls or think outside the box in times of change or uncertainty, then this can be a recipe for stress, anxiety, depression, limiting beliefs and much more.
As I write this article, I’m currently stepping up my training to take on a 1,000-mile unsupported trek across the Yukon and Alaska. The variables are huge to say the least.
Personal worries
- Travel restrictions
- Weather variables
- Unfrozen rivers and overflow
- Potential bears not hibernating
- Wolves
- Freezing temperatures that cold you could lose fingers, hands legs etc.
Even die alone in temperatures of minus 50degrees! I could even get lost in the wilderness and run out of food, my luggage/equipment could get lost, I could miss my flights, catch an illness through the air conditioning on a plane, get Deep Vein thrombosis through a long haul flight, I could lose my batteries and solar charging units, I could fall through a frozen lake or river. This list goes on. I could even suffer another bronchospasm at 5.30am in minus 40 degrees in a forest on my own, just like in 2017 when I participated in the Yukon Arctic Ultra 430-mile race! My race was short lived we shall say!
COVID19 also presents itself to many in very similar ways. Uncertainty of health risks being in certain areas, uncertainty of employment or even contracts, cash flow, loved ones needing care and support. For some, they even lost loved ones, which my heart goes out to them. With continued Government intervention and localised restrictions and lockdowns, and the list can go on and on, which for some causes stress, anxiety, fear of the unknown and uncertainty at level never experienced before.
Looking to the future
However, I could also, and will only choose one way to look at my present and future. I know where I am heading. I may just alter my route on my way, and even go off at a tangent at times, yet remain on track, albeit with an open mind as I experience my journey. You never know where you might find yourself!
It’s a bit like having a choice of either a GPS or satellite navigation system (Sat Nav) in your mind with your goals, aspirations, targets etc. To me, the difference is clear: –
A satellite navigation system (Sat Nav), will have a planned route. But if the route map hasn’t been updated in a while, and there’s been a new road layout, or even a building built on an old road, the sat nav will struggle with your direction of travel. Whereas the GPS devise will constantly show your desired destination but may provide various route options to help you adapt to an ever-changing route that is required.
To me, the human mind can choose to work with either option. For me, it’s about the GPS approach. Knowing your destination but with the ability to adapt. What’s your approach? I’m curious and would love to hear…
The coming months
So, to give you an insight to my next 6 months, and kick start the articles, blogs and newsletters for Walking With My Bear, I wanted to share my approach, experiences with the highs and lows. How I prepare my mind and maintain focus on both personal and business life, whilst fueling my mind, body and spirit..
I want to start with an extract from a book I wrote called – How To Build On Tectonic Plates.
I feel and believe, whenever you want to look into how you are programmed and what really influences the thoughts feelings and actions within you, you need to start at the beginning.
What do I mean, well let’s take a look at page 36 of the book. It demonstrates how the protective response mechanism being the fight or flight, or as I also say, your “Bear”, will process the 6 key senses, and digest, format and store many aspects to any experience into your filing cabinet. Which in turn becomes deeply rooted into your subconscious mind- the programming which in turn influences all the decisions, actions and feelings you express and apply to life.
To conclude
So, to bring this blog to a head, you have to understand your programming. Once you have done this, then you can begin to secure your tectonic plates of your mind. Once you secure your tectonic plates, then you can begin to work with your “Bear”
I truly look forward to sharing insights, thoughts and feelings on my journey. Hints and tips how I apply the techniques to not only my clients, but also to myself.
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Warmest wishes
Walking With My Bear
