Ultra Marathons to Ultra Projects: Endurance Lessons from the Trail to the Office
During mid-2023, I joined a boutique consultancy firm based in Perth, WA. Not long after joining forces with this consultancy, I was deployed to support one of the major mining clients located in the WA region. The project lend itself that I rotate across multiple sites. After a couple of months of countless red eye flights, out to the Pilbara region, our firm secured a new client—this time the client operating within the oil and gas sector.
This shift in project meant I had to quickly adapt, transitioning from one project profile to another. New expectations and targets were set, and we aligned ourselves to meet the needs of our new client. Fortunately, my background and long spanning career within the oil and gas sector helped me to quickly reacquaint myself with the familiar language of the O&G industry. The pace was fast, and the pressure was on, but luckily these sudden changes are nothing new to me.
Balancing Work, Life, and the Long Run
Supporting a global project, often across multiple time zones, reminded me of something very familiar: an ultra-marathon. Since 2015, I’ve participated in numerous multi-day and ultra-distance events, some challenges I even manage to construct myself. Pushing myself for countless km’s all in aid of Animal welfare charities within the Western Cape of RSA. Over the years, I’ve learned that a certain mindset is required to complete an ultra and this is the same mindset that helped me navigate through countless high-pressured projects.
When the pressure builds, I tend to apply the same mental approach I use during an Ultra: stay focused, work through the problems, and keep on chipping away – just like ticking off kilometers during a race. With consistency and endurance, you eventually do reach the finish line. The suffering and exertion are only temporary and this will pass.
The real juggling act for me though begins when one is preparing for an ultra while working long weekday hours. My weekend training runs would often stretch over many hours during the Saturday and followed by a Sunday run, I would have to start early on a Saturday ensuring that I not miss on valuable family time. These long runs would prepare me physically but also help me mentally process the challenges of my workweek. It always feels that during a long run you are being stripped bare and the shackles that ties one down during the week is being released, reigniting the energy that burns within.
Running for a Cause
In today’s fast-paced world, where mental health is increasingly highlighted in the media, we are constantly reminded of the pressure that we are surrounded by. It’s crucial to find ways to manage stress and unshackle yourself. For me, long runs are a form of therapy. These long runs help to clear my mind and reset. I have found by setting clear goals – whether in training or at work – keeps me focused, ensuring I never lose sight of the horizon.
Personal projects have also helped me growPersonal projects have also helped me grow. Recently, I took on a three-event challenge across the month of April, May, and June to support one of WA’s oldest charities, Ruah.
The “Run for Ruah” challenge was consisted of the following –
A marathon in April;
A two-day ultra run in Margaret River (MRU) in May and
the Perth Ultra Marathon which I completed in June.
In total, I covered 213 km’s. I am not even going to mention the amount of km’s I have spent in preparing for the above. But what I will mention is – Having a goal – and a cause – gave me the drive to keep on pushing, even when things got tough out there.
Endurance as a Way of Life
Whether it’s a long-distance race or a demanding project, the key is endurance. The same principles apply: stay consistent, stay focused, and keep moving forward. It’s not always about speed – it’s about resilience.
So, whether you’re facing a tight deadline or a steep hill at kilometer marker 50, remember: the finish line is always within reach if you just keep pushing ahead.
Above is one of my most recent challenges if you are interested in more you can grab a copy of “Running for those who have no voice”
