The rest is history....

Isn't it weird what pops into your head when you least expect it...

For some reason today I remembered a family legend - it goes like this...

My Dad has an Uncle called Arthur, one day when Dad was just a young bloke they were at a family gathering Uncle Arthur said to my Dad...

"Ted, why don't you come out for a run through the Waitakere's with the boys one day"
Dad thinks about it and says "Sorry, but not really interested in running".

What makes this a family legend....

Uncle Arthur was Arthur Lydiard the trainer of Peter Snell, a New Zealander who went on to win 3 Olympic gold medals and break numerous time records in running , Peter was one of the boys Arthur used to take running in the Waitakere Ranges which are on the outer suburbs of Auckland.

Now Dad has his reasons for not doing anything as silly as running, he had been working since he was 13 years old, was married with a young family at the time of the offer and really in the 1950's and 60's family men didn't just go for a run.

But it makes me think... what if he had??????

I think the reason this popped into my head today is because I have very little self belief and I am finding it hard to convince myself that I will be able to get on that stage and be amazing.

I am told by everyone who sees me that I am doing great, looking great, lifting great.... So why won't I believe them.

I think that one of the reasons Dad probably didn't take Arthur upon his offer is that he didn't think he could.

I sure as hell don't want to be sitting here at work next May 17th saying... What if I had????

This is what keeps me going through the diet, and the 6am training and the 6pm cardio, I'm damned if I am going to miss this opportunity to be my best.

A lovely friend who bred and judged Dobermanns once told me the reason she lived in a little basic house with nice but not expensive furniture, was that she preferred to spend her money on memories.

She travelled all over the world going to dog shows, judging and also just for fun. She had decided to do this because when she was finally in her 80's and sitting in some rest home, it wouldn't matter that she had never owned a huge house or the biggest TV, what would matter is that she could sit and remember all the places she had been and the things she has done.

I don't want to be sitting in a rest home saying I almost.....