Catchup With Coach M - Edition 35 - Finding Your “Why”

Finding Your “Why” When the Finish Line Feels Far Away

Ready to conquer the day: finding strength in just showing up.

Because sometimes showing up is harder than the race itself.

The past few weeks have been an absolute whirlwind for the South African endurance sports community.

First, the Cape Town Cycle Tour drew thousands of cyclists through one of the most scenic routes in the world. Then came Ironman South Africa, where athletes swam, biked, and ran their hearts out in a true test of endurance. And most recently, the legendary Total Sports Two Oceans Marathon took place this past weekend — a celebration of grit, beauty, and the power of the human spirit.

And that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

We’ve also had national championships across multiple disciplines — Triathlon, Track Cycling, and more. The calendar has been jam-packed, and for many athletes (and fans), it’s been hard not to feel the tug of inspiration… or maybe the overwhelming pressure to do everything.

So What If You Want to Do It All?

You scroll through race results, see your friends crossing finish lines, medals clinking, selfies beaming with pride — and you think: "I want in. I want to do ALL of it."

And in a way, that’s beautiful. That hunger, that drive, that desire to push your boundaries — it’s what makes endurance sport so powerful.

But here’s the reality: you are not super human. Even though you may be strong, driven, and determined, there’s only so much time in a day, energy in your body, and space in your life. Between work, family, recovery, training, and sleep — we simply can’t do everything all the time. And even if we can, it often comes at a cost: burnout, injury, mental fatigue, or losing the joy in the process.

So, we make choices.

We pick a goal. A race. A season. We choose to train for it. To give it our focus. Our effort. Our discipline.

But What Happens When the Motivation Wears Off?

It happens to all of us.

You start strong — energized, committed, enthusiastic. You nail the first few weeks of training. You're ticking off workouts, smashing goals, feeling unstoppable.

Then… life happens.

You get tired. Maybe work piles up. The weather turns. Or maybe it’s just the grind — that endless cycle of early alarms, sore legs, and saying "no" to things because you have to run 25km on Sunday morning.

Suddenly, that commitment feels heavy. Training becomes a chore instead of a passion. You start wondering: “Why am I even doing this?”

That’s when things get real. And that’s where your WHY becomes your anchor.

The Mental Impact of Training: The Invisible Load

Endurance sports aren't just physically demanding — they require immense mental strength. And that mental load often goes unnoticed until we hit a wall.

Training can bring out the best in us — it can be therapeutic, empowering, and grounding. It gives structure to our day, a sense of control, and measurable progress when other parts of life feel uncertain.

But it also brings pressure.

The pressure to perform.
The pressure to improve.
The pressure to keep up with others.

And sometimes, the simple act of showing up — again and again — becomes mentally exhausting. Especially when you don’t feel like you're improving fast enough, or when life outside of training feels overwhelming.

There’s also the emotional toll of missed sessions, illness, or injury. The guilt of needing rest. The comparison trap on social media. The fear of not living up to your own expectations.

Training is not just a physical journey. It’s an emotional rollercoaster that tests your self-worth, resilience, patience, and identity.

This is why mental recovery is just as important as physical recovery.

Take rest days seriously.
Give yourself permission to adapt the plan.
Talk to people — friends, coaches, professionals.
Reflect. Journal. Meditate.
Celebrate small wins that have nothing to do with pace or distance.

Because the truth is, it’s not always about getting fitter — sometimes, it’s about staying sane. And strong. And kind to yourself.

Your “Why” is the Foundation

It’s easy to stay motivated when a big event is coming up. A shiny medal. A personal best. A destination race with friends. That’s your external motivation.

But what about the in-between seasons? What about the months when there’s no race booked, no injury to rehab, no clear goal in sight?

What gets you out the door then?

That’s when you need to connect with your internal motivation — your deeper WHY.

Ask yourself:

Why do I train?
What do I gain from movement, even when it’s not leading to a finish line?
How does this make me a better version of myself?

Your "why" might be about more than just sport. Maybe it’s:

Mental clarity — the run that clears your head after a long day.
Structure — something that grounds you and gives rhythm to your week.
Strength — feeling capable and confident in your body.
Community — showing up for others, and being seen.
Control — in a world that often feels chaotic, your training is your constant.

There’s no wrong answer. But you need to find yours.

Keep Showing Up — Especially When No One’s Watching

The truth is, we won’t always feel motivated. Motivation is fleeting. Discipline and purpose are what carry us through the hard patches.

So whether you’re in the peak of race season, recovering from your last big effort, or navigating that awkward “what’s next?” space — take a breath and ask:

What’s my WHY?

Then write it down. Say it out loud. Share it with a friend. And let it guide you — through the quiet runs, the dark mornings, and the days when your shoes feel like bricks.

Because when race day comes again — and it always does — you'll show up not just physically prepared, but mentally strong. Not because you trained perfectly, but because you remembered who you are and why you keep going. And that’s the kind of endurance that lasts.

Training GOALS for 2025 - My WHY? This week, I found myself exactly where so many of you are right now — staring at an overflowing race calendar, feeling the itch to sign up for every single one of them.

I see the photos, the finish lines, the medals, the community hype… and I want in. I want to do it all.

But here’s the honest truth: I can’t.

Yes, I do train more than the average person — because it’s part of my job. Movement is part of my daily life, my career, my passion. But even so, I still have to make choices. I still have goals and dreams, and just like anyone else, I face the same obstacles: time, fatigue, life’s curveballs, and sometimes, just plain reality.

Sometimes events clash. Sometimes unexpected things show up in life. And sometimes, despite our best intentions, we simply can’t fit everything in.

When that happens, I go back to the foundation:

My WHY. My GOALS. I sit down, breathe, and revisit them — clear out the mental cobwebs and refocus.

My 2025 Goals Are Simple... But Intentional

I’ve mapped out what matters to me this year, and here’s what I’m working toward:

Run 12 Half Marathons in the year - Timing is race calendar dependant.
Complete a multi-day trail event — because adventure fuels my soul.
Tackle a longer trail run (15km+) — something a little wilder, a little steeper.
And perhaps most importantly… stay injury-free.

That’s it. Simple on paper. But loaded with intention.

Of course, there were other events that caught my eye. Opportunities that popped up. Temptations that made me feel like I was missing out. But I had to pause, sit down with it all, and ask myself:

What can I realistically do while also building my business, protecting my energy, and staying healthy — mentally and physically?

Because doing everything often comes at the expense of doing anything well. And I want this year to be about sustainable effort. Not burnout. Not chasing FOMO. Just consistent, purposeful movement that aligns with the life I’m building.

TRAINING CALENDAR NEWS

Let’s be real — not every training week is going to be textbook perfect. Sometimes, things shift. Schedules change. Bodies rebel. Life happens.

But if there’s one thing I’ve learned (and keep learning), it’s this: showing up still counts. And this past week? I showed up.

So, What Did My Training Week Actually Look Like?

📍 2 Solid Runs These were quality runs — not just ticking the box, but purposeful efforts that left me feeling strong and steady.

🥾 1 Long Hike Sometimes swapping out a run for a hike is exactly what the body (and mind) needs. This one hit the spot — fresh air, elevation, and a slower pace that still worked the legs and heart.

🚶‍♀️ 1 Walk Recovery matters. Movement matters. And not every session has to be high intensity to have value.

🚴‍♀️ 1 Pain-Free Cycle Session This one was a big win. I’ve been managing the aftermath of my torn quad, and cycling has been a challenge — but this week I finally had a session that felt good. No pain. Just progress. 🏊 1 Swim Session There’s something magical about the water — a reset button for the whole body. Easy on the joints, powerful for the lungs. 💪 2 Heavy Strength Sessions Focused, intentional strength work. These sessions left me sore in the best way and reminded me how much power can come from lifting heavy and moving with purpose. 🧘‍♀️ 3 Pilates/Yoga/Mobility Sessions These are non-negotiable for me right now. With a body that’s always healing, has an auto immune response, and a schedule that’s full, these sessions help me stay aligned, recover faster, and move better in everything else I do.

Was It a Perfect Week? No.

But it was real. It was balanced. And most importantly, I showed up — for my body, for my goals, for myself.

Not every week needs to be intense to be effective. Not every session needs to be a breakthrough. Sometimes the win is simply in staying consistent, listening to your body, and choosing to keep going.

Personal Development - The Power of Refocusing

This is your reminder that it’s okay to step back and recalibrate. You don’t have to do it all. And more importantly — you’re not falling behind by choosing balance.

Whether you’re planning your race calendar, juggling personal commitments, or just trying to get back into rhythm, take a moment to ask yourself:

What do I really want this year?
What feels aligned with the rest of my life?
What’s worth my energy?

Then commit to that. Let it guide your training, your decisions, and how you show up.

2025 HARD CHALLENGE The Hard Challenge is Still... Harding

Let’s be honest — just because we’ve been doing something for a while doesn’t mean it suddenly gets easier.

The Hard Challenge? Yeah… it’s still harding...

As I mentioned last week, I haven’t added anything new to my April challenge list. But I am staying intentional and consistent with the habits I set from January through March. This isn’t about constantly adding more — it’s about staying committed to what matters. One thing I have changed? I’ve carved out a little more personal development time in my morning routine.

It’s nothing fancy — just 15 minutes earlier on the alarm clock. But those quiet minutes before the day rushes in? They’ve been a game-changer. Whether it’s journaling, reading, reflecting, or simply sitting in silence with a coffee and a thought — that time is mine, and it’s already making a difference.

Is it easy? Nope. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

So, what’s your why? Let me know in the comments — I’d love to hear it. 👇

Need help reconnecting with your motivation, building a sustainable training plan, or just figuring out where to go from here? Reach out. Whether you're gearing up for a race or simply rebuilding your rhythm, you're not alone in this. Consistency > Complexity

This season, I’m learning that keeping things simple and intentional is far more powerful than trying to do it all.

You don’t need a massive overhaul. You don’t need a million new habits. You just need to keep showing up for the ones you’ve already chosen — especially when the novelty wears off and the real work begins. Thank you for joining me this week!

Let’s keep moving forward — together. 💬👟