At 6 p.m. on May 27. I was at the start line of the Confederation 150km ultra, which was one of the events taking place during this year’s Scotiabank Calgary Marathon.
This once-in-a-lifetime running event was in celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary which coincided with the 2017 Scotiabank Calgary Marathon Race Weekend.
The event website explained, “This overnight 150-km solo race will be on a certified and looped course and will be open to a limited field of solo runners and run simultaneously with the relay. There will be multiple start times and athletes will self-seed so as to complete the first 100 km in under 13 hours and as close to 7 a.m. (50 km start time) as possible.”
I had signed up in January and was keen to give it a go.
I’ve completed numerous marathons and Ultra-marathons and my training had been going well. But then, two weeks ago, I felt a twinge in my right thigh. Experience has taught me there are some things you can “run off” and, at other times, you just have to rest up, self-treat with a regime of icing and heating the area and, if necessary, seek professional treatment.
That was how I found myself lying on the table at my chiropractor’s, having Deep Tissue Therapy and Manipulation. After several good night’s sleep, my thigh was feeling much better and, with a little TLC, I made the start line of the big race.
No matter how well things might be going, whether it’s in sport, at work or just in life in general, there are always those little setbacks, waiting in the wings, to make an entry and change the course of things.
Therefore, it’s always best to be prepared for these occasions. In sport, I’m fortunate to have a great team of people I can go to: my family doctor, Bill Hanlon, my chiropractor, Greg Long, and my physiotherapist, Serge Tessier, all excellent professionals who practice out of Cochrane.
When it comes to business, I’m pretty much on my own, but if the occasion should arise, I know I can consult my speaking coach, Jane Atkinson, my friends at the Canadian Association of Professional Speakers (CAPS) and my wife and business partner, Sue. I also get weekly advice from a friend of mine, who is a very experienced and well-respected media coach, in the UK, Alan Stevens. His weekly newsletter and video are always full of great tips and advice.
So, who are your “go to” people? Do you have professionals who you can rely on to give great support and advice?
If you are in business, always keep a look out for people in your field who share their knowledge. There are so many people out there, blogging and podcasting on subjects too numerous to mention.
But, be selective and look for people with a proven track record.
Something else to consider is whether you have an area of expertise you could share with others. Maybe you could be someone else’s support.
In business, as in life, it’s all about knowing when you need help or support and not being afraid to ask for it.
© 2017 Martin Parnell
www.martinparnell.com
