In April 2023, Phillip challenged himself to run 54 marathons to raise funds for the Starlight Children’s Foundation, a charity that supports seriously ill children and their families. It was a daunting task, but Phillip was determined to make a difference.
Over the next year, Phillip will train tirelessly, covering hundreds of miles and pushing himself to his limits. He will be faced with physical and mental challenges along the way, but he will never gave up. Through the heat, rain, and pain, he will keep his eyes on the ultimate goal – to raise as much money as possible for the Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Finally, on 21st April 2024, Phillip will complete his final marathon, the London Marathon, with a sense of pride and accomplishment that words cannot describe. He ran more than total of 2000 miles, burned countless calories, and raised an incredible amount of money for the charity.
But Phillip’s journey will not end there. To celebrate his achievements and raise additional funds, he organised a charity gala dinner. The event will be a huge success, with attendees enjoying entertainment, special guest speakers, a silent auction, and an evening of fun.
This journey is a testament to the power of determination, hard work, and a heart for others. I hope my efforts have inspired many, and a legacy will continue to touch the lives of countless children and families in need.
We can all learn from each others journeys. No matter how big or small our efforts may seem, we can all make a positive impact on the world by working hard and supporting causes that matter to us. Let’s take inspiration from others example and make a difference in the lives of those around us
MARATHON TRAINING UPDATE 30/01/24
Hey there, my fellow humans! Welcome to my first website! It's gonna be a bumpy ride, so please bear with me as I attempt to navigate the wild world of editing and uploading media. Don't worry, I promise not to break the entire internet.
Now, let's talk about my latest blog post, shall we? It's called "81 Days to London," which basically means that I need to run over 700 miles before I can attempt my 54th marathon and a world record (I can't spill the beans on what it is just yet, but trust me, it's pretty cool).
I'm ramping up my training because, let's face it, I'm no Usain Bolt. But so far, I've been injury-free, and I have my amazing colleagues at DTNE to thank for that (shout-out to PBM, DAMAC, M8group, and Begum Services). Platinum Glen and Bridge Group Nigel, you guys are legends!
This week, my plan is to run 60 miles. I'm off to a pretty good start with 36 miles already under my belt (or should I say, under my sneakers). And to make sure I don't end up looking like a baby giraffe learning to walk, I'm changing my running gait. Can you guess what I'm doing differently? Stay tuned, folks!
MENTAL TOUGHNESS BLOG
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going." These words from Billy Ocean remind us that mental toughness is what sets us apart. We are all capable of handling life's challenges and setbacks with ease, and it's up to us to tap into that inner strength. I've reached out to some inspirational athletes, work colleagues, and family members to learn more about mental toughness, resilience, and powering through. Let's see how they inspire us to overcome obstacles and come out even stronger on the other side.
THE QUESTIONS
"In Rocky Balboa, he defines mental toughness as "It ain't how hard you can hit, it's about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward." Here are some questions related to mental toughness that I would like to ask:
1. How do you define mental toughness?
2. Do you believe that mental toughness can be developed?
3. In what ways do you think sports can help in cultivating mental toughness?
4. Were you mentally tough during your childhood?
5. How do you overcome adverse situations?
6. Do you think success is linked to mental toughness?
7. Have you ever thought about quitting? If yes, what was the outcome?
8. What obstacles did you need to overcome to get where you are today?
9. Do you talk positively to yourself before, during, and after an event?
10. How do you manage your emotions under pressure?
11. How do you deal with negative thoughts?
12. What is the best piece of advice you would give someone who wants to develop mental toughness?"
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"I thought I would answer the first question. Here it is."-
Phillip Minns,
1. How do you define mental toughness?
My strength comes from my resilience and refusal to be intimidated, even in the face of the most challenging situations, while still remaining in control.
2. Do you believe that mental toughness can be developed?
I believe that achieving your goals is possible by defining them clearly and keeping them in mind while completing tasks. Additionally, you can be your own best friend, and stepping out of your comfort zone regularly can be helpful.
3. In what ways do you think sports can help in cultivating mental toughness?
"Yes, absolutely! Building motivation, commitment, and consistency are definitely crucial and abundant in sports."
4. Were you mentally tough during your childhood?
"No, I was a very quiet individual, nervous due to a speech impediment, asthma, and being smaller than everyone in my year, and possibly in the year below. I was quite a happy person, but tended to have a negative outlook, believing that bad things happened and that there was nothing I could do to lessen or eliminate their impact."
5. How do you overcome adverse situations?
I always plan ahead, stay focused on my goals, and surround myself with positivity to avoid adversity.
6. Do you think success is linked to mental toughness?
To achieve success, you need to define your own version of it. Your success should be based on what you want to achieve, not on what others think is successful. It could be personal growth, financial gain, fame, or power. Whatever your goal is, mental toughness can play a significant role in helping you achieve it.
7. Have you ever thought about quitting? If yes, what was the outcome?
"When faced with the thought of quitting, I remind myself of my ultimate goal and the impact giving up would have on my ability to achieve it. Mistakes are a natural part of the journey, but with my goal in mind, I won't let them derail me. Instead, I choose to learn from them and keep pushing forward. Remembering my goal keeps me motivated to persevere through any obstacle."
8. What obstacles did you need to overcome to get where you are today?
"I have overcome mental health stigma and the feeling of being judged for my height. Although it may sound insignificant to others, my stutter made it difficult for me to speak and it took me a long time to complete a sentence. The start of my speech difficulties was the inability to pronounce the word 'boots' without adding an additional 30 B's. I know that many people have overcome far worse, but this was a big challenge for me."
9. Do you talk positively to yourself before, during, and after an event?
Yes, I have a few mantras that I say to boost my toughness: "Choose strength", "Choose happiness", and "I trust myself."(a couple)
10. How do you manage your emotions under pressure?
I try and pause, think, pause and then, think of the outcome I want from the event, and act in a way that will help me achieve that goal.
11. How do you deal with negative thoughts?
I try to turn negative thoughts into positive ones by asking "Why can't I?" instead of "I can't."
12. What is the best piece of advice you would give someone who wants to develop mental toughness?"
During tough times, hold onto your goals and respond in a way that helps you achieve them. Remember that you are responsible for your life, and always strive to do better. (if you know better do better)
10 WEEKS TILL LONDON- marathon update 8/02/24
As I look at my calendar, I can't believe that it's already ten weeks until the London marathon. It feels like just a few weeks ago when I was counting down the days, and now I only have 72 days, 1,728 hours, 103,680 minutes, or 6,220,800 seconds left to prepare. It's a daunting thought, but I'm determined to give it my all.
Last week, I experienced an unexpected interruption in my training. While I was out for a jog, I shivered and pulled a muscle in my hip. It was a strange and unplanned occurrence, but I had no choice but to take an additional day off. However, I'm back on track this week and looking forward to completing another 60-mile run.
As I reflect on my training, I realise that I've been neglecting to increase my pace. So, for the next four weeks, I'll be focusing on building up my speed. It won't be easy, but I'm up for the challenge.
The weather has been unpredictable lately, with rain and wind making outdoor running difficult. However, I decided to brave the elements and take a run in Hyde Park. It was refreshing to be surrounded by nature, and the scenery was breathtaking. As if that wasn't exciting enough, I even ran into Alistair Brownlee, who was out for a jog too. Fortunately, we were running in opposite directions, so I didn't have to worry about him overtaking me.
This week has also been productive in terms of fundraising for charity and my world record attempt. I can't reveal too much about my world record attempt yet, but I'll give you a hint: it does not involve a pogo stick and a sombrero. Stay tuned for more updates!"
Marathon Update 12/02/24
I have only 69 days left to complete my marathon challenge, and with each passing day, I am reminded of the true spirit of marathon running. Today is a somber day as we mourn the loss of Kelvin Kiptum, a true marathon runner who displayed unparalleled skill and speed.
As I approach the finish line of my challenge, having completed 44 marathons so far and only 10 more to go, I am filled with a sense of determination and resilience. Today's marathon presented its challenges, but I pushed through, maintaining a steady 9-minute mile.
I am grateful for any donations for this great charity, and I invite you to join me in supporting this cause. The gala is shaping up to be an unforgettable evening, and there is exciting news on the horizon, which I will be sharing soon.
I dedicate marathon 44 to Kelvin Kiptum, and I will continue to honor his memory by dedicating 1 mile of the London Marathon to his name. Please visit www.marathonsforstarlight.co.uk for ways to support and take part in this challenge. Let's continue to push through the challenges and cross the finish line together.
