It’s OK to Try New Things

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I’ve signed up for two things I’ve never done before, and I want to do them properly: Challenge Roth (Ironman distance) and a 100km trail run (which, let’s be honest, is a very long walk with moments of running).

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We were sitting around the calendar in the Foster household looking at the year ahead when Ash, in her brilliant wisdom, said:

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“You’re having a midlife crisis.”

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I turned to her and said, “At least it’s not a Porsche.”

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People have asked me why. The honest answer? Curiosity.

I’m curious what I’ll learn from the training.  

From the discipline of improving my swim.  

From managing the battery over 8–12 hours.  

From trying to live that cliché “balanced lifestyle” while still pushing performance.

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I haven’t done these before.  

They excite me.  

And after a long time of saying “not yet,” I’ve finally said yes.

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(Not to the dress.)

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As humans and especially as athletes, we should stay curious.

I wonder what that will look like. I wonder how it will affect me. I wonder if I can.

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The reality is 99.9% of us are not professional athletes. We can’t live like pros because we have to put food on the table. We can’t train like them consistently, because life exists.

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So, we’re not pros, no matter how hard we’d like to believe we are while smashing an 80km hilly ride in Surrey.

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But what we can do is stay curious.

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How good can I be within the constraints of my life? What is my performance ceiling given my work, family, stress, sleep and responsibilities?

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That question is powerful.

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The answer might take years to uncover because life isn’t a controlled lab. It’s messy. But if you’re curious enough and then dedicated enough to find out the process becomes incredibly rewarding.

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I’ve watched it.  

I’ve coached it.  

And I’ve lived it.

So next time you’re looking at your next marathon, maybe don’t just chase a PB. Maybe look at something different. Something uncomfortable.

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Maybe the Ladakh Marathon, officially the highest-altitude marathon in the world.

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Not because you expect to run fast, you probably won’t. But because you’re curious about what the training would demand. Because you want to see if you can rise to it.

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Just a little thought for you while you’re planning your next 21.1km.

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Curiosity might look like a midlife crisis.

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But it’s a far better investment than a Porsche.

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About InnerFight

InnerFight is a premier fitness and endurance coaching company based in Dubai. Whether you’re a busy professional seeking peak performance or an athlete pursuing ambitious dreams, InnerFight offers a supportive community where hard work, honesty, and simplicity drive extraordinary results.
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We share insights, advice, tips and success stories to empower your fitness journey:

• The InnerFight Podcast features fitness, mindset, and personal stories

• The Endurance Podcast covers running, cycling, and triathlon training

• The InnerFight Blog delivers expert articles from certified coaches
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Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, and X for weekly motivation, training tips, and behind-the-scenes content from our Dubai community and international training camps.
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If you’re based in Dubai, visit our 5,000 square foot facility to experience our world-class strength and conditioning classes, personal training, and endurance coaching. Receive 3 free sessions to experience our approach firsthand.

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Fun  - Honesty - Simplicity - SMASH LIFE - Mental Toughness- Hard Work