Self-Belief at the Start Line
- Be More Shark
- Jan 19
- 5 min read
Lessons from Endurance Events, Sisu, and Norse Strength
Marathon running, Ironman triathlons, and endurance events test far more than physical fitness. They strip you bare, exposing your mental resilience and the foundations of your self-belief. The start line, that sacred space where anticipation crackles in the air, is where your greatest challenge begins, not with your legs, but with your mind.
In every race I’ve done, I’ve never stood at the start line feeling completely ready. Despite all the training miles logged, the nutrition plans perfected, and the countless sacrifices made, there’s always that gnawing whisper of doubt:
“Have I done enough? Am I prepared for what lies ahead?”
The truth is, you’re never entirely ready for what’s to come. And that’s where the power of self-belief must take over.
This idea of inner resolve first clicked for me 12 years ago on a road trip to Finland with three friends in an old Land Rover. It was an adventure full of mishaps, unpredictability, and long hours on icy roads. Somewhere between the forests and the frozen lakes, I discovered the Finnish concept of Sisu from a Finnish man in a fuel station, who described it to us. Clearly a veteran of WW2, he had a steely grounding about him and he love the fact that we wee exploring his country, in January, in a Land Rover.
After this conversation and the long miles that came after, I couldn’t help but draw parallels to another mindset I’ve long admired - that Norse spirit of strength, fearlessness, and endurance.
Sisu - Grit from the Far North
Sisu doesn’t have a direct translation in English, but it embodies resilience, grit, and the ability to push forward through adversity when it feels like there’s nothing left in the tank. It’s not a short burst of bravery or strength; it’s the deep, steady determination that gets you through the hardest challenges.
The Finns, living in a harsh, unforgiving landscape, have mastered resilience through systems like Sisu. From withstanding brutal winters to thriving in challenging environments, their culture is a testament to how mindset and community support foster survival and growth.
The Norse Way - Strength in Storms
When I think of Sisu, I can’t help but also think of the Norse. The Vikings, who braved stormy seas in longships and endured relentless battles, lived by a code that embraced hardship and sought glory in overcoming it. To them, life wasn’t about avoiding struggle, it was about meeting it head-on.
They believed in their strength and abilities, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This wasn’t blind optimism but a grounded, fierce self-belief born from preparation, camaraderie, and a refusal to quit. Their myths and sagas, like the story of Thor battling the Midgard Serpent, are full of lessons in resilience: even when the odds are stacked against you, you fight with everything you have.
This Viking mindset is something I’ve carried into endurance events. Whether it’s the long, lonely miles of a marathon or the gruelling challenges of an Ironman, there’s a point where your body feels spent, and you’re left with just your mind. It’s then that you channel the Norse way, embrace the storm, take the next step, and remember you’re stronger than you think.
A Permanent Reminder of Resilience
I have an Ironman tattoo on my right leg, and sometimes, during tough moments, I glance down at it. Instantly, I’m reminded of what I’ve achieved, not just the miles completed or the finish lines crossed, but the person I’ve become through those experiences.
That tattoo isn’t just a mark of accomplishment - it’s a reminder of who I am. It fuels my self-belief when doubts creep in, reminding me of the grit and resilience I’ve shown before and can show again.
Bloody-Mindedness and the Spirit of the North
Somewhere around mile 18 of a marathon or halfway through the bike leg of an Ironman, belief alone isn’t enough. Enter bloody-mindedness, or what I now think of as a blend of Norse spirit and Sisu.
Bloody-mindedness is the refusal to quit, no matter how much your legs scream, your lungs burn, or your head begs for an easier way out. It’s the kind of determination that pulls you through when logic tells you to stop. Sisu is that same grit but layered with an enduring, almost stoic calmness, an unyielding strength born of necessity and nurtured over time.
Together, these qualities create an unshakable resolve. Like a Viking at the prow of a longship staring into a storm, or a Finn setting out across a frozen landscape, you keep going because stopping simply isn’t an option.
Lessons for the Long Road
Recently, I’ve found myself dipping into this well of self-belief in a different arena. The long, protracted journey of a job search has mirrored the ups and downs of endurance events in ways I hadn’t expected. Knock-backs have felt very much like hitting the wall, rejections like unexpected hills appearing out of nowhere. Yet, just as in a race, the resolve to keep going has been crucial, and giving up just isn’t an option.
Every “no” has felt like an uphill mile into the wind, but just as I’ve learned in marathons and triathlons, the finish line isn’t reached by perfection. It’s reached by persistence. It’s the same mindset - the ability to trust that your preparation, experience, and resilience will eventually get you to where you need to be, even if the path isn’t what you planned.
Now, after this long journey, I’ve found a new adventure to embark on. It’s exciting, and while I can’t share all the details just yet, I’m very much looking forward to what’s ahead. This process has reminded me that perseverance, even in the face of uncertainty, always pays off.
The Start Line is Just the Beginning
If you’ve made it to the start line, you’re already ahead. The hard work has been done, even if it doesn’t feel enough.
Endurance events, and indeed life, are never perfect. You’ll face setbacks, surprises, and moments where quitting feels like the most rational option. But perfection isn’t the goal, growth is.
So, whether you’re toeing the line of a marathon, navigating a tough road trip in an old Land Rover, or facing the challenges of life, don’t focus on what you could have done differently. Instead, focus on what you’ve brought with you - a mindset forged by effort, the belief in your ability to endure, and that unshakable bloody-mindedness, your Sisu and your Norse spirit, to keep going.
Final Thoughts
Endurance events can be a powerful metaphor for life itself. You don’t always feel ready. You don’t always have every answer. But by showing up, believing in yourself, and refusing to quit, you’ll achieve more than you ever thought possible.
Whether you’re guided by the Finnish grit of Sisu or the Viking’s relentless drive to push through storms, the lesson is the same - resilience, self-belief, and determination will carry you through any challenge.
And as the Norse might say, Skål to the journey.
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