Updated Text – What motivates me!
Here is a hastily written post to answer a question i often am asked. This time John Clarke asks what motivates me.
Thanks John for your support. . As I mentioned in early interviews this world run was a monster idea I got over 25 years ago. I needed to be put to bed. I guess at this stage I am getting nicely tucked in and the lights will go out soon. Next month l will run into Bulgaria, yes the European Union 
This is a long overdue blog on the subject. Without blowing my own trumpet this run is just so,so hard and excruciating difficult for me. I have more or less glossed over this in the blog. Fatigue will be a theme in my book.
Nobody easily comprehend just how tough this is. It may not be sexy to say this but that’s the truth. There have been days when I have been about ready to collapse nose onto the shoulder of the road. It is like running a 100km race and hitting the wall with 30km to go. Then struggle to a finish and are told the finish line is another 30 or 40 km. That is the daily finish line being a place to stay. So in a few short hours I have to find shelter, food, sometimes entertain a hist for two or three hours. Also find time to do the logistics and the blog. And just because I manage to find tje time for the blog it may not be done as I am just too tired. Imagine what that was like in India with all he harassment and pestering, believe me the worst of India has still to be told.
I was told in a very insulting email that I am a grade C endurance runner and at the end of the day like a dog running from the rain. Not really sure what motivates people to send such emails, this one was sent cc’d to many other people in a form of an open letter. It was very insulting at the time but now I feel he was right. I have used this also to push myself on and on. Sometimes I feel I am back on the treadmill for my progress is so slow, then I occasionally look at the world map and usually smile at the previous months progress.
I am very very slow now. Irish people will be shocked to see how slow but I am still running.
A difference of even one kilometre an hour is huge to me with all the hours I spend on the road. So you can imagine stopping for brief chats, short rest breaks in addition to the long breaks I need. Also photos etc can add an hour or two onto my day.
To be honest I have lost more sleep worrying about running the Dublin Marathon in 5hours than I did about meeting a Taliban mob! I know I have not properly answered your question. Perhaps I am a bit dumb or as 3 Indians called me in a space of two days Insane! I set intermediate goals across USA, North America to Panama across the Andes to Ushuaia across Australia getting to Alice Springs for my birthday. Before Australia another man sent me semi abusive emails about how I would surely die in the Australian outback, So it was nice to set two trans Australian records giving him the finger, so to speak.
Then South East Asia always thinking of the 1,000 Marathon in less than 1,000 days.
Now to Istanbul then to a special place Brno, Czech Republic where I set the world record for 48 hours in an indoor track race in 2007.
Then it will be the end of mainland Europe in Calais,.France. To Scotland for ferry to Northetn Ireland which is only 5 months away. And finally the DCM!
One thing is for sure with something like this you have to make it the most important thing in your life. Also break it up into smaller manageable segments as outlined above. I did the same with my 48 hour treadmill record attempts. 90 half hour segments and a full three hour eye popping all out effort towards the finish.
My competitive instinct have long since taken over. My body is submissive to my mind which is my engine. I use many mind games mastered during my competitive career and often chant my favourite mantra from that time ” Embrace pain, Embrace pain. ” On a humorous note I got a tattoo at the start of run with my start date and ready to be filled in hopefully at finish line will be the finish date. If I abandon the run I will forever have to answer the questions of why I didn’t finish when I go to a gym or with a future girlfriend, God love her Hoping this answers your question. And why am I doing it My latest answer is because I am a runner and the world is there – I guess mountain climbers say Everest is there!
May 2nd, 2014 at 12:39 pm
Good Man Tony, You express it very well. Your performance just confirms that the worldjog IS the most daring expedition of the millennium. Congrats again and take care.
May 2nd, 2014 at 5:13 pm
Sounds like your very tired but equally determined to get that finish date on your tattoo. Don’t worry about the negative emails and just keep doing what you’ve done for the last 3 and a half years. Running towards the finish line -:)
May 2nd, 2014 at 8:04 pm
great answer tony. i am sure there are crazy details and stories still to be told. i am starting to lose sleep about the 5 hour dcm……..but no panic you will get there sometime. well done. kevin
May 2nd, 2014 at 9:04 pm
thanks for answer tony.all long journeys are broken down into small sections.im one of your loyal band of followers online and have great admiration for your courage and determination to do what you have to do to achieve your goal of running round the world.regards john
May 3rd, 2014 at 4:43 am
Last 4 days 48,40,52 and Friday 48km. Total 43,283km for 986 road days.
Last night I stayed in the ” red crescent ” centre they are kinda like the Red Cross. Many thanks to Dariush, Sailed, Akbar, Milad and Ali for looking after me. I enjoyed a nice bed , hot shower, wash my clothes and food!
I now expect to cross tomorrow to Turkey.
May 3rd, 2014 at 12:57 pm
Tony, some asshole who writes an insulting email is revealing lots about himself. Rock on and keep up the great work.
May 3rd, 2014 at 11:03 pm
Thought you might like this article as you get a mention on a subject close to your hearthttp://lindienaughton.com/eoin-keith-wins-6-day-race-in-new-york/
keep on trucking Tony
May 5th, 2014 at 1:35 am
It’s easier climbing Everest than running around the world. Note the numbers doing the former. DCM will be your summit!
May 5th, 2014 at 5:09 pm
Great running Tony. You should ultimately share the identity of the idiot who called you a grade C endurance runner. You are obviously doing something where it becomes virtually impossible to run, but you’ve making it possible.
May 7th, 2014 at 3:07 am
Tony—let the bozos send stupid e-mails etc—while they sit at their keyboard trying to enhance their own self esteem by denigrating you–you continue to reach for your goal without hesitation—your actions speak volumes over their pathetic words!!!—-As you say–it is just one more thing to keep the fire going—There will always be some people who pooh pooh what you have done—but their is only one person–you—who has done it –or very soon will have done it when you cross the finish line at the DCM!!!
Good running old friend—Greg