No one should ever be afraid of failing; it’s being afraid to give it your all in trying that I urge against. If there is one thing I have learned, particularly in my life as an athlete, it is that our limits may not be where we think they are. And, even when we think we’ve finally reached them, the next time we go there exploring we often find that they’ve moved again.

There is a special mystique about the marathon, for example, because of its length-but that's just the bit you do at the end of an Ironman

If we let our head drop, our heart drops with it. Keep your head up, and your body is capable of amazing feats.

There's an importance of keeping an open mind. The brain is programmed to protect us, and that can mean imposing limits on what it thinks we can or should do. Constantly push at those limits, because the brain can be way too cautious.

The key is to trust in your preparation. You have done all you can, so focus on that fact. You will remain the same person before, during and after the race, so the result, however important, will not define you. The journey is what matters.

Hard work and an open mind - it's the only way to realize the potential that is inside every one of us.

Pick your battles, and accept yourself for who you are.