{"id":14114,"date":"2018-09-17T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2018-09-16T23:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/flashpack.preview.uk.com\/2018\/09\/17\/sean-conway-10-life-enriching-reasons-to-take-on-an-epic-solo-challenge\/"},"modified":"2023-03-23T11:44:51","modified_gmt":"2023-03-23T11:44:51","slug":"sean-conway-solo-challenge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flashpack.com\/us\/solo\/travel\/sean-conway-solo-challenge\/","title":{"rendered":"Sean Conway: 10 life-enriching reasons to take on an epic solo challenge"},"content":{"rendered":"

Zimabwean adventurer and author Sean Conway has never shied away from a challenge. It’s why, among other things, he\u2019s the first person to cycle, swim, and run the length of Great Britain. Here are his life-affirming reasons why YOU should embark on your own solo adventure.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cDear Sean. We\u2019ve recently had a crew member drop out for our four-man ocean row challenge later on this year. We thought this may interest you. We would love for you to be part of our team?\u201d Regards, Anonymous.<\/p>\n

At least twice a year I get this type of email.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s not all rowing, of course \u2013 if anyone has done any research they\u2019d have found out I get terribly seasick and, as such, would be a lousy rowing partner.<\/p>\n

Sometimes it\u2019s climbing mountains, sometimes it\u2019s cycling countries. No matter, the point is there are an awful lot of people doing team events and this is great, for them, and I have no quarrel with that. But, for some reason, I’ve never been into buddying up for challenges.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

I much prefer travelling solo. Of course, this has its drawbacks but for the most part I think everyone at some point in their life should embark on a solo challenge. Here are 10 life-enriching reasons as to why!<\/p>\n

You become a logistical wizard<\/strong><\/p>\n

When deciding and planning your solo challenge, for the most part, you’ll be doing everything yourself \u2013 everything.<\/p>\n

Yes, you may have some friends and family helping out with the odd thing but, at the end of the day, it\u2019s all down to you and you alone. You can\u2019t palm off some of the rubbish jobs to another team member because you have Ukulele practice that evening. In turn, you become a genius at time management and logistics.<\/p>\n

Read more: Leave your comfort zone: Hot to face fear, by Ed Stafford<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

You get hard as nails<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Often, in taking on a solo challenge, you will need a quite uncomfortable shift in your own fitness.<\/p>\n

Hours in the gym, out on the road, and realising burpees are the worst invention known to mankind. And all of this hard work for the most part will be done alone. No team members WhatsApp group or early morning texts keeping you on schedule. The solo training is hard, but it makes you hard too.<\/p>\n

You grow up<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

This is an obvious one and doesn\u2019t need much explaining but nevertheless its worth writing about. When you\u2019re on your own, cold, wet, miserable, hungry and tired, your mind goes to places you never knew existed. And no-one \u2013 no-one \u2013 will be around to send you a lifeline.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s up to you.<\/p>\n

This is a very important process, and on your return \u2013 and often only years later \u2013 will you realise how much you grew up.<\/p>\n

Read more: 5 fitness challenges to test your limits in 2018<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

MacGyver has naught on you<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you asked me how to fix a water filtration system today I\u2019d probably just shake my head, say I can\u2019t do it, give up and start thinking about that single malt I haven\u2019t opened at the back of the whisky cabinet.<\/p>\n

Give me the same problem when I’m alone in the middle of the Pacific, and you can be sure I\u2019ll work it out, fast.<\/p>\n

Solo challenges make you resourceful.<\/p>\n

They teach you how to fix problems, how to work out solutions, make decisions and get things done.<\/p>\n

You get good at singing<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Trust me, with no one around, you’ll let your lungs go wild and it will give you as much energy as the best carb loading.<\/p>\n

You appreciate the difference between being alone, not lonely<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s very rare nowadays that we get to be alone, even at home by ourselves we’re glued to Instagram or Facebook, which means we\u2019re still connected to the world in some way.<\/p>\n

The magic has gone a little. Going off on a solo adventure forces you to relax, become comfortable with your own thoughts, let them meander, fade, pounce and stir havoc. It\u2019s important for humans to do this once and a while.<\/p>\n

I truly believe it resets your clock, buys you brain-space you can use later in life. If anything, at least you\u2019ll panic less when your phone runs out of battery in the future.<\/p>\n

Read more: 7 travel challenges to boost your self-esteem<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

There’s no get out of jail card<\/strong><\/p>\n

When going solo there’s no rest, no off button. You can\u2019t ask a team mate to keep watch while you have a nap, or fix your puncture because you\u2019ve hurt your wrist. To turn off is often to fail.<\/p>\n

You can go with the wind<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

One of the best reasons to travel solo is the ability to change your plan, at a whim. This, from my experience, is where the real adventure is.<\/p>\n

Yes, some adventures, record-breaking in particular, have no room for spontaneity. However, many adventures do allow for it. If it\u2019s just you on your own, you have no-one to consult, no-one else to compromise with, you can take this change in wind direction and just go with it.<\/p>\n

Read more: Feel the fear with these 6 daredevil challenges<\/a><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

People will see the door is always open<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

It\u2019s well documented that a couple or group of people sitting in a pub will almost always be left to their own devices. However, someone sitting alone in the same situation will more often than not get someone come up and chat to them.<\/p>\n

This will almost always lead to something, whether it be some local knowledge, a bed for the night or an opportunity to \u2018go with the wind\u2019.<\/p>\n

You take the glory<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Finally. It\u2019d be naive to think that people don\u2019t go on big epic challenges for a little bit of glory, (sometimes a lot) and there is nothing wrong with that at all.<\/p>\n

Whether it be from colleagues, mates down the pub, or that boy or girl you\u2019ve been trying to impress. Whatever your reasons, when you achieve your epic goal, return home wise, knowledgeable, in the peak of your physical ability and with a lifetime\u2019s worth of stories, you can take all the credit…just don\u2019t let it get to your head.<\/p>\n

Sean Conway will be speaking at Cheltenham Literature Festival on 14th<\/sup> October about his new book Running Britain<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re up for a solo challenge, but don\u2019t fancy planning \u2013 or even going \u2013 completely by yourself, push your boundaries with these adventures instead. Go with like-minded people, let us cover the logistics:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Stretch your limits in Jordan<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Solo<\/a><\/p>\n

Take on steep ravines and gushing waterfalls as you canyon the Wadi Mujib, explore the lunar landscape in the acrid desert of Wadi Rum \u2013 and take on an epic hike through the Dana Nature Reserve, through Bedouin villages and across rugged terrain.<\/p>\n

Let’s go<\/a><\/p>\n

Challenge yourself in Chile<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Solo<\/a><\/p>\n

White-water raft the adrenaline-pumping rapids of the Petrohue River and then leap into warm, volcanic waters. You’ll tackle an 8-10 hour hike through the stunning Torres Del Paine National Park to the Base Las Torres viewpoint. Then flop at a series of beautiful hotels, including a unique desert retreat with fire pits and a large pool.<\/p>\n

Let’s go<\/a><\/p>\n

Into the wilds of Norway<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Solo<\/a><\/p>\n

Ice hike the epic Jostedalsbreen glacier, armed with ice picks and crampons, sea kayak the mirror-flat waters of Lustrafjorden, in the heart of the Norwegian wilderness and then take a private RIB boat at speed. You’ll also head\u00a0off-the-beaten-track on a hik to a goat’s cheese farm, high up in a mountain valley.<\/p>\n

Let’s go<\/a><\/p>\n

Pictures: Shutterstock\/Sean Conway<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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