My first experience of Campbell Forlong was a YouTube video of him running the 2018 Ring of Fire. I became obsessed with the race. I HAD to run it. My dream came true a year later when I shuffled around Ruapehu with my good mate Josh, bumping into Campbell out on course as he knocked it off for the 2nd time.
Just a few weeks ago, we were both back at the event, with Campbell launching his book Fifty-Two at rego. Before the Ring of Fire was ever a thing, he ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks in his 52nd year on this planet. I saw him at rego, working the floor, pitching to the crowd with as much enthusiasm as I remember. He gifted me a copy, which I’m 3/4 of the way through and thoroughly enjoying.
Running the Ring of Fire in 2019 is an experience seared into my mind that changed the direction of my life. You can’t underestimate what achieving an impossible-sounding challenge can do. I’m truly thankful I found Campbell’s video, and now the book. If it has the same impact on 1 person’s life as the Ring of Fire had on mine, it was surely worth the effort.
Below is Campbell’s description of what his book is all about:
“So I go and run 52 marathons in 52 weeks in the year I turn 52, and it’s pretty much a response to a brothers cheeky dare. But it turned out to be an incredibly tougher journey of body and mind than I ever imagined as the weeks and kms ran by.”
“Yes, many adventures and beautiful locations, but bloody brutal at times dragging myself out the door to do it all again, week after weekend after week. Along the way the equally big challenge was a personal quest to know who I really am, what lies deep within my soul, and what my future might look like - during the many hours alone on the road and trail is where I discovered a deeper understanding of what it means to live freely and love deeply - I like to think of this as when the Soul Runner was born.”
I’ve put together a Q&A with Campbell below about writing his long awaited book. Enjoy.
When did you decide this needed to be a book?
Towards the end of 2017, with a few marathons still to go, friends who were
following my 52 on social media started suggesting I write a book. I thought
‘that’s a nice idea, but not me’.”“Then about a year later in the start of 2019 when I knew I was going to be making some big life shifts that year I decided that as part of my transition I should throw book writing in as something I’d try my hand at.”
“But the WHY is more important. I wrote 52 for my 4 sons. I wanted them to
know the story beneath the story. I wanted to share my heart with them and
help them understand what it means to live freely and love deeply. I wanted
them to know how much I love them.”
Was the book always part of the plan, or did it come later?
“Yeah - way later. Actually all of 52 was unplanned. At the start of 2017 I had
no idea the year would be filled with marathons, adventures across New Zealand, and international travel.”
Had you written anything before deciding to take on this book idea?
“Yes, I have written a few papers and booklets in my last job, and a dozen of so
blogs on running experiences for socials, but nothing for actual legit ‘publishing’”
What’s the main message you wanted readers to take away?
“3 things – Dream Big (and this doesn’t have to be some ridiculous running
challenge), Live Freely (from the expectations of others), Love Freely (this is
at the heart of my story)”
Cruising the mean streets of Raglan
Who is the ideal person that this book is for?
“I genuinely thinks it’s a book for anyone, but I do feel like the Mid-lifer will probably get the most out of it, especially if they are be stuck and need some inspiration to courageously jump into the next season of their life.”
Is the book more about running or about life?
“Let’s say 50:50. If the running story is the central thread, the love story is the
deeper theme.”
Did you hold anything back in the book, or is this the full heart on the sleeve
edition?
“I pretty much let it go all the way down my sleeve and drip onto my hand. I did cut back on a few things that were in the first draft that went deeper but also maybe were a distraction from the main story line.”
“One of these that stands out was my experience of the gap between the have’s and have not’s that I saw in Congo Brazzaville when I travelled with my son to support his journey to find his birth mums family. I wrestled with that a lot and didn’t really find peace or answers, but I only got just below the armpit on that sleeve.”
Campbell has gone hardcore - even recording his own audiobook. It sounds grueling, having to re read senteces over and over again.
How long did it take to write from start to finish?
“6 years writing, and about 8 months from final draft to book in my hand.”
Are you a disciplined writer or more of a when it flows, it flows type of guy?
“Mainly a flow guy, who also sometimes had to just book in a time slot and put
my bum in a chair and get some bits done.”
What was the hardest part of writing it?
“Two things.”
“Getting it all down. I kept getting bogged down in the first few chapters
trying to ‘get it right’. Then my English Literature graduate son gave me
some great advice: ‘Dad, just get it all down, all of it. Don’t worry about
making anything perfect, we can sort that later.’”“The 2 most personal challenging chapters. Their content was the pivotal
points of not only 2017 but of my life at that time. I put the writing of both
of these off for months before finally finding the right head space to tell
their story. But I finally got there and I believe these are the stories that
most reveal my heart and real identity.”
What surprised you about the writing process?
“I had so much to learn about the process of writing and publishing, and I loved
it. This was a surprise as I’m the guy whose father taught him to read at
around 9 years old, the student who couldn’t spell past the basic levels at
primary school (never made dictionary like all my mates), and who failed
School Certificate English.”
Campbell’s already shot the cover of his 2nd book
Were there moments you struggled to put into words?
“Yeah, those two difficult chapters, trying to explain what was going on in my
heart and head without it becoming either too preachy or too shallow. The
classic one was when I was out at Akaroa running a marathon from Little
River up to Mount Herbert and then looping around to the Hilltop Tavern
before dropping back down to the start.”“Up on the mountain I had a very emotional experience about my dad who had passed away a few years earlier – this was tough in itself, but really hard to put into words.”
Was publishing the book as hard as running the marathons?
“While publishing yes, but not really. The weekly grind was very tough.
Rewarding, yes, but at times towards the end I actually hoped I’d get a run
stopping injury just so I had a legit reason to quit.”
You have remarkable details about some of your runs in the book - did this take practise to try and remember the runs, or do you have a good memory for
detail? Did you have to go back and look at photos or strava to help with all of
this?
“Fortunately, I had kept a detailed record. That year I had a personal journal
tracking my ‘love story’. I had a weekly vlog I recorded for the leadership team
at my work called ‘On the Trail’. All my socials’ posts and my TOMTOM
statistics and images also told a story. Plus, heaps more photos and video,
that Lorraine reminds me if I didn’t stop for so many pics and videos, I would
be home sooner.”
Did your perspective on the runs change while writing?
“Not really. But of course, as most runners who are also story tellers know, the
more times you tell a run story, the longer, faster and tougher the run
becomes.”
Campbell and his crew on his final run of 52
How are running and writing similar for you?
“Don’t know really. I guess the only thing I can think of is that I just had to keep at it, one foot after the other, one sentence after the other.”
Do you find there is a rhythm between running and writing?
“I am inspired after a very memorable run to write. Like just a few weeks back
completing the Ring of Fire 100km solo ultra. When I got home I just had to
write it all down, and then over the next weeks, fine tune the writing into a blog.”“I have just set up a website with a blog that I hope to start recording my
adventures on so I’m sure that will give me a good outlet to run and write, and
hopefully inspire a few people along the way.”
Do you think non-runners will connect with the book?
“Sure do. I’ve already had a couple of much older aunties who can’t get out and
do much now who have loved it. A few of my non-running mates have also
given great feedback.”“If you love travel, if you love stories about incredible people (I introduce a few of these in the book), if you love hiking/walking New Zealand’s trails, then there’s plenty in this book for you. And the life lessons about being a parent, a partner, a friend, these are for everyone.”
What’s the biggest lesson from writing the book?
“Good things usually take time, even years. And I’m so glad I stuck at it.”
What advice would you give someone considering a big challenge, whether it’s writing a book, running a 5k or 52 marathons?
“Re the ‘big challenge’, go for it, but as you do here’s some things I discovered
along the way to achieving mine:”“Others are affected and impacted by what you do. More time devoted to
a big challenge means less time devoted to something or someone else.”“And so Big challenges come with a cost, a cost to you and others, and
the cost is more than financial. Remembering to be appreciative and
considerate to the cost on others is so valuable to your relationships.”“My desire to run an exotic adventure every week had to become the
exception, and the weekly norm of running around my local roads the
rule. Both the financial cost and relational cost of weekly adventures far
from home was just not sustainable.”“Be prepared to discover the deeper challenges and life lessons while
pursuing the big challenge. This is the gold!”
Why should someone pick up your book?
“Discover some beautiful places.”
“Meet some amazing people.”
“Enjoy the yarns that should bring a smile to your face.”
“Be inspired to dream big, live freely and love deeply.”
Where to from here?
“So I live in Raglan, still love running local trails, work as an odd job builder, but am keen as to explore using my experience as a trail runner, the story of 52, and my background as a public speaker, to inspire people to live life well .. so I am looking for opportunities to share my story as a guest speaker.”
Thanks for your time, Campbell. All the best with the book sales, I’m sure it will make the Raglan Best Sellers List this Christmas!
CLICK HERE If you want to get your hands on a copy or find out more about Campbell and his adventures.
WARNING: THE FOLLOWING VIDEO CONTAINS GRAPHIC GOATIE CONTENT
PS. Campbell is looking to take his stories on the road. If you’re looking for a speaker for your next event, get in touch with Campbell at campbell@soulrunnernz.nz