fortitude
noun - formal

- courage over a long period

- strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger, or bear pain, or adversity with courage

- the ability and willingness to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation

The Cambridge Dictionary / Merriam-Webster / Wikipedia

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ORIGIN

Late 14th century “moral strength; courage”, from Latin fortitudo “strength, force, firmness, manliness”, from fortis “strong, brave”.

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EXTREME FORTITUDE

Dean Karnazes - is an American ultramarathon runner and author of "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner", which details ultra endurance running for the general public.

From October 12-15, 2005, Karnazes ran 350 miles across Northern California without stopping. He didn’t stop to sleep or to eat, nor did he even slow down to sample a Sonoma Valley chilled chardonnay. All told, he ran for 80 hours, 44 minutes without a break.

Karnazes has completed a number of endurance events, mostly running events, but also a swimming event. His most notable achievements include:

- Ran 350 miles (560 km) in 80 hours and 44 minutes without sleep in 2005

- Completed “The Relay”, a 199-mile (320 km) run from Calistoga (Napa County) to Santa Cruz, eleven times

- Ran a marathon to the South Pole in −25 °C temperatures without snowshoes in 2002

- Ran a marathon in each of the 50 U.S. states in 50 consecutive days in 2006

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SYNONYMS

a sense of purpose, courage, audacity, fighting spirit, grit, guts, mettle, bravery, pluck, backbone, nerve, spirit, determination, hardheadedness, endeavour, endurance, fearlessness, intrepidity, resolution, resolve, spunk, moxie, tenacity, spine, perseverance, resilience, steadfastness, Dunkirk spirit, what it takes, pecker, lion-heartedness, temerity, zing, get-up-and-go, oomph, derring-do, ginger, beans, welly, bulldog spirit, chutzpah, fervour, sprightliness, fire in the belly, invincibility, bouncebackability, feistiness, vim and vigour, can-do attitude

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SMUGGLE OWAD into a conversation today, say something like:

“In these times of covid it’s fantastic to observe the FORTITUDE and community spirit people are showing.”

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HERZLICHEN DANK to all readers helping me keep OWAD alive with single or monthly donations at:

https://donorbox.org/please-become-a-friend-of-owad-3

Paul Smith