FIGURING IT OUT OVER 42.2KM - DOUGHNUTS, LEADERSHIP AND LIFE!
"Everything you ever wanted to know about yourself you can learn in 26.2 miles" - Lori Culnane
While running a marathon may not be on everyone's bucket list there are some great little life and leadership nuggets we can take from the cheeky little 42.2km run. I have always had a passion for running, partly thanks to my dad - something that I am forever grateful for. I remember my sister and I joining him on his weekly RAC time trials and lining up for the 2km route back in those days. We thought we were machines, because well 2km is 2km when you are 14 or so. We were so convinced that we had run so far - we used to urge my dad to get us a burger and chips post run because we needed to carbo load for the next one. We laugh hard at that now. Apparently carbo loading was some “fancy wording” runners throw around and well, we wanted to be runners.
My dad never pushed me into running - I think it’s something I just naturally gravitated toward - partly because we grew up watching him, but partly because there is a competitive nature inside of me to be honest. I came stone last in my first cross country run and well I would like to say it was the horror and shame of coming in when they were packing up all the race branding that urged me on to train, but I won’t lie, all the doughnuts being finished at the end of the run kind of had a role in it too.
My dad was a running coach, something he did on the side and was passionate about and had some really great successes (anyone remember Mark Page). I convinced him to help coach me because I was adamant I was not ever ever going to come last again. The humiliation of finding no little glazed sugar doughnut at the end of the race was all too much to bare and well as they say – the rest is history.
So here is to running, the sport that has (and continues) to teach me so much about myself, life and leadership. To anyone that has run, I am sure you can relate, to those that have not, I urge you to try and well if you have no plans on attempting the 42.2km challenge, that’s okay too, because life itself is like a marathon so they say.
1) Have a dream/goal/vision & of course a strategy
I often think of Gary Vaynerchuck when he speaks of reverse engineering. I think this is such a great way to look at life. Sometimes - its best to look at what you want to achieve be it personal, professional and financial success and work your way back. That way you get to look at the steps you should be taking to get where you need to be. Anyone who lines up at a marathon does not just get there – it started as a dream, a goal or perhaps a drunken dare with a bunch of crazed mates, point is – once you made the decision you have to figure out what you need to do to get you to the start and then work towards that – every, single day!
2) Commitment
Anyone who has run (or runs a business or team) knows how important this one is. Commitment to your goal & to yourself (or peeps) is critical. I can’t tell you how many times the alarm clock nearly won me over - but when you have a clear intention and are committed to the goal - nothing will stand in your way. I have lined up for training runs and races after going out with visiting friends (you know who you are) until 5am in the morning with wine still flowing through my veins on many occasions much to my ex hubby's horror. He really does deserve a medal! I do know however, that if I just get to the start and see what happens from there, I have already won and therein folks lies the secret – because starting, like anything in life really is the hardest part. We all know, once those shoes are on - everything else is that much easier. So no matter what you have committed to - just start because small daily steps lead to bigger wins.
3) Team Work
Let’s be honest, there are a whole lot of people behind the ''I''. That is the “I” that runs the race, the team or the business. You really are only as good as the people you surround yourself with. Most of my running has been done on my own but that is not to say that I don’t have a massive team of support that helps me. As in business and running, great team work creates synergy where the combined effect of the team is always greater than the sum of individual efforts. .Because let’s be honest, without the support network, on the road and a race – as in life, the race and outcome would not be the same. So to all the cheers and support that come from family, race crew or complete strangers – here is to you! You are appreciated – more than you know.
4) Run your own Race
We have all been there, where we are so busy worrying what the guy next to us is doing, that we lose focus of our own goal and plans. Your plan is aligned to your strategy. Stick to your own lane and game plan and I promise you will run a better race. Your better race! As a runner we must not forget, as in life we run against the distance and clock, not against other runners.
5) Flexibility
In saying that however, we must always be willing to adjust. It comes down to self - awareness. Sometimes no matter what you want to achieve, things don’t pan out the way they should - but if you accept that, adjust your plan and allow for the obvious kinks in the road, you will still get to the finish line, maybe not how you hoped, but you will get there regardless. Let’s be honest, life is about the journey – not the destination.
6) Be humble
I have found running one of the most humbling experiences to date. I remember lining up at Comrades Ultra Marathon one year and looking all around me at all these amazing people, chariots of fire playing before the start and this common sense of belonging – these were “my” people and we were going to war – with ourselves. A common bond was formed because of what we were about to embark upon and it was in that moment that I fell in love with what running brings to the human experience. It does not matter who you are, where you come from, or what you have. You can be a CEO of a multi-dollar business, a mine worker or a stay at home mom - we all have one goal in common - and that is to do the distance and there really is nothing more beautiful than when we care more for all our similarities than our differences.
7) Hard Work
Life, as in running you can’t cheat your way through - sadly not. I have tried and failed miserably. The reality is there is no match for hard work and well you have to do the time. Hustle Hard, put in the hours and you will see all your efforts will be paid off. Period!
8) Celebrate the successes
As runners, we sometimes forget about the privilege of being able to move, do what we do and share in these experiences with like-minded people. We often berate ourselves for not running quicker, for picking up injuries or perhaps not doing more, but the truth is there is always something to celebrate. I often remind myself what a privilege it is to line up to a race – any race because it reminds me – I am healthy. So next time you cross the line on your 5th, 6th or 20th marathon – instead of wishing you had run harder or supplemented better – raise a toast to your body – for it did not give up on you – even when you wanted to give up on you and that is a pretty big achievement if you ask me!
9) Play to your strengths
Know what you are good at and play to that or at least work your way around it. If you an early morning person, do your training runs before your day starts, if you are not - and your schedule does not allow for an afternoon session, make sure you prepare the night before so you have no excuse to miss a run. Its about working your way around your talents and building or supporting where you need to most. The same applies in any work scenario, specifically in your people.
So if you not inspired to go for a run ( Que “Rocky”music) perhaps you are inspired to live up to YOUR true potential and inspire your team to live up to THEIR true potential because I know – so much of who I am today and so much of whom I inspire to be is all down to running. So to the human whoever said diamonds are a girl’s best friend, you clearly have never owned a pair of running shoes.
