This past weekend I had the fortune of traveling to Las Vegas to run the Rock’n'Roll 1/2 Marathon. Alongside my wife and two of our closest friends, we journeyed into a world that I swore I’d never go to in my life.
Long-distance running.
You see, I’m wired as a sprinter – always have been, and as far as I know, always will be. At least that is what I thought for the better part of my 36 years.
Even though some of you know that every year I lace up my shoes and walk 60 miles to fight breast cancer, I’ve historically been a person who avoids enduring at all costs.
I’ve tried, but seldom trained. I’ve been a trier, not a trainer. (see Training vs. Trying, a great book by John Ortberg, who is one of my favorite people of all time.)
Why We Do The Things We Do
One of the (many) reasons that I love participating in the Breast Cancer 3-Day is the overwhelming sensation of accomplishment that I experience as I walk the final mile. At that moment each year, I feel like I climbed the mountain and overcame the odds.
I went the distance.
Up until a month or so ago when we decided to run the 1/2 marathon, I vehemently stood proud over the fact that I’d never run a long-distance race. Call it a moment of vulnerability, or just plain caught up in the conversation when our two friends decided to run with Shelly… I caved and registered for the event.
I didn’t want to be left out – I knew this was my moment to give it a shot. To train, and not just try.
Going the Distance Requires Commitment
After making the decision, I knew that I had weeks of training ahead of me. This wasn’t something I could just get up and do, so I had to develop a plan and prepare myself for something I had never done before. While I enjoy a structured life – obedience to a “plan” would prove whether I was serious about running and finishing.
Uncharacteristically I followed my training program. Because I am a sprinter, the training runs took a toll on my body – but I knew the work I put in before the race would help me get through it.
I started out well – probably paced myself too fast, but I enjoyed it. While I admit that I hit my wall at mile 10 and came close to throwing in the towel, I found the strength to finish the race – something I am very proud of.
For me, as I crossed the finish line, I was so thankful that I valued the importance of training. I wholeheartedly believe that had I not taken it seriously, I would not have finished.
What About You?
How many times in your life do you regret throwing in the towel? Times that you failed to train, and couldn’t go the distance… Or maybe there were times you’re proud of. Times where you overcame the odds, and experienced the glory of finishing the final mile.
Share those times below by leaving a comment…
Hey Brian,
Great post! I think this speaks brilliantly as a great example of how quickly and easily we quit. We know there are incredible athletes that do amazing things. Are we all meant to be an athlete, probably not, but many of us have a lot more potential than what we are giving. I know personally, I have also always considered myself a sprinter. I’ve had visions of running distance, though. My visions were halted 2 years ago when I was told by a trainer …”Jen, you just don’t have the body of a distance runner.” WHAT?!? And guess what, I believed him. I’m about 5’5 130 pounds – I could do anything I wanted to! And yet, as I write this, I find myself still questioning and at the same time, I signed up for my first 5K.
Cheers to a huge success and cheers to my first 5K of many races to come!
Blessings,
Jen Brentano
Hey Jen – don’t listen to your trainer. Your (or mine) or anyone else might not have the body of an elite long-distance runner, but that doesn’t mean we can’t run long distances. Just because I’m not Bode Miller doesn’t mean I won’t ski. I might not ski as well as him, but I still do it. Kudos to you on signing up for your first 5K. Focus on that, and pay attention to how good you feel as you finish. Baby steps with running. That’s what I’ve taken. But it’s possible. And if you have time, show your trainer that people without the body of a distance runner can still run far. I’m proof as well.
Hey Brian! I’m definitely not listening! At least, not anymore. I listened to him, parents, friends, etc. for long enough. I love the link you shared because they have actually been a big inspiration. I focus quite a bit on my health so I know that I am healthy enough to do this, it’s just been a mindset. Since watching others that “shouldn’t be able to run” complete a marathon, I’ve been having to question my own questions…
Thanks for sharing your wonderful story!
BTW – I set up my ‘gravatar” so I’m crossing my fingers it shows up!
Brian,
While I never ran 1/2 marathons like this.. I did run 10K’s. My story is quite funny though.
Back in 97, I was stationed at NAS New Orleans, and was planning to run the 10K New Orleans “Crescent City Classic”.
I had run this race before, and my best time was at 64 minutes. This year I wanted to break 60 min’s.
Unfortunately for me, the race also fell during our “Volleyball” Season, and me being one of the tallest folks on our team, I usually would end up at center front during our plays. 1 week prior to the race, I injured my hip on a fall.
This really really torked me as I and 6 others folks from our command had paid and were scheduled to run the race. My Dr. gave me clearance to walk it, but not run.
Race Day Comes and we separate, My friends go to the front where the runners were starting and me to the back with the walkers. As far back as we the walkers were, I heard the cannon go off (Starting Gun, They use a cannon!) and we didn’t start to move for at least 4 min’s after the shot.
I think I lasted all of about 250 steps before I started Jogging.. I couldn’t help myself.. I told myself, hey just a little jog to warm up.. Which then opened up to my regular pace. I told myself I would only jog up to when I caught up with my friends.
So long and short of it, I ran the whole race, and it took my mind off the pain a bit as I was concentrating so much trying to find my buddies in the race, when I took the final turn to the finish line.. I crossed the line in 58:24….
WOW.
Better yet… I looked around for my friends at the end as they said they would look for me since I was walking.. I couldn’t see them, I kept looking when 4 min’s later I see them making the sprint to the finish. I don’t know how, but I passed them during the race, probably at a crowded turn or something I ‘m not sure.. But what was supposed to be a walk turned into my best time of my 10k career.
Awesome.. Can’t do it any more as I have been diagnosed with RA, and running is strictly forbidden, but I look back at that one day when i realized that concentration, mind over matter can get you through anything..
Happy Holidays..
Darrell
What a great story Darrell… well maybe not so much for your friends.
It is amazing what heart, and determination can do for a person – sometimes (as in your case) it can throttle you into a zone that you never thought existed.
Thanks so much for sharing, for inspiring and continually being such a supporter of what I do. It goes without saying that I appreciate that.
Wow, great story, Darrell.
Commitment is the keyword in everything isn’t it?
In business, relationships, and life – if you’re not committed it’s just not going to be the same.
I never thought I could run a mile outside. This summer, I stopped running on the treadmill and started running around the block. 1 mile turned into 2 then 2 into 4 and 4 into 8. I committed to doing it everyday and soon enough that commitment turned into a passion. It was certainly a great feeling and I’ve been running ever since!
Matt – love how you point out that commitment matters across all avenues of life – fitness, business, relationships, etc. The stuff I write here at will be predominantly personal, but most of it has underlying reason and value across the business world. Most of the people who follow me on Twitter do so from WordPress & StudioPress stuff so I know that a huge chunk of my traffic here will be looking to see things through a quasi-business perspective.
Didn’t catch you at the finish, but many of those I saw cross, had similar stories… Doing it for a personal reason. A goal and you could see it in their eyes once they crossed the finish line, that they did it. They did something they thought they could never do. For many, you knew this was a life changing moment. A personal triumph.
Congrats….
Thanks a lot Mark, appreciate it. I knew I could do it, just wasn’t sure I would. I really hope that this is the first of many long runs I do – not sure if I’d ever consider doing a full marathon, as 13 miles beat me up pretty good. Either way, it was definitely a life-changing moment.
Congrats on the 1/2 marathon. I was in the same spot a couple years ago and decided to run the Chicago Marathon. I almost died, but finished!
Nice shout out to JO too! He is so good…
Thanks Luke, appreciate it. Congrats on running the full marathon, that is definitely something to be proud of. (and love the header you had done on your Prose site. just love it!)
Recognize the handiwork?
Hey Brian, inspiring article! I used to run everyday. Never for anything organized, just my own enjoyment. Haven’t ran much for the past couple of years but after reading this I’m inspired to start again.
Thanks Brian, Happy Holidays!
Ted
I wish I was involved in something this healthy and productive… I need to get back in shape… Thanks for the push!
Hi Brian,
I like your themes, of course, but I really appreciate your work to help fight breast cancer. I have many friends who are survivors of it, and my mom is a 30+ year survivor of breast cancer. So thanks for your hard work in the non-profit arena. And still loving your themes too!
Thanks!