In 2006, a friend and I decided to train for a marathon. I had been running 3 miles most days and could run a max of about 5 miles. A marathon is 26.2 miles. I don't even love running. Honestly, most days I don't even like it. I do like challenges, though. I like competition. This was a personal challenge and a competition against myself. Every day part of me wanted to be lazy and part of me wanted to check off that day's workout. The finish line of the Marine Corp Marathon was a rewarding experience BUT the most impactful experience was the daily competition. I won most of the days from the day I signed up for the marathon till the day I ran it. Not all of them, but most.
Dec 31, 2018. A quick self assessment revealed that I needed a change. In may of 2018 I had run for the last time that year. I was experiencing some joint discomfort that pushed me to try some different fitness options. They weren't bad. I was getting stronger BUT, I was also getting fatter and I found myself getting winded too easily. When I heard myself breathing hard after some basic activity I decided it was time to get back into cardio exercise and running is the easiest option.
January 1, 2019 I ran for the first time in 7 months. That was the longest stretch of no running since I started in 1995. My goal was to finish 3 miles without stopping. That has been my baseline distance since 2003. I had no time goal. Just finish without walking. And, I did. With a pace of just over 10 minutes/mile. Since then, my goal has been to trim my pace. Yesterday, January 18th, I did my 9th run of 2019. It was my first run under 9 minute pace in a LONG time. It wasn't easy. I think people could hear my breathing half a mile away. I even heard a guy yell from his garage "You got it!" I'm guessing he heard me passing... But I got it! My PR (personal record) for the past year.
So, what's the point? Back in 2006, I remember days at the store where things weren't great. That happens when you are on a team. There is almost always something that needs attention. The more people on the team, the more challenges. The marathon training gave me something I could work on that was just me. No team. Nobody but me. Nobody to coach but me. Nobody to push but me. Same thing the last 18 days. The only one standing between me and my goal was me. Sound selfish?
These challenges provide a break from coaching others and allow me to lead me. Instead of 100+ people, just 1. I find I lead others better when I lead me well. And, sometimes things may not be going like I want them to with the team but I can still go for a run. I can find that win on a day that may not have had many wins. AND, the win at the end of the run can lead to wins elsewhere. I know I lead others better when I'm leading me well.
What is your personal win today? What could it be tomorrow? Sometimes, days on a team can be a challenge but you can always find your personal win. Lead you to those wins and then you will lead others better.
