Sometimes looking back can sharpen our focus for the road ahead.

I recently took a trip down memory lane – I tuned in to ESPN2 on Sunday to watch the 45th running of the New York Marathon.  Few races – or events period – compare to the New York Marathon.  The broadcast brought back a lot of great memories. It was exactly one year ago that I was one of those 50,000+ runners in New York, and it was the most memorable (and fastest) marathon of my running career. Walking out of Central Park on a cold and windy afternoon never felt so good!

Fast forward one year, and I’ve all but wrapped up another season of racing. I ran eight races, achieved 3 new PR’s and logged another marathon. A successful and fulfilling year, but it is hard to beat the excitement of last year in New York.  Facing a long and cold winter season, I needed something to get me fired up for what is ahead!

 Watching the race and following my friends and teammates conquer NYC brought back so many great memories – including the thrill of a marathon PR on a tough course on a tough day.  I’ve heard inspiring stories from friends who ran the race this year, and another chapter of inspiring stories and cherished memories has been written.  For me, I’m still in “recovery mode” from my marathon a couple of weeks ago, but after connecting with the New York experience this past weekend and hearing all of the great stories from this year, I’m inspired, energized, and planning my 2016 race calendar!

One of the most important lessons running and racing has taught me is the value of drawing on past experiences.  Whether they be lessons learned, remembering great events, or sharing accomplishments, looking back can help set you back on course with priorities, goals, and inspiration.  It’s a lesson that applies in so many facets of life.  Sharing and celebrating these moments in life is a great way to recapture that energy and passion!

Strategic planning helps us set goals and provides a framework for accomplishing them, but everyday execution also needs to include agility.  A marathon strategy – similar to a business plan – should be sustainable for the long haul, and agility is critical on a daily basis to make it to the finish line.  During the marathon I had to confront some brutal facts – the biggest was that I may not hit my goal that day.  I could stick to the original plan and risk the consequences of doing so, or make adjustments along the way to ensure I reached the finish line safely and injury-free.

We study strategy extensively in theory and practice.  The problem is that we don’t always focus on how we can execute the strategy during the trials and tribulations of life.  In the Harvard Business Review article “Why Strategy Execution Unravels – and What to Do About It”, Sull, Homkes, and Sull review 5 myths of strategy execution.  I’d like to focus on “Myth #2:  Execution Means Sticking to the Plan”.   No strategy can possibly anticipate every event that could arise, whether it is a change in course conditions, weather, competition, or market circumstances.  Real-time adjustments are critical, and should be expected.  Falling into the “alignment trap” could derail your strategy, or worse, set you back.  Failing to recognize the indicators, and/or refusing to be agile can cost you a whole lot more than just the task at hand.

Back to the race – the goal of my training was to put myself in the best position to PR the race.  I’ve learned from my mistakes in the past, and I wasn’t going to let a less-than-ideal day derail my accomplishment.   I made adjustments, fought through the conditions, and finished with an otherwise respectable time.  While I’m still sore, I am certain that making those adjustments were better alternatives than risking injury or not finishing the race.

The Highline Canal, designated as a National Landmark Trail, was completed in 1883 to deliver irrigation water to farmers east of Denver.  The 66-mile long canal and maintenance road has been open to non-motorized traffic since 1970, and is home to hundreds of runners, walkers, equestrian enthusiasts, and cyclists on any given day.  It is my favorite running destination in the Metro Denver area, and the forgiving surface, lack of vehicle traffic, and great views make it perfect for those weekend long runs.  This time of year is particularly beautiful on the canal, and I took some photos last weekend on my run.  It won’t be long before the leaves have fallen and the snow starts to fly, so I’ll cherish these last few opportunities to get out and enjoy the great conditions.

“What keeps you going?”

That’s a fair question.  Whether business or personal, we’ve set targets and we’ve committed to achieving our goals.  Staying motivated and focus is critical to our success.

Famed psychologist Abraham Maslow studied and wrote about human motivation.  Maslow identified foundational needs we all have – water, food, air, for example.  As human beings we have important growth and emotional needs specific to love, belonging, esteem, and self-actualization.  For most of us, that’s what keeps us going.

The fact is that we’re not always in the spotlight, on stage, or even around others.  People do not always have the chance to support us.  Most of the hard work is done behind the scenes, often alone.  It’s one thing to execute when you are in a group or on a team, but what keeps you going when you are grinding it out – those early mornings, late nights, and weekends? 

I was out on a long training run the other day and I was thinking about that very question.  I was tired, hot, and ready to be done.  Slowing down seemed like an acceptable idea at the time.  What kept me going?

Very simple… other people.  When I see someone down the trail running towards me it always gets me motivated.  I find myself working harder when I see someone out there.  On an otherwise long, solitary run it is always fun to see someone doing the same thing.   That’s an inspiring moment, and part of me thinks that other person may just feel the same way.  We may share a casual wave or “hello”, but on some level we’re experiencing the “bonding” and “relatedness” Maslow described.  If were to give in, would I be letting them down?  Most important, would I be letting myself down?

I don’t always have the luxury of seeing someone out there on the horizon.  Visualization is important, and sometimes I just have to assume there is someone just around the corner.  So I challenge myself – stay strong, and assume you’ll find someone around the bend.  You never know what you may run into! 

Performing when nobody’s watching is tough – it takes mental discipline and focus.  If I knew someone else was around that corner, would I put in the work?  Of course! That’s what grinding it out is all about.  Whether we’re working hard to finish a great quarter at work or training for a race we’re taking care of basic needs, and much of that involves people. 

For those I see on the trail.. I appreciate the interaction, and thank you for helping me stay strong!

“The Last Stretch”, New York Marathon, 2014

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out”. – Robert Collier

A few years ago I was a finish line volunteer at the Denver Marathon.  It was an incredible experience!  Watching thousands of people cross the finish line and celebrate such an awesome accomplishment is so inspiring.  So inspiring, in fact, that at that moment it is easy to decide that next year it could be you running the final few yards and celebrating.  Making that choice is the easy part – it is the next step – goal setting and the “small efforts” – that is much harder.

Goal setting can be a challenge in itself – whether it is a personal or a professional goal.  Not surprisingly, a lot of those runners at the Denver Marathon are probably pretty good at doing both – their accomplishment on race day is a testament to that!  Goal setting is more than just declaring that you want to accomplish something, but th
e planning, strategy, and daily efforts to get you to the finish line.  Chances are if you choose not to plan and put in the work, you will never have a chance at even seeing the start line.

There are countless articles and books on goal setting – whether it is training for your first 5k, or even starting a new business.  Believe it or not, so much of the content is the same. 

One article that resonated with me was authored by Rebecca Knight, and was published in Harvard Business Review.  The article, “Make Your Work Resolutions Stick”, touched me on a number of levels and disciplines.  At the time I was planning out some of my professional goals for the year, and I was also mapping out a few races that I wanted to run and some new goals for my running.  Talk about making good use of my time!  Ms. Knight’s article focused on a few key concepts that I could relate to all of my goal setting:

• Set the right goals in the right timeframe.  You can’t build a business overnight, but you can create building blocks that will build a solid foundation for your dreams.
• Keep your goals realistic.  Don’t be afraid to set stretch goals, but make sure you are setting achievable goals.
• Focus on the positive.  You probably won’t run a marathon right away, but you could knock out a couple of 5k’s first.  Make time to celebrate your achievements along the way! 
• Commit publicly.  In the age of social media, this is easy!  Announcing to your world, or perhaps just your spouse, that you have set a goal will help keep you committed.
• Create a plan of action.  What is it going to take to get to your finish line?  I’d suggest talking to someone – a mentor – who can help you map out a plan for success.
• Recruit support.  You may think running can be a solitary event, as can the hours you put behind a desk in the business world.  Truth be told you need cheerleaders to help keep you going along the way.  You will be surprised how many people are willing to listen, and help.
• Set milestones.  If you are running, find a list of races in your area and sign up.  If you are looking to expand your professional horizons, find some industry events and commit to attending them within a certain time frame.  Time can escape quickly, so set incremental goals for yourself and celebrate your milestones.
• Keep perspective.  As hard as you work, there are always going to be things outside of your control that impact your progress.  No matter what happens, it’s always fulfilling to look back and to see how far you have come!

Building a foundation, whether it be miles in your training log or growing your network to support your start-up business, takes time, and a lot of work.  Staying focused on a plan each day and making those small efforts will help you stay on track and achieve your goals, one step at a time. I like to think that I’m “cross training” when I’m working on my daily efforts – whether it’s for work, or for my next race.  Effective goal setting and planning will ensure that you make it to the start line healthy, energized, and primed for success.  And yes, you will be the one celebrating at the finish line!

Ms. Knight’s article can be found at https://hbr.org/2014/12/make-your-work-resolutions-stick

“Why do you do that?”

I hear that a lot.  I have been running consistently for almost 10 years, and after numerous 5k’s and 10k’s, a dozen half-marathons, nine marathons, and one (and only) Tough Mudder, I think I’ve got an answer. 

Running is a microcosm of life.

Life is hard, so is running.  Life tests your mental and physical abilities, and so does running.  Life is a marathon, not a sprint, and well, you get the idea.

Neither promises to be quick or easy.  To help me stay focused, I have a running coach and a professional coach.  I’ve learned a lot about myself because I work with both, and what I have come to realize is that there are many parallels between the two disciplines.  I believe there are stories worth sharing.

Think about the most important things in your life – your “pillars”, if you may.  For me, those pillars are Family, Health, Career, Finances, and Spirituality.  Adjectives such as love, longevity, vibrancy, youth, energy, planning, conditioning, awareness, and completeness describe the meaning of all of these pillars, and I think of all of them when I’m out on the road running.  Life can feel like running on a treadmill at times, and sometimes it just feels like an uphill slog.  Strengthening these pillars, and the meanings behind them, helps to keep me moving forward.

Running exposes vulnerabilities, strengths, and weaknesses.  It is one thing to be comfortable running in the pack, but the thrill comes from pushing forward.  Growth comes from within, and gains come through an open mind, willing to change, and the ability to adapt.  You have the chance to go lone wolf, or be part of a group… that’s your choice.  Fast forward to a running race – there are planning and strategy considerations, risk/reward opportunities, discipline and focus, and ultimately success at the end of the road.  Sound familiar?

Running used to be just a way for me to stay in shape.  It still is, but it’s much more. The physical and mental exercises I do every week enable me to enrich my “pillars” – and my life in general.  A morning run prepares me for my day, and is a tune-up for the challenges that lie ahead.  I can’t imagine a better “walk through” before I tackle the world.  Whether it is at home, at work, or out in the community, the lessons I learn on the track and trail allow me to “sharpen the saw”, and give me the focus and discipline to achieve greater things. 

That’s the intersection of running and life, and it’s meaningful to me.  I look forward to sharing my stories, observations, and insights through the lens of a runner and professional, striving to get better, one step at a time.