The Olympics is always such a special time as we watch athletes compete and stretch themselves to their highest potential. This year I became what I call an adult onset athlete and completed my first 1/2 marathon. Not only did I discover a new found passion for running, I learned about the value of running your own race.

“Learning is Experiential”

Learning is experiential, meaning I wasn’t able to read or study my way into these lessons, I paid the price to learn them with my most precious currency – TIME! It is my hope that as you make the investment of your time in your dream that you will use these strategies to prepare you to begin the journey, encourage you during the run, and give you the courage to finish strong.

“Show Up!”

One the day of the marathon, I reported to the race staging area at 5:30 am “ready” to run with everything from my brand new visor, performance t-shirt, compression running pants, and reflexive waistband to hold my ID and “goo.” There were runners there from all over the world, and there was excitement generated from the crowd as we pressed our way forward to the starting line.  And there they were… The “elite” runners that look like they stepped off of the cover of the latest health and fitness magazine (I suck my teeth).  But, to my surprise there were more “regular folk!”  Yes, the “regular” people that looked like my family, neighbors, and colleagues.  The athletes were all ages, races, genders, and fitness levels. Everyone was there!  Corporate partners, fathers and sons, girlfriend walking groups, blind athletes, and those with prosthetic limbs.  Each person was bound by the decision that they made to “show up!”

Dream Principle: By far, showing up is the hardest part of pursing your dream! It is never convenient to “show up!” Showing up makes you uncomfortable.  I would have rather been sleeping in a warm bed at 5:30 am, versus standing on the asphalt in 40 degree weather preparing to take on the challenge of a ½ marathon.  Showing up also raises the level of accountability.  Now you REALLY have to do something!  My husband Rufus helped me get ready, dropped me off at the start line, and was preparing to see me at the finish line with our daughters. It was no longer something I was just “talking” about, it was time for me to “do” something! 

“There Is No Short-Cut to Greatness”

Since I’d missed a “few” training days, my race strategy was that I would run a mile and walk a mile until I finished the 13.1 miles! No sweat right?! Going into the race I was able to continuously run 5 miles on a treadmill,  and was in better shape than I been in a while so I thought that should be a “piece of cake.”  I couldn’t have been more WRONG!  I was completely unprepared to run my race (notice I said that I completed a marathon not “ran” a marathon).  There is no short-cut to greatness, and I thought that I would be able to take my body to the maximum limit, with a minimum amount of effort.

Dream Principle: Your personality, natural gifts, talents, and relationships do not eliminate your need to prepare.  You will not find many people who succeed “on accident,” or just “found themselves on top.”  Success is intentional and there is no short cut to greatness.  Want to run a business? Plan for it!  Want to start a non-profit foundation? Plan for it!  Want to have a cohesive family? Plan for it!  Success occurs when your preparation meets opportunity.

“Don’t Be Distracted By Comparing Yourself to Others”

Runners were divided into sub-groups by the “pace” that they anticipated maintaining during the race.  There were those that were going to finish the race at the 2:00 hour mark, 2:30 hours, 3:00 hours, and 3:30 hours.  Well, I KNEW that I would not be among those completing in two hours, but I “sized up the group” in the 3:30 pace, and found Two Petite Asian Ladies in their 70’s that were less than five-feet-tall.  I declared in that moment, there is NO WAY that I’m going to let them beat me to the finish!  I’m a young, strong 30-something… Right?! Two miles into the 13.1 mile race, I was looking at the backside of the Two Petite Asian Ladies gasping for air wondering, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Dream Principle: Once you set out to achieve your dream, don’t be distracted by comparing yourself to others.  You are running YOUR race, and making comparisons can open the door for feelings of inadequacy, jealously, and can cause you to feel as if you have to maintain appearances or “keep up with the Joneses!” All of which are major stumbling blocks towards you achieving your goals. 

“Go Slow So You Can Go Long”

So, I made it to mile four. As Marin Lawrence infamously said in Bad Boys II, “It just got real!” My well planned “strategy” of running for one mile and walking one mile was out the window at mile three! At this point, I absolutely wanted to quit, and I hadn’t even made it half way.  Not to mention, the game of tag that I was playing in my head with the Two Petite Asian Ladies was exhausting!  They were walking, talking to each other maintaining a steady pace and when I would see them I would sprint to pass them up, completely “shooting my wad,” only to see them a few minutes later, approaching from behind, then on my left, and there I was again… Looking at the backside of the Two Petite Asian Ladies, gasping for air wondering, “What have I gotten myself into?”

Then it dawned on me!  I’ve heard the cliché “life is a marathon, not a sprint” more times than I could count, but hearing and understanding are two different things.  There are some things that you just don’t know, until you “know.” I didn’t have a plan to “go the distance!”

Dream Principle:  The road to your dream is truly a marathon and you have to “go slow, so you can go long.” I exhausted all of my energy in the first third of my race because I underestimated what it took to go the distance. Had I walked at a brisk pace for the duration of the race and utilized my energy at key moments it would have made all the difference! Take all of your ideas, prioritize them, work on the activities that will yield the highest and best results, and pace yourself knowing that the race ahead is long.

“You Must Be Willing To Do What You’ve Never Done, To Have What You’ve Never Had”

I’m more than halfway through the race when “it” happened… I had to pee!  The ONLY options available to me were the port-o-potties stationed periodically along the course.  I never, ever, ever use port=o-potties but today was different, I was in the middle of my first half-marathon. So, I ventured in quickly and got out as soon as I possibly could only to discover my next horrifying moment… There aren’t any hand washing sinks!  I am quite resourceful so I used the drinking water that the station volunteer handed to me by the rim of the cup (another food safety no-no) to wash my hands. Then I wondered, how did all these other thousands of people wash their hands? How about the volunteers?  The thought of it all was too much!

By mile 8, I didn’t care!  My body was being pushed beyond a limit that I’d ever experienced prior and there I was taking that water that was held by the rim, tossing the contents into my body and thirsty for more! I was so focused on my destination that the things that would previously be a “deal-breaker” were inconsequential.

Dream Principle:  You must be willing to do what you’ve never done, to have what you’ve never had.  There is NO WAY under “normal circumstances” that I would have used a port-o-potty without a hand washing sink, or drank water from a “questionable” source.  But, this wasn’t my normal “cushy” life, this was life on the course, and the only thing that mattered was staying in position to run my race.  There is nothing “normal” about making the decision to REALLY live your dream.  You must be willing to take the risk, and be comfortable outside of your “comfort zone.”

“The Value of Encouragement”

Your mental preparation for an endurance race is just as important as your physical preparation.  I was on the emotional rollercoaster of resolve to finish, and desire to quit for the entire race!  And, just when I thought I couldn’t make it any longer, there would be spectators on the marathon route that were complete strangers, who would say “looking strong,” “way to go,” or “almost there!” Wow! Those words gave me a boost to go just a little bit further.  But the encouragement that I valued most came from a 3-year old boy along the route who just pointed at me, waved, and smiled.  That smile was gold!

Dream Principle:  Do not underestimate the value of encouragement.  Your dream may be afar off today.  Surround yourself with people who will tell you that you are “looking strong” and that you’re “almost there.” Positive encouragement will give you that push just when you need it!

“Be a Finisher”

Something happened to me at mile 11 that I didn’t anticipate.  I got my “swagger” back! I knew that the worst was behind me, and that the finish line was just steps away. As I got closer, my form improved, the air was back in my lungs and there was a fresh deposit of adrenaline that surged through my body.   I was REALLY going to FINISH my first half-marathon!

Dream Principle:  Many begin their race, but few finish.  Your dream WILL come true if you stay the course. It takes courage to begin, and it takes determination to end. Be a finisher!

“Achieve Your Personal Best”

I finished that race number 1680 of 1811 athletes with a time of 3:31:25 and I was still looking at the backside of the Two Petite Asian Ladies as I crossed the finish line.  As that finisher’s medal went around my next, and I was greeted by my husband and daughters, none of that mattered.  I was transitioned into a new reality just that fast… I was now a “marathoner.” I did have it in me to go the distance, and I finished my race and in the process discovered wonderful things about my personal strength that I never would have before.

Dream Principle: When you run your race, your goal is to achieve your personal best.  To live the best life that you can.  There is no external competitor. There is no one who stole your idea. There is no one that received your blessing. This is your race and you will achieve the prize when you endure to the end.

“The Real Prize”

As my family and I were walking to the car, my youngest daughter Willow (then 3 years old) turns to me and says, “Mommy, I was so excited to see you run, and I’m proud of you.” She pierced my heart when she said those words, and I have stashed them in my heart ever since.

Dream Principle: The real prize of achieving your dream is when you can encourage someone else to imagine the possibilities for their own life.  You will not be able to measure the impact you pursuing then living your dream will have on others.  Your dream is not about you, it is about the lives that you will touch and how you will make this world better for someone else.