Lesson #7 Coming in first or last doesn’t matter… Finishing well does.

In a Marathon, unless you are an elite runner (probably from Kenya), it matters little whether you come in first or last.  What matters most is first, that you even dared to run, and then second, the manner in which you run and finish. In short, success or failure in a Marathon is not measured by the time on the clock or by the number of people who cross the line in front of or behind you.  (Between you and me, I will admit to you that I do privately use my finishing position – in my age bracket, and overall – as a benchmark for my own personal feeling of accomplishment and – if noteworthy enough – bragging rights). Rather, it is measured by miles you have placed behind you, the wear on your shoes, the sweat on your face, and ultimately, having crossed the finish line – whatever your time is – that you are spent, and that you can look back on the race as having put all your energy into the effort.

That is not to say that you have to feel as though you are going to puke when you cross the finish line, or that you have to collapse in a heap. But it does mean that you can take pride in knowing that you pushed yourself to a level of achievement only a small percentage of the world can claim as their own – That you ran 26.2 miles.

Few (make that very few) people finish a race looking the way they did when they started – fresh and perfectly coiffed. When I cross the finish line, there is little doubt that I have been running for a very long time. Mostly because I am old, but also because if I have anything left in the last mile or so, I slowly begin to pick up my pace until the last several hundred yards when I break into what I would – but perhaps no one else would – call a full sprint.  OK, others would call it “the old guy sprint”.   “The old guy sprint” has lots of movement, arms flailing, elbows spread wide (perhaps for balance), and a mad pumping (perhaps this is better referred to as a shuffling) of bony legs, and loud gasping noises, with face red, veins popping, and sweat falling like rain, maybe even some drool on the chin … but sadly, not a lot of speedy forward motion.

That is kind of what I must have looked like at the finish of the Las Vegas half Marathon.

Vegas Marathon

In retrospect, I feel I had way too much left at the end of the race, although I came in with what to me was a GREAT finishing time. I had plenty of kick left for the big finish with the crowd cheering and cameras shooting and loud speaker blaring. I crossed the line flying (Well, at least that is how I recreate it in my mind), hands high in the air.  You would have thought that I had just broke the tape and come in first, setting a new world record.  The truth is, the winner of the Full Marathon came in not too many minutes after I finished my Half.  OK, so no records set, and no win in my age bracket. But back to my point… I still had some kick left. Or at least that is how I remember it now, as I hobbled, knees knocking, and sweat drenched over  to the massage tent for the free massage. (Which proves just how far I will run for a free massage.)

So then, hours later (well, maybe it was days later) I kicked myself for not pushing harder. And isn’t that just the way we are? We achieve something great, but somehow that isn’t good enough, and then we criticize how we could have and should have done better, instead of relishing the moment, instead of looking back and realizing that we actually enjoyed (or could have more enjoyed) the journey. In the first part of the race, I was so into the experience of running down the strip and the fireworks that I missed the Blue Man group that was performing on the side walk in front of the Fashion Show Mall. They were a rose along the side of the road, but I was too much somewhere else to even see and enjoy them. Upon further review of the race, I concluded that I was a bit too casual in the middle portion of the race. I stopped by the side of the road downtown to strip off my jogging pants at about mile 6. I ran to the beat of some hip-hop band playing for our enjoyment around mile 8. I stopped and stretched my calf muscles somewhere around mile 10. In short, I enjoyed the run, just for the pure enjoyment of the experience.

So maybe I should amend my thoughts to be, “Coming in first or last doesn’t matter… running and finishing well does; and being able to look back on the race without regret, but quite to the contrary, and with joy in your heart for having made the journey; that is what matters.”

So, the lesson for life is this: It matters less the positions we hold, the money we make, the toys we accumulate, and the treasures we lay in store for ourselves than  how we run our race or races of life.  And finally at the end of our long run, what ever the length, that we are spent, nothing left.  That we run well, no regrets, and nothing but joy in our hearts for the journey we’ve made, and the people we made it with.

I look forward to the races in front of me (both in running and in life) with great anticipation, and the opportunity to look back and reflect… hopefully with joy, and then… maybe do it all over again.

So, how are you running your race?  Thanks for reading.

…from those who have tried, and (possibly failing along the way, but who ultimately) succeeded, not from those who talk a good game but have never finished a race.

The only thing you learn from failing and failures is what doesn’t work and how not to win. Having said that, failure does give you insight into things to avoid and how not to lose. Henry Ford said, “Failure is simply the opportunity to begin again, this time more intelligently.” Failing may in fact be a part of life and learning, but I believe we can often circumnavigate failure by applying the perspective and experience of others.

Whatever your endeavor, there are resources you can draw from that can give you a leg up on, shorten the learning curve, and minimize failures and missteps as you move through the 4 stages of competence. You have certainly seen them before, but I list them here for you in perhaps a different context. The 4 stages of competence are:

1) UNCONSCIOUS – INCOMPETENT. Basically, “You don’t know THAT you don’t know and you don’t know WHAT you don’t know.” You have been there… perhaps you are there now. I have been there, and and as I learn, I find myself there again, and again. Kind of like a child learning to riding a bike. Or like learning to Para-motor as I am doing now. I had no idea how to fly a Para-motor, and further, had no idea what I didn’t know or needed to know about flying a Para-motor.

When I got into Real Estate nearly 30 years ago, I knew nothing about Real Estate other than that I bought a home through my Brother-in-law, and he made it look easy, so it must be. It didn’t take me long to move to Stage 2 of competency.

2) CONSCIOUS – INCOMPETENT. This is a good place to be – temporarily – forever. At this stage you now “Know THAT you don’t know and you know WHAT you don’t know”. The critical thing at this point is to know WHERE to find knowledge, and not just information. There is a lot of information out there, but not all information is knowledge or in other words truth or factual, and therefore beneficial. In Real Estate I learned very quickly that I didn’t understand contracts, and agency, and how to find and persuade Buyers and Sellers to work with me. There was not only the starting, but the finishing of a transaction, and follow-through, and the care and keeping of clients. Then there was Financing with its special alphabet soup of programs and words and concepts like FHA203b and 245, VA, Fanniemae, and Freddiemac (Who was Fanny and Freddie and why were they so important to housing?), and buydowns and points and the ominous sounding “Et Aux”. What was that!? I have to say as an aside, it is unfortunate that the public runs into Realtors stuck at stage 1 or 2 and judge the entire industry by these people.

Well, at least now I knew what I didn’t know, and so I began to learn all I could about the process of Real Estate, and Building Rapport, and how I could act as facilitator and counselor to the great institution of Homeownership. But I was at stage 2, not as dangerous as I was at stage 1, but still dangerous. I read, and studied, and watched videos, and went to seminars, and attended classes, and was mentored by great people like Ole Dunn, who showed me by example how to be an honest, ethical, and effective Real Estate agent. My apetitie for knowledge was voracious and my capacity for absorbtion of this new knowledge was great… Now I am 54, and it seems like if it isn’t already in my mind, it ain’t gonna fit, or stay for long. My mind is like my wife’s new project – our vegetable garden in the back yard – she cares so much about that garden, she waters it 2 times a day, and doesn’t notice that there is so much water in the ground already, that any more just runs off… yep, that is like my brain…. no room for anything else…. Only problem is, I am not that smart to begin with. Some people justs have more capacity I guess.

But I digress… and at my age, I seem to do that more and more often with greater ease. Now where was I? Oh yeah…

As I said earlier, stage 2 is a great place to be temporarily – forever. This sounds a bit like an oxymoron. “temporarily-forever?” What I mean by that is that, when we discover that we are at stage 2, this is a good thing, because if you think (or act like) you know something, but really don’t, you are just an idiot. It occurs to me, that at this stage there is (or ought to be) a sense of wonder and an appetite for learning. (More on this appetite in a moment.) But from that epiphany, we should see some effort and forward motion; progress towards competence. If you stay at this stage without learning or developing skills, you are just as much an idiot as the person who thinks they know, or that they possess a skill, but don’t. (OK, “Idiot” may be a bit too strong, but you know what I mean.)

When I decided to run a Marathon, I knew I didn’t know, and so I read (and continue to read) as much as I could on the subject, and I found a mentor in a group called Team in Training, and I ran and still run a lot, in an effort to develop my skill and competence in running.

I am sure you have figured out that what I mean about staying at stage 2 “forever” suggests (or perhaps reflects my personal hope) that we (read that I) should constantly be finding things where we (read that I) lack knowledge coupled with a hunger to learn more or develop in our (read that my) knowledge and/or skill level in new areas.

So, then we come to stage 3 on this competence time-line

3) CONSCIOUS – COMPETENT. “I know what to do, if I think about it.” This is the stage that requires so much brain power. You have to think about the details that make up the task itself. For instance, when I run, I have a tendency to pull my hands up towards my chest, especially when I am not paying attention to technique. This is more comfortable, but less efficient than if you keep your elbows at a ninety degree bend. In fact, when I consciously think about keeping my elbows in closer to my body – about shoulder width – and at a ninety degree angle at the elbow, shoulders relaxed, and then with hands loose, not tight fisted, but more like I am holding a hammer, and imagine that I am hitting my thighs with a tapping motion as I run, my pace improves anywhere from 15 to 30 seconds per mile. Sometimes I am at stage 4 with this, but as you get tired, there is a tendency to change your biomechanics and get a bit sloppy – unless you think about it and do a mental inventory from time to time. On a long run, I go down a checklist of sorts in my mind; pace – check, stride – check, pronation – check, arm angle – check, breathing pattern – check, body relaxed – check, fuels and fluid intake – check, how do my joints feel head to foot – check, GI issues – check, focus on competitor ahead of me – am I reeling them in, or is he moving away? Then it is speed up, slow down, eat, drink, lengthen stride, shorten stride, change my breathing pattern to in on three strides and out on two strides, or back to 2 in and 2 out, don’t trip, how far to aid station, are my GI issues becoming an problem, and if yes, will I make it to the porta-potty? So much to manage consciously.

With regard to my arms, I am still at the conscious competent stage…. But some of you who are reading this are saying, I didn’t know that all that arm positioning stuff made a difference. So, I guess you know what stage you are at on that topic.

Great success can be found at this stage of competency. But it ties up resources, namely your mind. Our goal is to reach stage 4.

4) UNCONSCIOUS – COMPETENT. “I know what to do, and I don’t even need to think about it.” It becomes like breathing to you. Tasks, effort, skills all become second nature. This is the stage that is as close to perfection as one can attain in this life. – As an aside, it occurs to me as I write this, that true perfection would be “Unconscious Goodness.” We all know someone like this. They are genuinely good people, and they effortlessly go about life being and doing good without even having to think about it. Indeed these are the people, like my wife whom we say are “Without guile”. Too often we see people who are “good” as a result of ulterior motives, but it isn’t really in their nature. We question their sincerity and motives, and we feel tempted to say that they do not possess “Unconscious goodness.” (Sounds like some politicians I see on TV.)

Back to “Unconscious Competence”. I am a volunteer with Las Vegas Metro Police Search and Rescue. We train twice a month. We practice the same skills over, and over, and over again. We practice them in the class room, and on the mountain, in the daytime, and at night in the dark, in wind, and rain, and snow, and on the side of a cliff. And we practice them on our own, and with a real rescuer hanging on the rope over the edge of a cliff, 1000 feet up. We do all that so that when a real rescue comes, we can perform the same tasks with “Muscle Memory” regardless of the time of day, or available resources, or the environmental challenges we may face. And we practice so that we can become confident in ourselves and our team mates into whose hands we place our lives, so that when someone needs us, we can insure the best outcome. Our objective for all the reading and all the training we do is to attain “Unconscious Competence.”

There is so much going on in running (as in life), that to be effective and efficient, we need to move through all 4 stages of competence. And it all starts with an appetite… for learning.

I have devoured as much as a person with A.D.D. can about the sport of running. OK, to say I have “devoured” might be a bit of an overstatement. Because my attention span is so short, I have these books cubbied all over the house, and as one catches my attention, I pick it up and read a chapter or 2. I read the way I eat. Lots of small meals throughout the day, punctuated with the occasional overindulgent buffet.

To that I give you my short list of suggested reading materials (If you are interested obtaining any of these publications, click on the link beside the picture):

1) “RunFast” by Hal Higdon

Run Fast: How to Beat Your Best Time— Every Time

2) “Marathon: The ultimate training guide” by Hal Higdon

Marathon: The Ultimate Training Guide

3) Ultra Marathon Man – Confessions of an All Night Runner

Ultra Marathon Man: Memoir Of An Extreme Endurance Athlete

4) “Runner’s World” magazine – Monthly articles by World class Elite runners and trainers

Runner’s World

5) www.Active.com – daily posts and articles from the best of the best on just about every sport.

6) “Runner’s World – The Complete Book of Running” (updated 2004) by Amby Burfoot – the definitive source for runners, this book is a 300 page compendium of articles from Runner’s world contributors, with illustrations, parenthetical comments, and observations from Amby.

Runner’s World Complete Book of Running: Everything You Need to Run for Fun, Fitness and Competition

7) “Hal Higdon’s – Smart Running” – Written in a Q and A format, Hal answers just about any and every question you could have about running.

Hal Higdon’s Smart Running: Expert Advice On Training, Motivation, Injury Prevention, Nutrition And Good Health
These are great because the content is fresh (as in current) and are written in a manner that both informs, and inspires me, and moves me forward along the running path in a healthier, and more satisfying way. Perhaps you have some books or publications that motivate, inform, and inspire you. Please feel free to share those with me.

OK, so these are books on running. Likewise, there are other books that inspire and uplift me. Here are a few.

1) The Book of Mormon.

Of course it has to be at the top of the list. As a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (the Mormons), I hold this book of Scripture as sacred canon and a guide to my life. An account of God’s Dealings with the people who lived in the Americas from about 2200 BC to the 400s AD (we know them as the Aztecs and the Incas), and it tells of the trials and triumphs of what was once a great people. We can learn from the failures and shortcomings of others (if we can see those failures for what they are). If you don’t have a copy of this book, but would like one, comment me privately, and I will see that you get one (my gift to you).

The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ

2) The Bible. This book along with the Book of Mormon are companion books that remind us of God’s love for all of his children, and how our choices bring reward or dire consequences. They also tell us of the sacrifice Jesus Christ made for us. A short paragraph does not sufficiently describe the contents of these books, the way they move me, or the way they motivate me to be a better person.

Holy Bible

3) The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey

This book tells me how to focus on mindsets, activities, and habits that will bring about positive change not only in my life, but also those around me.
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

4) The Eighth Habit by Stephen R. Covey.

The premise of this book is: “Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs.” Covey sees leadership “as a choice to deal with people in a way that will communicate to them their worth and potential so clearly they will come to see it in themselves.”

The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness

5) The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren.

The spiritual premise in The Purpose-Driven Life is that there are no accidents—God planned everything and everyone. Therefore, every human has a divine purpose, according to God’s master plan.

The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For?

6) Getting Things Done by David Allen

Here I learned the Martial Arts phrase “Mind like Water” which tries to teach me that I “like water” should react to input, stresses, and “to do lists” with no more and no less (that is do not over react, and do not under react) than what is necessary to get the job done. (That was lesson number one. There are dozens more I am still studying).

Getting Things Done: The Art of Stress-Free Productivity

7) Scuba Diving Magazine. I love diving, so “diving” into this magazine is one of my escapes. Can’t be serious all the time!

Scuba Diving

So, here is my challenge to you: Find a good book to “devour”, and while you are feeding your body with good food and great running, don’t forget to feed your Mind and your soul. The world needs more inspired and uplifting people.

Do you have a favorite book, magazine, or article that I might enjoy? Please let me know about it.

In order to succeed, every business or endeavor has its required tools and equipment. In order to succeed (or in my case, survive) in running, it is even more critical to have the right equipment. I say “more critical” because, in my case, the less skilled you are, the better equipped and prepared you had better be.

For me this list continues to evolve, and grow, and grow, and grow. Currently it includes:

1) 6 pair of running shorts,

2) 3 sets of warm up pants,

3) nearly a dozen running shirts (including long sleeve, short sleeve, sleeveless, and even a singlet or two),

4) hydration delivery systems (a fancy way of saying “some form of water bottle”),

5) sweat bands (I have this head band called a “Halo” that channels sweat away from my eyes – my head sweats a lot),

6) muscle, joint, or ligament support which includes compression shorts, runner’s knee bands, IT band support, ankle braces, and orthotics.

7) 5 pair of trail shoes and 5 pair of road shoes.

As a volunteer with Las Vegas Metro Police Search and Rescue I also have 2 pair of hiking boots, 2 pair of winter boots, 3 pair of duty boots, a pair of rock climbing slippers, and even a set of snowshoes.

Needless to say, I have (literally, and much to the consternation of my lovely wife – Joni) a closet full of footwear.

Continuing with the equipment list;

8) multiple pair of specialized running socks (cotton socks just don’t cut it – in fact these socks are even labeled left and right – who would have thought there was so much engineering that goes into a pair of socks that they actually have to be labeled left and right? And what do you suppose would happen if you put them on the wrong foot?),

9) timing watches (including one that actually beats out a pace for me as I run),

10) 2 Garmin forerunner GPS “personal trainers”(that tell me up to the second my location, distance run, best pace, average pace – at that moment, daily, weekly, and monthly, and calories burned. It even squawks at me to tell me to speedup or slow down),

11) multiple hats including warm weather, cold weather, and one with a built-in shade panel on the back,

12) MP3 players, head phones, batteries,

13) band aids and medical tape,

14) BodyGlide (a miracle lubricant – when you run long distances you chafe in places you wouldn’t have thought would chafe),

15) and (this is delicate) nipple guards (like I said, you chafe in places you wouldn’t have thought could chafe). For women a sports bra covers this one.

16) 3 pairs of sunglasses.

17) 12 different (yes 12) nutraceuticals (which is a fancy name for multi-syllabic chemical or herbal compounds) that I take every day,

18) fuels (that is what we call those gooey gels we choke down every 45 minutes into the run and at mile 19 – just before “The Wall”)

19) and specialized recovery and fluid replacement drinks.

20) Oh yeah, and a Schwinn Mountain Bike. Yes, I had to get a mountain bike, so I would have something else to train with on cross training days, and of course a Bike Shirt (you know, the one with the pockets in the back to carry “stuff”, so I look like Lance Armstrong), and padded bike shorts – they feel funny to walk in, and make me look and walk like… well… like I had an accident in my pants.

21) And if I mention the Bike, I have to mention the treadmill with a built-in TV for those days when the weather is inclement.

OK, so now you know, I have gotten a bit carried away with my running. (As I read this, I am not sure, but I might just be a bit OCD). The crazy thing is that by most definitions I am not an athlete, but with all this crap I have, you would think I was training for the Olympics. Au contraire (that’s French for “I’m an idiot”), the reality is that I need every – I mean every – advantage I can get just to hang in there. In fact, the only thing missing from my arsenal is Duct tape. (Although I did use masking tape on a posterior shin splint once. It was all I had at the moment.)

So, if you are going to get serious about running, consider the equipment that you may need in order to do well, to avoid injury, and ultimately improve your desired outcome. My Father taught me that when you are working on a project in the Garage or around the house, in order to complete the task most efficiently, it was critical to have the right tools. I learned that the right tools not only make the task go more smoothly, and efficiently, but more importantly they improve the result and help insure a finished product that one can be proud of. For instance, you can hammer a nail with a crescent wrench (I’ve done it), but the nail will likely bend, and you will probably damage the wrench. He had a huge tool chest, full of every imaginable kind of tool, gadget, and gizmo, and now, so do I. Bottom line, be sure you are using the right tool or equipment for the job.

For instance, I don’t run on the road with my trail shoes and I don’t run on the trails with my road shoes. Even though they are both designed for running, they were built for different jobs. I have made a study out of the shoes I wear, taking into consideration my personal running biomechanics, comfort, durability, and of course, budget. Likewise, I don’t wear my sweats in the summer heat, and I don’t go out in my running shorts in the winter cold. You get the idea. The vitamins I take, the socks I wear, the Garmin I use, the fluids and fuels I carry, are all focused on improving my outcome.

So, now for the analogy:
It occurs to me that our lives need to focus on the desired outcome – as Steven Covey said, “Begin with the end in mind”. But that is another lesson. However, the decisions we make for the equipment we acquire, needs to begin with the end in mind. So, the first question to ask yourself actually should be “Is this really that important to me? ” If the answer is yes, then the second question is: “What is the desired outcome, or the result I want at the end of this effort?” Finally, what are the tools I need to succeed in this endeavor and, and if I don’t already possess them, how do I get them, and how do I best put them to use? When we talk about being equipped, that might also to include the question of being emotionally, financially, mentally, spiritually, physically, and intellectually equipped. In most cases, if you are deficient in one of these areas, you can develop (if I can, you can) and/or obtain the necessary equipment to succeed.

For instance, with running, you can see there are a lot of items to consider acquiring as you begin. But having a good pair of shoes and a cannister of Endurox (that is my recovery drink of choice) does not necessarily equip you to be a runner. Likewise, I could spend $250 on a pair of running shoes, but I am sure you would agree, for someone like me, it would be serious overkill.

If you are in the Business of Real Estate, the equipment list includes a car with which to transport clients to houses, but more than that it includes a car that has room for more than one client. It includes a calculator, and contracts, but more than that,it includes an understanding how to use a calculator, and a fluent knowledge of how to write a contract. In today’s market it would include a website, and prospecting every day, and immersing oneself in the business of learning all you can to stay on top of your game, including protecting your clients and serving their best interest. And lastly, but not least, it would include aligning yourself with a company that provides you with all the tools necessary for your success.

If your passion is your family, do you have the tools to be a good spouse, parent, sibling, son/daughter? A successful family in today’s world needs nurture, and time, and training, and love, and focus, and yes, discipline – that is, some sort of stable framework or set of rules with consequences – in order to succeed. Tools for a successful family might include, (in the time area) one night a week for the family to get together with TVs and phones off, if only for a few hours, to give parents the opportunity to inculcate values into their children. It should include an evening each week for just the husband and wife alone, together on a date, to continue their courtship – like they did before they got married. It should include the help of others in the form of a church affiliation where values are further emphasized, and a relationship with Grand Parents and Aunts and Uncles, and like minded friends who provide not only nurture, but a healthy injection of fun, and an example of a joy for life. And in my mind, it should include prayer – only an arrogant person thinks they can get through this life without help from someone who cares. Lastly, it would include financial stability and fiscal responsibility. This is the definition of provident living.

So now, get a piece of paper, or several, and put your work, your passion, or your desires at the top of each page. Then make an equipment list. This list is a dynamic list, and should grow as your needs grow, and change as your needs change and mature.

Remember, this lesson was about obtaining and using the right equipment. Look in your tool box and see if you have the right tools, and if not, find out how and where to get them, and in the end you will improve your outcome and have a finished product you can be proud of.

The expanded version of this lesson is: Large boulders in your path can distract you and cause you to veer from your goal, rocks in your path may trip you up, but (uncorrected) it is the pebbles in your shoe that will take you out of the race. All three can ruin your day, if you don’t address each problem as you encounter them.

Let me first say, I’d apologize for this long post, but I took the time to write it and don’t know what to cut. So I hope you will read it without getting bored, and gain something from it (and maybe even say, “Nice work!”).

I run 5 to 6 days per week. I am practically obsessive about it. If I can’t run several days during the week, I get… well… agitated. If you are a runner, you know what I mean. So, if I am pressed for time, I will only run 4 miles. If I have more time, I may run between 7 and 10 miles. Running with Dixie (my dog) is therapy for me. To which you may conclude, with all that running, I must need a lot of therapy. The truth is, some days it is work to get out and go running, but when I complete a 7 miler, I feel great. And so I run.

Anyway, less than 100 yards from my home the road behind my house turns to dirt. A little further there is an intersection with the Railroad tracks, and then I make a right or left turn onto a gravel and stone maintenance road that runs along the side of the tracks. I can run for miles along those tracks, crossing over short bridges every 1/2 to 3/4 miles that have been built to allow for flash flood run-off.

In the summer when it is particularly hot, the rabbits and chipmunks seek shade under those bridges, a practice not lost on Dixie who sneaks up on the bridge as I approach, giving her a chance to chase the little varmints who are spooked out of their respite when I run over those bridges made of rail road ties.

The path is covered with rocks that range in size from pea gravel to stones that are typically no more than 4 inches in diameter. While the road has been compacted by rain and trucks, the rocks are pretty much loose. As I run, I tend to kick up the rocks and gravel as I foot plant and toe off. Because of the roughness and rockiness of the road, I have to watch where I am stepping, and so far I have been able to avoid twisting my ankles from a misplaced step on the bigger rocks. But I do kick (though not intentionally) some of the stones that then roll safely out of the way as I run. From a distance I probably look like Pig Pen from Charlie Brown, churning up a dust cloud that follows me wherever I go. Occasionally, I run off the gravel path and simply run through the desert in search of a change of scenery. And occasionally I run onto large boulders. I am smart enough to run around or jump over those without kicking them. I make note of this detail because it caused me to come to the previously profound conclusion that, large boulders are an avoidable nuisance, and rocks don’t trip you, but the pebbles in your shoes can take you out of the race. A position I had to modify as you will see in a moment.

But let me continue on my train of thought. I don’t know how it happens, but once in awhile some of the gravel falls back into my shoe. A nuisance at first, I try to coax those little pebbles up to the place between my toes and foot where I know they are present, but conclude that they will not be a nuisance. The truth is, it is a delusion to think that I can just ignore or move the stone to a less irritable location, as the end result is generally the same. First it is simply annoying. Then it slows me down. And finally, if left unchecked, it rubs a hole in my foot, turning what was at one time no more than simple discomfort into potentially a race stopping event. Ultimately, I have to stop, take off my shoe, and remove the offending but tiniest of pebbles. I flip my shoe over to get out what surely must be a boulder, and am surprised when this teeny little sliver of a rock (OK… grain of sand) falls out of my shoe. I concede, “That was nothing at all. Why did it cause such a problem?”

So, along the Train Tracks I go, kicking stones and pebbles and dirt as I run, striding more lightly over larger rocks or adjusting my foot placement so as not to twist an ankle, or trip.

Then I ran “The world of Hurt” in Boulder City. A single track trail run with massive boulders (literally so big you had to climb over them), tiny gravel, and everything in between, including large rocks embedded in the hard pack trail. Here is where I learned that I needed to modify my original statement. Because some of the rocks were firmly embedded in the hard pack, the same rocks that I would have simply kicked out of my way without tripping along the railroad tracks, now in fact did cause me to trip at least 4 or 5 times and finally one time while distracted, I stumbled, and unable to catch myself, I went all the way to the ground. So now with bruised pride I have added to my axiom, the rocks in your path may trip you, and, as in my case take you down.

OK, now for the lesson that applies to life. There are many things that we potentially encounter each day that can cause us harm . The big temptations (boulders) we maneuver around with ease. For example, you would never think of killing someone, robbing a bank, stealing a car, or _______ (you fill in the blank). Indeed we could say that those are not even a temptation for you. Good and descent people see, understand, and avoid the boulders of life with ease. It is simply not in their nature to commit such a sin. Now for the rocks in our path. These are things we encounter every day at work, on TV, in magazines, and sometimes in conversations. They include lying, cheating, stealing, and other things that somehow have become more mainstream and acceptable as a part of doing business or getting through life. If we are watchful, of course we see that they are wrong and can adjust our steps to avoid them. However, for some of us, those things have become somewhat embedded into our workplace as a way of “getting the job done”, or a myriad of other excuses. If we take our eyes off the objective of life – to complete life’s race with integrity – we can be tripped up and hurt by them.

But, it is the little incipient indiscretions and indulgences (pebbles) that can destroy all that we are working for, whether it is success in business, success as a parent, as a spouse, or for that matter, reaching any goal. What are the little pebbles in our path? Any seemingly minor vice that you convince yourself is of no consequence. An occasional drink, casual gambling, porn, flirting (if you or the other person is married), slacking off at work, profanity, occasional raising of your voice to a spouse or child, or anything that you may be thinking of right now that I failed to mention and you say is “nothing”. We recognize these pebbles by their labels. They come with disclaimers, perhaps better called delusions, like “I deserve this”, or “I only do ___(fill in the blank)___ once in awhile”, or “It doesn’t hurt anyone”, or “no one will know”, or “My parents were a bad example”, or “I’m (Italian) (American) (a guy) (a girl) (young) (old) (you fill in the stereotype), and that’s the way we roll”, or “That is the way I was raised”. Can you think of something you do that you could apply a similar label to? The problem with these “precursor delusions” is that once we begin to indulge them, they have a habit of growing and leading to worse behaviors, and eventually these incipient little “nothings” deter us from our goal or desired outcome, whatever it may be. And it all started out as “Inconsequential”. The problem and the reality is that nothing is inconsequential. If we look back on the failures, and mistakes, and sins, and well, any regret in our lives, I suspect that we can trace them back to something that was “inconsequential”. The truth is that it doesn’t matter what your gender, nationality, upbringing, or even your biochemical make-up, there is no excuse for, and ultimately, there is a danger in attempting to excuse bad behavior or little vices. Perhaps more dangerous is tolerating it in others. Alexander Pope said, “Vice is a monster of so frightful mien, As to be hated needs but to be seen; Yet seen too oft, familiar with her face, we first endure, then pity, then embrace”. And sometimes it just begins with tolerance of the vices in others, or the indulgence of “little” vices in our own lives.

Allow me to give an example from someone I knew. I know a wonderful lady who’s life took a horrible turn. When I asked her what happened, this is what she told me. Betty (not her real name), a great person in every way (pretty, talented, funny, successful, Mother) was not happy in her marriage, and found meeting people in chat rooms on the internet (“it was just a little nothing”) to be a comforting distraction… at first. She met a man there who was funny, intelligent, interesting, and found her to be funny, intelligent, interesting, and made her feel desirable. After awhile the talk turned sexual, and then a phone call, and finally a meeting which culminated in a sexual encounter. It cost her her marriage, the respect of her children, and she found herself not with the greater self-esteem she sought, but less, and finally, she found herself subjected to spiritual consequences as well, as she had offended God. Of course the internet affair fizzled. One day I was talking with a friend of mine, James (not his real name) who also knew Betty and the story of her tragedy came up. Amazingly, he confessed to me that when he heard about Betty’s internet tryst , his curiosity was peeked as he had never heard of chat rooms or chatting. Curiosity turned to fascination, which turned to titillation, then obsession, as he explored the playground of the internet, until finally he found himself in nearly the same disastrous situation as she. It all started out as an “innocent curiosity”.

So our challenge is this; to see life’s little indiscretions, indulgences, curiosities, and temptations not just for what they are, but even more, for what they can become if we attempt to find a “less irritable” place for them our life. Even allowing them into our homes, relationships, or tolerating them in the live’s of those we love and care about is a serious mistake. Remember, it is a delusion to think they won’t have an affect on us or those around us. If you carry such a pebble in your shoe, or know someone who does, why not take a moment right now and not only commit to, but remove it before it gets worse.

lessons-from-running

…There is critical nourishment and encouragement there.

In early Marathons, runners ran the entire distance without having aid or water stations along the way. This lead to a lot of casualties. Then a few runners started carrying water. Fewer casualties. Finally, someone got the idea to start having water stations at predetermined distances along the route.

Still, there were casualties, but even fewer than before. When Gatorade was invented (for the University of Florida “Gators” football team), later discovered by runners who found they were able to replenish lost electrolytes, we began to see more finishers with better times.

Nowadays, every Marathon, Half Marathon, and even a 10k races have water/Gatorade stations placed strategically throughout the race, though some are further apart than others.

In the Chicago Marathon (my first), the aid stations were approximately every 1 to 1.5 miles apart. The World of Hurt run I did recently had them every 4 to 5 miles (adding to the brutal nature of the race), so you had to carry fuel and water with you. In fact, race officials would not let you start unless you had a minimum of 20 ounces with you at the starting line. The end result to all this is that even old guys like me can even run and complete a Marathon.

Now for the runner’s dilemma. The question many runners ask themselves is, “When I come upon a Watering Station, do I slow or stop for Gatorade, thereby giving up (perceived) valuable time, but taking on needed resources, or do I run as long as I can without stopping, and then only stop or slow down for refreshment when I ‘Need’ to, keeping my pace, but potentially depleting my reserves (glycogen early, and protein and potassium later).” A classic mistake runners make is to pass by these stations so they don’t have to break stride or lose time. But, the fact of the matter is founded in this sort of tongue in cheek reality: Unless you are from Kenya, you are not going to win the Marathon! So, if you were to slow down to grab a Dixie cup of Gatorade at the refreshment station, you would likely only lose 2-3 seconds. If you walk through each station, you will lose maybe 8 to 10 seconds. A full stop might cost you 15 – 20 seconds (however, it would give your body a much needed break and chance to quickly recharge). So, If you slow down or walk through every station along the 26.2 mile course, you might add 1 to 4 minutes to your overall time. Looking at it from the perspective of a 3 1/2 to 5 hour race (depending on your pace), 1 to 4 minutes is not a lot of time added to the total.

Conversely, if you bypass a station or several, you risk depleting your glycogen stores to the point where you can’t recover, or at very least you lose the energy and stamina to keep your target pace. Worse yet, you could suffer a breakdown and not be able to finish at all. The fact is that if you slow down or stop only when you “feel the need”, you are behind the power curve and it is too late. You have to replenish before you feel the need. In a marathon, the name of the game is conservation of energy and management of fuels and fluids to maintain glycogen stores and replenish protein at the right time. And you never know when you are passing the aid station that has exactly what you need at that very moment.

Another (and huge) benefit to slowing down at the refreshment station is that there are people there, usually volunteers who not only hand you water and Gatorade, but they also offer encouragement, a pat on the back, and cheer you onward. The value of such encouragement is incalculable. I know it pushed me on in Chicago.

In Chicago, half of all who entered did not complete the race. The reason; they were unable to endure to the end. And the biggest reason was not so much lack of training, but rather lack of acclimatization to the unforeseen challenge of heat and humidity, but more importantly, lack of proper fluid/fuel management. Interestingly, people from the hot and humid South were not only acclimatized to the challenge, but also knew how to manage their fuels and fluids properly. I doubt any of them passed by a water station without taking advantage of the refreshment offered.

So, now the analogy. Every day and every week provides us with time, an opportunity to replenish lost energy, to meditate on both our challenges as well as blessings, to contemplate and consider our current course, and to feed our souls. These refreshment stations are churches, synagogues, scriptures, and even uplifting books. Also to be found there are people who can encourage us along life’s path. Unfortunately, we are all too often, too busy to slow down and “break our stride” to attend church or read from a good book. And when we finally do stop for the day or week, we are too beat to read or attend church. And then many of us delude ourselves into thinking that we know what is best for ourselves, or that we can commune and grow closer to God by fishing and “enjoying his Nature”. Don’t get me wrong, vacationing is a good opportunity to refresh and recreate ourselves, but don’t miss my point, that there is important “refreshment” to be found in the scriptures, in meeting together with and associating with like minded people, in drinking the “living water” found in sermons and scriptures. There is encouragement that can be found by feasting on God’s word, both written and spoken. If we are honest with ourselves, we don’t get that from watching a football game with the guys, or an evening out “clubbing”. In short, we make a mistake by not taking advantage of the refreshment stations of life, and then all too soon we find our spiritual stores depleted. If we pray only when we “feel the need” to, and only sup from God’s word only when it is convenient, or in times of desperation, we may find that our ability to receive has diminished or expired.

So here is my challenge. Go to church regularly, read the scriptures and/or uplifting books regularly, pray daily, ponder the important things – daily. Take time to feed your soul – regularly. Such activities are the aid stations of life. Associate with like minded people – regularly. Perhaps I should clarify that one. Associate with people who are of a mind that you wish to emulate or become like. You will find the race easier to run, and you will be uplifted. You will find stores of energy to endure to the end, you will enjoy the journey more, and the finish line will be a joyous occasion. We have been given numerous aid stations in life, specifically placed there for our benefit… Don’t pass them by and miss the refreshment and encouragement that awaits.

Lesson #2 – Don’t stop running.

When all seems lost, and you feel you can’t continue, don’t quit. There is a reward waiting just on the other side of the hill you are climbing. No matter how steep, you can make it.

This last weekend I ran my second race. This one was a particularly tough endurance race in that it was a “Hill” run. Forget the fact that it was less than 3 weeks after I had run the Chicago Marathon (which in itself is not the smartest thing… that is, running 2 races so close together). It was a great opportunity to discover new limits to my abilities, and I felt I was up to it. Besides, it was such a beautiful setting in what is known as Bootleg Canyon. I was surrounded by like minded (translate that to “a bit crazy”) runners, the air was crisp, and there were gorgeous views in every direction. Ah, the deceptive tranquility of Bootleg Canyon.

The run was only 16.74 miles (They called it a “Fun Run” because it was less than a Marathon length), but had something on the order of a 2800 foot change in elevation. Lots of ups and downs, some so steep that you were forced to walk going up and brake hard going down, interspersed with piles of rocks so large you couldn’t run over them but were forced to pick your way over, and others you had to put hands on the outcropping and literally climb over. After the first 1/4 mile, it became a single track, which means that it was both difficult to pass and to be passed.

You had to ask for permission to pass, or conversely, graciously step off the trail to let others pass. At times as you traversed a hill, there was a steep hillside within inches of your head on the right, and a 15 to 20 foot drop off to your left, all the while running a trail that was only 12 to 18 inches wide.

Do you have a picture of the challenges we faced? If you are a runner, you have felt and know the difference between running a flat road and a rocky hill. It is more than just nuance. There were rocks on the path so large that did not move when we stumbled over them. As the minutes wore on and somewhere past the second hour of continual running, our feet grew heavier (or at least mine did), those rocks in the path seemed to get bigger, and tripping hard became unavoidable. It required constant attention to avoid going down. You had to watch every step you took. Many of the runners fell down. I tripped several times and finally, while attempting to get some powergel out of my fanny pack, I took my eye off the trail just for a second, stumbled on a huge rock, and fell to the ground, skidding and then tumbling into what felt of like a slow motion roll, ending with my head tucked under my body in sort of a roly poly pose. If my kids were there, they would have first laughed and then said (with as much sincerity as they could muster into their voice), while still giggling, “Are you OK?”. I was fortunate to get up without a scratch. The only thing hurt was my pride. Of course I looked around to make sure no one saw my lack of coordination. Other runners were not so fortunate as I, and required stitches.

OK, so it was tough. My point is this, we all encounter hills and valleys in our lives, and sometimes the path we are called to travel is rocky. And sometimes we fall. Confucius said that “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” So, get up one more time than you fall and you are a success. The fact of the matter is this; the end of our challenges may not be around the next turn, or the next day, or even the next year. But eventually there will be an end to the struggles and challenges we are called to face. The point is that we are called to pass through those struggles and challenges, and change, and grow, and not quit. The promise is that we can, and will make it through what ever we are called to endure, and in the end, there is a blessing and our clouds really do have a silver lining.

As it turns out, I was up to the challenge. I finished strong (OK, maybe not strong, but I finished) and came in 10th of 21 men who completed the 16.74 miles (the average age was 37). Not bad for an old guy. And the next time I run a hill race, I will be smarter, and stronger, and better prepared for the challenges I face from the hills and valleys in front of me. How do I know this? Because of the hills and valleys that now are behind me. And I know I will enjoy the vistas that lie in front of me all the more. I have learned that even in the valleys, as on the hill tops, there are wonderful views to enjoy. That is just like life!

So, never quit! On the other side of the hill lies the great vista and a wonderful reward.

Lesson #1 – Life is a marathon, not a sprint.

A marathon by its nature is an endurance race that tests and tries the body, eventually taking it beyond its breaking point. Once Glycogen stores are depleted, and electrolytes are burned up, and any stored proteins that the body possesses are consumed, in order to continue, the body converts any sugars that remain into lactic acid, which now residing in the muscles causes cramps, and charlie horses, and excruciating pain.  And from there your body begins to consume and cannibalize muscle, fat, and anything else it can feed on to survive. Unfortunately, a marathon isn’t over until you reach a distance of 26 miles 385 yards, so you don’t have the luxury of stopping.

Who could forget the1984 Los Angeles Olympics when Gabriela Andersen-Schiess suffering from Heat Prostration stumbled into the stadium to cover the last 400 meters of a 26.2-mile race.  She limped and lurched around the track, holding her head and alternately stopping and restarting as the crowd groaned.  Her left arm flailing at her side, her right leg unbending at the knee, she nevertheless waved off medical assistance, which would have meant her immediate disqualification.  Finally, after navigating the final 400 meters in an agonizing 5 minutes 44 seconds, Andersen-Scheiss fell into the waiting arms of three medical staffers as she reached the finish line in 37th place, 24 minutes behind winner Joan Benoit.

When you finally cross the finish line, your body is -for lack of a better word- broken. It doesn’t appear to matter what your level of conditioning. At the end of the run, you are broke, spent, wasted.  I suppose you could say that your body could file bankruptcy, because there is nothing left in the bank but a big deficit, because you withdrew more than you could ever deposit. From about mile 20 (officially referred to as “The Wall” as in “I hit the WALL”), the only thing that draws you toward the finish line is the residual effects of months of long training runs, the confidence gained as a result of that training which says that in spite of what your body has been telling you for the last several miles you can do it, and then ultimately all of the shear strength of will that you muster up from somewhere deep inside. Even elite Marathoners are broken and rarely will even go for more than a walk to the car for at least a week after a race, while the body heals itself. Remember the Greek Soldier who ran the approximately 26 miles from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been miraculously defeated in the Battle of Marathon?  What nobody wants to talk about is that a few minutes after delivering the message, he dropped dead.  And this is what they named the race after – in honor of a guy who finished… but died?  They didn’t even name the race after him, but rather the place where he began his epic run.  His name now pretty much forgotten.  After my first Marathon, I would have named it a “Steve” if I could have.  Sounds good to me.  “Hey, I just ran a Steve today”.  And my friends would look on with awe.  “A Steve!” they would say. “I didn’t know he had it in him. I could never run a  Steve.  What is a Steve anyway?”   And I would answer while flashing my Steve Medal, “26 miles 385 yards.”  (I know you’re scratching your head about what his name was.  It was Pheidippides.  Running a Steve sounds so much better than running a Pheidippides, don’t you think?)  But I digress.

Having said all that, after the hundreds and hundreds of miles and of running, the cross training, and the long weekend runs, you  build your capacity for endurance.  All of which trains your muscles, and perhaps more importantly, trains your mind to believe that the end is obtainable.  If you have the right equipment, and have made the sacrifices necessary and learn to manage your pace, and your stride, and your fluids, and your fuels properly along the way, success is a given and the finish line is a footnote to what you have accomplished.  Ultimately, if the preparation for and management of the race is adequate, the end is assured (That is a positive outcome is assured… not like the first Marathon runner).

On October 5th, 2007 I ran the Chicago Marathon, my first. Out of approximately 45,000 entrants, nearly 10,000 didn’t start as a result of the weather, fear, or various other reasons. But more startling, another 10,000 (for a total of nearly 20,000 people) did not finish the race they trained for months to run. The weather conditions made for a brutal day. 88 degrees (a record high) and extreme high humidity made it impossible to cool your core temperature down. More than 300 were sent to the hospital and hundreds more were treated in medical tents located throughout the course.

This leaves many to ask how someone can be crazy enough to run a Marathon. And therein lies the wonder of of it all. A Marathon is sort of the “Holy Grail” of running for many runners. Causing all who run to make special accommodations and sacrifices of time, money, diet, and creature comforts to do this one special thing and join the less than 1/10 of 1% who will ever run a Marathon in their lifetime. And yet, even as I say that, we find a special kind of insanity found in a very few runners who train, live, and run “Ultra-Marathons” (anything over 26 miles, but often as much as 100 miles). This special breed has learned to shut off pain receptors so they can push to new levels of body destruction. But I regress, so let me get back to my analogy.

As with endurance running, life requires the same thing from us that a marathon does; to endure to the end,  without quitting at any point before the finish line, and without cutting corners.   And while there always seems to be  plenty of obstacles to our progress, these challenges can either block our path or ultimately act as stepping stones to our success. We must therefore plan, and then work with the end result (the goal) in mind.

It is to that end that we start life’s race.  First to have the goal of finishing that race, and then we plan and execute with that goal ever on the top of our minds, adapting as necessary, and fighting through the challenges, obstacles, temptations before us, and finally, to finish the race honorably.  And, it is to that end that I pray for the vision, and focus, and strength to endure, for myself and for each member of my Family.

Good luck and may God bless you in your Marathon of life!  And thanks for reading.

I submit that everything I need to know about Life I learned from running!

Here, I share those thoughts with you in no particular order, and each week or so I intend to elaborate on each of these lessons for life. I look forward to your comments and/or observations. I hope you enjoy!

1) Life is a marathon, not a sprint (the marathon isn’t over until you reach 26 miles 385 yards)

2) Don’t stop running

3) Don’t pass a refreshment station (there is critical nourishment and encouragement there)

4) Large boulders in your path can distract you and cause you to veer from your goal, rocks in your path may trip you up, but (uncorrected) it is the pebbles in your shoe that will take you out of the race. All three can ruin your day, if you don’t address each problem as you encounter it

5) Always use the right equipment

6) Read and take to heart all you can about the task at hand from those who have tried, (possibly failing along the way, but who ultimately) succeeded, not from those who talk a good game but have never finished a race.

7) Coming in first or last doesn’t matter. Finishing does. Success or failure is not measured by the time on the clock. It is measured by miles you have placed behind you, the wear on your shoes, the sweat on your face, and ultimately by having crossed the finish line, whenever that is.

8) Look ahead, but not too far ahead

9) Intermediate milestones along the way, help you stay focused and positive

10) Your best chance for success is by employing a coach and/or mentor

11) When you are on rocky terrain,  Stay in the moment.

12) You can do it

13) Don’t allow yourself to become distracted from the goal

14) Enjoy the journey

15) Every mile spent in training helps to insure a successful run

16) You are not alone. Many have run before and many will run after

17) You can run farther and get their faster and enjoy the experience more when you run with someone who is like minded, matches your stride, and pushes you to go another step, just a little faster

18) You will hit the wall, but you can and must get through it

19) There are people around you, many of whom you don’t even know who are cheering for your success

20) Cross training is important (don’t do one exercise to the detriment of the rest of your body.)  You need to become well rounded

21) Hills can be your friend, valleys can be your enemy

22) It is never too late to begin, and you are never too old to start

23) You are your own worst enemy

24) Watch where you plant your feet

25) Running is work, but you can find fulfillment in it

26) Proper nutrition is critical

27) Listen to the signals your body is giving you (those aches and pains are trying to tell you something).  Adjust accordingly

28) Proper technique helps to avoid injury

29) If you get injured, get help

30) The more you run, the more you can run

31) Mark your progress daily. Keep a journal

32) Be careful of the company you keep (IE: If you are not a fast runner, but you run with a fast crowd, you will pay for it further down the road)

33) Others have inspired you, and whether you know it or not, you are inspiring others

34) A little proper eating before you start will help insure a successful run

35) Eating smart at the end of today’s run will help you run better tomorrow

36) As I run my marathon, there are many “someones” along the way who I do not know that will hand me a cup of water, a pat on the back, or a word of encouragement that will insure my success. Without them, I would not make it

37) What I learn from my experience I need to share and help someone else on their run along their path

38) When I cross the finish line, someone else may cry for my success even more than I do

39) Stretching before and after a run prepares my muscles for the run as well as protects me from injury

40) My dog loves to run with me so much, she would run until she dropped dead. Am I that loyal to someone or something?

41) Every day that I can get up and run is a gift

42) On good days or on bad, when I receive encouragement whether from someone running along side me or someone on the sidelines waiting for me to pass by, it really does make a difference.  If I can be that encouragement for someone else, I should and must

43) There is a big difference between “I can’t” and “I don’t want to.” Therein lies the difference between winners and losers

44) When you get injured your body heals on its own time, not yours

45) You get younger, not older when you run consistently and carefully

46)  The end isn’t the end… it’s only the beginning!

lessons-from-running

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