A better way to look at labels

"You are not a runner. You walk so you are not running the entire marathon."

Those of us back-of-the-pack runners hear this from time to time. Some, often the faster runners and many times those who have never run, believe that to run a marathon, you must continue running the entire time.

I know because that is what I thought when I started running in my mid-50s. I trained and soon was able to run the entire 5k (3.12 miles) and then the 10k (6.2 miles), and the 15K (9.3 miles) without stopping. But as my wife and I began training for a half marathon in the year I turned 60, I was struggling to run without walking to catch my breath.

I started to feel like a fraud. I believed the self-limiting definition of the label.

But then I heard about a program created by Jeff Galloway, who ran the 10,000 meters in the 1972 Olympics. I studied how it worked and tried it. But mostly, I had to resolve that if Galloway considered anyone using the Run-Walk-Run system a runner, I should, too.

With that validation and new mindset, I began training with his method.

I found that I was able to do just one more sequence, one more mile, and one more race. with this mindset and method.

Since that time, I have run 15 half marathons and 7 marathons. I'm looking to set a personal marathon record this next October when I run the Marine Corps Marathon.

I'm glad I didn't listen to those that would dismiss me from that label.

I'm glad I didn't let that label keep me from pushing for just one more.

Self-Limiting Labels

Be careful of the negative labels toward yourself or your team. Saying, "I'm not ______________" gives license to not try, make excuses, or quit.

But by thinking bigger, beyond the exclusionary language, you are willing to reach higher and, very likely to do what you never imagined to be possible.

I know I never thought I could run a marathon. Now I know I can, and that is powerful.

What label are you using that is limiting your potential?

I am Loren Murfield, helping clients think bigger, reach higher, and do the impossible.?