How a short run changed my professional life.

5 years ago I decided to take up running. At the time I hated the idea of running. However, I needed to find something new in my life that challenged me physically, emotionally and psychologically. What I didn't know at the time, was that I started a journey that would touch all aspects of my life, especially my professional life.?

What started out as running 2 - 3 miles a couple days a week in an effort to get fit again, quickly escalated into thoughts around ‘what’s possible?’ The ‘what's possible’ question entered my mind as I talked to a few colleagues who were much more experienced runners than I.? In fact, these colleagues were describing something so foreign to me that it was hard to grasp, let alone imagine myself doing. They were talking about ultra running. Technically, an ultra distance run is anything longer than a marathon. However, most consider 50 km (31 miles) the entry point. Today there are races that are 250+ miles in distance. Although I’ve got a lot more to learn, I wanted to share what I’ve learned thus far and how it’s helped me professionally.

• No unicorns or silver bullets allowed. No one is good at ultra running when they start and there’s no instant way to get good. Every top ultra runner in the world has a novel's worth of stories to share about the long gradual process they had to undertake to get good. Jobs and companies are the same. In fact, if I ever work for a company that people consider a ‘unicorn’, I will remind myself that the hyperbole is just that. The hard, unsexy, consistent work produces success over time.
• You will have ‘low points’. Ultra runners often talk about ‘low points’ during a race or long run. These are moments that may last for hours, when your body and/or mind is rebelling. Sometimes all the problem solving in the world can’t bring us out of these low points. But, if we stay patient and persistent, we eventually come out the other side. Low points are inevitable in business and sometimes all the resources in the world cannot fix them. If you know you’re on course, patience and persistence is often the best option to prevail.
• Rest and recovery are as important as training. My coach is famous for reminding me of this. We cannot get the most out of our training if we don’t fully embrace the recovery time between workouts. This includes everything; nutrition, hydration, sleep, and doing other things that aren’t running. The same holds true for work. The vast majority of people who believe working 50-60 hours per week helps them get ahead, are kidding themselves. Sure, you’re putting in the time, but what's the quality of work like? If you work 50 hours at 75% of your capacity, you are in trouble. Your partner, kids, colleagues and friends will thank you for embracing recovery.
• Ultra running is a team sport. Wait, What? How’s that even possible? Most ultra races that are 50 miles and longer allow runners to have a crew that is there to help them at specific points in the race. The crew will help a runner physically and mentally prepare for the next section of the race. This can include replenishing their hydration and nutrition, swap out shoes and socks, help ‘fix’ any issues like blisters or sore body parts, and even play therapist by not letting the runner quit. Think of a NASCAR pit crew without the power tools and wild looking jumpsuits. Point is, life and work is a whole lot more fun and rewarding when we lean on others and realize success together. Doing celebration dances alone is never fun.
• Progress prevails over goals. For the vast majority of ultra runners, including myself, THE goal is simply making progress. The reason for this is simple, I’m never going to be on a podium at the end of a race. Thus, the only thing that matters is finishing the race. Sure, I might have a time I’d like to finish in, but I’ll take a finish over a DNF (Did Not Finish) any day. The average finishing rate for ultra races is just under 50%. This means you have a better chance of failing, than succeeding. This is why focusing on progress versus hard goals wins every day. Having worked in sales the majority of my career, this is critical. Sales never gets easier so you better figure out how to celebrate progress because that is the thing that will get you and your team to the finish line.

I know there’s a very real percentage of people reading this who are rolling their eyes at the thought of another sports analogy for work life. To be clear, I don’t think sports or physical activity is the only way to grow in life. The point is we are better at work and in life when we CHOOSE to put ourselves into uncomfortable scenarios. Maybe you’ve always dreamt of performing at an open mic night at your favorite pub but balked because you didn’t feel you were talented enough. That could very well be the thing and moment in your life that opens up not only new possibilities but also helps you create new and different contexts in your professional life. I will say when we push ourselves at every level (physical, emotional, and psychological) we create an opportunity to be wildly successful in ways we didn’t know we could. So, get out there and do your best rendition of Free Bird! If it goes really well, you may just end up with a few lighters in the air, or cell phone flashlights I guess.

Last, if anything about this post intrigued you, I highly suggest you check out a local ultra race. They’re everywhere now and shouldn’t be hard to find. If you really want to go for it, contact the race director and ask to volunteer at a race. If this is a big ask, just go down the ultra running rabbit hole on YouTube and you’ll get the picture.

FYI - Posting these thoughts feels WAAAAY more uncomfortable for me than running any ultra has over the past few years. I appreciate you for reading.