Miles and Metaphors: Running Through 2023

Dear Running Shogun Community,

As the year draws to a close, it's time to reflect on the miles covered and the strides taken—both in running and in life.

Embarking on the year, my running journey began without a specific A-Race on the calendar. The goal was set, but it took a while to pinpoint the perfect race, which is now eagerly anticipated for spring in 2024 (more on that adventure next year).?

This has undoubtedly been a remarkable year for my running endeavors. One of the outstanding aspects is the consistent improvement that comes with age—a joy I've experienced by delving into the sport later in life. Setting personal bests in both the 5K and 10K distances has been particularly gratifying.

Reflecting on the lessons learned, patience emerges as a recurring theme. Progress in running, much like in life, isn't always immediately evident. It demands the resilience to believe and have faith that improvement is underway, even when it feels like strides (both literal and metaphorical) aren't being made.

An essential revelation this year has been the critical role of sleep and nutrition, with an emphasis on the former. Previously proud of my years living on 5-ish hours of sleep—going to bed at 11 and rising at 4:30—I've realized the need to prioritize rest as I age and increase my mileage. Striving for a minimum of 7 hours of sleep has become a non-negotiable part of my routine.

Above all, the significance of loving the process over the outcome has crystallized. While achieving a commendable 9th place out of 101 racers in a 10K and securing 5th place in my age bracket on a larger stage 10K are achievements I’m proud of, though the point of these races wasn’t about winning or accolades, but rather celebrations of life, a testament to the joy of being alive, fortunate, and healthy enough to continue the pursuit of running.

In essence, my running year mirrors the principles that apply to my work and personal life. Running remains a poignant metaphor for life—a journey that demands patience, prioritizes self-care, and values the joy found in the process rather than the destination.

As the year concludes, I extend my heartfelt wishes for joy-filled holidays to those of you who have been running or reading with me this year. Thank you for accompanying me on this running venture. I eagerly anticipate sharing more stories together as we Enter the Dragon.

Stay healthy, run swiftly, and may the road ahead be filled with countless moments of joy and accomplishment!

David

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David Sweet is the founder and CEO of FocusCore Japan, a leading executive search firm. He is the author of six books and holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Development. For more information, follow his running on Strava or contact him at [email protected]

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