Setting Yourself Up For Success

Einstein’s definition of insanity was to do the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. Personally, in attempting to run 100 miles, while I have done things differently, I did not achieve a different result. I did use a different training program from a different guy. I didn’t approach the race itself any differently. I planned to run while I could. Running the flats and downhills, and walking the uphills. Then whenever I reached the point of not being able to run anymore, I'd walk as fast as I could.

What I’ve left out of my training and my race day is a plan. See, I thought that much like the rest of my life, I could brute-force my way through 100 miles. In every other distance and frankly, for most of my life, I’ve just been able to will my way through. I was prepared enough and mentally strong enough to make it through all the other races I’ve done. Including two Ironman triathlons, a dozen marathons, 50-miler at 10,000 ft in Leadville, Colorado.?

This makes the 100-miler special. Because of the distance and the sheer amount of time that you are up and on your feet. It takes more strategy, at least for me, to get through this race. Being smarter about how I attack the course. Being more patient with the race and letting time unfold how it has to in order to be successful rather than forcing my will early on.

It’s also what led me down the path of finally hiring a coach to help me through this race. Because for every race, except these last two 100-mile attempts, I’ve never had a training plan. I just ran, swam, or biked as the occasion called for. During Ironman training I made sure to get a few miles of swimming in a week. Would spin for a couple of hours during the week with a 5km run after. On the weekends I’d get in 50-60 miles of biking followed by a 10 km run.?

This distance has proved that a plan is absolutely necessary. For some, they might just be stronger than I am. They might have more resilience than I do. In order for me to achieve this race, I can’t do it alone, not anymore.?

And the thing is I didn’t hire just any coach. In fact, they weren’t even a coach. At least not offering formal services. The man I hired just has a ton of experience in the areas that I specifically need to get where I want to go. Having run a few hundred-mile races this year, and completing a few last year. Plus, I met him at a 24-hour event, where we suffered together on our feet for 24 hours, covering 51.9 miles.?

In my business life, I have mentors as well. While their guidance isn’t as specific as I’m going to receive in my 100-mile coaching, it does provoke the thought patterns I need to succeed in my business. And has put me around other people who think similarly to myself.?

In my own experience, books, podcasts, and free material has helped me transform my thought patterns more than anything else. It isn’t necessary to hire someone until it is. Until you can really not figure it out yourself. Where you’ve done everything in your power to figure it out. Then it might be time to bring someone in. You just can’t give all your power over to the coach who isn’t with you every step of the way and every minute of the day.?

More importantly, only look to them for advice in the area you need help with. My 100-mile coach isn’t going to give me business advice. But I will absolutely trust him with my physical training and race-day strategy.?