What Can Running Harvard Stadium Teach Us????

I have been living and running around in the Cambridge, Massachusetts area for several years now. But I have more recently been turned on to a fitness challenge of running the Harvard Football Stadium steps.?

In the last year, I have tried the Murph Challenge, The Devil's Mile, The 3P Plank Challenge, The Bring Sally Up Push-Up Challenge, and now the Harvard Stadium Challenge.?

I was turned onto this challenge by WHOOP founder Will Ahmed who shared the challenge from his TikTok handle. The video I hyperlinked provides more details on the challenge, but if you didn’t watch it, then here is a quick summary of what it is. There are 37 sections with 31 steps that are each 15 inches high (standard steps are half that). Your objective is to run the entire stadium as fast as possible a time.?

My goal was to not just run it but to try and beat the time of someone who ran it in 24 minutes. ??

So one Saturday morning I ran over to the stadium to begin the challenge.?

The first 5 sections I flew through, the next 5 I kept a good pace, the next 5 I was at half the speed, and by the halfway point I was sitting down taking a break in hopes that I could just finish the stadium. PERIOD.

I ended up finishing in just shy of 34 minutes, which is not good but not great.

I was happy I finished the run, but I was also exhausted, so much so that I couldn't even make a half hearted 2 mile jog back home and instead walked it home after picking up 2 Gatorades from the nearby CVS to try and recover.

However, coming out of that run I was determined to try and get better and started to break down the particular spots where I could cut the most time.

A few things I found was that I needed to:

• Change my shoes: My standard running shoes are the 耐克 Alphafly's. I love these shoes and feel like they are a cheat code for running. However, they are not the best shoe for running the Harvard Stadium. The reason is that these shoes have a winged tip at the heel that when you are going down the steps catches on the back of the stairs if you have larger than a size 9 shoe. This ultimately slows you down on the way back down which can cause cause precious seconds to be lost in each section you go down.

• Change my route: The first time I ran the steps I ran straight up then would do a 90-degree turn to get to the steps to head back down. On future runs, I would run at a diagonal on the way up so that I could immediately hit the top steps and come back down on easier-to-descend steps.
• Stayed Consistent: Nearly every week for the last 3 months I have gone back to the steps to run. I knew that eventually, the repetition would lead to better conditioning and deferral in the delayed onset muscle soreness.

The result?

So far I have been able to reduce my time by about 20% or 6 minutes!

Is it 24 minutes?

No, but it is progress in the right direction.

Where am I going with this?

My experience running Harvard Stadium emphasizes the importance of taking one step at a time in life, business, and investing.

Why?

Because big goals seem unachievable or terrifying, but when you break down those goals into smaller chunks then you have a better chance of success.

Taking smaller steps in achieving long-term goals is important for several reasons:

1. Manageable Progress: Breaking down a long-term goal into smaller, manageable steps makes the overall objective seem less daunting. Completing these smaller tasks gives you a sense of accomplishment and motivation to move forward.
2. Reduced Overwhelm: Long-term goals can be overwhelming, leading to stress and anxiety. Focusing on one step at a time allows you to concentrate your energy and attention, reducing the overall stress associated with the goal.
3. Better Focus: Concentrating on a single step helps you maintain better focus and attention to detail. This can lead to higher-quality work and a deeper understanding of the task at hand.
4. Adaptability: Taking one step at a time allows for more flexibility and adaptability. You can reassess your approach after completing each step, making adjustments based on what you've learned and experienced.
5. Consistency: Consistency is key to achieving any long-term goal. By consistently taking small steps, you build a routine and develop habits that contribute to your overall success.
6. Motivation and Momentum: Each completed step provides a sense of achievement, boosting your motivation and creating positive momentum. This positive momentum can carry you through the more challenging phases of your journey.
7. Learning Opportunities: Breaking down a goal into smaller steps allows for continuous learning. You can gain insights, acquire new skills, and adapt your strategy based on the lessons learned at each stage.
8. Increased Confidence: Successfully completing each step boosts your confidence. Confidence is a crucial factor in pursuing long-term goals, as it helps you overcome self-doubt and persevere through challenges.
9. Better Resource Management: Focusing on one step at a time helps you allocate resources more effectively. Whether it's time, money, or effort, you can distribute resources based on the specific needs of each step.
10. Easier Evaluation of Progress: Breaking a long-term goal into smaller steps makes it easier to track and evaluate your progress. You can celebrate achievements along the way and make any necessary adjustments to stay on course.

In summary, taking one step at a time in pursuing long-term goals is a strategic and effective approach that enhances your ability to manage, adapt, and succeed in the journey toward your desired outcome in life, work, and investing.

PS: And if you are still reading this and you have a good fitness challenge, throw it my way, I would love to give it a shot.