What Running Ultra Marathons has taught me about Life & Leadership

It was 30 degrees outside and I was 30 miles into an Ultra-Marathon trail race when a 55-year-old woman passed me. I was in my mid 30's.

I had gone out too fast, forgotten to focus on my own race, and hit a wall.?

Having run almost a dozen Ultra-Marathon mountain races around the world, some in the Himalayan foothills, and even a Grand Canyon rim-to-rim run,?I'm typically not first on the podium but I've had several top 5 and top 10 finishes.

Here are 13 surprising leadership & life lessons I've learned from running ultra marathon races.?

1. Success Is Built in the Preparation: Winning the race doesn't happen on race day; it's a result of months of dedicated training and preparation. The same goes for leadership, where consistent effort and practice are essential for success.
2. Embrace the 80-20 Rule: You can't give 100% every day. Most days require moderation, but occasionally, you need to push that extra 20%. Saving your energy and knowing your limits will prevent burnout.
3. Plan for the Unexpected: Always expect the unexpected. Prepare Plan B, C, and even D, as things are bound to go wrong. Anticipating challenges ensures you stay on track despite hurdles.
4. Train in Real Conditions: Practice under race-like conditions. If the race will be in challenging terrain or require specific provisions, simulate those conditions during your training to better adapt on the big day.
5. Endurance Requires Patience: Patience is key to endurance. It's about persisting even when you feel like giving up. Take one step at a time, and you'll reach your goals.
6. Stay Confident in Your Preparation: Proper training builds confidence. If you've trained well and are prepared, trust in your abilities when it's time to perform.
7. Run Your Own Race: Avoid comparing yourself to others. Focus on your strengths, capabilities, and limitations. Healthy competition can inspire you, but the ultimate challenge is against yourself.
8. Learn from Others: Never underestimate someone else's abilities. There will always be individuals stronger, faster, or more skilled than you. Embrace the inspiration they provide, and let it fuel your growth.
9. Know Yourself: Avoid rookie mistakes of starting too fast or too slow. Understand your limits and abilities to pace yourself effectively.
10. Balance Your Ego: Ego can be both an ally and a hindrance. Push yourself, but don't let your ego override smart decisions, such as proper rest and recovery.
11. Prioritize Recovery: Rest and recovery are crucial for growth, just as in leadership. Prioritize self-care and recovery to excel in both running and life.
12. Your "loves" can change. I used to hate long-distance running in high-school and my early 20's. Now I love it. Your tastes and joys can change.
13. Running with joy changes everything. When I run with joy, when I run loose, when I focus on the beauty around me and am in a grateful posture, my training and racing improves. Same as in life and leadership.

Endurance running has taught me so much, and there's nothing like running up a mountain and running down one. I'm so grateful for the health to have done these things.?

I take many of these lessons and apply them to help leaders and teams grow stronger, healthier, and improve their performance.

Don't hesitate to reach out vida direct message if you have something on your mind, or if I can help you grow.