What ultra-running taught me about business success - 7 lessons

What do endurance sports have to do with business? More than you might think. There’s a reason why so many CEOs are ultra-runners and triathletes. Here’s what I’ve learned from running long distances on the trail.

Last weekend, I completed the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon in the volcanic mountains of Iceland! ????? This challenging 55km course featured over 1,832m of steep ascents and 2,217m of descents. We faced strong headwinds, lava dust, sandstorms, rain, snow, ice, and river crossings. ???????? Despite these obstacles, I finished in 7 hours and 45 minutes. ?? My muscles burned and screamed like never before, but it was all worth it. What an incredible experience!

The 7 lessons I've learned:

Lesson 1: The road to success is long and hard

In endurance sports, 99.9% of the hard work happens before the start. It’s the years of training, persistence, and pushing through when others stop. It’s about falling and getting back up again without immediate rewards. I see the same ambition in a professional context, but sometimes, people expect to get the medals before they even start training. That’s not how life works. “Ad astra, per aspera” – through hardships to the stars. Hard work and dedication will be rewarded, but you must be willing to push through first.

Lesson 2: Setting clear goals

Setting a clear goal gives you direction but won’t be a straight route. You’ll face injuries, bad weather, and cancelled races in sports. In business, set big, hairy, audacious goals and go for it. But be ready to bend when obstacles come. Adapt to market shifts, technological advancements, and changes in consumer behaviour.

Lesson 3: Perseverance

Success in ultra-running requires the ability to keep moving forward, even when every part of your body tells you to stop. Endure pain and fatigue by taking it step by step. Don’t focus on the 55km and steep ascents coming up. The only important thing is the next step. Only one additional step is almost always possible, and if you repeat it enough, you'll eventually get the finish line in sight. In business, perseverance is essential for overcoming setbacks and challenges. Stay committed to your goals despite obstacles and failures.

Lesson 4: Strategic planning

To run an ultra-marathon, you must plan meticulously, considering factors like pacing, nutrition, hydration, and terrain. In business, strategic planning involves setting long-term goals, identifying resources, assessing risks, and creating actionable plans to succeed.

Lesson 5: Discipline

Long-distance mountain trail running requires strict discipline in terms of training schedules. Rising at 5 or 6 every morning to train before heading to work requires a strong commitment. Similarly, in business, discipline is necessary for maintaining productivity, meeting deadlines, and adhering to budgets and plans.

Lesson 6: Teamwork

Even though running might seem like an individual sport, ultra-runners rely on highly professional support teams for training, nutrition, medical assistance, and motivation. In business, teamwork is crucial for achieving objectives. Collaboration, effective communication, and support from colleagues and stakeholders drive success.

Lesson 7: Mental toughness

Mental toughness is critical in endurance sports to push through pain, fatigue, and the desire to quit. In business, it’s about staying focused, managing stress, and maintaining a positive mindset, even during tough times.

After completing a gruelling race, the sense of achievement provides immense satisfaction and motivates future endeavours. It fuels further ambition and makes you grow.