Look Like You’ll Make It
In March 2013 I ran the Rock ‘n’ Roll Washington DC marathon. Although my performance wasn’t spectacular, something happened there that will stick with me always.
Running the 26.2 miles of a marathon is quite an experience. Elite athletes cover the course in a little over two hours. For the average Joe or Jill, four hours is good, and a time of five hours or more is quite common. Yeah, that’s a lot of running. It can be daunting.
Moments after crossing the finish line that morning, a woman I’d never met, who had also just completed the event, tapped my shoulder. “Thank you so much,” she exclaimed, giving me a hug. I had no idea what I’d done to deserve that, so I asked.
The woman explained that this was her first marathon, and she was afraid she wouldn’t get to the end. She kept herself motivated by following right behind me the entire way, beginning from the first few yards. “Why me?” I asked, to which she replied, “Because you looked like somebody who was going to make it.”
Completing a marathon is never easy. But I had done it several times before and was sure I could do it that day. I’d trained hard, followed the advice of my coach – including a strict nutrition plan, and knew there was a group of friends back home, cheering. Indeed, there were pain, suffering, mental and physical struggles involved. But I was determined to push through, and I guess it showed.
People’s lives are filled with challenges. Their eyes and spirits search the horizon for a stable harbor during storms of uncertainty. If you or I want to be the type of person who provides that stability, we’ll have to take some specific steps. Like training our minds to find the positives, nurturing our spirits, relying on past successes, engaging with a mentor, surrounding ourselves with the right influencers, etc.
Each of us has the wonderful opportunity to lead others, inspiring them to face their situations with courage. Life is an endurance event. Despite its difficulties, let’s do what’s necessary so we can look like somebody who’s going to make it.
(P.S. … If it’s just too tough right now, hit me up and let’s talk.)
