Lessons I learnt from Running a Marathon CareerMetis.com

Lessons I learnt from Running a Marathon In 2007 I read a magazine article â€" it was an interview with John Stanton,the founder of Running Room I let that idea sink in for few months, I did not take immediate action but the thought was always in my mind â€" I need to visit one of the Running Room stores and check out one of their running groups. But I did not take any action for few months.As Spring had sprung in 2008- I decided to pay their store in Toronto a visit. I wanted to get an education on their programs and on what they actually sold.The first clinic/program was called “Learn to Run” . I was actually insulted when the store manager Steve suggested I LEARN to Run.“What am I , a toddler?” I thought to myself. “I know how to run”.I argued with Steve that I wanted to run in a more senior category Slowly and surely I graduated from one program to the next- Learn to Run â€" 5K -10k -Half-Marathon- Marathon. I trained 3 to 4 times a week and it changed my lifestyle and more importantly my mindset. In May 200 9 I ran my first Marathon and it was one of my proudest moments.Though I stopped long-distance running and moved on to other fitness programs- there are few key lessons insights that I have learnt from Training for a Marathon- which I think have been vital to my life and career.1. IT NEVER GETS EASIER,YOU ONLY GET BETTERThe first few weeks of the training program was the hardest- it was exhausting!! I trained and overcame the obstacles. But here is the fun part, as the training program progressed â€" so did the difficulty. Every step was harder than the previous step. It was like playing a video-game â€" each level is tougher than the previous one. But the reward comes from progressing from one level to another.evalIt draws a perfect analogy to your career.We all start off as a beginner or a new graduate or an intern, we start at the bottom of the food chain In your working life, it is important that you align yourself with individuals who will help you proper your career â€" mento rs, coaches, like-minded individuals.This group is hard to find but they are out there. Seek them out, having a strong accountability system will help you with your long-term career aspirations.3. CHERISH THE JOURNEYEarl Nightingale in his program Lead the Field talks about Happiness. He mentions “Happiness is a progressive realization of a worthy ideal”. Nothing could be further from this universal truth. We are most happy when we know we are making constant progress towards what we are striving for.evalHave you ever completed something that you were diligently working on? How was the feeling once you reached that pivoted goal? Very anticlimactic right?That’s how I felt when I crossed the finish line at the end of my first marathon in May 2009. Months of struggle and hard-work led me to that moment, but as I crossed the finish line â€" instead of feeling euphoria I felt depressed “Is this that?” I asked myself.But the greatest happiness I experienced was week-over-week wh en I was completing the training sessions. The progress I was making every week gave me huge amounts of satisfaction. Euphoria was an everyday feeling.Too many times, we get caught up in the end goal â€" the promotion, the raise,etc. but you would agreed that the reward is in the journey itself. It is hard to put a price tag on the growth you experience, the relationships you foster, the skills you learn. No matter what you are working on enjoy the journey. And you will have more satisfaction and fun.I did enjoy my journey as a recreational runner. I ran couple of marathons, few half-marathons and multiple other races. It was fun, I experienced tremendous growth, I no longer look like an ogre (but nowhere close to a Spartan). I have gained numerous insights and key lessons that I have been able to use in my career and in my life.I definitely encourage that you add Running a Marathon to your bucket-list. And find out for yourself the rewards of the journey and the results.