This same weekend last year, I wrote part one of this article. You can find it via this link if you didn’t read it, or to refresh your memory. It was the first time I had run the Lewa Marathon. I did not train consistently and as I quoted in my previous article “Life doesn’t need you to be ready, it just needs you to start”. The other lesson at that time, was to focus on the step you are on today rather than on how far you still have to go. My article read in part,
“My feet were burning and ankles aching. I had so far to go and I kept thinking about the distance that was still ahead of me. I then realised that this was not going to help me. I turned my attention to the present. I focused on my current motion, my breathing, my pace and my current step. I even kept my head down so that I wouldn’t see how long the road ahead was. I forced my mind to focus on the now, and not the finish line.”
I finished that piece off with the declaration,
“So do I want to go back next year? Absolutely!”
So here I am now, having gone back again. Having run again. And in my usual fashion I have to turn my experiences into lessons and my messes into message. So, what did part two of this run teach me?
- Don’t take things for granted just because you have done them before
It still required the same physical and mental tenacity that it did the last time. I had definitely trained more and was fitter, but it was still hard. How many things in our every day life do we start taking for granted just because we have become accustomed to them? Maybe you take your job for granted and live under the illusion that you are indispensable, or that nobody can do what you do. Maybe as an employer you take your team for granted, thinking that they will always be there. Maybe we take our families and close friendships for granted. Maybe you don’t prepare as much anymore. Maybe you take your money for granted because you think there will always be the cushion of a salary. I kind of thought it would be easier because I had done it before. It didn’t quite pan out the way I expected.
- You need to train yourself in the right environment
I trained, yes. I trained to run the distance. I even trained to run hills. I had run 20 km about two times before this marathon. I had been consistent. However I did not train to run in heat. I was always running in cool Nairobi weather. In hindsight I should have trained in heat because Lewa is hot and there is absolutely no cloud cover or trees to provide some shade.
What are your goals, and are you training yourself in the right environment for them? I have talked to so many people who want to create wealth or advance in their businesses or careers; but are either doing nothing about it, or keep themselves in the wrong environment. If you want to create wealth, your environment cannot consist of people who keep talking about why things can’t be done. The training must be somewhere where you are stretched and pulled out of your comfort zone.
- You can get prepared to the best of your ability but it doesn’t mean that you won’t stumble, or that something will not go your way
I fell and injured my leg. For about a kilometer I allowed myself to have a pity party. Then I got back on it. I was much slower, but I finished. I learnt that even though I prepare, there are just some things beyond my control. Who would have known that there would be a rock at a certain point that I just wouldn’t see? I was at first beating myself down saying I should have been more careful, but after the moment passed I realized that there was nothing I could do, and I felt at peace (Click to Tweet this). I told myself that my best is simply going to be good enough.
Do you need to tell yourself that? If you started something and it didn’t work out, dust off, feel sorry for a few minutes, and then get back on it. I actually think the short pity parties are good for releasing emotions, but they just can’t become a lifestyle. Whatever happens, your best is good enough. You cannot control everything. Goals are good and they helped me to get up at least thrice a week to train. I had a time under which I wanted to complete this marathon. But we have to have a healthy relationship with our goals. Define success more by the process rather than the destination. Success is the entire story, not just what you have to show for it. The process has made me fitter than I have ever been, even though I did not have the photo finish that I wanted. Maybe you lost money or business failed, but what did you learn or who did you become in the process? Maybe you got fired. Who did you become in the process of that job? Use that to package yourself for the next one.
- When you fall, don’t get into the Victim Mentality
Because I was wearing a white shirt which was now very dirty and slightly bloody because my hand had gotten cut, many people were pausing to ask me if I was okay and needed help. The ambulance even stopped and offered to carry me. I was so tempted to succumb and be a victim! I had the perfect reason to be ferried to the finish line. I could have used that and gotten away with it. People would have understood, right? How many times in our lives do we pull and leverage on the victim card saying, “I don’t have money, time, networks, opportunities etc. I am too old, young, broke, overwhelmed, busy etc.” If I had done that I would not have had an article to write today. I would have missed out on the true reward of this marathon and indeed, life.
We all said it at the end. The reward is in running your own race; setting your own objectives; growing in the process; striving not to be as good as someone else, though you may take inspiration from them, but to be the best you can be (Click to Tweet this). God willing, next year, I’ll be back with part 3.
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Waceke Nduati-Omanga runs programs on Personal Finance Management, Entrepreneurship and Career Success.
Find her at waceken@centonomy.com| twitter @CekeNduati| Facebook.com/CekeNduati