How running a marathon improved my life

It seems like my world turned on end right after I ran the Marine Corps Marathon and I never really got  a chance to talk about it. I was too busy trying to figure out how to pick up the pieces of my life (and get my legs to work again) after my 26.2 mile journey up in Washington D.C.  But in hindsight, I am so thankful I ran that race. Here are a few things that learned from my marathon experience that have been so helpful while dealing with restarting my career and restructuring my life:

1. I had to have a plan and stick to it. Training for a marathon involves months of hard work.  And if you don’t have a plan, stick to it and make small incremental gains, you’ll get hurt and your quest is over.  My plan allowed me to eat the elephant one bite at a time. Running 26.2 miles is an overwhelming goal (especially for a naturally fat boy like me).  If I did not break that goal into micro goals, I would have never crossed the finished line.  I also learned patience.  Growing up in a microwave culture, I had to relearn that good things don’t always happen instantly. Time, pain and sacrifice are sometimes required to reach your goals.

2. You learn to overcome obstacles. I got hurt several times during training. But I learned quickly ways to overcome my injuries and to plow on forward.  My goal kept me on track and kept me from quitting.  Also, it gave me confidence on the day of the race. I knew that I could pretty much overcome anything when I started having leg cramps at mile 20.  I ran the last 6.2 miles in more pain than I have experienced in my life. But I had trained and I knew I could do it. I know that I can do anything. Reinventing my career is a piece of cake compared to leg cramps.

3. You build confidence. Running across that finish line and having the Marine place a medal around my neck was one of the most emotional moments of my life.  I had 5 hours of pain for a lifetime of glory. I will forever remember it — the five hours was worth it.  I will forever know that I can do anything if I put my mind to it. I have the medal to prove it.

4. Obviously, I am in better physical condition. I’m 42 and in the best shape of my life. I recently went to the eye doctor and the blood vessels in my eyes even show that I am in tip-top shape.  Having such a massive goal forced me to take the extra measures to improve my health. I watched what I ate. I exercised.  A big goal will make you change all kinds of facets of your life.

5. You won’t succeed until you involve friends.  I was suffering this summer in my training.  I kept getting injured and was having issues with the brutal Mississippi heat and humidity. But a couple of friends stepped in and allowed me to train with them. Suddenly the miles became much easier to take. I crossed that finish line because of them just as much as anything I did.  They’ll be running the St. Jude this next weekend and I’ll be pulling for them like they did for me. Bottom line, a big goal is easier with support from people who care.

6. Dreams are just dreams until you take action.  I have thought about running a marathon for years.  But until I was challenged and actually got my butt out of bed, I never would have done it.  I stopped procrastinating. I answered the 3:30 a.m. alarm and hit the streets. How many of us dream about doing something and just let it slip away because we are “too busy?”

7. A goal is more meaningful if you help other people. I was able (through the amazing generousity of others) to raise $13,000 to fight my biggest fear — melanoma cancer.  But what was initially about me became about other people. I didn’t run the marathon for me.  I ran it for Jimmy Riley. I ran it for many others who lost their lives to the disease and their loved ones who have hurt since then.  When I crossed that finish line, I was propelled by the fact I made a difference.  From now on, I am going to set goals with others in mind.