24 Hours and Running: Lessons from a Marathon in the Desert

Synopsis:

Quick lessons regarding why I decided to (randomly) run a marathon in the desert with no prep. I went out to spend time in Arizona at this spot Civana to get my sleep on track but instead went to sleep and woke up to do a marathon.

Basically, if you have the underlying talent, make a decision to achieve and then proceed from there. Decision is the foundation of action and when you make the decision to utilize your talent for the better, that event that pushes you on (in this case a marathon but for you can be whatever) can be a catalyst for continued positive action in an area that you now know you have acumen in. The success is not completing the marathon (or whatever you choose to do), the success can now be found in the continued progress one garners from the longitudinal unlocking of one’s talent. Your best marathon can always be your (relative) next one, not the one you just did. Keep going…if you are good. If the initial success is not there, do not necessarily stop but be sure to truly examine if the endeavor is worth your time.

Additionally, because I am the same, I realize that many individuals do not actually click the hyperlinks in stories. I promise you though they are worth the time (and effort) if you want to learn more about the respective topics.

Why run marathons? I don’t know, I swore I would never do it round 2014. When I was a wise old 24 years of age, fresh out of college and still having aches from old football injuries. Didn’t make sense I said. In fact it will never make sense and still doesn’t — marathon running often comes with a host of injuries and is rarely healthy. Many cardiologists will tell you that. Statistics also show the sweet spot possibly in running for health is far below the mileage marathoners often put up and that moderation is the “target”.

We know marathoners are far from moderate, so why do it?

Cause it isn’t about health ALL the time. Sometimes you need a challenge. Sometimes you want to perform. Hell, it doesn’t matter how healthy you are, even if you live perfectly you still will eventually die.

Before we get too dark and somber at a moment when that is the last thing we need, let’s take a step back. Why did I run marathons, not just unprecedented, but ever?

I trained individuals, who are now good friends, to run marathons in my work with Nike. I saw the joy that they had so it pushed me forward, slowly inkling towards “possibly” when asked about running a marathon instead of “never”.

Then I fully committed after seeing Eugene Tong complete the NYC marathon in 2017 I helped train him for. I signed up, and ran my first marathon in 2018, LA Marathon, as a surprise birthday gift to myself. A weird gift for sure but fulfilling nonetheless. Then the same year in November 2018 I did the NYC marathon. Following year, 2019, I ran the Chicago. I did what I claimed I never would — run a marathon, and did it well, hitting a BQ marathon time and improving in each race. The “BQ” or “Boston Qualifier” time is a bit of a holy grail in the running world which means that you hit the time to submit your name for the Boston Marathon. It is not a race you can simply “sign up” for but instead must hit a qualifier time to even submit your name for entry.

2020 with COVID-19 running has been a bit different. Races cancelled. Running limited. Do I run with a mask, do I not? How far do I have to be behind someone if they are running in front of me? Should I EVEN run? The mental fatigue of the situation in the USA, and in many places around the world, is harder than the physical fatigue of a tough run.

But then you realize you are being slightly melodramatic, lace up your sneakers, and you’re thankful for another day. Another run.

Running has brought us together. Safely. Human connection is more important than ever in addition to physical activity to strengthen that immune system. Our little legs moving in the USA gives us hope that the little legs of the government will get it together and formulate a decent COVID response. From the run clubs still meeting with proper protocol to the apps building community that keep us pushing along, one step at a time, running seems to heal.

2020 the NYC marathon was all virtual due to COVID-19. Many of us were disappointed as it was the 50th anniversary of the race and it would have been a special race indeed. The excitement would now unfortunately be tempered by a postponement. As the year dragged on I must admit the prospect of running a marathon slipped through my mind, instead I chose to focus on work while running a 5k consistently (big ups the 5k challenge).

Then the weekend of the NYC marathon arrived (Nov 2nd). I saw that other runners were signing up to run it, particularly my buddy Dao-Yi. I was inspired. However, I was in the desert in Arizona and had made no preparations.

I decided to do it anyway, as a bit of a challenge. It was strenuous. It was scorching. I got lost. I put it all on Twitter. I could talk about “strategy” and “nutrition” a bit but tbh this go around it would not be helpful, I’ll save that for my Chicago marathon recap. It’s more applicable to talk about the lessons/process, and the random thoughts that go through one’s head, during a marathon.

• Make a decision.

The first towards any action is making a decision. We often come up dreams for ourselves but take no time to put them into action let alone make the conscious decision that we CHOOSE to do it. Now, if you have no base level talent for what you endeavor to do, the decision will be futile because you can’t make up the gap (at least in a short time) for what you are striving for. However, I argue that you should take stock in your gifts, figure out your aptitude, and make the decision to use them. For me in this case it may have been physical but I truly believe that we all have gifts/talent in multi-dimensional areas we do not take the time to flesh or are aware of.

• Have a (loose) plan

Don’t wing it but also set up a structure for your accomplishment. Plan it out. It is easy to strategize, and make the necessary adjustments, when you have a loose plan. I’m a huge believer in that willpower is overrated and setting up the environment and plans are underrated.

• Enjoy the process, let go of expectations.

I’m a proponent of “competing to perform, not just complete”. Too many people do things to say they did it and not to do it well. However, there are times when you have to let arbitrary expectations go and enjoy the process. While hot, being in the Arizona desert was still special. Everyone waves at you, the scenery especially during a sunrise is remarkable, and the wildlife if you keep an eye out (I saw a baby bobcat) is notable. During marathons, and runs in general, it is easy to get caught up in pace, music, and fueling strategy which makes the run not even memorable. Immersing oneself in the process of the run instead of the desired expectation made the experience that much better. The same can be applied elsewhere.

• Build on challenges for better results

Prior to running the marathon I remarked how I needed something to “snap me back”. My mindset had not become lazy but there was an air of nonchalantness that I could feel creeping. Challenges often for me, whether it be an ice bath, a fast, a tough run or workout, or a project that is slightly outside my competency set the stage for a shift in mindset that also changes my actions. That is the unlock though that many people miss — don’t STOP after you complete a formidable task. For sure, take time to recover and pause but utilize not just the lessons but the “knowing” that you can do more and do more “better”.

Accomplishments are relics, they are nothing more than an acknowledgement of something that you did but also let it build into creating an action plan into helping you achieve. There are things that right now you can only imagine doing but based on previous experiences and challenges there’s a strong likelihood you can complete if you set up the structure to do so.

• Embrace the hurt

Gonna keep this one short. “No pain no gain” is an antiquated moniker and notion that I can’t stand. However, when you are expanding your comfort zone, things will likely get difficult. Whether it is mile 23 of a marathon or trying to go 2 hours without your phone so you can stay focused on a task, there will be a level of discomfort. Embrace it. Not because discomfort is the key to success but to an extent it is a key to growth. Momentary discomfort results in the expansion of your comfort zone. In fitness, this is easily noticed — the weight that once was too heavy is now lifted with ease or those couple miles you struggled to do now seems like a walk in the park. Embrace the (momentary) hurt and then take the lessons to or new found aptitude to come back better.

Hope this brief reflection helped! Keep up with me on Twitter or IG