Crossing the Finish Line
August 31, 2007One of the goals I’ve had since college was running a marathon. One dreary January morning earlier this year, I spotted an advertisement for the inaugural Alpharetta marathon/half-marathon. Something inside me sprung into action. I did not yet have a New Year’s resolution, life was feeling a bit predictable, and the weather was just right for training. So began my journey to achieve a new goal.
Realizing that running 26 miles is a monumental task, I decided that this journey was going to start a series of smaller accomplishments, which in this case meant a halfmarathon. Two goals were set for this race: run the entire course and complete the race in less than two hours. The first few weeks of training were not too hard, but as week four approached, the six to eight mile runs were required. Although it was difficult breathing in cold air for an hour at a time, with a runny nose and weak legs, I admired each mini-accomplishment. Then, the ten mile runs began; ninety minutes of maneuvering the paved trail at a local park, with small hills and winding turns, and a determination to keep going. In spite of aching feet and a weary mind, the support of friends, family, and co-workers provided great motivation. Giving up was not an option.
On the morning of the race, the sky was still dark and the wind was pushing a harsh thirty degree temperature across my body. The big day had finally arrived, and I was ready. Bang! The starting pistol sounded and the wave of 1,500 runners glided forward. Mile two came and I was in my groove. Mile five was all up hill — no problem, since I trained on hills. The crowds were shouting words of support which was such a blessing. Mile eight finally started to level off, allowing me to regain control of my breathing. Mile ten — this was the longest run on my training schedule and every step I took beyond this point was setting a new personal best. Faster, faster, faster! I finally looked up, still running, and then large bright orange numbers read “1:56:42.” Victory!
Reflecting back on this journey, I realize there are many parallels to financial planning and achieving long term goals in other parts of life. It starts with being adventurous and setting meaningful goals — trying new things. This may cause anxiety in the short-term, but you’ll never know how far you can stretch yourself until you try.
Next, my initial planning incorporated expert advice to establish the gameplan. I spent time researching solid training programs online and mapped out my weekly running schedule. Consulting with other athletes truly helped me to understand the importance of following a plan.
Setting priorities is important. As training for a race requires a big time commitment, other aspects of my daily routine had to be adjusted. I arrived at the office early in order to leave by 4 p.m., fitting in my long run before the sunset. Leisurely Saturday mornings transformed into strict mental and physical regimens, which reinforced why mental preparation and discipline go hand-in-hand, regardless of what personal best you set out to achieve.
Next came the hard part, as I had to work the plan of action and make sacrifices to stay on target. This is when it is so important to have people around you who will provide encouragement and accountability to help you go farther than you thought possible. Striving for success is a measure, but certain goals can be especially rewarding as they give you a true sense of accomplishment — something money, status or prestige could not supply. As you journey towards new finish lines, may you too be filled with inspiration, motivation, and determination for victory.
