Setting the conditions

I ran a marathon. I trained for it over 20 weeks. I ran short runs, long runs, slow runs, fast runs, hot runs, cold runs, flat runs and hilly runs. I read about and tried different running strategies, fuelling strategies, hydration strategies, strength training, carb loading, stretching, warming up, cooling down and resting.

Start and finish

The day arrived and I had my pre-run breakfast, got my stuff together, travelled to Kew Gardens, and got into my starting pen. Surrounded by around 2000 other runners, I was feeling upbeat, strong, prepared but also a bit nervous and a little daunted. I’d run 34km (~21 miles) before, but this would be the furthest and longest I’d ever run.

My first 25km took 2.5hrs, around 6:00/km, the next 17 took just over 2hrs, around 7:00/km. A total time of 4:33:00. Not bad for a first marathon. But…

I’d wanted to do it in under 4:30:00!

Project parallels

Looking back on what happened to impact my pace in the second part got me thinking about parallels with some of the projects we’ve done with our clients.

I’d done pretty much everything I could to prepare well. I’d done my discovery and research, tested parts of what I was going to do, and had a clear plan in my head of how I was going to approach it. That’s what we do with our clients and it helps everyone to feel prepared, even if the project feels a bit daunting.

I started out at a comfortable pace, navigating other runners and following the route with a good idea of how far I’d gone and what remained. With our clients we have a roadmap that lays out the direction we’re going in. It includes key milestones, an idea of how we’re going to move forward, and how we might navigate potential obstacles.

The messy middle

I then hit the middle, where my energy levels dropped. I needed to take on more fuel. I started to run slower, walk for short periods, and take on more liquids at the hydration stations along the way. My family met me at mile 20 and gave me a huge load of encouragement, a handful of sweets, and some fresh water for my bottle.

Projects with our clients often hit a patch we call ‘the messy middle’, where the initial energy and impetus has declined and the end still feels some way off. It’s in those times, as in a marathon, when you have to dig deep, find different ways of making progress, look for other resources to help, and remind yourself of how far you’ve come. Finding ways of celebrating what has been achieved is a good way of nurturing your team and fortifying them for the final stretch.

The final stretch

As I got closer to the end, it didn’t get easier, but I got more determined to not be defeated. I gritted my teeth, gave myself a good talking to, and when I got to the final straight I found the energy to do a sprint finish. As our clients near the finish of their project, things often start to click together in a way that seemed impossible only a short while before. They get to the end point and realise that they’ve accomplished what they set out to do and more. They have a real sense of achievement, a renewed sense of purpose, and some ideas on how they might do it better next time.

Again?

If you’re interested in how we might help you undertake your next project, get in touch.

As for my marathon running? I’ve already started to think about how I could train a bit better, fuel a bit better, and run another marathon, even if it’s only four minutes faster!

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Change is a marathon, not a sprint