Career Advice from the 11 Mile Run

As most of you know, I'm training to run a half-marathon in early May (support my fundraising efforts for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society here!). This past weekend, I encountered the most brutal of training sessions: the 11 mile run. Yes, my friends, I was subjected to a torture no woman should ever have to endure - especially at 8 am on a Saturday morning. But I did it! And, as you might expect, I learned a few things in the process.

You see, you do a lot of thinking when you're pounding the pavement for two hours. And oddly enough, my mind wanders in the direction of career. So I thought I'd share some of my insights with you.

The First Mile Is the Worst

Every time I start a run, I wonder what the heck I was thinking when I decided to train for this half-marathon. That first mile is brutal - sheer torture. My lungs burn, my legs ache, and every step is a serious struggle. Getting through that first mile is often the most difficult part of any run. I really have to force myself to remember that things will get better. It's like a mantra through that first mile - the first is the worst, the first is the worst...

I think this is a lesson that relates back to many things in life. We often stumble through any activity the first time, as we learn how things work. We can't just give up because it's painful in the beginning. How would anyone ever run a marathon if they just went by what that first mile felt like? At work, I'm often given new projects or responsibilities that, at first, feel a lot harder than they really are. In reality, my entire job was much more difficult for the first month or so. Once I got into the flow and had done everything a few times, it got much easier. That doesn't mean that there aren't any painful tasks! I just know now that the entire job isn't like that - it's just a small portion. Once you get through that part, things get better.

Wait for the Breakthrough and Keep That Pace

Somewhere just after the first mile, I normally hit my stride. It's like slipping my foot into a well-worn, comfortable shoe. It just fits. My entire body gets into a rhythm, my lungs open up and suddenly I can breathe. At that moment when it happens, I experience the greatest sensation of power and euphoria. I feel like I could run forever. The trick is remembering that I can't. It's about finding that ideal pace and sticking to it. Otherwise, I'll overdo it and exhaust myself too quickly.

I've experienced this in my career as well. There have been times when I felt like I had the ability to climb that corporate ladder at lightning speed. But what good would that do me? Sometimes, it's more important to pace yourself - learn all you can at every level. Don't get in a rush to get to the finish. If you overwork yourself, push yourself to the limit, you might run out of steam before you get there. Instead, find that comfortable pace where you're challenged but it's manageable and sustainable.

Metal Preparation Can Never Be Over Valued

In running, the value of mental prep can't be overstated. I think it's just as important as physical prep. There are days when I really look forward to my training run. I think about it all day, imagining all the nervous/anxious energy I'll be able to burn out. Those days are like magic. On the other hand, there are some days when running is the last thing I want to do. It's either too hot or I'm really tired or I've just got too many other things I need to do. Those are the days I can literally feel my feet dragging the whole way. How you think about what you're doing can actually impact the reality of what you're doing.

The same thing is true for your career. It's all about attitude. Mental prep - confidence, knowledge, self-awareness - can truly change the course of your career. How you view yourself and your position will change your reality. If you're an administrative assistant and you go into work every day thinking, "Oh, I'm just a lowly admin. I have to do all the boring stuff. I hate my job," people will respond to that energy. You'll be seen as negative and not valuable. Your responsibilities will soon reflect that. And, even if your job wasn't so bad to begin with, it will become exactly what you imagined it to be. On the other hand, approaching your job with a mindset of positivity, a willingness to learn and grow, and a strong sense of self-confidence will help your career tremendously. People will respond to your attitude by giving you more responsibilities, teaching you new skills, and you'll find opportunities pop up all around you.

Everything Changes on Mile 8

During an 11 mile run, something happens around mile 8. It's pretty dramatic in fact. Miles 2 through 7 weren't all that bad (1 was awful, but always is). So, for the first leg, my running partner Shannon and I talked and laughed, shared stories and chanted "Go Team!" to our teammates passing by. A good time was had by all. And then, as mile 8 set in, it suddenly dawned on us that this was serious. It started hurting. We no longer wanted to talk because we suddenly had to concentrate on telling our legs to keep going. It became clear that others around us were experiencing the same thing. The jubilant shouts of "Go Team!" became mild, forced grunts at one another. It became clear that the darkness was upon us. And the temptation to just stop and congratulate myself on a nice 8 mile run was almost overwhelming.

I liken mile 8 to that point in your career where you just want to give up and get a nice barista job at Starbucks. Don't we all have fantasies like that? A job where we get free mochas and our biggest responsibility is remembering to smile at people who haven't had their caffeine for the day? Getting through mile 8 is a challenge we all face at some point in our careers. It's a matter of concentration - remembering the end goal and why you started this thing in the first place. You can't just give up all that hard work when things get tough. If I had given up my run on mile 8, I'd have given in to my natural instincts - that trigger in your brain that says, "Ok. I'm tired. Let's stop." But I never would have known that I could push through that. And I never would have experienced the best part...

Exhaustion Feels Good

There's something surprisingly soothing about the feeling of pure and undeniable exhaustion. In our society, we so rarely push ourselves to those kinds of physical extremes. We have no reason to - we're not trying to outrun bears for survival. We jump in our cars, go to work, and get back in our cars to go home. Sometimes we forget what it really feels like to be completely physically spent. I have to say, I felt proud. I felt strong. The nap I took later that afternoon was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. And the glass of wine I had when I woke up, was the tastiest treat ever.

In my career, I've put my heart and soul into projects. I've given everything to see something I believe in succeed. When you're really invested - when you're truly passionate about what you do - it's not about work/life balance at that point. It's about doing what you love for all the right reasons. If you've ever been there, you know what I'm talking about. It's exhausting but it's also the greatest sense of accomplishment.

Of course, it's not something you want to do all the time - I'm not planning on running 11 miles every weekend just so I can enjoy a nap and a nice glass of wine afterwards. But occasionally, pushing yourself to the limits, pushing past your comfort zone and into the murky, unknown waters of mile 8 and beyond, can be a very rewarding experience.