The Wicked Race
“The last mile is the least crowded…”
Who’s race are you running?
Most people are running someone else’s race. They are in the traditional Rat Race. They value other people’s opinion more than their own. Similar to a treadmill, they keep on running — but remain in the same place. They would rather stay on the same beaten path, than creating their own.
The Wicked Race is exhausting…
A couple minutes prior to my photo being captured (see above), my left foot landed onto the unforgiving rocky terrain, fracturing small bones in my foot — at mile 46, heart rate spiking due to inexperience with elevation, mental & physical exhaustion, the real race began…
Running saved my life.
Growing up — I was the fat, insecure kid. I was the victim.
I was aware some things were not my fault — my father’s death, my ex-step dad’s abuse, family drama, not being born with a special athletic talent, the victim mentality list goes on… but, I always believed nothing was my responsibility.
One day I made a choice. A choice to remove the things that I could blame for the scapegoat. And find something that was you vs you. This is when I found running. There is no coach, player or circumstance which you can blame when it comes to running… it is simple — you vs you.
Most things are not your fault, but everything is your responsibility.
(back to the ultra race)
At mile 46… I felt closer to death than living. Why would I say running saved my life? Running has taught me more about life, business, relationships, investing and most importantly — about myself, than anything or anyone in my entire life.
I agreed to run this 50 mile ultra marathon with a previous ‘mentor’ and the entire event was designed to fulfill his race. The day we flew into Big Bear California, who was and not invited to attend the race, the house we stayed in, what time we woke up to show up to the starting line, the list goes on…
(he literally had someone we mutually know cooking him sweet potatoes days leading into the race like a peasant to a emperor lol)
Days leading into the race, I was still working 10+ hours a day… my business needed me — I did not understand systems, processes, how-to automate/delegation…
*Random tip: take a trip for 3+ days and LEAVE your business behind. It is immediate feedback to what is broken.
…and I believe most people were extremely concerned I was not going to finish the race, considering my ‘mentor’ was devoting 10+ hours a day preparing the perfect strategy for completing the course, the exact mile markers for pit stops in which “his crew” were to chauffeur around providing him with endless supplies to finish the race.
The evening before the big race, we all settled in our own separate rooms in the Cabin, deep in the mountains… we had an early wake up call around 3AM to head over to the start line.
My lovely significant other, Brenda, asked me “Are you sure about this race?”. I knew she and everyone else was very concerned whether or not I was going to finish the race. I did not give off the same demeanor as my “mentor” — he had everyone walking on egg shells. Everything was on his terms for the big race.
My response to Brenda: “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn't matter whether you're the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you'd better be running”
Whether they thought I was the Lion or the Gazelle, it did not matter to me because I knew when the sun came up… I would be running — I would finish the race.
*BANG!
The gun goes off and the 50 mile ultra marathon race begins. We begin the climb, implementing my old “mentor’s” perfect plan of execution. So he thinks.
As we approach one of the strategically planned pit stops, not only was his body breaking down from the couple dozen of miles, while battling peak elevation…
but even worse, I could tell his mind was breaking down. How do I know?
He was negotiating the goal…
People fail because they negotiate their goals. They begin to question everything…
the idea, the plan, the strategy, and ultimately, the outcome.
Don’t negotiate. Finish the race.
Ultra Marathon races have usually very simple rules, one of them being time cut offs to ensure the runners stay on pace of finishing within a reasonable manner. For example, if it is a 50 mile ultra marathon, a race organizer will likely have cut offs each 5-10 miles or so for a 15-20 minute mile pace, depending on the race event… you get the idea and concept behind the rule. No one wants to be there waiting 3 days for someone to finish.
We were cutting it close. Each mile that went by I went from athlete runner in the race to my old pal’s coach, therapist, or any other label to encourage he keeps pushing forward, avoiding the consistent stopping to rest — if we kept this pace I knew we would be disqualified. We would not make the next pit stop by the time allowed by the race rules.
After debate back & forth, I made a decision. A selfish decision. We locked eyes and he gave me a head nod. A confirmation to leave him behind.
A confirmation to run my own race. Me vs Me.
This is your confirmation. The confirmation to run your race. You vs You.
Most people would not have made the decision I made… because it is selfish. And people think being selfish is bad. That’s not true. It can be. But not all the time.
You have to be selfish, to be selfless.
As I stormed into the mile 30 check point, I had just barely made the time cut off.
I was still in the race. That’s all it takes sometimes… to just stay in the race.
The pain was beginning to kick in. I had to go from 12-15 minute mile pace to 6-7 minute mile pace for nearly 7 miles to stay on pace of avoiding disqualification.
Here I am running up the mountain terrain, hill billy long shorts on and a pouch of water to quench the thirst during a hot California day.
Mile after mile, I kept thinking of the situation. He had spent so much time, energy, efforts, & resources to formulate the perfect plan. Sure, preparation is important.
(btw - this is not to brag, boast or belittle my fellow colleague. He signed up, showed up and most people can never say that. I will always respect that)
What I’ve discovered to be the best approach for succeeding at my goals —
preparing the best me vs preparing the best plan.
Another quote comes to mind when I share and reflect about my endurance event experiences, “Everyone has a plan until they get punched in the face” by Mike Tyson, one of the greatest Boxers of all time.
Mike is right.
Running is no different.
I ask you again — Who’s Race Are You Running?
My race was to finish the race. No negotiating.
Most people are running their boss’ race, their neighbor’s race, their spouse’s race, their parent’s race — most people are running the rat race, on a treadmill, getting no where fast.
Most people are doing it All For Nothing.
This is a reason why I created my platform and podcast show, All For Nothing. It is to consistently encourage myself, the guest, and you… It really isn’t a podcast show, it is a mentality. A mentality about running your own race and living life by your highest standards.
This is why 70% or more people are paycheck to paycheck… they are chasing the check, not the passion.
This is also why 70% or more of generational wealth returns back to poverty within the 2nd generation.
People are running someone else’s race, like a peasant.
Now don’t get it twisted, they say if you want to go somewhere fast, do it alone. But, if you want to go somewhere far, you need others. This is a helpful reminder to myself. Hopefully this is a good reminder to you in your journey too. Being mindful of the choices you make in terms of whom you will enjoy the race with is arguably the most important decision you will make.
Then life will feel less of a race & more of a journey.
The lowest points is when we have grown the most. The shadows of darkness is when you discover what you really are about. And who is with you.
Don’t fight the darkness. Darkness gives you the ability to create light. Stars do not exist without darkness. It does not need to be all of you, just a part of you.
Be careful who doesn’t help you carry the torch in the dark. Those people usually try to sneak back in when it is light.
Although I encourage you to run your own race, You vs You. Remember you are not alone in the fight.
Just keep running through the night!
Are you done running The Wicked Race?
Try running your own race. Like the last mile, it’s the least crowded.
Text Me: +1 (614) 660-5921