In 2007, I ran my first 100-mile race, the Leadville Trail 100, without much of a plan.
I started running in the summer of 2006 after having a tough start to my 05/06 ski season due to being pretty out of shape. I didn’t want to repeat that in 06/07, so I started dryland training that summer to prep.
I was enjoying myself and, knowing how my brain works, decided to set a goal to encourage myself to keep running. I picked finishing the LT100 as my goal for 2007.
(The wisdom of that particular goal could certainly be called into question.)
Long story short, I didn’t really have a clue how to train for an ultra. Certainly planned what I could, assembled a great crew of friends to support me, and did what I thought I needed to do to put myself in a position to finish.
Without a coach, going on anecdotal information about how to train and run 100 miles, and with a tendency to overdo things at times, I found myself a bit broken 6 weeks before the race with a knee issue.
I did end up starting, but dropped out at about mile 72. And I was wrecked for weeks afterward.
3 years later, I ran it again.
This time, I took a different approach. I had a coach, a plan, a training schedule, and the right support to get me across the finish line. My last 8 miles (mostly uphill) were faster than my first 8, and I was back to running again the next day and finished the Denver Marathon in 3 hours and 8 minutes just 3 months after finishing the LT100.
Why am I sharing this seemingly non-business-related information on LinkedIn?
Because my experience running Leadville made me a better businessperson.
It taught me that starting with a plan helps you get to where you want to go.
That consistency is an important part of one’s success.
Engaging with a coach can help you avoid injury and stay on track.
And that I can accomplish a lot more than I ever thought possible.
You don’t need to run an ultra to understand the value of a solid plan. If you’ve got a business goal and want a clearer path to get there, start by dropping us a line. We’ll help you map the route.
