Drake sings it.
Dr. Phil likes to say it.
Many more repeat it still.
“It’s a marathon — not a sprint.”
I keep thinking about that comment. I keep thinking about it especially now. While still more feel it’s a vastly overused expression, my sense is that yes, our current societal state is a marathon indeed. Right now, the concept is not overused.
Listen to how infamous marathoners speak…
From Bill Rodgers, four time Boston Marathon winner:
“The advice I have for beginners is the same philosophy that I have for runners of all levels of experience and ability: consistency, a sane approach, moderation, and making your running an enjoyable, rather than dreaded, part of your life.”
And from Grete Waitz, a nine time New York City Marathon winner:
“For every finish-line tape a runner breaks — complete with the cheers of the crowd and the clicking of hundreds of cameras — there are the hours of hard and often lonely work that rarely gets talked about.”
I’ve listened to my friends…
Marathons are hard.
They go on… and on…
Sometimes they go on longer than we’d like them to. Many of us would like to stop by mile number 19… maybe even 2…
They are mentally exhausting.
Draining, in fact.
It takes training…
A combination of preparation and mental and physical training.
And it’s so challenging…
… often the physical vs. mental — and when one seems most acute, the other becomes more prominent…
Most times it’s more mentally challenging than physically.
I hear you. Friends, this is tough… and much of the above is said by friends that have run many, many marathons… even some 24 hour, 100 mile marathons… with all due respect — that’s crazy!
But what about when we’re done?
When done, it can be euphoric…
So proud to persevere…
To have accomplished the goal.
In fact…
“Sometimes you’re prouder of the harder races. Those are the ones I most remember — those that were a physical and mental battle. They make me tougher. The easy days, well, they’re a blur.”
Friends, these days are indeed a marathon. They are the harder races. But take note of the growth, strength and wisdom that results from the hard. This has the potential to be good. We don’t want it to be a blur!
Granted, there’s one more elusive challenge. When a runner runs, a runner plans. They have a training schedule and a noted time frame. They know the day and they know the end. They know specifically when the end will come. They begin with the end in mind.
So what will be said of us? We don’t know the end.
But how will we run?
What will be said of us when this is done?
Remember… this could be good. We could speak of such as a growth-filled, community-building, learning-what-we-most-have-in-common time.
Let us make it so.
Respectfully…
AR