Going for the Long-Haul!

Early in 2022, at the age of 62, I decided I wanted to run my first half-marathon that coming fall. I began looking for a three month training plan that would take me from running my usual milage (normally up to six miles) to the 13.1 miles I was seeking to run—and to do so at a respectable pace. 

I began my training in the early summer, running three times per week: one short and easy run, one interval run, and a long run that got longer most weeks, until I was up to eleven miles. During those three months I learned so much about myself and what it takes to, not only train for a race, but to live life going for, what we might call, the “Long-Haul.” 

Through the training, I found four elements that became extremely necessary to me if I was going to complete the race. 

1.  Discipline.  It took a lot of discipline to get up early in the morning and go out for that run. After all,     there were plenty of days I didn’t feel like lacing up. All kinds of excuses to not run would come into my head. That’s when discipline had to kick in and get me out of the house and running. 

2.  Perseverance.  I can’t tell you how many times my legs or lungs would begin to scream, “Stop            running!”  At times, my mind would begin to question why in the world I was out at 6:15 am running        when I could be back in the comfort of my bed. That’s when  perseverance pushed me on to keep on going. 

 3.  Pacing. I found I could so easily get caught up in someone else’s pace. But their pace could not            become my pace, if I was going to make it to the end of my run. I had to realize that I was running my        race and not theirs. 

4.  Focus. What was I running for? What was my end goal? Focus was what kept me motivated to keep     on training week after week. I would picture in my mind what it would be like to cross that finish line at     the end of a 13.1 mile race. That was my goal. That was my focus. 

If you think about it, each of these four are needed if we are to go for the long-haul in any area of life. After all, it’s easy to start, but not so easy to finish. Whether it is going the long-haul in your career, your relationships, your fitness, or even in your spiritual life you will need discipline, perseverance, pacing, and focus.

Let me ask you, what are you trying to achieve? What is your goal? Remember: Life is not a sprint but more like a marathon—or, in my case a half-marathon! To reach your goal, you will need to go for the long-haul!

Have a great day! 

- Tim Harris