When Derek Clayton set the marathon record in a classic race at the Fukuoka Marathon in Japan on December 3, 1967 in 2:09:36.4, it was the first marathon race ever run in less than two hours and ten minutes. Two years later, he set a new record of 2:08:33 in Antwerp—a record that stood for an astounding 12 years, in a sport where a record that stands for a year or two is pretty remarkable. In fact, Derek Clayton's record still is the record that stood the longest in marathon record historyThe current record, held by enigmatic Ethiopian Haile Gebrselassie stands at 2:04:26 — four minutes have been shaved off the record time in 40 years. And this record, too, of course, will be surpassed. And the next. And so on. Each empire will fall.
"Everything we do," inspirational career coach Rick Jarow has said, "will be forgotten. How we do it will remain for all time." Or put another way, it's not the miles we run, or even how fast we run them, but how we run—who we are as we run them—that really counts.
As the New Year moves upon us, there will be a flurry of activity. Resolutions, new commitments, inspirational goals, plans for fresh accomplishments. Many of us will be seeking to do life differently. Many professionals in my line of work, life coaching, capitalize upon this time of year to encourage prospective clients to get out and do more — create the life they want, to finally do what it is that they long to do. To create a "new you." You version 3.0 perhaps?
In my experience, this frenetic activity is counter productive in the long term. I have already met, as an estimate, twenty people who have shared that there Christmas day was the best they ever had. What was so wonderful about it? These are some of the words that come in the reply: slower pace; time with family; mellow; connected; joy; rest; peace; introspection. You get the idea.
It is definitely the experience of being that seems to touch so many people at this time of year. And with so many of us immersed in our being at one time, there are real global consequences. In fact, on Christmas day, the average global temperature drops about five degrees as a huge proportion of the globe steps out of busy work.
Of course, it is not a question of choosing between doing and being. That would be like choosing between running 70 miles a week or not running at all. As Derek Clayton says, it's the way in which we run the miles that counts. He shows us the way—not doing or being, but doing from being.
Too "woo woo" for the real world? Remember that Clayton's 12-year record was achieved by giving an important focus on his inner experience—his beingness—as he was competing at the highest levels.
So as you consider your goals for 2008, make room for "being goals." In your running, rather than just adding on more miles as a way to improve, find ways to add more to the qualitative experience of your running. My book can certainly help you to do that, and my website also has a list of inspirational running books and films for you to energize the tone of your running too. To see those lists, click here.
Instead of seeking to redesign, reinvent, or improve yourself, perhaps it is time to rediscover yourSelf. The inherent perfection of who you are, and then create from that place. Work and creativity are not about earning the right to life but about giving voice to the unique expression of life that is you. You do not need to justify your existence. You are here—there's your proof that you ought to be here!
In your wider life, in work, in relationship, in your communities, perhaps the greater goal for the year to come would be to be a better person to those around you, not just a better person than those around you. Now that's a goal worth training for!
Happy Trails!
