In just a few weeks, the Team in Training organization will launch its next season of training groups for runners who are interested in achieving a new goal while raising money for Leukemia and Lymphoma research and patient support. Many of the people in those groups—in fact the majority of them—will never have completed a marathon before. Right now, it seems about as possible as flying to the moon.Amazingly, in three months time, those same people will be crossing their first marathon finishing line. And while the camaraderie, training, and shared experience will have provided them with many answers along the way, there will be one big question there to meet them at the finish line. That question is this:
What else can't you do?
Once you have looked at one impossible thing and achieved it, the neat line that has separated the idea (for it is only that, and idea, a thought) of what is possible and what is impossible is forever erased.
What is it that carries something from the impossible to the possible column? Four essential elements: Desire, Preparation, Accountability, Fun.
As my friend and master life coach Steve Chandler points out, too many of us look for the "how to" when we are presented with new challenges: "Oh, I could never run a marathon, I don't know how to." That's looking through the wrong end of the telescope. First comes the want to. And I coach my running clients the same way—find a reason to run other than yourself. What will you do with the greater health, mobility, sense of achievement? That will create your want to. Perhaps you'll be able to keep up with your kids or grand kids. Perhaps you'll be able to inspire or support someone else making a life-affirming decision—if you think your spouse needs to exercise more, model that, share that, live that with them. Perhaps you can raise money for those in a less fortunate position that yourself. The possibilities are endless. Find your "want to."
Indiana Basketball coach, Bobby Knight was right on the money when he said that, "Most people have the will to win, few have the will to prepare to win." Lack of preparation has become so endemic in our society that it has now actually become an acceptable excuse, "I'm sorry, I'm not prepared to do that." Exactly. Practice, practice, practice. Preparation brings the "how to" into being, brings it alive in you, brings you into contact with support.
As an addict of many shades, I know the power of accountability. There have been many times in my life when I was not willing to do something for myself, but I was willing to do it for someone else. Sounds crazy. Then again, addiction is crazy. I started each journey of sobriety by knowing that I'd walk into a room each week and report whether or not I had kept my agreement with them. I did it for them long enough, I learned to do it for myself. It's a lot harder to miss those 6 a.m. training runs when you know there's someone else waiting for you on the street corner. (Shameless plug: you can also get daily inspiration delivered to your phone now at www.IRunInspired.com).
First law of lasting change? In my view it's this: If you are going to succeed at anything, you have to find a way to make it fun. Train with buddies; stock up on the gear that you like; visit those you are raising money for; run events that involve swimming through trenches of mud; whatever it is for you, find it.
I've heard it said both that, "The impossible is where God likes to play," and "Joy is the proof of the presence of Spirit." Stand at any marathon finishing line and you'll see that both are wonderfully, powerfully, and undeniably true.
So . . . what can't you do? Now, prove yourself a liar.
For me, registering for the Bulldog 50k later this year has put me back in "impossibility." 100+ degree temperatures; 8,000ft overall elevation; 50k of hot, dusty, August trails in Southern California. Perhaps I'll see you there! Living with the impossible has already lifted my training, running, and joy to new levels. It can do the same for you.
