Marathon Blog Post #2- The Process

My high school tennis coach was famous for saying (among other things), “Control the controllable.” This quote lends itself to many aspects of life, including my marathon training process. 

Establish a plan. Follow the plan. Adjust accordingly. Don’t be impatient. 

Sign up for the marathon, check. Pick a charity, check. Train…needed to check that box. 

To begin the process of marathon training, I used some of the same tools as I did to uplift myself…and then I set a plan. Plans only happen when you incorporate them into a routine--like waking up bright and early every day, like getting that same cup of coffee at that same corner Starbucks. We all do it. Beginning the marathon process first required some leg work. Walking. Like Forest Gump, I became the walking-man of Chicago, and then I bumped it up to running on my own. Up and down the shores of Lake Michigan, I walked. I started falling in love with Chicago and owning it. It truly is the best city in the world. In fact, I’m sure I saw many of you on my Lake Shore Drive travels. I saw Sara T. on her wedding day. I saw Sam and Jason I. doing the brother thing. I even saw Jason ,S. who ventured down from the suburbs. While it was fun socializing, I needed to become accountable in my process. 

“Hey, Google, find people to make me accountable for the Chicago Marathon.”

Google brought me to the Chicago Area Runners Association (CARA). They have become part of the process. I signed up and established a plan. Now, to follow the plan. 

It’s a grind. Early, I mean early mornings. Blisters. New shoes. More blisters. Running with a group of like-minded grinders is great, and we keep each other accountable. For 12 weeks, 6:00 am Saturday morning runs and others during the work week--some days 10 miles, some 15: I follow the plan. 

When it rains, I run inside. Control the controllable. When I go to Warrior Weekend, I run before I go. Adjust accordingly. What happens when boredom sets in? It’s life, embrace it. Don’t be impatient. Find other parts of life that uplift you as I did. Cross train. Do yoga, play pickleball, and watch movies. Eat right. No desserts ever. It’s a routine that keeps me sane and afloat while training. In other words, it’s the process. 

Personally, I love daily structure as it provides me with purpose. Earlier this year, I watched a foreign film called "Perfect Days," which follows a man named Hirayama who cleans public toilets for a living. Despite the mundane routine of his job, he finds happiness in the small, repetitive aspects of his daily life—like watching the sunrise, taking photos during lunch, visiting the same spa and restaurant, and reading the same book over and over. The movie beautifully shows the importance of embracing the everyday grind, finding joy in the simple things, and being present in the moment, regardless of the challenges life may present.

Life is a process, not a race. Trust the process and control the controllable. Thanks, Coach

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