Today’s run reminded me that there are some doors that you have to go through alone to get what you want.
I usually take a 12-15 mile run with a great friend of mine every Sunday morning. For the past three weeks, we’ve both been in various states of “unavailable” — I’ve been traveling, he’s been traveling. Last week, I was doing 5 mile daily runs on the beach (disappearing for long runs during a family vacation, I have learned over the years, is not a great idea), and I was really looking forward to today’s long run.
Except, my buddy wasn’t available. None of my buddies were available. I’m normally an extremely social runner, to the point where I usually try to hook up with someone during a race. (That usually doesn’t work out for the long haul, but it’s fun to travel with someone for a while during a long race.) Honestly, on a given “long run” day, if I can’t find someone else to share the run with, I tend to take a shorter run.
But today, I really wanted to get in more than 10 miles, so I laced up, grabbed water, hat, and sunglasses, and ran out the door.
It was a truly, truly great run today. Low humidity, relatively moderate summer temperatures, my recovery from a running injury that I got in the (snicker) airport by running with 30 pounds of luggage was complete, and I was feeling good. Even the fact that I forgot to eat breakfast (!!) didn’t get in my way. I was flying.
And I started to reflect that I am generally a team based guy. I like to work with people. I like to run with people. But I am also famous for telling folks that I mentor that, “there are some doors that you have to go through alone.” (Comment below if you remember what movie that’s from! No cheating by using Google!)
And it’s true. There are some doors that you have to go through alone, not just on runs, but when the stakes are relatively higher. I’ve never stuck with someone through an entire marathon or ultra, and I think that life is like that in general. There are going to be people who you work with on something that’s part of your life or career plan, but if you want to really and truly progress, you can’t only move forward when you have buddies by your side.
I’m working on a project right now that this has helped with. I hope that it helps you out, too.