For those of you who have been reading this blog (and I think there are a couple of you), I have been sending this to my team at work. As with most of you, my work life is a major part of what goes on in my life. Much of my inspiration, and almost all of my challenges are associated with what is coming at me because of my employment. I might be talking about overcoming obstacles with my running challenges, but in reality, this is just a euphemism for my work. In my thoughts I have always considered – if I can get my personal self dialed in, then perhaps I will be successful in other areas of my life – mostly work. So this morning, my work life weight heavy on my mind. I dragged myself out of bed after a restless night, laced up the shoes and convinced myself to hit the street. Today my training plan had me going 2M Easy + 6M Fast. Everything felt heavy, my legs, my arms, my shoulders and my heart. I decided to put some headphones in and listen to a playlist on my phone. See if you can guess the eclectic tracks that built my inspiration along the way.
The Master of Puppets indeed had me by the throat as I slowly put one foot in front of another. The cold darkness enveloped me and encouraged me to quit. I thought more than once about just turning around and chalking today up as a failure. Negative voices ringing in my mind. You suck at this, you suck at that. You are not doing very good here and your efforts there are pathetic at best. Negative comments from the last few weeks leaning close to me and doing anything but keep me warm. The pressure, the stress. Relentless. But I must keep going, I will keep going.
You see my organization at work has been the underdog for quite some time. We have historically been the lower performers. We have had to be resilient and resourceful. We have probably done the most with the least and that has made us stronger. But now I am warmed up, heart rate is a little higher, legs are moving faster and….
“The underdog just turned into the wolf and the hunger steady grows…”
Tired of being the underdog, tired of begging for scraps. Time to rise up and be the predator for a while. Claim that which is ours. Time to show people what hunger really means.
“So starting today, I’m breaking out of this cage. I’m standing up. I’m going to face my demons. I’m manning up, I’m going to hold my ground”
Time to take the gloves off. No announcements, no apologies, just hard corp and fast. It is time to deliver, bring in the harvest for all the preparation. Ignore the negative and focus on what is in front of us. We have the ability to grow take our seat at the table. Just hit mile 2 now, time to increase my pace. I need to run at full speed for several miles. Legs hurt, side is cramping a bit, my right shoe is not fitting right. That is ok, because,
“You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine, just own the night….”
Full speed now, still dark outside. The dawn is just starting to break. A car speeds past me, I am flying now. I am forgetting about all the discomfort. I am going to make this work. I am going to figure out a way to help my organization become what I know it can, what it is prepared to become. The negative thoughts are there still, I can hear them quietly in the background. There is this problem and that problem. My right knee is starting to hurt, I am turning the corner into mile 4. Head down, legs turning faster…
“My power’s turned on, starting right now I’ll be strong, I’ll play my fight song and I don’t really care if nobody else believes ’cause I still got a lot of fight left in me”
My neighbor almost just hit me, not paying attention, must be headed out for his morning commute to San Diego. I am worried about some contention with a work colleague, getting distracted. Slowing down. I pour more effort in. Mile 5 is now behind me.
“feet fail me not ‘ cause maybe the only opportunity that I got”
I pick up speed, clear my mind. I am seeing reality. We have an awesome chance as a team. Greatness is ahead if we can just reach out and grab it. We have everything we need, the opportunity is before us. Mile 6 is approaching, my lungs and legs are on fire. Do I have what it takes to be a good leader? Can I figure this out? I have so many challenges, so many problems, so many shortcomings,
“No change, I can’t change, I can’t change, I can’t change, But I’m here in my mold…”
There I hit mile 6, two more to go. I am at it hard now, feel like I am going to collapse. My legs are in a rhythm now, and I am not going to stop. I step awkwardly on a pine cone, come up limping a little. My pace slows, I start to think maybe my confidence is too much, maybe I am being to melodramatic…..Getting tired…
“Don’t give up, I won’t give up, Don’t give up, no no no.”
Full speed again. Mile 7 just past me. People just better get ready. The West is Rising. We are a force to be reckoned with. Man pushing his dog in a stroller and vaping blows a cloud of smoke in my path.
“So look at me now. I’m just makin’ my play, Don’t try to push your luck, just get out of my way.”
Mile 8 is coming. The time has arrived to turn up the heat and push hard to our success. We got this. As a team and individuals we have the ability to accomplish the amazing. Wow. I am done, pushed hard and finished my run. Heading right into that convenience store on the corner to buy a snack. Time for us all to go get ours.
“Give it to me, I’m worth it.”
Guy Reams
