The Plan

Last week, after a few months of ‘parental leave from running’ ("double paternity pause"), I got back into marathon training with much ‘gusto’ and renewed vigour. After 25 years of running , I am fully aware that training for a marathon seldom goes exactly according to plan. Setbacks occur—work or family obligations take precedence; illness or injury derails workouts. However, without determination and a coherent and well-designed plan, it would be impossible to achieve any Personal Best or race objective. It’d be like being on a ship that has set sail with no destination. As we all know, our results are only as good as our plan. As the saying goes: if we fail to plan, we are planning to fail! Like the late Jim Rohn put it: “It's not what happens that determines the major part of our future, because what happens happens to us all. Instead, the key is what we do about it.” “If we start doing different things with the same set of circumstances - the ones we've always had and cannot change - miracles will occur”. And here's what is interesting, the difference between success and failure is so subtle. Failure is a few errors in judgment repeated everyday. Success is a few simple disciplines practiced every day.

So with the new financial year just started, and well rested after the summer break, it is high time we set a plan, and then methodically work that plan. Here’s some good ideas and thoughts from my running experience. Hopefully they will resonate with you too! while developing a plan that will take you ‘to the finish line’ powerfully:

Develop the Plan for You. In the past, I have tried many training programs, some with more success than others. However, I only lowered my marathon PB significantly when I developed a plan that fits me. So have a plan that is unique to you and for you. Each of us is motivated by different factors and there is not a one-plan-fits-all proposition.

Establish times to spend working on the Plan. I typically run Saturday and Sundays early in the morning, plus at least twice during the week. During the working week, I block out a time (could be early morning, lunch time or early evening) on my Outlook calendar. I’m intentionally making these appointments with myself, for myself, in order to achieve my ultimate goal. Whatever your goal is, set the times and do it.

Keep a journal. Take notes. It may be on paper, it may be on an excel spreadsheet, like I have been doing with my running journal for years. Don’t just record what you did, but also how you felt while doing it, any ideas or inspiration that will carry you from where you are to where you want to be. Take notes on the ideas that impact you most. Put down your thoughts and ideas. Brainstorm with yourself on where you are going and what you want to do. Use the information you gather and record it for further reflection, for future debate and for weighing the value that it is to you.

Rest. Regularly set aside time for rest and reflection. Take a few minutes at the end of each ‘workout’ and go back over the training – how you felt, what went on. Take a day off (and I mean ‘off’! including that smartphone and company emails), maybe even a whole week-end (c’mon, when’s the last time you didn’t check your emails for more than 48 hours straight?). This will really help avoiding long term injuries and job related burnouts.

Act. Act on your plan. What separates the successful from the unsuccessful so many times is that the successful simply do it. In my attempt to run a sub 3hr marathon next year, I have already registered for 4 half marathons and 1 marathon in autumn-winter 2016. So take action today, work the plan, commit. And the time to act is when the emotion is strong, when the idea strikes and it’s clear and powerful. And here's what is interesting: all disciplines and commitments affect each other; everything affects everything. So step out and take action today! I can guarantee it will make it for a great journey!