Finishing Strong

Anyone familiar with serious running would know the jargon 'Kick' - it means burst of speed, usually a near sprint pace, at the end of the race or run.

As mentioned in one of my previous articles, Last Lap, it's so good to finish or come to the end of the race, with the feeling of satisfaction or accomplishment. It is that exact thing that will bring you back time and time again!

How many of us have been in that last lap or few yards near the end (with everything and everyone around you) and you desperately want to finish strong. After a long race, when you are tired, legs burning, lungs are at their end and somehow you find the last energy to run to the best of your ability. With spectators and other runners urging you on as you fight till the end while you smell victory, even if it's only to complete the race. Finishing Strong!!

It is at the start of a race when the adrenaline is flowing, that I find myself at my best. I love to start things, new things, new challenges. Where other people stand back for the challenge of starting new projects or doing something for the first time, I love everything about it. My whole being shouts with the pleasure for the unknown, the impossible and the courage it takes to head up something new.

I find starting well easy, but it's so important to finish well. To finish strong is maybe one of my biggest challenges right now. To give it the same effort, time and energy at the beginning and the end! To actually finish what I started!! What a challenge!!
Where do I start? One step at a time, small steps at a time. I try to look at small areas where I can get trained in. Like finishing the paint job I started so eagerly, or implement one of my hundreds of dreams I have...
So, we all start a race to actually finish it, why not finish it strong?

Until the next race.............. what if it's the way you finish this one, will determine the way you begin the next one!!

Always One Step Ahead

The fact that I like running comes from my dad, who "ran" the works.....loads of 10k's, marathons and even 2 ultra marathons.

I remember the days out with him like they were yesterday.
We didn't talk a lot while running, probably because I was trying to breathe.

But I do remember him teaching me something I will never forget, he said 'Always stay one step ahead'!! What a great insight and wisdom that have carried me through life.

If we would be out running, he would push me to the limit and then let me run slightly in front of him.

It gave me confidence... It felt like I was in front... It gave me a head start... It was psychology at it's best.

I tried achieving that experience with everything in me, because I wanted that feeling everytime of being in front, even if it was only one stride. I will always chase the person in front of me, trying to be JUST in front of him.

For me it worked, but I won't say it will be healthy to do ALL the time and surely as you get older and wiser, you don't need to chase the person in front. You just need to stay in front of the person behind you?!!

It also doesn't mean you need to see it as 'staying in front of someone', it could mean staying in front of yourself. Staying 'Always One Step Ahead' in your work, or in management or leadership etc.

We need to excel ourselves, and others, to keep on running well in life. We need to keep on improving and pushing ourselves to stay on top of our game. After a while you will know your limits and talents to know where, when and how much you need to be ALWAYS ONE STEP AHEAD.

The Extra Mile

This following article is dedicated to a friend called Matt and a young boy Jack.

I just came back from a six mile Sport Relief Charity Race.
We had to run an one mile route like six times, and I must confess I found it boring but also challenging to keep up with how many laps you have done.
A mile is quite a distance for any runner, beginner or elite. Depending when you do it? A quick mile is sometimes easy, at the beginning of your training session act as a warm up and with your 2 year old son it's a long and slow distance.

Well needless to say, but Matt and young Jack did an extra mile, finishing after us...

This makes me think of the extra mile some people will go.
Well, I'm talking about going the extra mile with something or someone.
Matthew 5:41 in the Bible says
'If someone forces you to go one mile, go two miles with him'
That means, if someone asks you to give them a helping hand, give them both!
Do the unexpected, buy the new neighbours pizza on their first night. Fill the tank up of the car you just borrowed. Help someone move house on your weekend off, or help someone paint their house after work. Act on something needed without being asked to do.
If their is something needed to be done at the office, 'Give them to me. I'll do it'
Go the extra mile.....
put in just a little extra effort............
provide just a little more service................
Hear this one, 'if you are willing to do more than you are paid to do, eventually you will be paid to do more than you do'
Successful people simply do more.
If you have a servant heart, to serve a person, leader or cause........it will always pay off.

BUT at the end of a run, and you haven't really bargained on it (you might still be far away from home) and you still need to run that distance.

To do the unexpected for someone or something, is going the extra mile!!