Thank you for cheering me on in my quest to complete a bucket list item.  Running a full Marathon.

It wasn't easy.

Completing a marathon is a huge accomplishment that requires dedication, discipline, and hard work. It takes months of training, a solid mindset, and a willingness to push past your limits to reach the finish line. And much like in the world of sales, the skills you learn through running a marathon can help you achieve success in all areas of your life.
I finished Detroit Free Press Marathon yesterday.  I have been training for this event for over a year, and it has taught me valuable lessons that I can apply to my personal and professional life. As a sales professional, I have found that the skills I’ve honed in this field are very similar to the skills I need to successfully run a marathon.
Firstly, both sales and marathon running require discipline. In sales, discipline means sticking to a sales plan, tracking progress, and meeting targets. In marathon running, it means sticking to a training schedule, getting enough rest and recovery, and staying committed to the goal of finishing the race. Without discipline, it’s impossible to reach your full potential in either field.
Secondly, perseverance is key. Sales is a challenging field, and it takes perseverance to weather the ups and downs of the industry. Marathon running is also challenging, and there will be times when you want to quit. But pushing through those tough times and persevering will ultimately lead to success. In sales, this might mean making one more call or sending one more email, while in running it might mean pushing yourself to run one more mile.
Thirdly, both sales and marathon running require mental toughness. In sales, you need to be able to handle rejection, setbacks, and disappointments. Similarly, in marathon running, there will be times when your body wants to quit, and it’s up to your mental toughness to keep you going. In both cases, the ability to stay positive, focused, and determined will be critical to your success.
Finally, success in both sales and marathon running requires setting goals and working hard to achieve them. In sales, this might mean setting a target for the number of deals closed or the amount of revenue generated. In marathon running, it means setting a goal for the finish time and working hard to train and prepare for the race.
As I prepared for the Detroit Free Press Marathon, I applied all of these lessons to my training and preparation. I was disciplined in my training schedule, persevering through the tough workouts (and injuries), and mentally tough in pushing myself to keep going when my body wants to quit. I worked hard to achieve my goal of completing the marathon.
Ultimately, completing a marathon is about more than just running 26.2 miles. It’s about the dedication, discipline, and hard work that it takes to get there. And these skills can be applied to any area of life, whether it’s sales, business, or personal goals. So, if you’re looking to achieve success in any area of your life, take a page out of the marathon runner’s book and apply these lessons to your journey. With dedication, discipline, perseverance, mental toughness, and goal setting, you can achieve anything you set your mind to.

​If you would like to discuss Marathoning for beginners...or a career in sales, give me a ring!

Very productive couple of weeks.  A couple of notes....

• Since the last post, I have run 23.02 miles.  I am starting to feel guilty if I don't run.   For example, I did not run on Monday or Tuesday this week due to some knee pain (more on that later)
• My average pace was 0:10:32 per mile...which is a precipitous drop from previous times, and I think it is due to some pain in my right knee.
• I hit some great runs on both Sundays.  4.4 miles and 5.16 miles.  these long Sundays are going to continue and increase weekly.  This coming up Sunday, i will get to 5.5.   I have a 10K coming up in April, so that is timed perfectly.
• My arch is feeling much better since I started wearing my orthotics again.
• My VO2 Max has been steadily rising.  For those who don't know what the VO2 Max is, here is a definition.

"VO2 max, or maximal oxygen consumption, refers to the maximum amount of oxygen that an individual can utilize during intense or maximal exercise. This measurement is generally considered the best indicator of cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance."
​

(TLDR at the end of the page)

People make changes for many reasons...

In November of 2021, I went to go visit my endocrinologist.  He treats me for my Type 2 Diabetes, and my thyroid disease.  To say I have mismanaged my diabetes care for years is an understatement.  I don't have foot or eye problems, but my a1c is like a rollercoaster.  I have ranged from a good of 5.5 to a really bad of 9.  Every time I get to the high range, I promise Dr. Blank (that is his real name), that I will improve.  "Please don't put me on Insulin"

In November, he told me that I was going to have to go on Insulin.  I hit 7.9, and I wasn't doing what I need to do.  This was his tough love intervention.  Again, I begged him to give me three months to get my s#it together.  He doubted that I could do it, but after some real begging, he relented...on the condition that if I do not get my numbers down, I would have no argument anymore.

So, for the month of December, I didn't do jack.  I was a little depressed, still unemployed, and quite honestly, felt that this was inevitable.

So New Years Eve happened.  I sat at a friends house with a bunch of people and glanced at my cell phone.  The Detroit Free Press Marathon sent me an email telling me that I could now sign up for the Freep International Marathon.  I had run the half marathon in 2013, and that was a major commitment for me.  I was also 9 years younger....and at my age, you start thinking of all the things you will never be able to do in your life...and running a marathon is one of those things that are harder to do as you get older.

So on new years day, I decided to sign up for the marathon, but I didn't tell anyone.  It was a spur of the moment thing, and I still was going to hedge my bet....I could always back out as long as nobody knew.  Not a great start.

So on the 5th of January, I started my quest, still not sure if I was up for the task.  I couldn't run 1 mile..only .93 miles...at a blistering 13 minute mile pace.  Not exactly giving confidence that I can do over 26 miles.  In fact, I was deflated.

The rest of the week, I ran a mile a day, and it got a little easier, and my times got a little better.  Weekly, I would start to push myself...Ran further each week...got better shoes (it's all about the shoes), started putting my stats on a google sheet...And then I did the crazy.  I started telling everyone what I was doing.  

• "Sure you are"
• "so when does this NY Resolution get tossed"
• "Carpe Diem, Motherfucker!"

The more people I told, the more people kept me accountable.  Every time I run, I text my stats to select friends, and I even post it on the Facebooks....I want people to ask me about it, because if they do, I will be less likely to quit.

January 5, 2022 -

• Weight: 229.6 pounds,
• a1c: 7.9

March 5, 2022

• Weight: 217.4 pounds
• a1c: 6.9

SO WHAT IS MY POINT?

If you want to lose weight, or you want to be healthier, you are better off to find other goals to get you there.  I cannot will my body to get a better a1c, nor can I will my body to lose weight.

I can will my body to run 5 times a week.  If I do that, those two other goals will be achieved.

Carpe Diem, Bitches!

​Michael

TLDR:  If you want to make a large change in your life or your business,

1. start with a goal. (Lose weight, make more commissions)
2. Find a related activity that if you do a lot of it, you will surely meet that goal (train for a marathon, make 7500 cold calls)
3. Map it out on a spreadsheet.  What daily, weekly, monthly quarterly mini goals must you meet?  
4. Tell everyone.  Write a blog.  Post it on the facebooks. Tell your boss.  Tell Your spouse.

Wasn't sure how long it would take for me to finally enjoy running.  There is actually no evidence to prove that I SHOULD enjoy it.

1. I have a serious case of ingrown toenails which have gotten better because of the great Dr. Eric Foreman...but honestly, they still have a little pain, as I have not given it adequate time to heal...but it is healing
2. My right foot has a serious case of Heel Spurs and i can barely walk first thing in the morning, or when I get out of the car.  I am again, going to the great Dr. Eric Foreman to get a shot through my heel.
3. I test my glucose (I am a diabetic) after running, and lo and behold, my sugar goes down when i run...so this makes me want to do it more. 

My last update was 19 days ago...so I guess now is as good a time as any to recap my runs since. 

• I have run 27.43 miles.  Some on the road, but when the weather sucked, I "treadmilled" it.
• On the road, I averaged a pace of 10:49., but I hit a record pace on Superbowl Sunday of 9:58 pace for 3 miles.  It seems that when I run with people, I run faster.
• My left heel hurts in the morning, but not during the runs...which makes me want to run more.

Til Next Time!

​Last week, I had my ingrown toenails worked on by the incredible Dr. Foreman, who assured me that I would be able to run the next day.  My big toes said no.

So I took a couple of days off...

• Whaddya know?  My times got better...much better...Pre-Procedure, I was running at a 12:10 pace; Post-Procedure, I ran at a 10:58 pace (and achieving a run where I ran under 11 Minute Mile...and for me, that's good.)
• If you aren't aware, we had a slight blizzard yesterday, so the roads weren't great for running today.  Therefore my run today was a little shorter, and a lot slower.  Good news is that iI got through it unscathed.  I get a day off tomorrow before my Saturday and Sunday runs.
• I find myself enjoying the runs more and more...Got a great playlist to work from, and looking to add more.  160-170 beats per minute.
• My ankles are worrying me a bit, as I can feel it when it twists....I am working through the pain, but I may have to keep my runs on streets that are more smooth.

Today, I got the hairbrained idea to run in the snow.  Seeing that Sunday is my long run day, I felt that I had to.  

Didn't get the time I wanted, but did get the distance...2.45 miles.  Again, my pace was abysmal, but I got this run in.  Sidestepping snow chunks and trying to guess where the potholes were made me a touch apprehensive.  

well, tomorrow, i get a well deserved rest, and then off to the podiatrist on Tuesday for ingrown toenails.

I wish I could say that running was easy this week.  Sadly, it wasn't.  

Been very cognizant that this is the moment when people start shortchanging their previous goals and walk them back.  I am determined to continue this quest.  Again...To remind myself.  I am running this marathon in October for a number of reasons.  The Goal of a marathon can keep me on track for the goal of better health.  ALSO, seeing that I am 52..and going to be 53 in October, I am not sure how many of these opportunities I am going to have to run a marathon.  Like my son says, I am closer to my death, than I am to my birth.

To start off the week, I ran my 2 miler on Sunday...which will be the day I run the long run for the week from now on.  Here is what I did.

• Set my schedule for Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  With my new job, I figured that weekends would be better for running.
• Set an appointment to see the podiatrist.  Ya see, I did some amateur surgery on my big toes...i sometimes get obsessed with the corners.  I dug up some shrapnel in there, and I think I made matters worse.  now, as it seems, I may have infected my "Sergeant Hulkas"
• Still trying to narrow down my music choices, as I seem to run better to certain music.  Any suggestions are welcomed.
• Its friggin cold out there... 19 degrees was the low this week, and 10 degrees was the low last week.  Cannot wait 'til spring.

Observations:

• First week, so I will cut myself some slack for not reaching good time.  Would like to get average pace below 10 Minutes...ideally looking for 9 minute miles.
• I have about 8 more weeks left of "Pre Training".   For me, Pre Training will get my body ready for the 32 week training that I plan to do before October 16th.
• I am also shooting for an average SPM (Steps per minute) to be at around 170-175.  Shorter strides seems to be the best way...
• Will stay at 1.5 miles per run, 4 times a week until week 9.
• I am REALLY out of shape.  I weighed in at 224 this morning.

Signed up for my first marathon....The Detroit Free Press Marathon on October 16, 2022.  This unique race runs across the Ambassador Bridge from Detroit Michigan to Windsor Ontario (CAN).  Then it comes back under the Detroit river via the Windsor Tunnel.

I ran the half marathon in 2013...and there is no time like the present to run a full marathon...I will be 53 y/o in October.

39 Weeks, and 2 and a half days from now.

https://www.freepmarathon.com/