A week ago I returned from Penticton, British Columbia - the site of Ironman Canada - after seeing the athletes I had coached and trained over the last nine months complete their first Ironman distance triathlon. For those readers who are not familiar with the Ironman, it is widely considered one of the toughest sporting events in the world: a 2.4 mile open water swim, followed by a 112 mile bike ride, and finishing off the day with a marathon - for a total of 140.6 human powered miles. Ironman Canada is one of the toughest Ironman distance courses in the world, so it wasn't surprising that my Ironman "newbies" approached the day with a mix of anxiety, fear, hope and exhilaration.
It is a long day on the Ironman course: starting with the swim at 7:00 AM and having to cross the finish line by midnight. Seventeen hours seems like an eternity to some but not when you are out there competing with 2800 athletes, the elements and whatever challenges fate decides to throw at you on race day.
Like any long term project or commitment in business, I urge the athletes to take it one step at a time; don't focus on the 140.6 miles in front of you: get through the swim, get onto the bike course, concentrate on what's right in front of you. Manage yourself "inside the box"- that time and space during the race that allows you to anticipate issues, react to problems and take corrective action....but keep moving forward.
We see them emerge from the swim, smiling, triumphant to complete that first leg of the race; now onto the bike portion of the race, a challenging course with hills, high heat and 40 mile an hour headwinds. We see them at different points of the course: they are tired, legs flagging, dehydrated. Get over the next hill, get to the next aid station....keep moving forward.
Finally they fly back into town, having completed the second leg of the race: they are smiling, but apprehensive about finishing. They are finally off the bikes and onto the run course. We see them head out of town, their demeanor has clearly changed: they are exhausted, worried, emotional: hang in there, we tell them; catch the runner ahead of you, get to the next water stop, give inspiration to someone you pass.....keep moving forward.
It is past nightfall - the magic time at Ironman, when most of the athletes will be making truly heroic efforts to cross the finish line. They approach the last mile before the finish, the culmination of nearly a year of sacrifice, unwavering commitment, chasing a dream. They can see the finish but they have a mile to go....some are hardly moving, they are beyond tired, hurting, we tell them: the finish is right around the corner, hear the crowds cheering you on, you got it...keep moving forward.
And they do, and they cross the finish line - smiling, triumphant, with grace and humility for the magnitude of the accomplishment and the acknowledgement that they can now say "I am an Ironman".
Inspiring, of course. Amazing for some who overcame much to cross the finish line. Incredible what the human body and mental toughness can achieve in tandem. So what are the lessons learned for anyone in a corporate leadership role who faces challenges, obstacles, odds that sometimes seem overwhelmingly against you succeeding?
Focus on what you can control - what is the definition of time and space in the work you are doing that you can manage; what is in your control and not; how do you focus on making progress one step at a time and where will you find your inspiration...so you can keep moving forward.
