Amidst Our Best

July 6, 2015

Greetings from amidst our best,

Some years ago I attended a writer’s conference, having only just mustered the courage to call myself a writer.  Among the various activities there was an opportunity each day to sit at a table and exchange essays we had written with other writers.  Real writers. 

Aside from the initial full-body-sweat panic that I would be humiliated by the exercise, it was a positive experience.  It was an encouraging group, and the comments on my work were supportive and generally positive. But part of the benefit was seeing what others wrote, and trying to think critically about it and then share that thinking.  I left the table each time armed with a new way of looking at my own writing.

It is not a new concept. Working with a group of other people with similar objectives can make us better.  The exchange of ideas, the new perspectives, the candid feedback from people you can trust is what challenges us to find our potential.

I am lucky to be connected with a network of professionals in business that meet to share ideas of common interest.  They tend to be smart, motivated, innovative, and determined.  It is good company to be in. When we get together we are better because of it.  As Ken Blanchard likes to say: “None of us is as smart as all of us.”  There is rarely a time I walk out of a meeting with my peers without feeling like I have been given a gift.

I once went to a workshop to develop a new set of skills.  As part of the training, on the second day we were asked to demonstrate what we had learned so far.  I watched the other participants go through their presentation I knew two things: 1. Everyone in the room was better at this than me. 2. I was about to be humiliated in front of them.  In spite of that very painful lesson, I learned exactly what I came to learn and left with the skills I came for.   I could not have created that experience in another way.

None of this, I am sure, is earthshattering.  These examples of finding people in my world to help sharpen my abilities, and to give me a place to share whatever I might have to contribute, are probably common in most people’s lives.  But the idea of being at my best, and better than that, because I connect with other people, is sometimes intimidating.  And sometimes it takes more effort than inertia will allow.

 I generally run alone, which is good for many reasons.  I run where I choose, as early as I like, at the pace that I want to.  It suits me on most days, but I sometimes miss having someone pushing me along.   Even the most motivated of us can ease up when there is potential to push harder.

This weekend I remembered the benefit of running with the pack.  I signed up for a 20k race, fitting it in as a training run.  I did not have high aspirations, but at the minimum I knew it would be a good workout.

I set off at the start feeling all of the aches of the week, running on tired legs.  I had already set my goal for the day based on the messages my body was giving me.  I didn’t fully take into account the runners who were going to challenge me.

I’ll admit there is a certain amount of pressure to compete, to keep up with the pack, and I went out a little faster than I intended, knowing that I would level out before long.  After a few miles, the kinks in my muscles smoothed out.  The fatigue was pushed down by the strength stored for mornings like this.

And somewhere about halfway through the race the momentum swung in a different way.  The idea that I would hang back and coast through a training run slowly dissolved.  What took its place was the potential that was there all along, brought out by the power of the people around me.

Runners of all ages and abilities, all with their own history, different levels of effort, peculiar methods, personal goals.  I sometimes forget what it is like to soak in the energy that comes from being in the company of others on the road.  As hard as I push myself when I run alone, it’s not the same.

What is different is seeing what is possible.  To see what other runners are capable of, for their own reasons, their own training, their own motivation. It is inspirational and challenging and educational.  And sometimes you get a glimmer of what is possible for you.

I found myself swept up in that enthusiasm.  I ran faster than I intended to, knowing that my legs were not really up to it.  But of course I was wrong about that.  After the race, feeling as alive as I am meant to feel, panting through a smile, it came back to me why I love to sign up for races.  It came back to me that this is as important as the solitary runs.

I also remembered all the mornings I ran with friends, some faster, some smarter, some more successful.  The training was more challenging, the conversations more stimulating, and the diverse perspectives were inspiring.  Those experiences sharpened me.

In all of this is a message for me.  It is far too easy to develop patterns and habits that make my life easier, more ‘efficient’.  Sometimes in that process I can miss out on the opportunities for growth. 

 Like this; before the race I met a woman named Willy.  She is 74, came to running late in life, only 35 years ago.  She had a calm, comfortable manner about her.  It was interesting to me that she decided to fit in a 10k race on her drive from Florida to Canada, just part of the trip.  She mentioned that she was not running as much as she used to, because she was getting more into triathlons.  Not making a point, not looking to impress anyone, just talking across the picnic table to new friends.  Sometimes you get a glimmer of what is possible.

I will sign up for more races, join more groups, seek new perspectives.  I am certain that this is where I will learn the most from others and about myself.  It will give me something to think about on my long solo runs. 

Hope this finds you in good company,

David