No One Quits a Marathon at Mile 25

Do you have the endurance to reach the finish line?

Photo by Miguel A. Amutio on Unsplash

“The obstacle in the path becomes the path. Never forget, within every obstacle is an opportunity to improve our condition.” 

—Ryan Holiday, The Obstacle is the Way

Yes, I am a runner. I enjoy races ranging in distance from 5K to marathon, and I find racing and training to be therapeutic for my mind and body.

I do some of my best thinking and problem-solving out on the open road.

Interestingly, I’ve also found that for various reasons running has made me a better mediator and negotiator. For one thing, running provides a sort of meditation time for me, a place where I can be alone with my thoughts and more clearly process complex ideas I’ve been mulling. When I run in groups, running makes me a better conversationalist, too, because when out on the trails with others for 3 or more hours, you need to find things to talk about. These skills are helpful in mediating and negotiating, because focusing on and analyzing problems, as well as communicating ide…