Now What!?
One of my goals for 2023 was to break an 8-minute mile for two consecutive miles. I had run an 8:07 mile recently, so it was not out of the realm of possibility. However, I was also not confident that it would happen anytime soon as I had been stuck above 8-minutes for some time. Just last month, I ran 2-miles in 15:36 or a 7’44” pace. Happy dance!
Keep in mind that an 8-minute mile is not terribly fast. According to Track & Field News, 1,663 athletes run a mile in half my time—under 4-minutes. Dennis Kimetto of Kenya ran a marathon, 26.2 miles in two hours two minutes and 57 seconds an average of four minutes 41.4 seconds per mile. That is crazy. I wonder how fast he ran his first mile ever?
I am a month into the new year, and I have surpassed my goal that I was certain would take me until spring. Now what?
Honestly, I am not sure. Do I attempt to move the distance to 3-miles and achieve an 8-minute mile or do I keep the distance 2-miles and decrease the time? This is a goal, although not a terribly serious one, but it is something to shoot for. It is an intrinsic motivator.
The question becomes, when we complete a goal, at work or otherwise, what’s next?
I started running to 1) increase my strength, 2) calm my mind, and 3) improve my quality and length of life. Assuming these three goals all have the same value which will help the most, time or distance? I will go to an expert to determine what is best for me. I will discuss this with my strength coach as he is smarter than me and I value his opinion.
Coaches, experts in their fields, are great to turn to when defining, refining, and achieving our goals. How might a professional coach help you answer the question, now what?
“Contemplate the benefit of having a professional development coach. Reach out to someone you trust, or maybe even b3 Remarkable, and see if they have an availability and willingness to serve as a professional mentor.”
