Five months from now, we’ll be concluding the 777 World Marathon Challenge adventure for 2027. Between now and then, each participant will put an incredible amount of energy into preparing for the challenge. Hundreds / thousands of miles, meticulous purchasing and packing of all-conditions gear and provisions for the trip, sacrifices made, early morning alarms heeded, diet and training all optimized for this week.
As with any amazing accomplishment, the anticipation promises to be palpable; the execution fun, taxing, and educational all at once; and the rush of accomplishment tangible and memorable.
With so much intentional focus on a specific event, it is easy to forget how to prepare mentally for coming down the mountain. Anything this epic is considered so because completion isn’t guaranteed. It’s a hard challenge! With five months to go, we have the opportunity to prepare for this event while helping it inform our best lives before and after. Even wildly successful competitions can leave a participant a bit bereft, even if all has gone to plan. How do we soften this landing?
Preparation for an epic test requires a period of more intense training than typical, but we can thoughtfully consider what of these habits and new explorations might be keepers for the long term, and consciously focus on ones that are sustainable and capable of at least partial long-term integration. What are we learning about our bodies that can help us compete and thrive while we continue to age and add miles to our personal odometers?
Raising funds for a closely held cause is an obvious and popular way to channel internal energy and external support for this challenge, but a long term impact is even more beneficial. Can our philanthropic efforts for this event include a broad and sustainable ongoing impact by ourselves or our support network? While we have the time on all these long runs, strategic thinking could yield some interesting results.
How will we memorialize what we have learned and experienced along the all important journey of the preparation as well as the competition? Strava and social media can provide a retrospective bread crumbs, but intentionality about recording thoughts, reflections, experiences, and learnings can both help us continue to find a benefit in reflecting once the adrenaline wears off, and may help others who hope to try similar challenging feats. Take notes.
Each of us will manage the nerves and anticipation and the post-event calm individually, but recognizing the natural peaks and valleys of the process and taking steps to soften the pitch of the descent can help us all ensure the experience affects us positively for the long run.