Success vs. Failure

Success vs. Failure

Lets talk about success and failure. What does it mean to fail or succeed at something? To understand success first we have to understand failure. Our society often has a love affair akin to romanticism with failure. They say phrases like, "We learned from it and got stronger." Failure is part of the learning process and we improve from it." and "Failure is part of life and a good thing." Many see failure as not meeting perfection. They say that unless one sets the course record on a course then they are a failure. Unless they win the competition they are a failure. What a pessimistic depressing way to think and live. No, people should rarely fail.

Let me offer a different view on this subject. What is failure? Failure is when one does not act or try. Often people may not act out of fear of failure. However, my thesis here is lack of acting is the failure. Let me give an example to show my point. Imagine a 12 year old who wants to learn to ride a bike. However they are too afraid to fail and refuse to even get on the bike. They refuse to even try, that is failing. Now imagine the kid tries and got on the bike and does not learn to ride the bike. That is success. They TRIED! They put forth and honest effort and improved.

Now imagine the Super Bowl. Did the losing team fail? Let me ask did they put forth an honest effort and try? Did the victors succeed? Once again, ask, did they put forth an honest effort and give it their all? If the losing team put forth an honest effort they they were successful. If the victors were cheating, lazy, or just did not care, then they failed!

How should we apply this to running and be successful at running a race? Easy, give it an honest effort and run to your potential. Will there be races where you run at 75% because you have an "A" race in 2 weeks, you don't feel emotionally, mentally or physically as vested, or you are just having an off day? Sure. But if you give an honest effort where you actually try and run to your potential for that day then you are successful. I have a friend who coaches 5 and 6 year old kids. He tells them,
"Quitters never win. Winners never quit." This should be your goal. You might not set the course record but if you run to your potential and give an honest effort then you are abundantly successful.

When running an "A" race I try to run right on the edge of my abilities where any faster and I'd falter and bonk; and slower and I'd not be running within my potential. Finding this sweet spot is difficult and takes a lot of practice, and even then depends upon what the day and race throw your way. Does this mean you need to run at the edge of your abilities to be successful? No. Once again to be successful you need to try and give an honest effort and enjoy the experience. Some days this will be a greater effort than others. Regardless of the finishing result if you run within your potential giving an honest effort then you will be a phenomenal running success! Go out there and work towards your goals. Enjoy the process and journey and you will be successful having all ready won before the race even starts!

Timmy