Overcoming Adversity

When I was a senior at Stanford I received the “Mental Toughness Award” at our annual Track & Field banquet. While I was honored to receive any award, as I had sat through the previous three years without ever being recognized, I was questioning why I might be deserving of the “Mental Toughness Award.” Sure, I had been through a lot of ups and downs during my time at Stanford (I had never qualified for the NCAA Track & Field Championships until my senior year…which my teammate and I went on to finish first and second at, and I had previously dropped out of school for a semester to go back home to get my life straightened out) but I never saw myself as being all that mentally tough. Looking back, I now understand how I was mentally tough, but it was only achieved with the help of others.

Today, being less than seven weeks out from the Bank of America Chicago Marathon, this is the time when the most mental toughness is required. Training is hard. October 10th is still too far away to feel like we are in the home stretch, yet not so far away that we can put off the monster workouts that will prepare us for the 26.2 miles that lie ahead. Our bodies are still adjusting to the weekly long runs that takes its toll on our bodies. I spend most of my day trying to recover from the gnarly day-in and day-out training. So, where does the mental toughness come from? Where does the ability to overcome nagging injuries, tired legs, and perhaps a lack of motivation? We all face challenges that knock us down from time to time. Here are some ways I have found to stumble back to my feet, whether it is enduring tough workouts, life circumstances, or personal shortcomings.

1. Rise again. One of my favorite quotes of all time comes from Proverbs. It says, “Though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.” I can’t tell you how many times I have reflected on this verse in tough times. I constantly remind myself that I must get back up and it’s not the falling that determines my character–it’s whether or not I rise again.

2. Remember your original vision. In college, when I felt like quitting running, I often reflected on the vision God gave me for my running when I set out on my first run at 13 years of age. I couldn’t allow myself to quit because I knew that I had yet to accomplish the vision God had given me for my running, which was to run with the best guys in the world and to help other people through running.

3. Spend time with people who care about you and give them the chance to pour encouragement into your life. As a guy, I often find that I will keep things that are bothering me inside and perhaps won’t even deal with them at all. I have learned to share these things with my wife and family and allow them to encourage me through them. I certainly wouldn’t be running at the level I am at if it weren’t for the encouragement of my wife, family and friends. This journey of life is not meant to be lived alone.

4. Figure out what makes you you. When I left school for a quarter during my sophomore year in high school I realized that my self image was based on how I performed on the track. During this time away from school, I got to the point were I saw myself for who I was independent of my performances, whether it be on the track, classroom, or wherever. In the culture of today, which is largely performance-oriented, I encourage you to see yourself independent of your performances. Chances are you will perform better from this perspective, anyway. I like to see myself the same way that God sees me, which, thanks to Jesus, is in perfect light.

5. Don’t go overly introspective, but keep moving forward. It’s easy to get overly introspective. I struggle with this one from time-to-time, however I am learning to focus on how I want to be, not my shortcomings, and walk as if I am already there.