Hi there,
What’s the Story?
This week on the Changing Minds Podcast, I have a very close friend of mine MIKE GOLDMAN. Mike is a top leadership team coach and in this episode, we get personal and explore topics like politics, families, conflict, hardship, death, grief, and the keys to living happier lives. I highly recommend it. You can check it out here: video.owenfitzpatrick.com.
In this edition of Inner Propaganda, I figured I would share some behind-the-scenes thinking as I train for the New York City Marathon. It’s been a wonderful journey so far and I figured I’d let you in on how I’m dealing with it and some of the cool lessons I’m learning.
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The Marathon Mindset
Estimated reading time: 7 minutes 2 seconds
On November 3rd, I plan on running the New York Marathon. In doing so, I hope to raise funds for a very special cause: Rise Against Hunger, an organization that provides meals to those in need across the world. (If you would like to donate and support me, please donate here.)
This week, I want to share some insights I’ve gained over the past few months of marathon training. These insights are not just about running; they carry profound lessons that can be applied to many areas of life. Here are five key takeaways that I hope will be helpful to you.
1. AGE IS NOT JUST A NUMBER—BUT THAT’S OKAY
Let’s start with the big one. When I ran my first marathon in the year 2000, I was 22 years old. I remember waking up at 6 or 7 AM, ready to run for 30 minutes, an hour, or even 90 minutes. Back then, I was traveling a lot, yet running seemed almost effortless. I had a goal, and while getting out of bed was tough, once I was running, it was just something I did.
Fast forward 24 years, and preparing for the New York City Marathon feels vastly different. I’m now 46, and the challenges are not just physical. Over the years, I’ve developed stomach issues, and I’ve broken my arm three times while running in the last five years. Each time I’ve fallen, it’s been because I tried to catch myself, resulting in a crack in the same part of my elbow. (once in the right arm and twice in the left arm)
Now, countless concerns are running through my mind—things that didn’t even occur to me in my younger days. Age is not just a number, but that’s okay. It’s okay because these challenges test my character in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then. Embracing the difficulties of aging while recognizing that I may not be as physically resilient as I once was is an important part of this journey.
2. SOMEONE RECENTLY RAN A SUB-2-HOUR MARATHON, BUT I’D PROBABLY BEAT HIM AT POOL
One of the most difficult aspects of marathon training is dealing with the knowledge that others make running look so easy. Recently, someone ran a sub-2-hour marathon—a truly incredible feat, even though it wasn’t officially recorded.
As I set my goal of running the marathon in as close to four hours as possible, I can’t help but compare myself to those running ultra-marathons or achieving sub-3-hour times. It’s easy to get discouraged when you see others performing at such high levels, especially if they’re older or less experienced than you. But here’s the truth: you can’t be the best at everything and you don’t have to be.
There are areas in my life where I excel, just as there are areas where others do. For example, I’m pretty good at pool. And while I might not run as fast as some, I don’t need to—because success isn’t about outperforming others; it’s about personal growth.
The only competition that truly matters is the one you have with yourself.
3. THE LONG RUNS ARE THE ONES I DREAD—BUT NOT FOR THE REASONS I EXPECTED
Every weekend, I face the daunting task of the long run. Marathon training plans typically include one long run each week, gradually increasing in distance from 7 or 8 miles to as much as 20 miles. These long runs can take two to three hours, and I dread them—not just because of the physical toll but because of the mental challenge.
Spending hours on the road with nothing but your thoughts is intimidating. While listening to podcasts can help, it’s still hard to stay focused for that long. Sometimes, I find myself bored and restless, wishing for the run to end.
But these long runs have taught me something valuable. They’ve shown me the importance of mental endurance—of being able to stay with your thoughts, even when they’re uncomfortable or tedious.
It’s not just about physical stamina; it’s about learning to be at peace with yourself, no matter how long the journey takes.
4. THE REAL CHALLENGE WITH RUNNING A MARATHON IS ALL THE TIME YOU PUT IN
While running 26.2 miles is undeniably tough, the real challenge lies in the months of preparation leading up to it. It’s not just about physical training; it’s about organizing your life around that goal.
You need to plan your runs, your meals, your travel—everything. When you travel as much as I do, you have to figure out how to maintain your schedule, even on the road.
You also need to consider how to avoid disruptions, like long flights, in the weeks leading up to the race. Every aspect of your life needs to be aligned with this one goal.
This has been one of the most challenging parts of marathon training—making sure everything is in place so that, on race day, I’m as prepared as I can be.
It’s a reminder that success in any endeavor requires more than just effort; it requires careful planning and a commitment to seeing it through.
5. TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP, BUT ULTIMATELY, IT’S UP TO YOU
Technology has come a long way since I ran my first marathon. Back then, I had an iPod and a basic watch. I’d time my runs and listen to music, eat bananas for energy, and drink lots of water afterward.
Now, I’m decked out with an Oura ring to measure my sleep, a WHOOP band to track my recovery, and a COROS watch to monitor my performance. I have running gels, and isotonic drinks, and meticulously monitor my food intake. I’m like a walking Robocop, looking for every edge I can get.
But here’s the thing: no amount of technology will make running a marathon easy. We can’t buy our way into success with gadgets and gizmos. While technology can offer support, it’s ultimately up to us to put in the hard work. And sometimes, that work is just going to be tough—there’s no way around it.
So, embrace the challenge and leverage technology – YES, but try to use it not just to make things easy but to reach higher and challenge yourself even more.
EVERYONE HAS AN OPINION AND THAT’S OKAY
Some people think running a marathon is ridiculous and pointless. Some people believe that they could run it without training for it. Some people are convinced that there is a right way to train and every other approach doesn’t work and is bad for you. Some people think age doesn’t matter and it’s just about thinking positively and it will be easy.
There are plenty of armchair experts who will give you advice. But that’s okay. These days, it’s like people feel obliged to feel strongly about everything.
The truth is that you’ve got to decide what is right for you and express what your challenges are. Just because people think you ‘shouldn’t have a problem like that’ or tell you the simple solution to everything doesn’t mean the solution is right for you. You have to do you.
The Marathon Mindset
As I lace up my running shoes and prepare for the New York Marathon, I’m reminded that this journey is about far more than crossing the finish line. It’s about embracing the challenges that come with age, acknowledging that while I may not be as physically resilient as I once was, the strength of character developed over the years is invaluable. It’s about accepting that there will always be someone faster, stronger, or more skilled, but knowing that the true race is within—against my limitations and self-doubt.
The long runs have taught me to find peace in solitude, to endure not just physically but mentally, and to appreciate the quiet battles fought within. Planning and preparation have shown me that success is not just about effort but about foresight and discipline in every aspect of life.
Technology has become a useful ally, but no gadget or app can replace the grit and determination required to achieve something truly challenging.
Ultimately, this marathon is a metaphor for life itself—difficult, unpredictable, and deeply rewarding. Everyone will have their opinions, their advice, and their judgments, but the only voice that truly matters is your own.
Trust in your journey, embrace the challenges, and remember that the path you’re on is uniquely yours. Whatever the outcome, the growth you experience along the way will be worth every step.
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The Brain Prompt
As you go through your day, consider the following:
- Age and Wisdom: How has your perspective changed as you’ve gotten older? What challenges do you face now that you didn’t before, and how have you adapted?
- Comparisons: Are you comparing yourself to others in a discouraging way? How can you shift your focus to personal growth instead?
- Planning and Preparation: How well do you organize your life around your goals? What steps can you take to ensure you’re prepared for success?
Reflect on these questions to gain insight into your challenges and how you can overcome them.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to anyone you know who would be interested. They can sign up at owenfitzpatrick.com/newsletter.
Cheers,
Owen.
P.S. If you’d like to donate and support RISE AGAINST HUNGER, an inspiring organization dedicated to ending worldwide hunger, please do so here.
