Weds 5 June = Global Running Day.

Here I am, smiling like the Cheshire Cat with my self-flying camera after a run in glorious Broome.

I used to hate running.

Pre 2014, I couldn’t even fathom running 5kms, let alone a marathon.

When I played netball, my goal was simple: Outsmart, not out-run the defenders.

In our day jobs, some of the things we work on are intangible, hard to measure, require team effort (so difficult to really define how your individual impact has affected a global KPI).

OR, the results are cumulative over the long term (like marketing/brand building efforts).

With running, it’s the opposite.

You see instant results.
You can easily track progress (I love the Nike Running app).
You get faster.
You can run further.
It hurts less.

I took up running when I lived in Broome because I felt like I was showing up to everyone else and honouring external commitments, to the detriment of letting myself down.

I wanted a goal I could focus on that rewarded my individual effort, and commitment, and gave me a new identity: A committed person who can follow through on what they promise to themselves.

Nine years I ran my only marathon down the Gold Coast.

In 4 weeks, I’m giving it another crack.

The journey this time has been tougher - a couple injuries, covid getting in the way, but looking forward to just getting amongst it, and being around other people who are committed and giving life a crack!

Not here to convince you to start running, but here to celebrate something that gives me immense joy + fuels my efforts at work.

Where are my LinkedIn runners?

Happy global runners day!

#running #commitment

Leanne HughesComment