Run For Life Balance
Completing a Marathon is a life-changing event
I have been a dedicated runner and triathlete for the past 15 years. This year, as I trained and completed the Berlin Marathon, I realized how preparing for, and running marathons changed my life. With this post, I hope to inspire others to change their lives for the better through endurance sports.
Keeping Life Balance is the Key to Success
I am just a regular person. Father of two, entrepreneur, ironman and marathoner. Juggling family, work, and sport can be challenging and requires proper planning and efficient execution. Discipline and persistence have been the key to my success.
Training is the Toughest Part of the Race
Discipline is critical! Don’t miss planned training. If you start missing your short-term goals and deadlines, you’ll quickly enter a negative spiral.
It doesn’t matter how strong you are or how much experience you have; adequate planning is fundamental to success. Set realistic targets since the beginning and make adjustments along the way. It’s crucial that you set and achieve short-, mid-, and long-term goals.
I apply a lot of what I learn in my training routine to my professional and personal life. Finding the right balance is the key.
My objective was to finish the marathon below 3 hours and 25 minutes. This was a moderate goal, and I had to take it seriously.
The training routine is demanding, both psychologically and physically. Despite tempted to skip training days, I managed to accomplish almost 100% of my spreadsheets during the four months period preceding the race. I will write more about training routine soon.
It’s easy to find excuses not to go running. Do not miss your planned training sessions. Get up, get ready and go! Don’t overthink. You'll feel great afterward!
It's essential that you taper and rest well in the week before the race. Equally important is being able to control pre-race anxiety.
Your state of mind before and during the marathon will affect your performance significantly. It’s common to see well-trained and strong athletes have a breakdown along the course. Going too strong at the start, having a bad day, feeling sick, stomach problems, cramps, among others are common issues among marathoners on race day.
Overcoming Bumps Along the Road
I had a few bumps along my training cycle, such as a gallbladder surgery five months before the contest, and an intense intestinal flu with only two months to go. Nonetheless, I kept my focus on training with some moderation, allowing my body to recover. It’s important that you "listen" and respect your body signals. I have trained approximately four months for this marathon.
Thankfully, I counted on the support of my amazing wife, children, and brother Derek Lundgren (Long Ride Vélo Club). All my family members and several friends cheered and supported me throughout my journey.
The Race
READY, START!!!
The beginning of a marathon is easy and fun. The anxiety finally disappears altogether, and you're inside the race for which you have trained so long and so hard. Your body and mind are fresh and rested. At the same time, as you progress, you're constantly reminded that there are still 40, 38, 36…kilometers to go.
Stay focused and remember to have fun!
Between kilometers 15 and 21, you’ll start to feel the weight of the race as you realize that another full half marathon still separates you from your goal. Your brain can be your most powerful enemy or ally.
Why am I doing this?!
Keep your focus!!
My leg hurts…
I’m feeling fine!
Keep running and keep your pace! You can do it!
At kilometer 32, I felt exhilarated, inevitably induced by good doses of natural hormones such as dopamine, endorphins, testosterone, serotonin among others. I felt like crying. I knew I could finish the race within my goal.
Only 10 kilometers to go!
My wife was waiting for me at kilometer 40 and my trainer at the 35. This helped me to keep going strong and motivated. At times, I also thought that once I got there, I would stop, rest my head down and cry (silly, I know, but these are the kind of thoughts you have at this point). Suddenly I was there, kilometer 35. My coach gave me a can of Coke, running alongside:
This is where the race starts, Thomas!
He shouted, motivational. One kilometer ahead, I began to feel contractions on both calves. I controlled them in order not to evolve to a cramp by reducing my pace, and by meditating — Thanks, Wim Hof! I was feeling perfectly fine otherwise. I was able to accelerate on the final two kilometers, after seeing my wife at kilometer 40, who gave me another can of Coke and a big new energy rush by cheering:
Come on! You’re doing great! Go Go Go!!
A Blissful Sentiment of Completion
I finished the race within my goal feeling great and thankful for everything I had in life. Especially, for my family, wife and two beautiful kids.
The feeling of completing a marathon is exuberant and unique.
The real hero: This guy to my right. Respect!
Anything is possible. You just have to believe it!
Thomas Bittar is a co-founder of IndicatorCapital, is attending the OPM Program at Harvard Business School, has a background in M&A and Private Equity and is a dedicated husband and father. Thomas has been training for triathlons, adventure races, and marathons for the past 15 years. He is also a judo black belt and a sailor.
