Somewhere behind the north end zone (which is about mile 3.5 of my 6 mile loop), I wanted to stop. This sometimes happens – the wanting to stop running – especially when you're trying to run a half-marathon each month in a single year. Come Saturday, I'll be halfway towards that goal when I cross the finish line in Kansas City.

But that's then. And this is today. And today, I didn't much enjoy putting one foot in front of the other at 7-something in the morning. Even though it was relatively early by many peoples' standards, it was already warm. And that told me that it would be warm for all of my upcoming training runs until October. In between now and then, I'm supposed to complete half marathons in San Francisco, New York, and Disneyland.

So you can see why I wanted to stop.

But I pushed on. As Ira Glass carried on about classified ads in my headphones and traffic was picking up heading into downtown on Woodland Street, my shirt was getting heavier and I wondered who would really care if I just walked the rest of the way home?

I even could cut the route short and shave off a mile or so. No one would have to know.

Running analogies don't work on everyone, and I don't really have the time to wax theatrical (or poetic) about what happened next, so the point is this: sometimes you feel like quitting.

Don't.

Seth Godin calls it The Dip. That makes sense if you're an entrepreneur. But what if you're not? (some days I don’t feel much like one)

It means this:

• You keep applying to jobs. All 94 of them. You just have to.
• Even if you haven't made a sale in months, pick up the phone. Again.
• Your daughter never listens. Check that – she seems to never listen. But she really is. So keep talking to her.
• They're not returning your calls or emails. They may have a reason. Until you know what that reason is, keep trying to make contact.
• Your marketing plan isn't working. Get a new one, even if means getting a new consultant or firm or concept. Hell – you may even want to change your whole product line.

If you want to succeed tomorrow, you better get busy today. Sweat equity can never be measured. Thus, you can always put in more of it.

The first 16 months of Cool People Care were nearly embarrassing at times. But, now that we've been up and running for nearly three years, people that I tried to get a meeting with in 2007 are emailing me. That's just how it happens.

There is no such thing as overnight success. Unless you want to be a flash in the pan, too. That's the other side of that coin that no one talks about.

I've said it before, but it's worth repeating: If you want cathedrals of better tomorrows, her foundation must be laid today.

I've got a guest post up today over at Ruby Ku's blog, I Care.

Here's a snippet:

Therefore, revolutions either happen with you or to you. If you're the peasants in 19th century France, you willfully storm the Bastille with baguettes and demand life and liberty. Or, if you're the British in American colonies in the late 1700's, you’re about to get hit with something pretty fierce.

Either way, a revolution is coming, and history will define you by what side you're on.

Go read the rest.

I ran half-marathon number three of 2009 (in my Swiftwick socks, of course) a few weeks ago. I returned to Disney World to do so, which always puts on a good race with a fast course and a fun time (you can get your picture taken in front of Cinderella's Castle or with Donald Duck, for crying out loud).

I was excited to return to where I posted my PR (personal record) back in January to see if I could best it. And, I was excited because all of my family would be down there, covering the Family 5k the day prior.

Leading up to the race, I'd been training well. My previous half-marathon was about three weeks earlier, so I mainly ran between 3 and 6 miles when going on my regular jogs. I thought if I maintained a general pace on those runs, I'd be able to keep that up over 13.1, provided I didn't hit a wall like I did in Birmingham. I was planning on preventing that by toting some carbohydrate gel with me to ingest at mile four or so.

But here was the ultimate kicker: I had to wake up at 2 AM to go run the race.

The race was at 7 AM, Eastern Time. The last bus to the start line left at 5. So I'd have to get up at 4. Which is like 3 my time. And it was Daylight Savings weekend, so it was really like 2.

Trying to run on just a few hours sleep, waking up when you usually are in sweet, sweet slumber is not fun. In fact, it's downright difficult. I think I could have done it if I'd been out of the gate an hour after waking up. But because I had to get on the bus, get to the start line and wait for a while, it made things troublesome.

So there I was at the start, sitting on the ground, covered in a cheap blanket, listening to that techno stuff they play through the loudspeakers, trying to relax before covering 13.1 miles.

In other words, I had to hurry up just to wait.

Sometimes, our work can be like this. We want to launch a new project, redesign a site, hire a new team member, market to a different audience or jazz up our employee relations. A lot of excitement and ideas are generated, but then there's a lag between when we're able to do the work, interview the people or make the decisions. We feel stuck, frustrated, and maybe even angry.

So what can we do while we're waiting? If you find yourself waiting on someone else or on something to happen, try these ideas:

• Stretch yourself. I used some of the waiting time to stretch my legs periodically, making sure I'd be loose and limber when 7 AM finally rolled around. In our work, we should be doing the same thing. Read a different trade publication, or think of a free or low-cost way to do something you're currently paying for. Dream bigger dreams. Learn about someone else's job. Stretch yourself so you'll be stronger and faster when the project finally gets green lighted.
• Make friends. I didn't do this, but I could have met as many people as possible in my corral. I wasn't looking for long-term friendships, mind you, but it would have been a great way to pass the time. In fact, in a race like this, where folks come to run from all over the US, I'm now curious as to how many people I could have met from different states. And, while you’re waiting for something to happen at work, it's a good time to build alliances. Talk to people in other departments. Eat lunch with someone you don't know. Get to know your boss better. You never know when random encounters and relationships can develop into strategic partnerships or mutually beneficial networks.
• Look around and laugh. There were no port-a-johns at the starting line. And that meant folks were darting into the woods to relieve themselves. Most runners have done this plenty of times, so it's not a big deal, but you can't help but laugh when hundreds of people dip behind the tree line to empty their bladders. At work, downtime can give the same opportunity to observe what's around us, and if appropriate, have a chuckle or two. The delay itself may be something to laugh at, especially if that's all you can do. Or, maybe the way something is always done, something you overlooked, or something that needs fixing give you reason to laugh. And, while waiting isn't always fun, laughing usually is.

Delays are frustrating, and a simple silver lining won't remedy them. But, there are plenty of advantageous things to do in the meantime. Taking advantage of the waiting will have us ready when it's finally time to run.

This post, like most of my running posts, was generously sponsored by Swiftwick socks. They're a carbon neutral company that quite simply makes the best athletic socks in the world. Give them a try. If you don't like them, you can get your money back. And, if you use coupon code SD10 at checkout, you'll get 10% off of your order today.

Here's a quick thought about getting through the middle part of what you're doing. The 'middle' is difficult, because we never know how long it will last. We usually have a good idea what starting something looks like, and we usually know when we've succeeded or when it's over.

And everything else falls in the middle somewhere. And that's why you need someone to journey with you.


Getting Through the Middle Part from Sam Davidson on Vimeo.

So here's the deal: count on a new video post each Monday and Thursday. I'll talk about saving the world, social media, nonprofit management, big ideas, personal development, dreaming big dreams - you get the picture.

And, I'll upload them on both Vimeo (a better, slicker interface) and YouTube (so you can watch me on your iPhone).

Today, from the road, I'm talking about work and life. Enjoy:

One Thought on Work/Life Balance from Sam Davidson on Vimeo.

Click here to watch it on YouTube.

I'm in West Virgina to keynote a conference in the morning. When I arrived today, the sun was still high enough in the sky that I could get a nice run in. And, there's no better way to explore a new city than by running through its downtown and along its riverbanks.

I left the hotel at the same time as another runner. We mutually nodded to one another, giving approval to each other's desire to end the day sweating. He headed west; I went east.

As I was making my way back, so was he. As we stood outside of the hotel stretching, I asked him what route he took. He told me he ran a short route over to the capitol and back a few times. He did a few laps and stayed close to where he was, in other words.

And me? I hit the sidewalk and ran until I felt like making a left. Then, I turned up another street, passing the courthouse, some really old buildings, running under a few bridges and then I ended up on a nice greenway, watching the people play with their dogs, walk hand-in-hand, ride bikes and skateboard.

The temperature and the breeze and the sun and the water were perfect. Charleston seems to be one of the best cities for urban running, and one of the best places to run near the water.

I had no plan and wanted to see what I could find. I came back not only having a great run, but also having taken in a lot of this fair city.

Whenever we're willing to dream beyond the boundaries, we'll be surprised what we can gain. When we're willing to challenge the status quo and question our own limitations, we'll grow like never before.

Tomorrow morning, I'll be challenging people to embrace social media as a tool for creating new advocates. Some people in attendance may have a limited view of what's possible with online communications. Here's to hoping they'll be willing to run out past the edges in order to have a experience that's meaningful for them.

Sponsored commentary:

By the way, whenever I run, I usually wear Swiftwick socks. I love them. They're breathable and I never get blisters when I wear them. Best of all, they come with a guarantee: if they're not the best socks you've ever worn, you can return them. It's that easy. Visit their online store and use coupon code SD10 and get 10% off your order today.

So, here I go - trying the concept of video blogging. We'll see how long it lasts.

Today's topic: the important of simply trying. It's the first step, after all:


Just Try It from Sam Davidson on Vimeo.

A word from our sponsor:

This post is brought to you by Swiftwick socks. They're the best running socks I've ever worn, and the only one I wear when doing half-marathons. They also offer a guarantee: if they're not the best socks you've ever worn, you can return them. It's that easy. So, try some today. Visit their online store and use coupon code SD10 and get 10% off your order today.

My biggest goal for the Mercedes Half-Marathon in Birmingham was to beat my January time. Okay – my biggest goal was to finish, but I took that for granted. I really wanted to improve at each marathon I run this year, hopefully running in the low 1:50's come December.

That would not happen in Birmingham.

At the start line, I found myself near a pace group. These runners are supposed to run the race in the time advertised on the sign they're carrying. For example, the guys near me holding the 2:00 hour sign are supposed to trot along at a pace so that they (and those who wish to run in stride with them) cross the finish line at or under two hours.

I'd never followed a pacer before. I think that I thought I could always pace myself just fine. But this time, I thought I'd give it a go.

When the gun sounded and we began, I kept in step with them for about a quarter mile. Then, I decided that they were going out a bit too leisurely, and that as long as I knew they were behind me, I'd be fine. I also decided that if/when I began to slow and they caught up with me, I'd keep up with them until the finish. After all, sometimes we can be equally motivated by what's behind us as we can by what's in front of us.

I ran a great time through the first half of the race. I posted a 10k time of 54:17, which means I was on pace to finish at around 1:55. I think you know what happened next.

I crashed at mile 9. The hills and my pace got to me, and just as I wondered where those pace guys were, they came blowing by me at the end of mile 9. It was like a kick in the face. I was gassed and couldn't keep up.

I stopped and stretched, hoping a quick rest would loosen me up and get me back and running. I walked through the next water stop, wanting the carbo gel and water to give me enough energy to pick up the pace again.

At mile 11, I saw the clock: 1:42. Could I cover the next 2.1 miles in under nine minutes each? Maybe, if I busted it. If I gave it my all. If I wanted to be super sore the next month.

As I weighed my options for the next 30 seconds, I decided not to try to beat the clock, or even the time I posted in January. Here's why:

• You only use Hail Marys when you need them. You'll rarely (never) see a jump ball in the end zone on a Hail Mary pass unless it's at the end of the game (or half) in football. That's because there's no reason to use a play that's rarely successful when you don't need to. Your success rate is much higher when you calculate your game plan and execute well. And while I was definitely in a Hail Mary situation in terms of besting my time, doing so wasn't 'worth it' in terms of what I stood to gain.
• I know where I failed and learned from it. I started out too fast. Had the race only been nine miles, I would have posted a great time and done the same at the next 9-miler. But it was 13.1 miles. And I didn't run the first nine miles with the last 4.1 in mind. I won't do that next weekend, when it's time for half-marathon #3 of 2009.
• I realized I had 10 more races to go. At mile 11, I only had 2.1 miles left in the race. But I had 133.1 to go for the year. And if pace is about anything, it's about pacing yourself not just for one race, but for all the races.

It's important, when starting and growing a business, that you run quickly when you have to, and at a manageable pace the rest of the time. Businesses that sprint out of the gate, with no view for the long-term success of their venture will burn through energy and resources very quickly. Those businesses that realize that growth happens through deliberate and dedicated action, which often takes time, will be poised to succeed well into the future.

On our way to speak to a group of teenagers about the environment last week, Stephen and I stopped for dinner at Dreamland. He'd never been and I'd skipped lunch, so it seemed like the perfect time to order some slabs of the best ribs on the planet.

Dreamland serves the kind of ribs that require a commitment. If you're going to get some, get the full slab, get ready for your hands and face to be covered in sauce, and sit there until every last bit of meat has been removed from every last bone. If you're not going to commit, then don't bother. Just go to some other (mediocre) rib joint and have a few there.

Sometimes, your work ethic, marketing strategy, social media use or game plan can lack serious commitment. My question to you is: then why do it?

Now, when rolling out a new shirt, when exhibiting at a conference or expo, when booking a speaking engagement or when coming up with a new marketing initiative, we at CoolPeopleCare ask, are we willing to Dreamland it?

Because if we're not willing to make the commitment to see it through to the end - success or failure - then let's not do it. If we're not excited enough, if we don't think it will work, if we don't think people will care to look at it, then hold off. Don't do it. Wait until we have an idea or strategy good enough to commit to. Then, carry it all the way to the finish line.

A friend of mine, upon graduating college, had a sweet deal to a top-tier law school, which could have amounted to a lucrative and promising business law career. But, weeks before he needed to be at class, he pulled the plug. He'd never traveled. He decided to backpack Europe and see some of the world. Everyone thought he was crazy except for one mentor/professor of ours who told him, "If you're trading this in for a vacation, don't. But, if you're exchanging it for a unique experience that will help you for the rest of your life, go all in. And don't come back until you've had the experience you need to have."

In other words, commit to something. Find something (or someone) worth committing to. You can play poker for hours by just anteing up and paying the blinds, but it's not fun. Going all in with your Ace-high straight, praying the other guy didn't hit the flush on the river - that's commitment.

You only go to Dreamland if you're willing to be elbow deep in ribs and sauce. You should only tell your customers about a product or service that's awesome or remarkable. This will also make your work more exciting because you'll have something ambitious or passionate to develop. Work that is neither can be outsourced, contracted, or doesn't need doing in the first place.

---
Related posts:

• There's a Rumbling
• It's Like Milking a Fish
• How to Stay Creative
• How to Set Up a Brain Trust

I ran a PR in my first half-marathon in 2009 (hold your applause, please). I'd been pounding the pavement for the better part of eight months to get ready for it, and it paid off (thanks, Adrian, for the recognition). And, I've got 11 more of these bad boys this year.

Running a half-marathon is trying. It's hard. You exert a lot of effort only to end up (most of the time) right back where you started. But, it's also fun. Really fun.

If you have the right resources.

I hate going for long runs when training for a half. But it's not because I hate long runs. It's because when I run 9, 10, or 11 miles on my own, I never have the same resources that I do on an actual course. There are no water stations at miles 2, 4, 5, 7, 8 or 10. There is no one to stop traffic. No one is cheering me on. And there's definitely no one to give me a medal when I cross the finish line.

This is part of the reason I enjoy signing up for 5ks and running to and from the race. Depending upon the location, I can run to the race start, where they'll have refreshments. Then, I can run the 3.1-mile race, where there will be more water. And then I can run home, where I have all the comforts I need.

And it can be the same with running a business, particularly a social venture. Ideas and optimism will only get you so far. Resources make the difference.

So, since I had two hours to think, here are some half-marathon reflections related to starting and growing your own business as it relates to resources:

Know what you need from the beginning.
It's easy to say you need money when starting a business, but what will you spend it on - literally? People? Advertising? Technology? Thinking about the resources you need will make sure you've got them lined up in order to get where you're going. Yes, needs change, but your need for them doesn't.

Find a good cheerleader.
Disney's course had high school cheerleaders, marching bands and DJs all along the route. While they didn't quite give me a runner's high that propelled me to the finish line, they were helpful and reminded me of my desire to finish the race, especially at mile 9, when I wanted to stop. Find a good cheerleader for yourself. Who believes in what you're doing? Who knows you're talented and capable of succeeding? Your mom? Your husband? Roommates or best friends? Sometimes, valuable resources can't be bought.

When the resources run out, make a decision.
If there were no more water stations, fruit or music along the rest of the course after mile 9, I would have stopped and called a taxi. It would have been miserable and stagnant to try to cover the last 4.1 miles without any replenishment or resources. But, I continued because I knew they'd be there. When your business is out of money, out of time, or out of whack, you need to make a decision - either get the resources to get you to the finish line, or call it quits. You can stall forever. Don't. It won't make you successful and is really just a waste of time. Get what you need or go home.

See you in Birmingham on February 15!

---
More posts about starting or growing a business:

• The Courage to Start
• There's a Rumbling
• What I Am Supposed to Do With All of These Daredevils?
• Hire a Gaggle of Interns to Help Your Company Take Flight
• It Matters Who You Do It With

My brother-in-law was banned from watching Double Dare when he was a child. Apparently, it made him too hyper when he witnessed the physical challenges that occurred when contestants couldn't answer the mind boggling trivia questions that Marc Summers threw out there.

The physical challenge was truly the hallmark of Double Dare. The show pandered to their young audience by dousing people with slime, making them wade through goo and get covered with muck. At the end of the day, one could make the case that it paved the ways to shows like Dirty Jobs, now that its audience has grown up.

And today, the idea of the physical challenge lives on. Deep within us is a desire to push ourselves physically, wondering just how much our bodies can take in order to get us in better shape, lose weight, or just feel a bit healthier.

Speaking of, how's that New Year's Resolution treating you? It's okay if you already broke it. After all, the 'real' first day of the year is today, since everyone's back in the office. Today is the day everything starts, right?

But if you're looking to get out of the resolution rut created by too many promises to yourself about eating healthier or watching your weight, then ditch your resolution and take the physical challenge.

What's Your Physical Challenge for 2009?

A physical challenge is a commitment to an activity that pushes your body to the limit. The limit. The limit of what you expect it's capable of. Thus a physical challenge does not look like the typical resolution. A physical challenge is not "Go to the gym four days a week" or "Run on a treadmill for 30 minutes." Granted, for some of us, that is physically challenging, but let's get a bit more daring.

Take a page from Adrian Reif's playbook. For his 24th birthday, Adrian is challenging himself to 24 hours of activity, all in an attempt to raise $2,400 for homelessness in Nashville. That's ambitious. That's a challenge.

For me, I'm aiming to run a half-marathon each month in 2009. You can track my schedule and progress in my blog's right sidebar. First stop: the Disney Half-Marathon this Saturday.

While a physical challenge is grueling, the upside is that even if you don't complete it, you've still done a lot, and you'll get better results than a traditional resolution. If I only run 10 half-marathons (instead of 12), I'll still have accomplished a great deal physically – much more than if I'd just resolved to "run more" in 2009. If Adrian only completes half his tasks and only raises $1,200, his accomplishments will still be admirable.

Don't simply be resolved – be challenged.

What's your physical challenge for 2009? Leave it in the comments below. One lucky commenter will get a copy of New Day Revolution so that you'll have something to read while you're laying on the couch recovering.