If you had told me three months ago that I’d be excited to get up early on a Saturday morning and run until I couldn’t feel my legs, sweat enough to look like I’d just walked out of the ocean, and have my heartbeat replicating the drum solo of an 80s rock band, I’d have told you that you were out of your mind.
Twelve weeks ago, a good friend of mine convinced me to start running in a more serious way. For the longest time I never considered myself a runner. I hated anything to do with running and only used it to get in shape or to get through the occasional charity 5K. One thing was for sure: I had never considered running a race of any real distance.
I know what you’re thinking: Doug, twelve weeks ago it was July. You started this running journey in the dead heat of summer? Yes. Yes, I did. Do I regret it? Not for one second, though I’ll admit it’s much easier to run once the weather cools off.
This journey began on a men’s golf trip to North Carolina. Somewhere between holes, my friend Nick and I started talking about self-improvement and getting in shape. Nick’s own weight-loss journey had started the same way, with a run alongside a close friend, and he’d become an avid runner himself, and honestly, a real inspiration to me. He invited me to join him for a Saturday run in July. I hesitated, but I went anyway. Three months later, I haven’t missed a weekend run in twelve weeks. Nick kept challenging me, and now we are signed up for a 10K in November, the longest race, and the farthest distance I’ve ever run.
One of the biggest things I’ve learned on this journey is that it was never really about speed. I’m just trying to go the farthest distance I’ve ever run. We get so caught up in life with how fast we can get where we’re going, through school, to the next raise, the next car, the next milestone, that we rarely stop to look at what pursuing that speed costs us. If you don’t slow down, you might miss the finish line entirely. The goal should be to enjoy the journey, not just reach the destination. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, and enjoy getting there, go together.
You might be seeing a pattern here. Reaching your goals is much easier when you have people in your corner who encourage you, challenge you, and hold you accountable. I can honestly say that without the accountability and encouragement Nick has given me, I wouldn’t have made it through half the runs we’ve completed together.
That’s the same principle we operate on with our clients at LeConte Wealth. We take a comprehensive approach, looking at every part of your financial picture and finding ways to improve it along the way, always with your goals front and center. Our team serves as your personal accountability partner. We’re completely aligned with your best interest, and we want to see you reach every goal and fulfill your purpose. Just like Nick has been my running coach, keeping me moving one foot in front of the other toward the finish line, our team at LeConte Wealth is the coach for the financial race you’re running. It’s better to reach that finish line together than alone.
Ready, Set, Go!
