I’m running my first marathon in 3 short months. Training has taught me a few things… about endurance, community, and time.
While the marathon itself is an actionable goal of running over 20 miles in 1 go, I am focused on endurance. Not how fast I get there. However, a Garmin helps me keep pace, or at least, urges me to aim for 10:00 minute miles. I’m not always successful. However, I am more concerned on the whole run itself: Can I regularly run for 60-minute intervals? Yes. So, I am building up a tolerance, and will transition to 70-minute chunks, then 80, and so forth.
It’s not just the regular runs, though running every other day has become routine. I’m gaining a better sense of my body. Hydrating regularly. No, I am fortunate that eating whole hasn’t been hard. Yes, eating more often is still difficult. I don’t have infinite time to meal prep, grocery shop, and eat. I drive to work most days and feel fortunate for more chances to WFH.
Similarly, endurance applies to work. I’m helping open a new branch next week! I’ve only worked for this library district a month, besides an incredible internship there when I was in grad school. There is so much unseen, and asking questions helps me understand context. The folks before me, some of whom are still with me, helped make this new branch happen. While some will just see the product – a new branch is a big deal! – it is a much bigger project. Building community.
Likewise, running is a way of building connections. When I jog, run, walk through my neighborhood, I understand my community a little more. Runs take as much vigilance as you give them. Sometimes running with my partner, and sometimes by myself (sorry, Mom), I pay extra attention to my surroundings. Today’s left turn led to a new-to-me little free library full of trinkets. I grabbed a ring, then also spotted a dog. I ensured the dog’s person was not far behind and asked if it was okay that the fur friend run with me. We enjoyed companionship for a moment. It’s just those moments of clarity that remind me why I run. Sure, I am learning to focus on the what‘s. But that dog? I run for joy. For learning, to endure. And for belonging.
Where else can I apply this sense of community? And for free? I dig this little corner of the Internet, writing every 10 days to a loyal crowd (thank you for being here, fam!). One way how is to set an intent to volunteer once/month again. It is a 2026 goal, after all. After saying, “yes” to almost every volunteer activity, I am being choosier on how I spend my time. As such, I am looking for opportunities that align with my values of creating, exploring, learning, moving, and serving.
When I start seeing serving my community as a way of training my soul, I begin to understand what and how I give. How do I show up? Am I using my skills of compassion, communication, and creativity? This is how I can give time… and gain it back. As I open myself up for more volunteering, I am paying attention. Time is all we have, after all. This is how my values and goals intersect: Time is just a measurement. It is the quality of that time that counts.
Over to you: What is life training you for? How are you paying attention? Looking forward to your comments!