Purposive Communication lesson8 application letter
Eight lessons gained from running a marathon
1. Eight Life Lessons Gained From
Running Half a Marathon for the
First Time
July 2014
2. I wasn’t a couch potato. I used to workout for about 30 minutes in
“most” mornings. I decided to stretch my limits. I ran Bagamoyo
Historical Marathon and did 21 kilometers in about 2h30m. The
experience made me sum up nine practical lessons which I correlated
to our daily life struggles
3. Lesson 1: Everything Starts with a Goal
I was a bit nervous, it was the first time. I set a realistic target of
finishing within 2 ½ hours. 7 minutes per kilometers. Not easy, but
doable
Quote I: Life becomes meaningful once you figure what you want from
it, spiritually, professionally, financially, etc.
Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. stretched it by saying
Quote II: It is good to find something to live for. But, if you haven’t
found something to die for, you haven’t lived yet.
4. Lesson 2: Goal Without a Plan is a Dream
Time was limited. Just three weeks for preparations. I
almost gave up.
I did some research and realized I should focus on core
strength. A two-week core training programme could
achieve this feat.
Quote: Others have been there and done that. Learn
from their successes. But most importantly learn from
their mistakes. Life is too short to make all the mistakes
and learn from them (unknown)
5. Lesson 3: Everyone is Different Don’t Copy Their
Game Plan
For about first ten minutes, I tried to keep up with fitter runners. I
almost collapsed and risk everything. “Usiige kunya kwa tembo. Stick
to your game plan” I told myself
Quote I: Do your own work well, and then you will have something to
be proud of. But don't compare yourself with others (Galatians 6:4)
Quote II: When you run the marathon, you run against the distance,
not against the other runners and not against the time (Haile
Gebrselassie)
Quote III: Run your own race because there is no competition in
destiny. Everyone has their unique portion
6. Lesson 4: Encourage Others
In marathons, just as in life, there is a room for each
to achieve our goals.
As the race advanced, I found runners who were of
relatively same fitness level as me. I dared not leave
them as I needed their encouragement, and I also
knew they needed my support as well.
Quote I: We are living in a bountiful World; we can all
get what we want if we try (unknown)
Quote II: If you want to go fast, go alone, if you want
to go far, go together (African Proverb)
7. Lesson 5: Use Right Tools
Bad choice of clothing caused
some serious chafes. My feet
were badly blistered from poor
selection of shoes and socks.
Quote: If you want to achieve a
huge feat, leverage on right tools
it will make achievement of your
goal a lot easier
8. Lesson 6: There is Always a Downhill at the End of an Uphill
and Vice Versa
As I struggled to climb, I persevered and hope
to recuperate on a descent.
On a downhill I conserved energy since an
ascend will definitely come
Quote I: Bad times don’t last forever, persevere
and prepare for the worst during good times
(unknown).
Quote II: Maisha ni mlima kuna kupanda na
kushuka (Lady Issa - Tama-Iliwuwa Fisi)
9. Lesson 7: Eliminate all Options for Retreat
If I had some money, I would given up and hire a ride back.
Quote: When the race gets hard to
run, it means you just can’t make a
pace. Bob Marley
10. My wife thought I was crazy to even contemplate it
Some were like ”What’s all the fuss about? It’s only 21 kilometers and
you did it in over two hour".
Quote: Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people
should lead their lives, but none about his or her own.” (Paulo Coelho)
Lesson 8: Other People’s Opinions Don't Matter, Even of
Those Closer to You
11. Next day, I was sore. Mundane activities became a struggle. I had pain
from muscles I didn't know existed.
BUT, I had a huge sense of accomplishment which lasted longer after
the bodily pain subsided
Lesson 9: The Harder The Battle, The Sweeter the Victory