Success Lessons From Marathons - Start Slow And Get Slower But Make Sure You Finish

A good laugh can help in a difficult or tough situation like running a marathon.

Bob Hope describes the power of laughter well:

"I have seen what a laugh can do. It can transform almost unbearable tears into something bearable, even hopeful."

I was interested to hear a stand up comedian describe his experience in the London Marathon. How did he manage to see the funny side? Can his experience teach us anything useful?

In 2004, Jasper Carrott spoke to an audience in Birmingham. At one point he described his experience in the London marathon. This is roughly what he said:

"A few years ago, I ran the London marathon. It seemed a good idea after about 6 pints of Guinness. And then I woke up and realised what I had committed myself to.

And its 26 miles?26 miles!! And I thought the only way I could contemplate running 26 miles would be to involve a nude chase with Pamela Anderson.

The best piece of advice I had was to 'start slow and get slower.'

Everybody warned you about the wall. I wasn't worried about hitting the wall. I was worried about hitting the road!

They put the elite at the front, then the club runners, then the tossers and at the back all the people dressed up as ostriches etc

I'm wearing a body bag to save time at the other end. It took me 7 and a half minutes to get to the starting line.

All sorts of people took part - London cabbies - I didn't know they could run and all these old people of 85 and 90.

One bloke ran the whole marathon playing a trombone and after playing the same tune over and over again he hit the wall a lot sooner than he thought.

At 19 and a half miles I hit the wall and became a daddy long legs.

At 22 and a half miles all the old geezers and old women overtook me. This woman said "Are you alright young man?!"

Anyway I finished it. I finished in 4 hrs 37 minutes."

Another comic, Jo Brand, is running in the 2005 London Marathon. Her target is anything less than eleven and a half days.

Jasper completed the run but had a good laugh either at the same time or later as he reflected on the experience.

Seeing the funny side of the marathon helped not only him but all who have listened to his description of the run since.

Can we learn anything from his experience of the Marathon? Definitely!

Jasper was ready to laugh at himself and his own inadequacies. This attitude can help anyone relax and do better when they are faced with a huge challenge.

He was not embarrassed by taking a long time completing the marathon. He was prepared to do something he was not good at. Many people will not do anything that they cannot come first in.

The elite runners seem to be sprinting in a marathon. The others seem to be jogging and the great majority are just staggering along. The less talented runners could easily get jealous and embarrassed and give up. However, they usually accept their limitations and keep going.

This can happen in any walk of life. Some people streak ahead in business and start making money almost immediately; others take years. The slow ones just need to keep on putting one foot in front of another and not get too depressed by the smart alecs who seem to know everything after a few days.

Above all, Jasper finished the marathon. As Marlon Sanders, the great internet guru from Texas says: "If a thing ain't done, it ain't done!" You can't sell an unfinished product. An incomplete website is no use to anyone.

Even if we start slow and get slower and even if we hit the wall and are overtaken by others, and even if we take eleven days, we are still champions if we can manage to finish a difficult and challenging task.

Remember the tortoise and the hare.

John Watson is an award winning teacher and martial arts instructor. He has recently written two books about achieving your goals and dreams. They can both be found on his website http://www.motivationtoday.com along with a daily motivational message.

The title of the first book is "36 Laws To Ignite Your Inner Power And Realize Your Dreams Now!" The book can be found at this URL http://www.motivationtoday.com

You are welcome to publish the article above in your ezine so long as you do not alter it and keep the resource box as it is.

efficient cleaning crew Lake Forest ..
In The News:

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.
Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.
Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.
Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.
New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.
Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.
The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.
Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.
Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.
Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.
Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.
NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.
Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.
Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.
New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.
Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.
Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.
The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.
Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.
Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.
Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.
Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.
Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.
AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.
Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.

How I Changed The World

There is no substitute for direct personal application. Information or... Read More

Facts About the Art of Influence

All of us could work on our skills in influencing... Read More

The High Cost of Doing Nothing

Cost is sometimes a difficult term to define. Here, we... Read More

Hey Bozo, Forget Logic and Kiss This!

I want to relate to you a story, READ it... Read More

Manifest Away

The sun crept over the horizon and lodged itself above... Read More

What It Takes To Be A Champion

What is a champion really? Sure, all success oriented people... Read More

Mind is the Forerunner of All States

Our lives and the circumstances we live in are largely... Read More

Taking Responsibility

Everything you are or ever will be is completely up... Read More

Why Balancing Your Polarity Can Make Life Better

Driven by cultural imperatives and inner promptings, we drive ourselves... Read More

The Lazy Mans Way To Riches

The title of this article also happens to be the... Read More

You Must Play By The Rules

You must play by the rules. Everything has rules. You... Read More

How Two Powerful Words Can Guarantee You Success

I see it happen all too often on the internet... Read More

Conquering Bad Habits

Most of your behavior is determined by your habits. Everything... Read More

You Are What You Think You Are

Think out of the box, they say. But what's a... Read More

Remembering What You Read - Nine Effective Strategies

Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More

Liberating Success Lessons from Singing - If It Is Rubbish, It Is Rubbish; If It Is Not, It is Not

Reggie Yates, a pop song presenter, was singing on 7th... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Friendly Competition

Friendly competition Get together with a group of like-minded friends... Read More

Believing in a Better Lifestyle

How many of you have ever thought about the link... Read More

What ARE the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind?

If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More

How to Talk Yourself Into Success

You've tried and failed. You've watched others fall. You're wiped... Read More

Success ...Whats the Key Ingredient?

Don't expect results over night - what??If you were to... Read More

Success: How to Ask the Right Questions

Q. My problem is that I have trouble keeping my... Read More

What Makes One Person Succeed While Someone Else Fails

What characteristics are common among successful people. If you analyze... Read More

True Success In Wood And Water

Let's get right to the point, folks.We're all looking to... Read More

There Is Room For Everyone At The Top

Do you believe that? Do you believe we can all... Read More

green cleaning service Deerfield ..