Patrick Shaw’s Weblog

I’m just back from the Vancouver Marathon - I ran with my brother Frank. A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that my running watch was in the shop - and it didn’t arrive in time for me to take it to the race - so I ran the first 17 miles without a watch. My brother had been nursing an injury - and when he decided to stop, he immediately handed over his watch, and I ran that last nine miles with it - and I’m reminded:

Focusing on the important data (and knowing what data is important) is key to a successful venture!

I wasn’t wearing a heart rate strap, so I couldn’t measure my effort level with the watch - but I COULD keep track of how long it took me to run each of those nine miles - and that provided some key information:

• There wasn’t any way I’d crack a 3:30 marathon. This let me know that a steady, measured effort was in order, rather than a full on sprint to the finish.
• I was able to use that first mile time to re-evaluate my effort. I went out a tad fast for that first solo mile - and if I hadn’t had the watch - I probably would have faded in the last few miles.
• I was able to adjust to the hills because I knew that slowing some on the hills was a good idea -and without a watch - I couldn’t measure “slowing some”.
• After I passed mile 25 - I knew my pace so I knew when I’d see the finish line. That meant that I didn’t make a hasty sprint too early - or too late.

So - what is the right stuff that you should be measuring? The number of gifts you’ve solicited? Or the ones you’ve received? Maybe it’s the number of clients no longer needing your help that is the right stuff? If you can determine the important data, and use your tools to stay focused - your chances of success are great!