Lessons in Resilience

In its more than 120-year history, Boston Marathon competitors have faced all types of weather conditions, from ice and snow to sun and high temperatures. Recently, two of my friends asked me to weigh in on a good-natured – but spirited – debate they were having about the Boston Marathon. And, this was the crux of their debate: which one of them completed the Marathon under worse weather conditions – the one who ran in 2015, or the one who competed in 2018? After they made their respective cases in a lengthy text chain, they turned to me to for the final word because I guided them in each of these races.

My two friends, Cedric King and Stefan LeRoy are military veterans who each lost their legs in Afghanistan. They’ve learned not only to walk on prosthetic devices, but to run well enough that they’ve each competed in many races including the prestigious Boston Marathon.

For starters, I can confirm that the weather conditions for both races – Cedric in 2015, and Stefan in 2018 – were off the charts horrible: frigid cold, driving rain, and howling wind. These were days most people wouldn’t want to take a walk around the block, let alone complete a marathon. Even after looking back at photos from each race to refresh my memory, I simply couldn’t choose between the two. I declared it a tie.

The debate brought back some incredible memories, and reminded me of a few lessons I took from running with Cedric and Stefan at these races – lessons that I have applied more broadly than the racing events that spawned them.

1. The importance of cultivating resilience. Yes, I felt the impact of the weather during both the 2015 and 2018 races. But Cedric and Stefan had to deal with the same brutal conditions on prosthetic legs! They have undeniable resilience – they persevered and overcame the greatest of obstacles and reached heights that some might not have dreamed possible.
2. The ability to adapt to changing, unpredictable or difficult circumstances. Yes, the weather was really bad. But, bigger picture, Cedric and Stefan completed these races because well before race day, they had learned to adapt to change, without complaint. The bad weather was rough, but ultimately it was simply another changing situation to adapt to.
3. Cedric and Stefan understand how to break down their goals into smaller, manageable pieces. When facing any audacious, difficult goal, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed, especially if potential obstacles are put in front of you. If Stefan and Cedric had kept thinking, “I’ve got to run 26 miles in the rain and wind,” they might have psyched themselves out before taking their first step. Yes, they were highly aware of their goal – that’s what drove them to train and brave the elements in the first place – but working together we broke down the goal into more manageable pieces: let’s finish the next mile. The next block. The next hill. These interim goals, combined, helped us to stay focused and on path to the bigger goal.
4. They relied on others. Given their military backgrounds and personal histories, I probably don’t need to tell you that Stefan and Cedric are two pretty tough, independently reminded individuals. At the same time, they understand the importance of relying on others for support. They understood this was essential to being an effective soldier. And this is how they recovered from their war injuries, learned to walk and run on prosthetics, and persevered to complete the Boston Marathon. I am privileged to be one of those they’ve relied on, just as they’ve supported me in countless ways that they might not fully realize.

Time and time again when I am faced with a tough – and seemingly insurmountable – challenge, I go back to these simple but effective lessons and remind myself to try to live them in those moments of uncertainty. If you find yourself dealing with a personal or professional challenge – especially as we all cope with the profound effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on so many of us for so many months – I encourage you to go back to and live the lessons and the behaviors that have guided you through difficult times in your life. Then, at the right time, share those lessons with others, as I have done today – with the profound hope that they may help someone to find their way to whatever finish line matters most to them.