Skip to content

Tag: Running tips

The Spotlight in Ultrarunning

The Spotlight in Ultrarunning

Published by Patrick Durante on July 19, 2024

I work from home full-time, and I have no social outings unless I create them. A few weeks ago, I attended two social events: a running group at Valley Forge and an open mic night. The open mic night stood out with its eclectic mix of people, all competing for a moment in the spotlight. While not everyone seeks this kind of attention, some personalities are naturally drawn to it, craving recognition for their unique traits. The event, held in a quirky, small restaurant reminiscent of the Star Wars Cantina bar scene, was an amusing experience, with diverse music and people from all walks of life.

Open mic night at a small restaurant

 “Not everything that can be counted counts. Not everything that counts can be counted”

It’s the “atta boy,” or “good job,” and “gold sticker” on our homework that shows someone enjoys our performance. Don’t get me wrong, many don’t seek this out, but at this open mic night, it was like the spotlight was on steroids. It’s addictive, I’m sure, like a kid’s talent show. Many paths, but all brought together with the same purpose to this one location, on this specific night, to share in this interaction.

My question is, where are you getting your spotlight, or do you need it? Some seek it in their work; some never get it. As a manager, I would rather shine the light on others versus myself. As I get older and see my kids grow, watching them race and compete in 5Ks, I realize it’s a phase we might go through, maybe fighting with siblings for it, or as we get older it’s a chance to step into the spotlight if we never had it. Racing does that; as you hit aid stations, age group awards, and different activities, you get that spotlight on you, and it’s a pleasurable ephemeral experience.

 “To escape criticism: do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”

One of the best examples I know of this type of behavior is at the finish line. All eyes are on you as you cross; you can feel that brief moment: “I DID SOMETHING TOUGH AND AMAZING!” Be it only a brief moment, your name gets written in the history books that nobody will read 🙂, but they don’t have to. It can be just for you to know at the end of your journey you did some hard things and had your time in the limelight, be it only a minute.  I get to hold that happiness of achievement in my hands in the form of a medal, belt buckle, or sugary loaf of bread, which I received once at Rabid Raccoon.

I think we all need this feeling at some point in our life. Running, lifting, swimming, and sports provide that spotlight on positive action. It’s a percentage of the “reasons I run,” but it’s not all of it… I would say 5-10%. The rest I’ve written about relates to identity, mental health, role models, social interaction, and many others.  Keep putting one foot in front of the other, in new places, and with new people. It can have a profound effect on your life. 

Spotlights fade for everyone, and then we transition to core values that continue to drive us. We can’t and shouldn’t hog the spotlight forever; others deserve their time on stage too. This is coming from someone with a YouTube channel—I know, I know. I constantly reevaluate what’s important and what I want to achieve, and I’ve settled on three guiding principles: Growth, Compassion, and Kindness. These values are my “North Star” in life; they don’t fade, aren’t tied to physical ability, and should last a lifetime. It feels good to bask in the spotlight, but not for too long. Don’t worry, I’ll keep writing and filming my runs—it’s too much fun and a great way to look back on this wild ride when I need some motivation on a rainy day. Sometimes, if I don’t document them, it feels like these moments never even happened.

Thanks for reading. If you enjoyed this post, let me know in the comments below.

Manage Focus vs Time

Manage Focus vs Time

Published by Patrick Durante on June 7, 2024

We are in an attention economy. Endless things are fighting for your attention. Phones are dinging, inboxes are constantly filling, and there’s a billboard or commercial everywhere you look. There’s even a career called “influencer”, whose main skill is grabbing and holding your attention. That is a tough skill to master and cultivate.

What my head feels like with everything that must be done.

That’s the issue I have with technology. We’re too connected and attached; everybody is available via text message. Overbearing parents track their child’s location in REAL TIME with cell phones in 3rd grade. I know. I just picked up a “smartphone” for my daughter, but I’m trying to make it a dumb phone by removing all apps and social media that might steal her focus. There’s a saying, “May you live in interesting times…” Well, it’s TOO interesting. There’s too much going on, too much news, and too much spam. That’s why this quote got to me: “Don’t manage your time, manage your focus.” That is critical. If you don’t manage your focus, someone or something else will.

If you are not planning your day or structuring it meaningfully, then you will be subject to whatever way the pop-up-driven wind blows. You have to focus on the intention for each day and the following day, week, month, and year. Amazing things happen with intention, not magic. There’s a plan to do something great, write that book, run that race, achieve something great that you sat down and thought about for a minute. Otherwise, text messages and nonsense will fill your time, and then fill your life.

It’s hard to get away from the distraction of all the tech.

That’s part of where racing and running made a difference in my life. If you’re doing it right, your workout will disconnect you from all that. Getting a pop-up while running, biking, or lifting is much harder. The intention to work out removes you from distractions. That’s what I love about it. It’s the intention to travel to the trail, gym, or park, AND be present in that moment. Sit with discomfort and do something HARD that I enjoy as I age. You will say, “Well I just have too many other commitments that get in my way”. Are they, or are you just not managing your focus? That’s what I tell myself: do I not have the time, or do I not have focus? Ask yourself that next time you’re overwhelmed. This quote says it best: “There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all.”

Focus on health if you feel like crap, otherwise, everything else will be difficult. Focus on family. If your closest relationships are toxic, it will cause stress and unhappiness. Finally, focus on work. It will always be there, and we must pay the bills. You will not die with zero, but you could die with a lot of regret for what you didn’t do. I regret focusing on too much stuff that should never have been done in the first place.

Thanks for reading!