Running to a Purpose

Recently, I had a conversation that stuck with me. It wasn’t just inspiring - it recalibrated something deep inside.

I met a man who recently attempted an Ironman. Before I could congratulate him, he humbly told me, “I didn’t finish. I fell short by a few miles.” Still, that’s a huge feat - especially when he added, “I didn’t even know how to swim a year ago.”

Now he had my full attention.

He shared how it all began about ten years ago, when his young son challenged him to a 5K - and beat him, by a lot. That loss lit a fire. He started running, joined a local group, and began showing up consistently.

But here’s where the story shifts from personal to powerful: the group he ran with was training for 100Ks, Spartan races, even ultra-marathons. “If they can do it,” he thought, “why not me?”

That 5K turned into 10Ks, half-marathons, full marathons, triathlons… and eventually, an Ironman. And though he missed the finish line this time, he’s already training for the next one.

So what helped him go from casual runner to Ironman competitor in just a few years?

Three things stood out:

1. Environment Shapes Outcomes

John Maxwell calls this the Law of the Environment: “Growth thrives in conducive surroundings.” The people he trained with weren’t just runners - they were high performers, and their influence expanded his thinking and reshaped what he believed was possible.

Who you surround yourself with determines how far you’ll go. Are your current connections stretching or shrinking you?

2. Goals Outside the Comfort Zone

This is the Law of the Rubber Band - growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be. What began as a goal to outrun his son became a journey of transformation. He kept stretching. That discomfort became his new normal.

When was the last time your goals scared you a little - or a lot?

3. Balancing Ambition with Alignment

When I asked about training schedules, he smiled knowingly and said, “That’s a sensitive subject.” Pushing toward greatness also meant balancing time, energy, and relationships in all areas of life.

This touches the Law of Priorities knowing what matters most and managing it well. A worthy goal can still become a problem if pursued without alignment to your values, your relationships, or your purpose.

Don’t win the race only to lose the connection with those you love.

He shared that the connections made during these runs - the camaraderie, the encouragement, the accountability - were just as meaningful as the races. One friendship even opened the door to run a well known marathon. That’s what running to a purpose looks like: a journey full of unexpected turns and deep transformation.

Recalibration Station Reflection

Journaling Prompts:

• Who are the 5 people I spend the most time with? Are they moving me forward or keeping me stuck?

• What goal in my life right now feels just beyond reach - but worth stretching for?

• Where in my life am I sacrificing balance for success? What’s one small shift I can make?

• What’s the real reason behind my current goals? Is it strong enough to keep me going when things get tough?

Call to Action:

Take a walk, grab your journal, and ask yourself:

Am I running from something… or running toward a purpose?