Try to Run a Marathon

A friend once told me he was going to try to run a marathon. I asked what his plan was.

"Well," he said, "I'm going to try running farther and faster every time I go out."

That one word, try, stood out to me. It was soft, uncommitted, and unclear.

I asked another friend who was training for a marathon. She had a daily plan that included distances, paces, nutrition, and rest. She tracked every week. And when race day came, she didn't "try," she ran and finished strong.

The difference? Training is intentional. Trying is hopeful.

Words matter.

When I say, "I'll try to eat better" or "I'll try to get a new job," I often give myself unconscious permission to fail. Trying keeps my goals vague and my effort optional. It's like saying, "I'll dabble and see what happens."

But training sets me up for progress. It involves planning, action, review, and adjustment. It's less dramatic, but far more effective. It means choosing routines that support my goals and measuring them regularly. When I miss the mark, I don't beat myself up; I adjust and keep going.

Years ago, I trained for the Dallas White Rock Marathon. It wasn't glamorous. It was slow, steady, and full of early mornings and aching legs. But I had a pace chart, a mileage calendar, and weekly checkpoints. I certainly didn't win on race day; it was my training that allowed me to accomplish my personal best.

Now, I use the same approach in my daily life with what I call "The Weekly Display." I set clear intentions and create small daily tasks that build toward long-term goals. These routines become my training ground for a better life.

My words shape my mindset, and my mindset shapes my results.

Try gives me an exit.

Train gives me a path.

Which one are you choosing today?

Watch for the blind spots.

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