The Power of Feedback. Lessons from Running a Mountain Marathon for High-Performance Insights.

October 8, 2024

Last weekend, I completed my second mountain marathon of the year—and that’s on top of two ultramarathons earlier this year. While pushing through the highs and lows of the race, I couldn’t help but draw some powerful parallels between long-distance running and high performance in business. There are moments along the marathon route that offer valuable lessons, and some of those insights translate seamlessly into how we can perform better in our professional lives.

Preparation is Key, But Variables Are Inevitable

When you’re preparing for a marathon, much like in business, you focus on training hard and getting all the pieces in place. I trained extensively, putting in the miles and preparing for the tough conditions ahead. However, despite all my prep, there were some factors I simply couldn’t control. I didn’t sleep well the night before, which affected my strength, mental clarity, and overall energy.

This reminds me of a vital business lesson: no matter how much you prepare, there will always be variables—curveballs you can’t predict or control. In business, that might be a surprise in a deal negotiation, a sudden market shift, or an unexpected issue with a project. What’s important is how you manage those variables and adapt on the fly. You can’t let these unforeseen challenges throw you off your game.

Feedback: Your GPS

Just as in a marathon, where I had to constantly assess my condition, energy, and pace, feedback in the business world is essential for navigating through uncertainty. During the race, I realized halfway in that I hadn’t slept well, and I was feeling the effects. The feedback I gave myself in that moment was critical—it wasn’t about beating myself up but about adjusting my strategy to make it through the next stage of the race.

Similarly, in business, feedback isn’t just about reviewing what went wrong; it’s about real-time adjustments and reflections. After every meeting, project, or sales call, think about what you could do better next time. Feedback doesn’t just come from others—it comes from within. But here’s a key insight: feedback can either lift you up or tear you down. The way you internalize it makes all the difference.

The Power of Support and External Feedback

At the 50% mark, I was struggling. But then I got my nutrition right, regained my energy, and started receiving encouragement from fellow runners and supporters along the route. Their motivation carried me through the tough patches.

In business, your support network is just as crucial. Whether it’s a mentor, your team, or your peers, their feedback and encouragement can drive you forward when you’re feeling stuck or discouraged. When we’re too much in our heads, it’s easy to spiral into self-criticism. But external feedback can offer perspective, unlock fresh energy, and refocus your efforts on the path ahead.

The Meditative Power of Reflection

One of the beautiful aspects of running longer distances, particularly in the mountains, is the time you spend in a meditative state. With nothing but the wind and your thoughts, you can gain clarity on what’s working and what isn’t. In the business world, it’s important to carve out similar moments for reflection. After a big project or critical meeting, take the time to review what worked well and what you could improve next time.

Feedforward for the Next Challenge

The best part about running a marathon or ultramarathon isn’t just finishing—it’s what you learn along the way and how you apply it moving forward. Just as in business, after every race, you evaluate your performance and make a plan to do better next time. This “feedforward” approach is vital for continued growth and improvement.

Key Takeaways for Business Performance:

• Preparation is crucial but expect and embrace the unexpected.
• Self-feedback is your internal guide—use it constructively to course-correct in real-time.
• External support and feedback can re-energize you and provide fresh perspectives when you’re stuck.
• Reflection and feedback loops after every major effort help you build on successes and learn from challenges.
• Feedforward—look ahead to the next challenge and apply what you’ve learned.

Whether you’re preparing for a marathon or a major business milestone, feedback and preparation are two sides of the same coin. Embrace both, and you’ll be able to perform at your best, even when things don’t go exactly as planned.

Stay open to feedback—both from yourself and others—and use it as fuel to reach your next summit, both on the trail and in the boardroom.

How do we make sure that the feedback we receive works for you and that you learn from it and apply it for high performance?

If you find these lessons helpful, please comment, like, or share.

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