I decided to participate in the Chicago event for two reasons. First, with 40,000 participants and nearly 1.5 million spectators lining the streets of my favorite U.S. city cheering on competitors, it’s one of the biggest marathons in the world. The second, and perhaps more important motivation, is that I will turn 50 in October. Running a marathon seems like a good way to celebrate that milestone. It’s my way of spitting in the eye of Father Time, letting him know I’m not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

I have already clocked many hours running the streets, sidewalks, bike paths and trails around Southeast Wisconsin, and have many more miles to go before I reach my goal. Spending all of that time running provides a great opportunity to think about the parallels between running a marathon and running a distribution business. Both require discipline, training, endurance and the ability to think on one’s feet. The winners don’t necessarily get out of the blocks the fastest, they’re more often the ones who know how to pace themselves, assess the task at hand, and utilize the skills and abilities available to them. Marathon runners, like distributors, depend on close relationships with channel partners (coaches), associations and buying groups (running clubs) to be the best they can be.

Scientific studies show that exercise, and running in particular, is good for the brain and might delay the onset and progression of some neurodegenerative diseases. Exercise affects mood, vitality, alertness and feelings of well-being. That means all of the running I’ve been doing to prepare for the Chicago Marathon will not only make me a better runner, it will stimulate my brain cell activity, which will ultimately allow me to perform better in my job.

Now, if I can only convince my publisher to let me put my running shoes on my expense account.

This editorial appeared in the July/August 2006 issue of Progressive Distributor magazine. Copyright 2006.