As I watched the men’s Olympic 1500-meter final last week, I found myself jumping and yelling at the TV in my living room. The runners battled down the final 100 meters, and American runner Cole Hocker seized an opening, soaring into Olympic history. He won gold and set a new Olympic record time, delivering one of the most thrilling middle-distance races in modern Olympic history, achieving a nearly three-second personal best.
Afterward, Hocker was interviewed and shared that his training had been building toward a peak performance. While much of the pre-race attention was focused on the current top runners, Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Josh Kerr, Hocker remained focused on his race, trusting himself to be in a position to win. His ability to concentrate and stick to his plan exemplifies a mindset that we can all benefit from, whether we are competing on the track, in the boardroom, or navigating life's challenges.
This brought back memories of my own competitive days as an elite youth runner. Before races, my dad would always tell me, "Run your own race." It was a reminder to stay focused on my own performance, rather than getting caught up in what others were doing. It’s solid advice and something I continue to share with my clients today.
When we focus on our race, we stay present, grounded, and confident in our game plan, preparation, and goals. This focus builds self-assurance and enables us to perform at our best. Conversely, when we get distracted by someone else’s race, we allow external factors to dictate our actions. Insecurity and doubt can creep in, pulling us away from our center, and causing our performance to falter.
As a young runner, whenever I followed my dad’s advice and ran my own race, I usually performed well—and often won. In those moments, I was able to stay present, experience a flow state, and find joy in the process.
Cole Hocker's performance in the men’s Olympic 1500-meter final is a powerful example of the importance of running your own race. By trusting his preparation, his faith, and himself, he stayed true to his path and achieved greatness. It's a valuable lesson and a reminder for all of us.
