It was Saturday morning, which meant “long-run day”.
But there was a problem: it was pouring rain with no chance for let up. One look outside and the rhythm of the trees told me all I needed to know – 16 miles in this weather was going to be a suffer fest.
Yet, it was “long-run day”, and no matter the weather, I had to lace up my shoes and get those miles in. I was out there for hours, soaking wet, every step a battle against the elements and the inner voice asking, “Why are you doing this?”
But I pressed on. Then of course there were those days running after a full day’s work, when the blisters on my feet were so painful that every step felt like a balanced reminder of my limitations. and that I had willingly committed to running this marathon. When I crossed that finish line on race day, soaking in the cheers and cutting-the-tape in my mind’s eye, I knew that success didn’t happen in that moment—it had been earned in every mile I ran, every sacrifice I made, and every doubt I overcame.
Success is funny like that. We work so hard, sacrifice so much, and push ourselves to the limit. We often think the victory is at the top of the mountain, but it’s not just about getting there. Once you’re at the top, the real challenge begins: staying there. It’s easy to think success is a destination, but it’s more of a journey. And like running a marathon, it’s filled with ups and downs, moments of strength and moments of weakness.
When you’re striving for success, it can feel like an endless grind. Blood, sweat, tears, and countless hours of work go into the pursuit of a goal. Whether it’s in business, personal life, or physical challenges like a marathon, success requires consistent effort and the willingness to sacrifice. But here’s the truth: success doesn’t happen when you reach the top of the mountain or cross the finish line. It happens the moment you commit. It begins when you pay the entry fee, sign up for the race, or start working toward your dream. The finish line is simply the celebration of the journey.
John Maxwell once said, “Success is knowing your purpose in life, growing to reach your maximum potential, and sowing seeds that benefit others.” Every step forward, even the hard ones in the rain, is success in motion.
Failure has a way of knocking the wind out of us. When you trip and fall, whether in life or on the marathon course, it can feel like defeat. Failure can strip away your confidence and leave you wondering if you’ll ever get back up. But here’s the thing—every failure is an opportunity. Each stumbling stone can be a stepping stone if you choose to get up and learn from it.
I’ve experienced those moments during marathon training. There were days when I questioned whether I was even cut out for this, when every blister and every muscle ache told me to give up. But the beauty of failure is that it forces you to dig deeper. With every rock bottom, we have the chance to turn over the stone and discover new strength, new resolve, and new opportunities on the other side. Nothing is ever one-sided.
Kevin Hall, in his book Aspire, says, “Humility is not being passive and submissive… It implies a continual commitment to learning and growing, in expanding… as we reach and stretch to become our very best, then extend ourselves to help others do the same.” Failure, then, is not the end—it’s the reset button that propels us forward.
As you climb the mountain of success, it’s easy to get inflated, to feel invincible. When you’re on top, it’s hard to imagine ever falling. I’ve learned from climbing the mountain peaks of Colorado, that it’s cold and windy up there. We can enjoy and take in the views, but they simply are not habitable for the long-term. That’s why at our highest moments life will throw you a curveball, or a misstep that sends you tumbling back down. And that’s where humility comes in—it’s the middle ground between success and failure. Humility allows us to remember what it feels like to struggle and to celebrate the wins without letting them define us.
Humility, as Kevin Hall explains, is about being teachable and coachable. It’s about living with your shoulders back and head high, not out of pride, but with the confidence that comes from knowing who you are. It’s the understanding that while success may elevate us, it is humility that grounds us.
As leaders and individuals striving for more, we must live in that balance. Humility reminds us that we’re not immune to failure, but it also empowers us to lift others up when they fall. We can celebrate the victories of others, knowing that success isn’t a competition but a journey we’re all on together.
As we continue to push forward in life’s marathon, let’s remember that success is a journey, failure is a teacher, and humility is the compass that keeps us on track.True success isn’t about staying on top or avoiding failure altogether. It’s about embracing the entire journey—knowing when to push hard, when to reflect, when to celebrate, and when to simply rest. And the key to navigating this journey is humility. It’s what keeps us balanced, grounded, and open to growth. Humility teaches us that our greatest successes aren’t the trophies we accumulate or the accolades we receive. They’re found in the way we live our lives, in our ability to be both strong and humble, to climb up and help others along the way.
Success and failure will always be part of life, just as they are in running a marathon. But when we live in humility—when we embrace the journey, the stumbles, the triumphs—we find ourselves living a truly abundant life.
