A Journey from Olympics to Personal Best Marathon
Welcome to a striking and enlightening conversation I recently had with an exceptional guest, Clayton Young, a competitive runner. I had the distinct privilege of engaging in a comprehensive dialogue that took us from his experiences in the Olympic marathon to his preparations for the New York City Marathon.
Building Up for the Olympics
Our discussion began with Clayton sharing his experiences in the lead up to the recently concluded Olympic Games. With his distinctive gift for providing vivid and engaging narratives, he took us through his sojourn to Paris; an international trip he decided to undertake to acclimatize himself with the course terrain, deal with culture shock, and understand the food culture. He remembered the trip as one of extensive and comprehensive preparation that ensured he was ready for the big competition. As a real estate investor, the value of extensive research and groundwork cannot be overemphasized, and similarly, Clayton’s approach to his sports preparation is commendable.
Running the Marathon
Clayton also dove into the details surrounding the completion of the marathon itself, sharing enlightening information about the race conditions, and the triumph of making it to the finish line. Interestingly, Clayton didn’t just approach the marathon with a winning mentality alone; he approached it with an understanding that he wanted to experience the journey, and show his gratitude to fans that supported him throughout the race.
Teamwork, Rankings, and Results
Notably, in our discussion, Clayton drew attention to the role of teamwork and competition within his running community. Specifically, he spoke of his relationship with his teammate Conor Mance, which is marked by a unique blend of camaraderie and rivalry. Furthermore, he shared his experiences from the Olympic Games, including their significant finish in the marathon, where they exceeded their rankings and set the record for the fastest times by Americans in an Olympic marathon.
Setting Goals and Measuring Progress
Not one to be content with past glory, Clayton also shared his thoughts on goal setting and measuring progress. He characterized his approach as one focused on motivation and process. Most significantly, he underscored the importance of the habits, routines, and mundane tasks that actually propel towards achieving the end goal.
Running through Iconic Scenery
Running through Paris and witnessing scenic sights could be an incredible sightseeing experience, but for runners like Clayton Young, absorbing the escalating environment and focusing on success was all that mattered. They focused more on making their mark and making every effort count. However, Clayton confessed that he still enjoyed the iconic sightings along the route.
Preparing for NYC Marathon
As our discussion neared its conclusion, Clayton revealed his preparations for the upcoming New York City marathon. Given the short time from the Olympics to this event, he emphasized the need for balancing training and recovery. A memorable part of his preparation for the NYC marathon is his data-driven approach. He uses various tools to collect performance data to optimize his running strategy and ensure top performance.
To follow Clayton’s exciting journey, you can catch up with him on social media and his YouTube docu-series. He exemplifies that success is not achieved overnight; rather, it requires hard work, persistence, and smart strategies. This aligns with the principle of real estate investment where detailed planning, strategic thinking, and robust market knowledge pave the way for success.
