I recently drove from Bluffton, SC to Washington DC to compete as a part of a team of 500  participating in the  Marine Corps Marathon.  Our purpose was to raise money for the Injured Marine Semper Fi Fund.

The funds are used to help seriously injured Marines, Sailors and Soldiers rehab and get them back to living life to the full. The fund also provides financial assistance to their families. 

I am happy to report our  Injured Marine Semper Fi team raised over $350000!

October 25th, 2009 was an ideal Marathon Sunday, with temperatures ranging from 45 to 62 degrees. Things kicked off with a 10K race, followed by competitors with physical challenges. Then, at 0800, the gun was fired for the throng of 30,000 to begin their trek to the finish. 

You'd think that our team of 500 would blend in to the other 29,500 runners, But, I saw lots of red "Semper  Fi" shirts, got many pats on the back, as well as encouragement from my teammates, as they passed me. (Ha!)

Reflecting on this day, there are things I learned that I'd like to share--and believe these lessons can be applied to business and life:

1. The Marines employ systems and discipline. I've participated in 16 other marathons and no organization does a better job of organizing than the US Marines. Hosting 37,500 people takes some planning. The Marines are masters at planning and logistic.  They had a system for everything--from handing us cups of water to giving us our medals--all by the numbers, the same way, over and over again. The lesson? To make business and life run smoothly, create or adopt systems for success, and have the discipline to follow them. 

2. We are all in a race. It's called life.  Joy. Happiness. Encouragement. These can be found along our route. And rest assured, there are difficulties. Pain. Wanting to quit. Wondering if you'll finish. And somehow, you do.The Lesson? God is our help and hope, if you want Him to be.

3. We are blessed if we have a support team. My family-- wife, daughter, son and their spouses all showed up  at mile 18 with Tee Shirts that exclaimed "The March Team." I had to straighten up. No way was I going to be walking. My son in law, along with my son, who was carrying my granddaughter on his shoulder, ran along side for a moment or two. It was incredibly uplifting. It gave me a shot of much needed adrenaline.  The Lesson? Support teams energize you. They encourage you. They motivate you to, to finish strong.

4. Don't run your race just for yourself. Many runners were running--not for themselves, but in memory of a loved one who lost their life in service to our country. The lesson? When you have a "big why" for running your race, "the big why" matters more than how fast you can complete your course. 

5. We live in a great country and most Americans Love it! Patriotism showed itself in red, white and blue on Marathon Day--it was great to see. This is the  the land of the free and home of the brave. The lesson? Rally round the flag at every opportunity with like-minded folks. It will make you feel good about yourself and your fellow Americans.

6. Stuff happens. I planned a finish time which my training told me was in the realm of possibility, But-- I was a whole hour late! A foot problem slowed my pace. The lesson? Prepare as best you can before your race. Think about what could go wrong (what if it rains? snows? you get injured?) When stuff happens, don't panic. Make the necessary adjustments and move on.

7. Never, ever even THINK about quitting. There were signs along the route that read: "Pain is temporary, defeat is forever." 

 Never quit in training. The time to prepare for NOT QUITTING is in training. If your training schedule calls for 20 mile run, commit to doing the 20--not 19.5, 18 or anything less than what your plan calls for--even if you have to crawl to complete the mission. Why? Because, if you quit in practice you teach your mind and body to quit. You set yourself up to be a quitter on race day. So, deal with discomfort, aches and pains. Theses will go away when you finish!The lesson? Victory in every practice will insure victory in the battle. 

8. Have fun. You may know what it takes to train for a marathon. 13 mile, 18, 20 mile, 25 mile runs, training every day, for many weeks--For some, this sounds like boring stuff, not fun. For me, I enjoyed most of it. I enjoyed the benefits of shedding the extra pounds and lower blood pressure. I love training outdoors and feeling good. To me, training was play time. And once a week, I got a day off, too. The lesson?  Life is short. Find out what gives you joy in your work and your life. Don't be so serious--figure out how to have some fun everyday. And, by all means, take a day off.

9. It helps if you know where you are, how far you have to go, where and when you'll finish. Prior to the race, The Marines provided us an interactive map online. I referred to that map, many times prior to race day--visualizing my race and seeing the victory. Some people go through life without a map. They don't know where they're going. Some may have a map tucked away, but never refer to it.  The lesson?  Make sure you have a map for the course you're running. Know where you're suppose to be and when. Refer to it frequently, check your compass and visualize the victory. 

10. Be grateful. Getting a medal is awesome. At the finish, each of us received the Symbol of the Marine Corps, an Eagle, Globe and Anchor medal, which was suspended on a broad blue ribbon. A Marine Corps officer hung my medal around my neck. I felt honored. I thanked him for his service. And, I felt like I should be hanging my medal around his neck!

I am thankful for all of the dedicated young men and women who served us on marathon day and who serve us everday. The Lesson? Don't take freedom for granted, and next time you see someone in uniform, don't be shy--thank them for their service.

Cheers to you and here's to your finishing strong.