We were 10 miles from the Kasane airport when I asked the driver to stop.
I climbed down from the open-air Jeep and started to run.
Don’t worry — no large cats were chasing me. I wanted to run.
About ten minutes later, the driver welcomed me back to the Jeep.
Botswana became one of the 63+ countries where I’ve run a mile.
I’m working toward running one mile, outdoors, in 100 countries as part of my 100 Lifetime Experiences list.
I’ve written about another running goal of completing a marathon and how 26.2 miles requires planning, discipline, and commitment.
Running 1 mile is different. I don’t need to be in top shape to knock out a mile.
But I do need to step outside my comfort zone and lean into my strengths.
Do you have a goal like this in your own life?
One that challenges you and hones your unique abilities?
Here are five examples of how one-mile runs have pushed me to grow.
Creative Planning
The Botswana mile en route to the airport wasn’t easy to arrange. After an amazing EO event in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, I booked my flight out of neighboring Botswana. Only an hour’s drive. Then, I found out my driver couldn’t cross the border.
We had to ask a local acquaintance to help arrange a second driver on the Botswana side. The driver met me and we spoke about my plan. He graciously accommodated my unusual request to run a mile.
Borders and obstacles are part of any journey, so we have to be willing to get creative, ask for help, and create a plan B.
Improvisation
When my wife Jean and I were on our way to visit the South of France last summer, we flew into Milan and drove through the Piedmont region of Italy. Looking at the map, I noticed we’d be close to Monaco.
Jean agreed to an impromptu stop. I changed in a parking garage and determined my route and where to meet Jean for lunch. Mid-run, I realized I was on the Formula 1 Grand Prix course that goes through the streets of Monaco.
Sometimes opportunities present themselves. If I hadn’t been willing to improvise that day, I would have never experienced it!
Communication and Compromise
In Islamabad, Pakistan, I was assigned armed guards as a precaution. One day, I came out of my hotel hoping to get in my run, but the guards weren’t keen on me leaving the property unescorted and even less keen on running with me.
Overcoming the language barrier, we made a plan. I would run where I could stay in view. I respected that they had a job to do, and we worked together to find a compromise.
Communication is key especially when safety is a concern. Taking the time to understand what people want and need is important. We made it work, I was safe (though I wasn’t worried) and another country was added to my list.
Getting Comfortable with Discomfort
Jean and I were in a part of Saudi Arabia where you can see Bahrain. We decided to visit a friend there the next afternoon. But the only time I could run was at noon — when it would be a 101 degrees.
So, I brought my running gear and arranged to take a shower afterward at a gym. I was out there, not in my best shape, running a mile in the melting sun, but I was able to do it. That shower felt awesome.
Another time, Jean and I were traveling by train from Amsterdam to Luxembourg. We stopped in Belgium, and while we were there, you guessed it, I had time to run a mile. But I didn’t have a place to shower this time. Jean had to sit beside me in my sweaty clothes the second half of the trip.
Get comfortable with discomfort and you’ll be able to go further. Just be sure to fully appreciate those willing to come along with you!
Seizing Opportunities
I’ll leave you with one last story from Africa. During the EO Regional Leadership Academy in Zimbabwe, a group decided to go to the Zambia side of Victoria Falls. We wanted to visit Devil’s Pool, a small ledge you can safely swim to, in the middle of where all the water thunders over the falls.
Zambia was a new country for me. I wanted to run a mile, but we were on a tight schedule and I was concerned about making the group wait for me.
We arrived at the border post and saw a long line to have our passports checked at the immigration and customs center. I could see the line would take longer than 10 minutes to process so I seized the opportunity.
I handed my passport to a friend in the group and off I ran. After running a half mile into Zambia, I realized that I was in a foreign country without any ID or documentation. It was both thrilling and scary. I was glad it was time to turn around and I ran back at a faster pace as I didn’t want to get into trouble. When I returned, the timing was perfect to get my passport stamped!
What opportunities are waiting for you to seize them?
Life is short. Consider this a reminder to make it happen.