What’s the Difference Between Running an Ultra Marathon and Educational Leadership?
By Charlotte Rowley
I am a Headteacher of a one-form entry primary school and in my spare time I love to run. It genuinely does wonders for my well-being and helps me to wind down and switch off, particularly when running with friends. On a recent ultra- marathon adventure in May (because there was certainly a lot of time to think and reflect!) I realised that actually there is a strong correlation between both running and leadership.
The Preparation / Training Stage
It is obvious that you cannot simply ‘wing it’ when running a marathon or ultra – if only! The training is intense, the mileage leaps up, you have to think carefully and differently about fuelling, nutrition and hydration and for my recent running mission, it was imperative that I practised off-road and hills!
Without planning and preparation, leadership will also fall apart. Fact. Can we plan and prepare for every single challenge – ultra marathon or in a leadership sense? No, definitely not, but we can certainly try!
I was fortunate enough to be on secondment before taking on a substantive role as Headteacher and this was excellent experience and practice. Preparing well, practising difficult conversations, being organised with deadlines will help when facing adversity, as both running and leadership can at times, have some uphill struggles!
The Energetic Start Line Stage
I remember standing at the start line for this ridiculous 47 mile challenge and I was past the point of being nervous. I was actually, bizarrely quite excited (also realistically, I hadn’t slept too well and was most likely already running off adrenaline!), but I knew that there was nothing further I could do at this point and knew that I had trained the best that I could (plus, I certainly was not expecting to break any records! Simply completing this was enough of a mission for me!). The point I am making is that I chose to feel optimistic and I chose not to feel anxious, which made it more enjoyable (mostly).
As leaders, we set the weather. If we are optimistic, positive, but of course realistic too, this grows. Just like how negative energy spreads, consuming colleagues in a dreadful way. Positivity and good humour are contagious and help us to complete the race or challenge, whatever that may look like.
The Half Way Through ‘Second Wind’ Stage
Throughout the ultra there was a point at around mile 20-something where the food stations were just amazing. There were pizza and all sorts of wonderful goodies to keep us fuelled. Psychologically, there was something wonderful about reaching that half-way mark too, knowing that the majority of the miles were completed; a little bit like a work project. Knowing that you are half-way through checking reports or half-way through data analysis, writing your School Development Plan, whatever it may be, it feels good and can ignite a ‘second wind’ or energy. Use this to push you forwards! One foot in front of the other – always.
The ‘Hit the Wall’ Stage
I am generally a ‘glass half full’ person, optimistic and overall, positive … BUT I am also human and there were certainly moments in this race where I felt like I had hit rock bottom. I never said it out loud, but inside, I had definitely hit the very tall, sturdy, scary wall! Days at work can be like this too and they creep up on us, usually towards the end of a term when we’re tired, sleep deprived or a little too over-stimulated from the copious events and plans in school.
What did I do during the race? I rested. Even if just for a moment. I checked whether I needed to hydrate, did I need to eat more, or did I need to simply just admire the views for a moment and take it all in. What do I do when I feel like this at work? Exactly the same. Sometimes, you just need to stop and take time to smell the roses!
The Feeling on ‘Top of the World’ and Want to do it Again Stage
When I crossed the finish line with my headtorch, stiff little legs and blisters all combined, it honestly felt the best feeling! It was the most difficult challenge I have completed. I had run marathons previously, but this just did not compare. HOWEVER, that feeling of pride, relief, elation and sheer joy was incredible. Days at school can often resemble this. Some moments, weeks or even months can feel so hard, but the impact that we have on the children in our care are what make us look forward to embracing challenges and hard work all over again, no matter how undulating the route or how uneven the terrain!
What have I learned? Both are cyclical. Both are amazing roles and there is a sense of huge accomplishment. Some days, running and leadership can seem lonely, but the sense of achievement is amazing and remembering the ‘why’ we do it really is vital to success!
