Just about everyone has heard of a 5k, 10k, or marathon. However, ultramarathons are a relatively unknown segment of the running world. In November 2007, I joined the ranks of those dedicated (and slightly crazy) runners when I completed the Dizzy Fifties 50k in Huntsville, AL. For those of us that aren't interested in the metric system, the total distance was 31 miles. Since completing the race, I have looked back and seen the different ways it helped me in my work life.

Take a Bold Step

I used to be very quiet at work. I sat quietly and worked without interacting with anyone else. When I decided to start training for the race, I started talking with others and becoming more verbose. My supervisor noticed my change in behavior, and I began to ask for more difficult assignments. I took the initiative to increase my value at work.

Never Give Up

Some of those assignments were difficult. Very difficult. Keeping-me-up-at-night difficult. However, working on a project at work is a lot less stressful when you have a 13-mile run planned in a few hours. I knew that no matter how hard the work got, I wouldn't quit, just like I wouldn't stop training. It would be worth the effort to reap the rewards at the end.

Leap Over Obstacles

Several months into my training and only a month before the ultramarathon, I started having pains in one of my feet. Instead of just dropping out of the race, I made a plan. I did workouts that wouldn't irritate my foot, rested plenty, and only ran on soft terrain. At work, if I had a setback that was too large to ignore, I couldn't just give up. I would have to finish the job.

Strut Your Stuff

Once it was over, I was sure to strut around the office for a while. Now, all that strutting was most likely caused by my inability to walk properly after pounding my joints for 31 miles, but I made sure to do so figuratively, as well. When I finished the projects that had been assigned to me, I compared my results with those of others. Because I had done well, I made sure to note the difference in results when my semiannual review came around. It gave me an excellent bargaining chip for getting the raise I wanted.

Lace Up Get Going

Now, think about this for a second. If I had never signed up for the ultramarathon, then I probably wouldn't have made any changes at work. I would have stayed quiet, took the easy work, got stuck behind roadblocks, and most likely not received the raise that I wanted. The rest of you don't have to run an ultramarathon to change yourself in the workplace, but you do have to take the initiative, show some determination, overcome problems, and demonstrate your value when given the chance. Anyone else ever run an ultramarathon or used leisure activities to change their life at work? We would love to hear any comments!

This is a guest post by Ben Eubanks.