This One (Unexpected) Thing Improved My Race Time by Four Minutes

Last week, I told you about my trip to San Francisco.

Well, I’m home now. On Friday, I landed at Boston Logan International Airport as the clock struck midnight. The next morning, I wasted no time and checked into Boston’s 10K for Women at the Boston Common.

A few people told me I was crazy for participating in a race that started only a few hours after I had landed (and after a week of traveling). But I told them I’d be fine. After all, I was excited for this. I participated last year and really enjoyed myself.

When I walked up to the starting line, I received a text from Crystal, my best friend and roommate, letting me know she was standing on the sidelines ready to cheer me on. I smiled.

As the horn sounded and everyone began running, I looked to the right of me and saw my boyfriend, Trevor, standing on the sidewalk with my dog, Laurence. I waved at them; pride and excitement fueled me onward almost as a full night’s sleep.

As I began running, I noticed that I was making good time. In fact, I was making better time than I had during a year of training.

As I crossed MIT bridge and made my way down Memorial Drive, I checked my apple watch to see how I was doing. Wow, I thought. This could be my best race yet.

In that moment, I decided to push myself further. I passed mile three, then four, then five and noticed my average mile time continuing to decrease. I was actually making better time the further I went.

As soon as I passed mile six, I sprinted the last .2 miles past the finish line. Huffing and puffing, I finished my race four minutes faster than I had the year prior.

I was proud of myself.

Soon after, I saw Trevor and Laurence who were waiting for me at the finish line, followed by Crystal and her dog, Leeza. Soon, I was receiving big hugs and congratulations. The five of us took a picture together; and for a moment, I became an observer, watching in amazement, as the realization suddenly hit me.

One year ago, I ran this race alone. I didn’t tell anyone I was running, and no one was waiting for me at the finish line. I walked home to my studio apartment and patted myself quietly on the back.

This year, I wasn’t alone. In 2022, I had gained a canine companion, a best friend, and a boyfriend. And they were waiting for me at the finish line. I felt truly loved and supported.

I ran for them. I crossed the finish line sooner because of them. Because I knew they were waiting for me. Because their encouragement and support made me want to do better. So I did.

This experience made me think about attachment theory: Have you ever heard of the book, Attached? It’s fascinating. Studies show that children who feel loved and supported by their parents are willing to take more risks, try new things, and approach life with more openness. They know, at the end of the day, they will always have their family waiting for them at the finish line, ready to cheer them on. This knowing makes children more open and willing to step outside their comfort zones and try new things.

The same theory applies to adults, too. All the times I’ve felt supported by a community are all the times I’ve been less risk-averse and more willing to exceed my own expectations.

I started a business because my parents believed in me – their emotional support during my first year of entrepreneurship was paramount. In fact, it’s surely the reason I kept going, even in that first year, when all I wanted to do was quit.

I drove across the country and moved to Boston, where I didn’t know a single person – because of the words my mom told me, “Keep going, Anna. You can always come home, but I don't think that’s what you really want. I think you should keep going.” These were the words I needed to believe in myself and hold out faith that this would be the trip of a lifetime…one that would lead me to the life I had always dreamed of.

At the end of the day, we need people. We need to know we’re being looked after; to know that we are loved, seen, and supported unconditionally. When we truly believe this, is when we’re willing to try more, do more, and be more.

Are you setting a new goal for yourself?
Perhaps you’re pursuing a new project or venture?
Or maybe, you’re about to cross your own finish line…?

If so, ask yourself: What, or who, do I need to feel more supported?

Community support is why I believe my students in Personal Brand Accelerator have been so successful. PBA is a program that will guide you to discover your purpose, clarify your message, and post with confidence on social media. But most importantly, it’s a community. A wonderful group of people who have made the commitment to see, support, and motivate one another to go further and faster than we’ve ever gone before.

If this is something you want, I encourage you to join the waitlist. Enrollment opens soon!

Love and light,
Anna Vatuone