Run or Be Run

There are sayings on the street: “Play or Be Played." "Sell or Be Sold.” They’re all about taking control of your own life. Ensuring that you are the master of your own destiny. The bottomline: either sell your game, or you will be sold someone else’s.

When it comes to running --- whether sticking to a running routine, or just plain running my life --- I have coined my own phrase: “Run or Be Run."

In my field, during a busy Election Year it’s easy to put off my running routine and allow the daily schedule to take over my life. We all know how it is. We swear we won't succumb to it. But before we know it, there we are with endless workdays, endless hours on the campaign trail, and a different city on any given week.

But I refuse to believe that fitting in a run during the week is impossible. In fact, it's imperative. I was taught that if you do the small things well, you will succeed in the larger ones. If I can control when I run, then I can control the rest of my day. So, in the face of a busy schedule I vow to make it work. There really is no other choice when it's important to you that you Run your own life.

So this campaign season, I’m making the extra effort by employing a few simple tips.  First, no matter what time I leave the office behind, I’ll try to hit the gym or go for a run -- no matter how tired I am. (I always leave with more energy than when I arrived.) Second, if I have an early flight the next morning, I’ll squeeze in a workout the night before (even if I’ve already gone that day), or I’ll get up super-early (hello, 4a.m.) to ensure I get it in.  Lastly, and this is the most important one, when I’m on the road I’ll check the website for any hotel in which I'm staying to ensure that they have a gym– one that is open 24 hours a day, by the way. (I’m sorry, but a gym that closes at 10pm does not work for a busy campaign operative. I mean, haven’t they seen the West Wing?!?) Oh, and if the hotel doesn't have a gym... well, then they don't have me as a customer. Simple as that.

Whether it’s my morning run or an afternoon power meeting, it is all connected for me. Small steps lead to big success. If I can’t carve out a half hour to run my routine, chances are I won’t feel that confident about running my Life. But if I get in a good run, I can conquer anything.  It’s as simple as that.

Run or Be Run.