13.1 Miles, One Bad Ankle, and a Crash Course in Marketing
There’s something about lacing up your running shoes with a big goal in mind — 13.1 miles of grit, focus, and a little anxiety — that mirrors the experience of building a strategic marketing plan. I learned that firsthand while training for my first half-marathon!
What I didn’t anticipate? Spraining my ankle halfway through the race! But that obstacle ended up being the breakthrough that brought the biggest lessons — not just for running, but for how I approach marketing.
Start with a Goal and a Plan
Before I ran a single mile, I mapped out a plan: weekly runs, rest days, fuel strategies, playlists (because yes, vibe matters), and even recovery time. It felt like laying out a marketing roadmap — the audience, the channels, the messaging. The end goal? Crossing the finish line (or hitting KPIs).
But as with any good plan…
Expect Detours (and Sprained Ankles)
Around mile six, disaster struck — I sprained my ankle mid-marathon (cue the wave of panic, doubt, and some very dramatic limping). Finishing the race suddenly shifted from a time goal to simply putting one foot in front of the other. I traded speed for grit, powering through with recovery-paced walking, deep breaths, and utter determination.
In marketing, we hit “sprained ankle” moments too — a press release gets pushed, a campaign doesn’t go too well, a budget gets slashed. The key isn’t to give up. It’s to adapt, re-strategize, and keep moving forward — even if it’s not the pace you planned for.
When things go sideways, you learn to work with what you’ve got. I couldn’t run, but I could still move. Just like in marketing — you may not have your full team, ideal timeline, or budget, but you do have your experience, creativity, and focus. And you have clients counting on you to deliver. Control what you can, and keep showing up with perseverance and intention, and your eye on the goal.
Progress Isn’t Always Linear
After spraining my ankle mid-race, every step became a test — not of speed, but of mental toughness. Some miles felt manageable, others felt endless. But I kept moving. The finish line didn’t come from perfect pacing, it came from persistence.
Marketing progress works the same way. One campaign might take off, while another stalls. Some strategies thrive, others need to be rebuilt mid-run. Growth doesn’t always look like a straight line — sometimes it’s a messy loop, a sudden drop, or a slow climb. What matters is that you’re still in motion.
The Finish Line Isn’t the Only Win
Yes, I completed the half marathon (cue tears, sore legs, and the most satisfying post-run lunch ever). But the real win was showing myself I could push through the setbacks, adjust, and still succeed!
In marketing, too, we celebrate campaign launches and quarterly wins — but often the biggest growth comes from the hurdles we overcome behind the scene. In my case it was the quiet discipline that no one saw that made all the difference.
So, What Does This Mean for Marketers?
- Make a plan — but remain flexible and on your feet! A rigid strategy doesn’t survive a real-world curveball.
- Train for endurance. Long-term success requires stamina, not just short-lived sprint energy.
- Celebrate progress. Even when you’re not at full speed, forward is forward.
- Listen to the signs and trust your gut! Just like your body, your audience gives feedback. Sometimes the cues are subtle. Pay attention.
- Whether it’s miles or metrics, the driving force is the same — resilience.
Stay focused on the finish line, pacing yourself with purpose. Like a half marathon, every marketing campaign builds endurance, insight, and strength for the next race. At Paragon, we thrive on helping clients shape and share their message in ways that truly resonate.
Ready to realign your brand positioning or sharpen your narrative? Let’s hit the ground running—reach out to our team!
