One, two, three…
Our regular readers will know that it is ‘normal’ for sporting achievements to be mentioned in this column. We are constantly in awe of ‘ordinary people who achieve extraordinary things’. And last week, we watched history being made when one of the most significant sporting milestones was obliterated.
We dedicate today’s Virtual Coach to the London Marathon….
We’re confident that we weren’t alone, screaming encouragement at our TV’s as we watched Sabastian Sawe become the first man to run a marathon in under two hours (1.59.30) in official race conditions, followed closely by Yomif Kejelcha who also broke the two-hour barrier, finishing in 1.59.41. And this happened after we had already jumped up and down cheering for Tigst Assefa, as she outsprinted her nearest rivals and broke the women’s world record (that she had previously set), finishing in 2.15.41. In fact, three women finished in under 2.16 for the first time in history, making for an extremely exciting women’s race.
Beyond the headlines and historic finish times, the marathon reminded us of something much more relatable: progress is built one step at a time.
Anyone who has been able to run a marathon knows that it is brutally simple. Put one foot in front of the other until you reach the finish line. At some point, everyone suffers. Legs tighten, doubts creep in, energy levels drop. The runners who succeed are the ones who keep moving through the discomfort and challenge themselves to see what is on the other side.
This approach transfers directly into our everyday lives.
Whether building a career, recovering from failure, growing a business or simply trying to become a better version of ourselves, resilience is not about feeling unstoppable every day. It is about continuing even when motivation disappears. The elite athletes in London did not wake up one morning capable of extraordinary performances. They earned them through years of unseen training, setbacks and consistency.
The marathon also highlighted the power of self-belief. Before any record is broken publicly, it has to be believed privately. The race times that Sawe and Assefa set in London were only possible because they were willing to attempt what many deemed to be impossible.
Of course, we can’t possibly mention the London Marathon without referencing the tens of thousands of ‘ordinary’ runners covering the same distance and crossing the same finish line as those elite runners. The 2026 race was the largest marathon ever, with 59,830 finishers all with different stories to tell. Some were running for charities, some for loved ones, some to prove something to themselves. Every single one carried their own story of persistence. For us, that is the real message of the marathon:
You don’t need to be the fastest to be extraordinary, you simply need to refuse to quit
Much like the marathon, life is often best navigated with patience, courage and the decision to keep going when stopping would be easier. Are you taking steps towards your next big goal? Let us know in the comments! You’re In Cool Company…
