Nike, the sports and apparel brand, set out in 2016 to sponsor and assist a professional athlete in breaking the last running barrier. This pursuit later became a documentary called “Breaking 2” and it chronicles the achievement of Eliud Kipchoge running a marathon in under 2-hours.

Crazy, I know. In order to run 26.2 miles in less than 2 hours would require that each mile is less than 4-minutes and 34-seconds… That’s impressive just for one mile – a time that would win most High School track meets. But to keep that pace over the course of 26 consecutive miles is awe-inspiring.

Most people deemed this feat impossible. The fastest marathon in history prior to this documentary was two hours and three minutes – roughly a 4:42/mile pace. To shave off eight seconds from every mile just didn’t seem realistic. Most critics said that the human body couldn’t continue to replenish itself with oxygen if it’s moving that fast, for that long.

I recommend watching the documentary yourself, but the summary is that in May of 2017, Kipchoge fell short by 25-seconds. He finished in 2:00:25 (2 hours and 25 seconds)–an average pace of 4:35/mile, or one second/mile too slow.

At the end of the race, he is totally spent. Nike ends the documentary praising Kipchoge by saying, “It’s possible. We just need more time. But we can help him get one second faster per mile.”

The Team

A few months after the documentary was recorded, Kipchoge broke the marathon barrier finishing in 1:59:40. He hung on to an impossible 4:33/mile pace.

After the race, he hugs his wife and his teammates. A few minutes later, he’s interviewed and emotionally thanks his 43 other teammates that ran in and out of the race to help him keep pace. Kipchoge says that with their help, “No human is limited.” This phrase then becomes the most popular hashtag in the running world over night.

“You need to believe that something impossible is possible,” he said. “But 100% of me is less than 1% of the team. You can’t do the impossible without a team.”

RxFIT

You and I aren’t elite athletes, but this story is a good reminder of our limiting beliefs.

What’s holding you back from losing the weight?

What’s holding you back from getting stronger?

What’s holding you back from feeling confident when you wake up in the morning?

If your experience since COVID has been anything like mine – a struggle every day to exercise in the morning, eat right during the day, and go to bed on time at night – find a team of 43 runners. Not literally, but build a team like Kipchoge and Nike did.

For athletes at RxFIT, we have an awesome opportunity in these next four weeks to be on a team with the RxFIT Open. Take a chance and sign up. If you missed the announcements, here is a summary:

Remember, 100% of you is less than 1% of a team.

Takeaway

Without sports, we lose our fitness.

You need teammates and a coach. Similar to Kipchoge, they will help you train and achieve your goals. They will even help hold your pace when you don’t want to hold your pace.

And who knows… Maybe your future achievement will then give others permission to do the same.

Sign up for the RxFIT Open HERE.

Tyler