Running a marathon is a pretty impressive thing to accomplish.  Running (or jogging) continuously for 26.2 miles is no small thing.  For most serious runners, it takes considerable training, discipline, and months of commitment to a healthy diet and lifestyle to prepare.  Particularly if they’re trying to get, or beat, a particular time.

As impressive as completing a marathon is, it gets me wondering:  If you’re like me, and running isn’t really your thing, what else would you choose to accomplish if you were to train as long and hard as someone preparing for a marathon? 

If someone were to say that you have four months and 200-300 hours of time to master one thing, or complete one milestone project, what would you choose?

If you don’t plan on running the New York City marathon any time soon, but are intrigued by the idea of accomplishing something big in a relatively compressed time frame, what would be your alternative marathon?

Would you learn to program?  Would you release an app?  Would you finally finish that short story or novel you’ve been thinking about?  Start a side business and commit to getting your first sales within four months?  Take a couple of classes and make a large, positive career shift?  Take a speaking course and give three talks to audiences?

There might not be any confetti, news coverage, or streets lined with cheering fans for your alternative marathon.  But wouldn’t it be an amazing thing to go for?

What would your alternative marathon be?  Email me at gordon@gordonstransky.com and let me know.  I’d love to hear from you!