When the going gets tough, you need a great team behind you

I ran a marathon on Sunday. And it might sound soppy but I’m just going to put it out there –  the Kaleidoscope team is all you need to run a marathon.

Ok, I know that you need to do some training, eat well and stay hydrated. But marathon running is no solo sport. I have never experienced the power of belonging to a team like I did on Sunday. At Kaleidoscope we talk a lot about dependability, about clarity and structure, about psychological safety and about purpose. Let me tell you, I experienced them all.

Let’s kick it all off with a dose of kindness. Before I had even left the house there was an influx of messages, already cheering me on. Colleagues and friends telling me they were going to track me online, or be on the course. I mean, we are all about kindness and connection, this really was our purpose in action!

How far?

At about the 8-mile mark, it was dawning on me how far I still had to go (yes ok, I should have thought about that BEFORE signing up), when Shane pinged me a screenshot of the tracker showing me how far I had already run! Gosh, that bit of structure and clarity helped me dig deeper.

Then turning the corner at mile 11, I hear my name and see Lydia, who I must apologise to for the very sweaty hug I forced on her. At that moment, I knew that my team had my back.

The messages kept coming in – 36 Kaleidoscope team members were tracking me online, updating each other and keeping my focus.

I have never experienced the power of belonging to a team like I did on Sunday.

Mile 17 came, it was feeling tough. And then again I hear my name. Lydia (again), this time with Grant. They really had my back, how did they know that this was the point I would really need it!

Then mile 20 and I see Mads, a quick pit stop to say hi and it was the extra energy I needed. But what really lifted my heart was seeing the “she’s going strong, I just saw her” message that came through to the group moments later. I could depend on this team to get me round.

Everything hurts

Then I hit the hardest part. Cramp in my legs. Time ticking away. The day was getting warmer. But all I remember is my watch pinging away with WhatsApp updates from the group. More screenshots from Shane. More encouragement. More confidence that people were right there with me.

Striding into the last mile. Almost there, we have Naomi (and her mum). I remember saying, “This is really hard. Everything hurts.” And without a beat I was sent on my way with an “Almost there, you are amazing, look what you have done!”

This was followed by the obligatory ping as Naomi updated the team.

At risk of stretching the analogy too far, but do we not describe psychological safety as the willingness to be vulnerable without fear of negative consequences? That was my moment right there. Then there I was. 4.19pm. Crossing the finish line. Collecting my medal.

So you see, running a marathon is not a solo sport. You need a team. Ideally the Kaleidoscope team is all you need to run a marathon.

The stats

8.24am first message of support

10.23am I crossed the start line

4.19pm I stepped over the finish line

5h 54 was my finish time

81 messages on our WhatsApp group

36 people from Kaleidoscope got me over the line