My Thoughts on Starting A Race - Emmanuel Iruobe (COVENANT UNIVERSITY)

EMMANUEL IRUOBE

Running a race is a matter of applying certain tested principles. Conventionally speaking, every race can be divided into three stages: Stage 1 ("On Your Marks"), Stage 2 ("Get Set) and Stage 3 ("Go").

Stage 1 is where you build the sub-structure. The sub-structure is the foundation of a house that is never seen by people but is so necessary in ensuring that the super-structure (the main house) is able to stand. Stage 1 involves building capacity, training and toning the muscles, eliminating distractions, developing a clear plan of the route to take all through the race. Stage 1 is so important!

Stage 2 is all about "STRATEGIC READINESS" (Oh how much I love that term). Strategic Readiness is the point that you are when all is set and you are ready to just shoot up. At the point of Strategic Readiness, everything that has to do with planning, path or route selection, methodology/approach/strategy should have been concluded and all you're waiting for is the instruction to begin! Maintaining Strategic Readiness for whatever it is you want to achieve is key to achieving it. In war times, the military of any nation remain in perpetual Strategic Readiness.

Stage 3 calls for immediate, prompt and timely execution of the blueprint, strategy and plan. Once the race begins, you are to start running immediately and focus intensively on the race. That is not the time for unnecessary 'celebrations' or distractions. As a matter of fact, I think the celebrations are more appropriate when you have travelled upto 40% of the journey, but not when you are starting. Your momentum should be highest as you try to gain grounds and position yourself for effective competitive behaviour.
I'm sure this is why the Bible says "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all but one obtaineth the price?"

A race is a big deal, it is neither "party-fare" nor "fun-fare." There is what you should be doing before it begins and once it begins, you must hit the road FAST!

P/S: These are My raw thoughts, pardon any dis-organization in articulation or organization.. Thanks..