Running Your Own Race: How Law School, Like a Marathon, Tests Your Private Preparation

Yesterday, I ran the Air Force Half Marathon. It was hot. Brutally hot. So hot, in fact, that the race was flagged at a severe level for participants. I knew going in that it would be a tough day, so I followed the old runner’s saying: “start slow, then taper off.” I took my time, kept a steady pace, and focused on just finishing.

I’m normally a slow runner. Before the start of yesterday’s race, I anticipated my time to clearly reflect that. And it did.

My time yesterday was probably my slowest half marathon ever, and about a half-hour slower than my normal times.

As spectators saw my finish time—2:45:11, which was almost 10 minutes slower than the men’s full marathon winner—it was clear I had struggled.

But was I disappointed? NOT. ALL. ALL. Because here’s what I’ve learned from running: it’s only a public display of your own private journey. And as cheesy as it might sound: It’s the journey that really matters.

That’s a lesson that I think every first-year law student needs to hear. Law school is a marathon, not a sprint, and much like running, it’s often a public test of your private preparation. But it’s the preparation that matters more.

Let me explain this apt analogy.

1. You Can’t Control the Conditions—But You Can Control Your Response

When I saw the forecast for the race day, I knew it wasn’t going to be ideal. The heat was going to slow me down, and there was no getting around that. But I could control my approach. I started slower, conserved energy, and tried to keep a manageable pace.

The same thing happens in law school. You can’t control everything—whether it’s the volume of reading or the difficulty of a class. But you can control how you respond. Pace yourself, adjust when needed, and don’t burn yourself out trying to sprint through everything.

2. Focus on the Process, Not the Time

One of the biggest lessons from that race was to stop obsessing over time and focus on the journey. My finish time wasn’t what mattered. What mattered was that I finished, learned something along the way, and didn’t let the conditions get the better of me.

In law school, it’s easy to get caught up in grades, rankings, and comparisons. But remember: It’s not just about getting to the finish line fast. It’s about putting in the work each day, showing up, and continuing to learn, even when it’s hard.

3. Running—and Law School—Are Public Displays of Private Journeys

As I mentioned, there’s a saying that running is a public display of a private journey. When you run a race, people see the outcome, but they don’t see the months of training that went into it. They don’t see the early mornings, the sore muscles, or the mental battles.

The same is true for law school. People might see your grades, your class participation, or even where you rank, but they don’t see the countless hours you’ve spent studying, the stress of preparing for exams, or the personal challenges you’ve overcome to get where you are.

That’s why it’s so important to focus on your journey, not anyone else’s. In a race, it doesn’t matter what pace the person next to you is running. What matters is that you run your race, at your own pace. Law school is no different. Stay focused on your path, and don’t compare your journey to others. You’re building something for yourself, and that private journey is what will ultimately matter most.

4. The Toughest Days Build the Most Resilience

Running in the heat was hard. It tested my endurance and patience. But it was also an opportunity to build resilience. It reminded me that I’m capable of pushing through difficult conditions.

In law school, the hardest days—the ones where the material feels overwhelming, or you feel like you’re falling behind—are the ones that will build your strength. They teach you how to manage stress, balance competing demands, and keep going when things don’t go perfectly.

So, to all the 1Ls out there: Law school is your marathon. You don’t have to be the fastest or the best every day. The important part is to keep showing up, keep learning, and keep pushing forward. You’ll get to the finish line, and that’s what truly matters.