Context

Last year, I set out on an ambitious journey: running my first marathon.

On Instagram, I decided to share my journey. Posting my training regimen, offering advice to beginner runners, and encouraged others to lace up their shoes and go out for a run.

One of those posts inspired was my neighborhood friend, Vic.

Vic caught the running bug too. He completed his first half marathon in under 2 hours and 15 minutes—a solid time, yet short of his personal goal of a 2-hour finish. He craved that extra push, the fuel to fire his ambition. So, in January, he asked me if I would train alongside him and prepare for his Half Marathon later this year.

I happily agreed.

The Accountability Advantage

Training with Vic wasn’t just about logging miles. It was about the power of accountability. Growing up in the same hometown gave us key advantages:

• Proximity: A short 3-minute drive to each other kept our process frictionless.

• Spontaneity: A quick “run?” text could have us hitting the road in minutes.

• Shared Struggle: As Sahil Bloom reminds us, “Shared struggle releases oxytocin, which creates feelings of love and connection. Find the people who will share the struggle with you. Cherish them.”

Remembering these points, I even attempted to recreate this picture when we were out on today’s 10-mile long run:

Closing Thoughts

Every day out there on the roads = 1 brick.

1 brick to lay the foundation of a strong and fit runner. Individually, 1 brick doesn’t look like much. But compounded over 90 days, you’ve got yourself a solid base.

We weren’t just running; we were building a support system. With accountability as our secret weapon, every run, lift, and workout transformed doubt into determination.

The routine was simple but effective: showing up, pushing harder, and celebrating every small win.

Til next time,
- Ricky