Start-up & First Marathon

Being on the long and committed journey of endurance running and entrepreneurship, I have come to believe that these completely unrelated passion areas actually have several things in common.

At a fundamental level, setting up a start-up is not so different from running a marathon. There are several similar types phases one has journey through, each with different context & distinct set of challenges. The roller coaster ride – the process, the emotions, hard work etc., of a marathon runner and an entrepreneur, is a lot similar than the other way round.

Here is my take on the journey.

Phase	Start-up	Marathon
SPARK	People around you are setting up start-ups. A bright idea hits you. You think it will work but not sure.	People around you are running. First thoughts of running a marathon. You think you can run for so long but not sure.
PRE-PLUNGE	Discuss with friends, family and experts/mentors. You believe that idea will work.	Talk to friends, family and seasoned runners. You believe that you can pull it off.
PLUNGE	Align family. Quit the job & set up a company. Bootstrap with some money. 100% commitment to the start-up.	Align family. Buy new running gear – shoes, tee & more. Register for a marathon. 100% commitment to the plan.
HUSTLE – 1	Business planning. Setting up the team. Building a minimum viable product.	Training plan, finding running buddies. Building your body for the marathon.
DOUBTS – 1	Things not moving as planned. MVP taking longer than expected. Seed money depleting by the day.	Unable to keep up with the training plan. Minor injuries hamper progress. Motivation depleting by the day.
HUSTLE – 2	Pep talk by well-wishers. Ted Videos. Self Help Books. Shut out negativity and motor on.	Pep talk by running buddies. Scott Jurek Book. Shut out negativity and keep running.
PRE D-DAY	Close to the product launch day. Anxious and excited. Feeling that you are ready to conquer the world.	Week before the marathon. Nervous but high on adrenaline. Feeling that you read to conquer the marathon.
D-DAY	Product Launch. First few customers come in and you are on the moon. You think it’s a winner & first funding cheque is not too far.	Marathon Day. You kick-start the run. First few kilometres feels good. You feel its not so tough & the finish line is not too far.
HUSTLE – 3	Product Issues. Customer Escalations. You fix ‘em. More issues, more fixes. Repeat.	Past 12km mark, fatigue creeps in. Minor cramps. Stretch, hydrate & manage. More cramps. More stretches & hydration. Repeat.
DOUBTS – 2	Too many issues to fix. Too much work, too less time. Money is running out. You think you’ll not make it.	Past halfway mark, too many niggles to manage. Blisters now. Energy is running out. You think you will not make it.
ABYSS	Early employees quit. No response from investors. Struggle to keep floating. Other are getting funded but not you. You think about quitting.	Past 30Km mark, you are down and out. No energy. Other runners zoom past you – old, young et al. You think about quitting.
HOPE	Few investors respond. Good feedback from early customers. Unexpected business leads You are back in the game.	Past 35Km mark, your family is cheering. Unexpected energy surge. Cramps and blisters aren’t hurting anymore. You are back in the game.
NOT TOO FAR	Positive conversation with investors. Swelling customer base. First big milestone is in sight. You are unstoppable now.	Past 41Km mark, first sight of the finish line. Unknown faces cheering you. Running buddies come back to pace you. You are unstoppable now.
MOMENT OF TRUTH	First milestone reached. First cheque in. A sigh of relief. You are euphoric. You ruminate on ‘WHAT NEXT’. Just a beginning. Cycle Repeats.	Cross the finish line. Medal on your neck. A sigh of relief. You are euphoric. You ruminate on ‘WHAT NEXT’. Just a beginning. Cycle Repeats.