Marathon Mindset - The Finish Line
The Marathon Mindset in Action
I did it.
I ran Marathon number eight. My third Abbott World Major. And what a ride it was: exciting, fun, hard, frustrating, exhausting, but also deeply fulfilling.
I’ve tried to convey the build up, the preparation, the commitment and the feeling of a marathon over the past few months through this series, but…
There’s nothing quite like the buzz of marathon day. The nervous chatter at the start line, the sound of shoes hitting the pavement, the sea of strangers all united in a shared goal.
Even after eight marathons, I was surprised by just how nervous I felt, maybe more than ever. It had been three years since my last one and those pre-race butterflies came back in full force.
The night before, my daughter looked at me and said, “It just means it’s important to you.” Words I’ve said to her so many times when she’s been nervous, reflected back to me when I needed them most.
On race morning, I took a quiet moment before anyone else was awake. I looked at myself in the mirror, nerves buzzing through me and whispered: “You’ve got this.” It was the reminder I needed to steady my mind and get into the zone.
I set out with a clear intention: to run happy, to run well and to celebrate the months of effort that had led me here. And for much of it, I did. There were moments of pure joy, smiling at the crowd, soaking up the sunshine, feeling strong in my stride.
But there were also the tough miles, the ones where I hurt, felt sick, exhausted and fatigued. The undulating Sydney hills took more out of me than I expected. In those moments, I leaned hard on my nutrition plan and the mental focus I’d trained for. I pulled on my mindful practices of coming back into my body, being present in the moment rather than focused on the kilometres in front of me. Had you been able to be near me you would’ve heard me chant…“One breath. One step.”
But that’s what this race and this mindset has always been about: not just chasing times or perfection, but showing up fully. Running the highs, running the lows and crossing the finish line knowing you gave everything you had.
I laughed, I cried, I hurt, but I finished and I finished strong with a 3:47 on the clock and a heart full of gratitude.
The Marathon Mindset in Action
This run, like my others reminded me: the marathon is never just about the day itself. It’s the culmination of every kilometer, every choice, every setback and comeback along the way.
It’s a test of resilience, yes, but more than that, it’s a mirror for life.
The Marathon Mindset is about:
Presence: Coming back to one breath, one step, one moment.
Resilience: Rising when the course gets hard and finding your way forward.
Trust: Believing the work you’ve done is enough and surrendering to the flow.
Balance: Knowing when to push and when to rest.
Possibility: Choosing to see what you are truly capable of.
And here’s the thing: this mindset isn’t just for runners. It applies to our careers, our health, our relationships, our goals. The same tools that got me through 42km are the ones that help me navigate life, projects, businesses, transitions and challenges.
This Week’s 5-Pillar Check-In
Mental – I anchored myself in the mantra “one breath, one step.”
Emotional – I allowed the nerves, the tears, the joy, all of it to move through me.
Physical – My training, nutrition and pacing carried me across the line.
Spiritual – I trusted the process and surrendered to the journey.
Self – I celebrated the person I became through the months of preparation, not just the runner who finished the race.
Leadership Lesson: Beyond the Finish Line
Great leadership isn’t about control or perfection, it’s about embracing the full experience and still choosing to move forward.
When we model presence, resilience, trust, balance and possibility, we give others permission to do the same. We show that success isn’t about avoiding the tough moments, but about moving through them with grace, grit and perspective.
The Wrap-Up: Possibility in Action
This marathon series has been more than just a record of training. It’s been a reflection of life itself: the setbacks, the growth, the trust, the resilience, the joy.
Running this marathon was my personal reminder that when you commit, when you stay present, when you trust the process and when you dare to believe in possibility, extraordinary things happen.
This is the heart of my work now through The Possibility Project. Helping people see that they are capable of so much more than they often believe.
Even though the marathon may be over, the Marathon Mindset lives on.
And the greatest race we’ll ever run is the one where we choose our own possible.
Natalie Moore is a marathon runner, mindset and leadership coach and women’s health advocate. After reshaping her own career to align with purpose and wellbeing, she now helps others unlock their potential and lead lives they don’t need to escape from. Through her signature program, The Possibility Project, Natalie empowers individuals in transition to embrace their inner strength, honour their health and create meaningful, sustainable growth in life and work.