What I Talk About When I Talk About Running (And Investing)
- Scott H. Tonai, CFP®
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
What running taught me about patience, discipline, and the long game
It was the Summer of 2020 when I made the life changing decision to put on my shoes and run out of my door.
As a late 20-something at the time, my views on running were starting to shift much like other millennials. Perhaps it’s a bit of maturity and patience. Or it was the “dad-bod” that I was starting to develop despite not yet being a dad.
Soon enough, the habit became a part of my identity as I signed up for the half marathon and eventual marathon. I am by no means fast and I hesitate to consider myself a runner. But the growing collection of running shoes (which Katie judges with every new addition) and my steady stream of Strava updates probably place me in the same category as those who proudly call it their hobby.
Over the past few years, I've noticed that many of the lessons I've learned through running also seem to apply to personal finance.
Take It Easy
One of the first lessons you learn in distance running is to take it easy. Most new runners start out too fast, going back to physical education class and trying their hardest to not be the last kid around the track.
Distance runners often train in “Zone 2”, which is about 60%-70% of your maximum heart rate. In normal persons terms, Zone 2 is running at a pace that allows you to maintain a conversation.
For me starting out, I could barely power walk to keep my heart rate at that level. There’s still times now where I am running in the hot Hawaiian sun trudging along as people pass me at Ala Moana Beach Park. It makes me want to hold a sign that says, “I’m not actually this slow!”
It took me a while to appreciate that easy days are when most of the training happens.
I've noticed something similar when it comes to saving.
I've seen people become motivated by a life event and immediately commit to saving 20% of every paycheck. A few months later, reality sets in. Life gets expensive, enthusiasm fades, and the plan becomes difficult to maintain.
Maybe that's okay.
There is something to be said for leaving yourself enough room to keep going.
There Is No Shortcut
One thing I appreciate about running is that you are what your training says you are. Skip workouts for a few weeks and race day has a way of exposing that. There are no tricks or hacks around it.
I am always amazed by the people who effortlessly glide past me during races. Many of them are older than me. Some look like they just rolled out of bed and decided to run 13 miles. I know better than to assume they were born that way. Their speed is the product of months, and often years, of showing up.
Investing feels much the same.
Every now and then, we'll hear stories about someone who struck it rich on a stock or made a fortune overnight. Those stories make headlines because they're rare. The people who quietly built wealth over decades rarely make the news.
Most healthy retirement accounts weren't built in a single year. They were built through hundreds of ordinary decisions. Automatic 401(k) and IRA contributions. Continuing to invest when markets were uncomfortable. Spending less than they earned.
Nothing glamorous. Just consistency.
Run Your Race
I was nervous to join a nearby run club because I was scared to be perceived as slow. First of all, I am slow so that was already a fact before they noticed.
But the nice thing is that everyone there is supportive. They don’t care if I kept up with the group or got lost somewhere along the way. At the end of the run everyone is happy that you showed up and put in the work.
I think personal finance is similar.
It’s easy to feel like we’re behind when we compare ourselves to others. We compare our salaries, homes, vacations and how much we’re “supposed” to have at a certain age. It can feel discouraging when it seems like everyone else is ahead.
But the reality is that we’re all running different races.
Some people are supporting children or family members. Others are rebuilding after a divorce or a career change. Progress isn’t measured against the people around you.
It’s measured against where you started.
The Finish Line
Reflecting on my running journey allows me to appreciate the impact of small decisions.
I may not remember every mile, or every time I decided to run even when every fiber of me yearned to stay in bed.
But I know that every step counts. The miles add up, just like every dollar.
The more I run, the more convinced I become that there is no shortcut.
We rarely notice the benefits of a single workout or one contribution to a retirement account. But over time, ordinary decisions have a way of becoming extraordinary results.
The finish line we once saw in the distance slowly comes into view.
Not because of one heroic effort.
But because we kept putting one foot in front of the other.
Inspired by Haruki Murakami's memoir, What I Talk About When I Talk About Running.
