65 years ago Roger Bannister did what medical professionals and athletes thought was physically impossible by running a mile in under 4 minutes. And recently, Kenyan elite marathoner Eliud Kipchoge achieved the world’s first sub two-hour marathon crossing the finish line at 1:59:40 seconds in Vienna, Austria.

Experts said it would be 80 years before someone broke the sub-2 hour marathon. Even other world class athletes said it was impossible.

A colleague recently told me that one her passions in life is not exercising. That’s exactly how I feel about running, so I had no idea how much of a big deal Eliud’s accomplishment was until I studied it.

Some compare this achievement to man’s landing on the moon and then returning back to Earth safely– but for sports.

After this monumental achievement, Eliud said,

“Today we went to the moon and came back to earth.”

But this wasn’t a regular marathon and Eliud isn’t a regular runner.

Eliud, who won 10 of his last 11 marathons, was specifically picked by Nike and the U.K’s richest man for this two-year project costing millions of dollars.

They searched the world for the perfect marathon and settled on the course in Vienna because it’s mostly flat and the weather.

Eliud was also cushioned by special Nike shoes called Vaporfly with a rounded front to reduce the bending of the toes to reduce energy loss.

He also ran behind a car that marked the road ahead with a giant green laser that was constantly indicating the necessary pace of 2:50 per kilometer needed to break the record.

But what stood out the was his team of 42 pacesetters who rotated in groups of 7 throughout the entire 26.2 miles. They ensured a steady supply energic runners ahead of him.

Several of those runners were elite world champions themselves.

The 7 pacesetters ran in a V formation ahead of Eliud had double duty since they also helped deflect the wind from slowing him down. He also had two behind him- not sure why though…

Kipchoge was surrounded by pacesetters during his marathon in Vienna. BBC Sport

One of the things that Roger Bannister and Eliud Kipchoge have in common are pacesetters. Without them leading the way it just wouldn’t have been possible for Bannister nor Kipchoge to break these records.

There’s just something magnetic about having another person ahead of you, but not too far ahead, that you’re trying to reach. 

For non-super athletes like us (or maybe just me), I compare these pacesetters to role models or people who inspire us to achieve just a little more than we are capable of doing on our own.

And thanks to online courses, books, Youtube, coaching, email, conferences there’s a way for us to identify and build our own personal team of pacesetters.

We can use them to help us in those areas of our lives we care the most about.

We can have pacesetters for:

-Having a better marriage

-Parenting

-Starting a business

-Writing a book

-Overcoming a divorce

-Better mental health

-Living debt free

or whatever makes your heart sing… 

The point is to not to go at it alone. 

In the United States, we love the idea of the “self-made” man/woman. The hero who does it all alone.

Magazines and especially Hollywood worship these people.

As I collect stories about great athletic, business people, and social accomplishments I’ve learned that these individuals have a team or at least one other person who helped them in some way whether by mentoring, inspiration, feedback or one piece advice.

When you read the entire life story of high achievers and remarkable people you’ll find they were helped by someone at some point.

Find some pacesetters instead of going at it alone.

This is especially true for the men out there reading this. Get the help you need. Everybody needs help with something, so stop trying to be Superman.

Find a role model, expert, a neighbor, a teacher, or someone who’s been where you want to go. 

Ask yourself: Who can help you in that specific area of life?

Reach out.

Life is too short to experiment on your own.

Admitting we need help is not something men can do easily. Our ego, pride, and culture often get in the way.

I was listening to a TED talk recently by Dr. Timothy Golden about the emotional pain and suffering that men hold on to and he said something that stuck with me.

He said,

“Men suffer in silence.”

Michael Jordan always had the best coaches.

Warren Buffett learned from his great professors and partnered with Charlie Munger who he considered being smartest person he knew.

Walt Disney was supported by his brother who was a financing miracle worker.

The list goes on and on. They all had someone helping them set the pace.

Life is the greatest marathon we’ll ever run and like Eliud, we’re not competing against anyone else. We’re competing against the clock.

Get help.

Run your race and keep striving for improvement in those areas you care most about.

So, can you identify a team of 7 pacesetters for your life who can inspire, educate, or guide you to your own historic moon landing and back?