From Dreaded Runs to Strategic Wins
I hate running. I always have.
So why, in a moment of questionable clarity, did I sign up to run a half marathon?
If you’ve read my new book, Your School Sucks: Why Schools Fail to Measure Up and What to Do About It, you might remember my middle school cross-country story. In 7th grade, I came in last in nearly every race. I was that runner—the one the team had to wait on to finish before they could go home. In 8th grade, my coach, likely seeing my pain and potential, offered me the role of team statistician instead. That was the beginning of my analytics career.
I knew where my strengths were. So did Coach.
Which makes it all the more puzzling: why would I voluntarily sign up for a half marathon?
The truth? Because it scares me.
And I’ve learned that the goals that make us uncomfortable, the ones that sit just beyond the edge of our confidence, are often the ones that matter most. They're where growth happens.
Running has never been easy for me. Work-related goals? I love those. But running? Not so much. And yet, as I thought about the journey ahead, I realized I had a secret weapon: a plan.
Not just any plan—a personalized, flexible, well-informed strategy. It’s the same approach I bring to strategic planning for schools. Suddenly, this half marathon became a living metaphor for something I see all the time in my work: schools dreading the “strategic planning process” in the same way I dread lacing up my running shoes.
Strategic Planning Doesn’t Have to Be Miserable
Let’s be honest. For many school leaders, the phrase “strategic planning” brings up feelings of dread. It often feels disconnected, bureaucratic, or just another checkbox. Something done every few years and shelved until the next round.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Just like I’ve found joy in surprising places during my half marathon training (who knew I liked long walks on frosty mornings?), schools can rediscover energy and purpose when strategic planning is done right. When it’s centered on values, built with a community, and designed to create real momentum, the process becomes meaningful—and yes, even fun.
With the Right Partner, the Journey Feels Possible
I'm applying the same process I use with clients to this unexpected personal challenge:
Clear vision? Check.
Turning data into direction? Check.
Support system? Absolutely.
Built-in flexibility for when life (or weather) happens? You bet.
At Alla Breve Consulting, we do the same for schools and institutions. We help leaders move past “just get through it” planning and toward a future they’re excited to build. Strategic planning doesn’t have to be something your team suffers through. It can be a process that energizes your staff, centers your mission, and helps your entire organization move in the same direction—with purpose.
Lean Into the Uncomfortable
The biggest takeaway? Sometimes we need to lean into what we try to avoid the most because there is growth in the uncomfortable.
For me, this half marathon isn’t about running. It’s about pushing beyond my story of what I’m not good at. For schools, strategic planning isn’t about filling out templates or checking boxes. It’s about creating a roadmap for impact, with clarity, insight, and intention.
So next week, when I cross the finish line of my first half marathon, I won’t just be celebrating the miles behind me. I’ll be celebrating what’s possible when we commit to something bigger than comfort.
And I hope your school’s next big goal feels the same way.
