What Does the Snake Represent?

As we pursue excellence in various aspects of life—be it writing, career, sports, or health—we inevitably encounter "snakes" along our journey. These snakes take many forms: an injury, a well-meaning but doubtful family member, an unexpected illness, or even a delayed train. In essence, a snake signifies anything that hinders your pursuit of your aspirations.

How to Tackle Snakes on Your Path

To illustrate how to overcome these hurdles, let me share a personal story from just over two years ago during the pandemic.

I found myself weary of being confined at home, seeking a distraction from the uncertainties of that time. Among various options, I chose to train for a half marathon. For many fit and energetic individuals, this might have been an excellent goal! But for an exhausted father of three who had unwittingly embraced the "dadbod" lifestyle, this ambition might not have been the wisest choice.

Initially, it felt promising. I would escape my dim basement office during lunch breaks to venture outside, even amid the warnings about a rampant virus. During my runs, I listened to a captivating mystery podcast called "Unexplained" by Richard MacLean Smith, which transported my thoughts away from the chaos—ideal for a late 30s dreamer with less-than-ideal knees attempting to build up to 13.1 miles.

Training progressed well; I was hitting the trails almost daily and gradually extending my distance—4 miles, 6 miles, 8 miles. I was astonished by my growing endurance! For the first time, I experienced what many refer to as a runner's high. After running over six or seven miles, a rush of euphoria enveloped me, erasing any pain and making me feel as though I could run indefinitely.

During these blissful moments, my mind was completely at peace, almost lost in the stories I was absorbing. However, one day, my tranquility was abruptly interrupted by an unexpected bump beneath my feet. Startled, I looked back to discover what I had unknowingly trampled over—a very irate snake.

Caught up in the joy of pursuing my goal, I hadn't even noticed this potentially perilous obstacle right in my path. I simply ran straight through it, oblivious to the possible dangers.

Confronting Your Challenges Head-On

Perhaps it was fortunate that I missed seeing that snake during my run. I have an intense fear of snakes—just their sight can make my stomach churn! Had I noticed it, I would have likely altered my route, avoiding it at all costs.

Weeks later, on my final long-distance training run—just one week before my eagerly awaited half marathon—I decided to push my limits with a 12-mile run. About nine miles in, I experienced that runner's high again, feeling almost weightless. When I reached 11 miles, I felt so good that I veered off my original course to complete exactly 13.1 miles, the full half marathon distance.

Crossing the 13-mile mark filled me with exhilaration, but unfortunately, my left knee had other ideas. It gave out. I had overtrained, and my body wasn't ready for that distance yet.

In that moment, I realized I had stepped onto a different metaphorical snake. This injury took around three months to heal, during which I stopped running altogether. I came to the conclusion that I had nearly achieved my goal, but my body wasn’t equipped for the high mileage that true running demands.