Had Enough of the Election? Take Solace in the Marathon.

New York City Marathon weekend is here. You can feel the excitement throughout the city as runners flood in from around the world and move around in flocks with their running jackets and sneakers, speaking a multitude of languages.

The amount of energy the marathon generates is unlike any other event. On Sunday more than 50,000 runners will navigate the streets of the city, and an estimated two million people will line the route. Many New Yorkers report it is their favorite day of the year because of the distinct positivity that courses through the air.

What’s often lost in the celebration of the marathon is that it always comes two days before Election Day — and this year, of course, before one of the most momentous elections of our generation. In this contentious political climate, the contrast in moods is striking. The enthusiasm for the marathon and what it symbolizes sits in striking juxtaposition to the anxiety and sense of discord that many people feel about the election.

In this time of turmoil, I encourage us to take inspiration from the marathon and the virtues it embodies.

The most obvious is the scale of the effort put forth by the runners. I estimate they have collectively run at least 18 million miles in preparation for the marathon. These runners have trained in all sorts of conditions, at all times of day, squeezing in miles between work, caring for others and making family dinners.

To run a marathon, you have to sacrifice comfort and convenience to accomplish your goal, and you have to link that effort to the power of your imagination. Some runners will finish their 10th or 20th marathon; others will be completing their first. Many of them are accomplishing something they previously thought was impossible. It is always thrilling to witness dreams meeting reality on such a grand scale.