Consistency, discipline, and why a 20-minute 5K has more in common with Calgary real estate than you’d expect.
Before we dive in — here’s the short video version of this story:
👉 Watch the YouTube Short: https://youtube.com/shorts/ZbkwgPADb34?feature=share
If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know that two years ago I set a big running goal:
5 kilometres in under 20 minutes.
I trained hard. Really hard.
And on race day in Victoria, I ran 20:06.
Close… painfully close… but not quite there.
At the time, I thought I just needed to “push harder.”
But what I’ve learned since then — from running, lifting, business, and life — is that big goals are built on small habits, repeated every day, not on one heroic performance.
This year, I decided to run without pressure, without racing, and without comparing myself to the clock. But heading into the new year, I’m ready to pick that goal back up again — this time with a very different mindset.
And it turns out that mindset applies almost perfectly to real estate too.
Running Has Three Rules — And They Apply To Real Estate
1. Consistency Beats Intensity
When I first attempted a sub-20 5K, I overestimated what “trying hard” meant.
Running — like anything — rewards consistency, not occasional heroics.
It’s the same in Calgary real estate:
The home you secure — or the home you successfully sell — is usually the result of all the small things you do well long before the big moment.
2. You Can’t Rush Conditioning (or Market Readiness)
I used to think fitness worked like studying for exams: cram hard → perform well.
Turns out, the body disagrees.
And honestly? So does the market.
When clients prepare early — whether it’s mortgage pre-qualification, understanding neighbourhood dynamics, or previewing property types — their “conditioning” is better. They’re calmer, more decisive, and more competitive.
When clients wait until the last minute, everything feels rushed.
Running taught me that momentum needs time.
Real estate taught me the same lesson twice as fast.
3. Showing Up Is the Real Work
There are days I wake up excited to train…
…and days I negotiate my morning run for 30 minutes with myself.
Real estate is no different.
People see:
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the negotiation
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the sold sign
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the new home celebration
But what they don’t see is the hundreds of small steps behind it:
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pricing documents
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market trend tracking
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previewing listings
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relationship maintenance
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client prep calls
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ongoing education
Exactly like running, the work nobody sees is the work that matters most.
Training for a Sub-20 5K in 2026
This year my resolution was to run for fun only — no races.
But for 2026?
It’s game on.
And I’m approaching it differently:
I’m late to the game with certain aspects of fitness, but the principles — discipline, integrity, consistency — are the same ones that supported me in building a sustainable real estate career.
Running and Real Estate: The Same Rewarding Pattern
Over the last couple of years, I’ve realized something:
You don’t “earn” the 20-minute 5K on race day.
You earn it months before.
You don’t “win” a perfect home in Calgary by writing a strong offer on the day you need one.
You win it by preparing early, staying consistent, learning the market, and building systems that help us perform under pressure.
Both take:
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patience
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trust in the process
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and long-term thinking
And both are deeply rewarding when everything comes together.
Do You Have a Goal for 2026? I’d Love to Hear It.
Whether your goal is fitness, real estate, lifestyle, financial, or personal — I’d genuinely love to hear what you’re working toward.
Goals feel more real when you share them, and I’m always inspired by what my clients and friends are striving for.
If you ever want to talk:
Here’s to consistency, systems, and a strong year ahead.
— Tom
If you're planning to buy or sell in the next year and want advice tailored to your part of the Calgary market, reach out anytime. You can also subscribe to our monthly market report here:
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