Last Saturday, I rolled out of bed at 3:30 am, groggy but determined, and met my running friends for a 20+ mile marathon training run. We started in the darkness along the Boise Greenbelt, fueled up with coffee, gear, and headlamps, ready for hours of camaraderie on the trail.

About 6 miles in, while chatting away (as usual), my toe caught a 3-inch bump. I went flying and crashed hard onto my ribcage, knocking the wind out of me. Thankfully, my friends helped gather my gear and checked in to make sure I was okay. With their encouragement, I limped back to our starting point at mile 8 and called it a day.

Later, I found out I’d cracked several ribs—leading to an unplanned rest period until the pain subsided. At first, I was frustrated, upset that I couldn’t run. But after a few days, I shifted my perspective and reflected on some lessons:

1. Stuff Happens.
We all set goals (hopefully big, audacious ones) and work hard to achieve them. But life throws curveballs—unexpected setbacks that can derail our plans. Maybe a key team member falls through, a supply chain issue arises, or you trip over your own feet like I did. When creating plans, build in time for the unexpected. I still have time to train for my marathon because I started early. Without buffer time, I’d be in trouble. Planning for detours can help you stay on course or even finish ahead of schedule.

2. Practice Agility.
We talk about agility a lot in the workplace—responding to change, adjusting to meet new needs. When things go sideways, can you adapt? My friends wisely advised me to go home and rest rather than push through the pain. Changing my plan to focus on rest, ice, and gentle movement wasn’t easy, but it’s what will help me reach my long-term goal.

3. Ask for Help.
This one is hard for me. But asking for help often keeps us on track when we’d otherwise struggle alone. By asking others to handle the heavy lifting while I heal, I’m allowing myself to recover faster so I can get back to training. At work, delegating responsibilities can move goals forward while offering growth opportunities to others. It’s a win-win.

The next time life trips you up—literally or figuratively—pause, adjust, and don’t hesitate to lean on others to help get you back on track.