When you prepare for a marathon, you don’t go out and run 42 km on the first day. You follow a plan, train consistently, take care of your body, and adjust according to the weather. Investing is the same: it’s about discipline, patience, and strategy.
I think all of us who have ever jogged on a treadmill have experienced moments when we constantly look at the time we’ve been running and all we want is for it to move as fast as possible. But by constantly watching the time or the distance we’ve run, it actually feels worse and makes everything seem slower. On the other hand, if we listen to music, think about something else, or watch whatever is playing on the TV they usually have on at the gym, when we look again we’ve already reached the goal without even realizing it.
The same thing happens with investments. If we are overly focused on getting the maximum return and constantly checking our account to see whether our wealth is going up or down, what we achieve is fatigue—just like when we run—and we end up quitting too early.
Here I’ll show you how to bring the best of the runner’s world into your finances. 🧠📈
🧭 Why this analogy works
In a marathon, consistency and pace matter more than maximum speed. In investing, time in the market and your habits matter more than “guessing” the perfect moment.
- Long term: the goal is measured in years, not days.
- Habits > impulses: automating and diversifying beat FOMO/panic.
- Sustainable pace: avoid “starting too fast” (excess risk) or “stopping” (no longer contributing).
Mindset: long distance above all 🧭
Marathon: a goal over months, daily consistency.
Investing: goals over years, periodic contributions.
Key: think in decades, not days. Time and compound interest are your best friends. ⏳✨
Training plan = Investment plan 🗺️
Marathon: weekly routine, key mileage, recovery.
Investing: budget, savings rate, diversified portfolio.
- Define SMART goals (home, retirement, education). 🎯
- Choose your “pace” (risk tolerance). 🟩🟨🟥
- Automate contributions: like going out to train at the same time every day. ⏰🔁
Warm-up and safety 🔥🛡️
Marathon: you warm up to avoid injuries.
Investing: build an emergency fund (3–6 months of expenses).
Without this, any setback can take you out of the race. 💧🧰
Race pace = Risk management 🎚️
Marathon: if you start too fast, you “blow up.”
Investing: if you take on too much volatility, you sell in panic.
- Start with a sustainable pace (diversification).
- Adjust your pace when the market gets “uphill.” 🌦️
Cross-training = Diversification 🧩
Marathon: you don’t just run; you do strength, mobility, and rest.
Investing: combine stocks, bonds, real estate (REITs), cash, and, if applicable, global indices.
A mix of assets = fewer financial injuries. 🛡️
Nutrition and hydration = Cash flow 💧🍌
Marathon: gels, water, and electrolytes.
Investing: stable income flow + controlled expenses.
- Increase your savings “intake” when you can.
- Avoid the financial “bonk” (spending everything before investing). 🥴
Key workouts = Periodic contributions 📆
Marathon: long runs every Sunday.
Investing: DCA (Dollar-Cost Averaging): invest a fixed amount each month.
It reduces the impact of buying at bad/good moments; you keep running without overthinking. 🏁
The weather = Market volatility 🌧️🌤️
Marathon: it can rain, be hot, or windy.
Investing: the market goes up and down.
- Prepare mentally: drawdowns are part of the route.
- Stick to your plan (rain jacket on); don’t quit because of a downpour. ☔
Light shoes = Fees and costs 👟
Marathon: heavy shoes slow you down.
Investing: high fees reduce your returns.
- Prefer low-cost funds or ETFs.
- Check for hidden expenses. 🧾🔎
Technical review = Rebalancing 🔧
Marathon: you adjust technique and posture.
Investing: rebalance your portfolio (return to your target allocations).
- Do it 1–2 times a year or when drifting >5–10%.
- You keep the right pace over the long term. 📐
Injuries and overload = Common mistakes 🚑
Marathon: training without rest = injury.
Investing:
- Overtrading (buying/selling due to anxiety).
- Overconcentration (everything in one stock/sector).
- FOMO and panic.
Antidote: clear rules + automation + continuous education. 📚
Race day = Retirement and goals achieved 🏅
Marathon: you reach the finish line thanks to months of discipline.
Investing: you can retire with peace of mind if you stuck to the plan.
- Adjust withdrawals based on your “financial fitness.”
- Protect capital in later stages (more bonds/cash). 🧓🔒
Investing is like a marathon, not a race. Image generated with Microsoft Create (Designer), 2026.
12-step mini plan (“financial runner” version) ✅
- Define goals (timeframes and amounts). 🎯
- Calculate expenses and emergency fund. 🧰
- Set a monthly savings rate (e.g., 15–20%). 💵
- Automate contributions (DCA). 🔁
- Choose a portfolio aligned with your risk. 🎚️
- Prioritize low-cost instruments. 👟
- Diversify across assets and geographies. 🌍
- Avoid expensive debt (high interest). 🧱
- Don’t abandon the plan because of the “weather.” ☔
- Rebalance annually or by deviation. 🔧
- Build habits (continuous education). 📚
- Review goals every 6–12 months. 🗓️
You can calculate your monthly savings rate with our calculator: https://gastomiga.com/en/tools/monthly-savings-calculator
Quick checklist 📝
- Emergency fund ready
- Automatic contributions set
- Diversified, low-cost portfolio
- Rebalancing rule defined
- Written long-term plan
🏁 Conclusion
The marathon and investing share the same essence: consistency, patience, and strategy. If you take care of your pace (risk), technique (diversification and rebalancing), and shoes (costs), you’ll reach the finish line with less stress and better odds. The market changes the weather; your plan is the rain jacket. ☔🏅
Note: This is educational, not personalized financial advice.
