Matt Flaherty, Adam Campbell and Mike Wolfe -- ranging in age from 27 to 36 -- are all attorneys who quit law firms to pursue their passion of running ultramarathons. Each of them had a degree of success in running before quitting, enough to persuade them to train and race full time. That was back in 2012. By 2014, they had found that ultra-running wasn't the glamorous life they'd imagined.
Injuries, over-training, lack of reaching goals quickly, and more brought them into the reality of their decisions. They made ends meet through a combination of coaching, writing, consulting, sponsorships and prize money from races. A routine paycheck wasn't part of the ultra-running world. At least one of the attorneys admitted feeling self-imposed pressure to perform as a runner after quitting his law job.
Two of the three attorneys returned to law work, finding balance between the office and running. One let his credentials lapse and must now take the bar exam again if he wants to practice law. All three rolled the dice on leaving professional careers to try and become world-class ultra-marathon runners. None of the three reached the world class level.
A recent survey about the highest level of stress among professional industries in the United States and Canada found that legal professionals are the most stressed. Those in the legal industry are more stressed than those in technology, finance, marketing, human resources, accounting, administrative and financial services. The study states, "the research shows that for those in the legal profession, stress levels can be very high. In their roles, attorneys and legal support staff may not feel the same levels of freedom or creativity that professionals in other fields report."
However, that doesn't mean legal professionals are without positive moments in their daily work. The legal industry was ranked second in the interest employees had in their work. And, the legal profession was the third highest for "level of happiness." When it comes to happiness, those in the legal industry reported that feeling appreciated was most important to them, followed by pride in their organization and being treated with fairness and respect.
By the way, I work in the legal profession -- having been employed by law firms and the U.S. Federal Government. I have no plans to be running from the law!
From Him, Through Him, For Him (Romans 11:36),
Paul J. Staso
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Visit my YouTube channel -- https://www.youtube.com/user/pacetrek
Click on any of the links below to see some of my adventure photos:
- United States in 2006 (3,260 miles solo in 108 days at age 41)
- Montana in 2008 (620 miles solo in 20 days at age 43)
- Alaska in 2009 (500 miles solo in 18 days at age 44)
- Germany in 2010 (500 miles solo in 21 days at age 45)
- The Mojave Desert in 2011 (506 miles solo in 17 days at age 46)
- Various Photos From Mileposts Gone By
- Students Worldwide Who Ran With Me Virtually
- Roadside Sights From My Running Adventures
- Some Cycling Moments From The Past
