Why Brandon Hicks Says Setting Big Goals Matters More Than Hitting Them

Brandon Hicks didn’t head into his first marathon cold. Years before, he had run a couple half marathons, training solo in regular gym shoes, skipping stretching, and paying for it with IT band issues. When COVID hit, he finally decided to stop saying he’d run a marathon “someday” and signed up. Putting the goal on the calendar changed everything.

Finding the Right Team

At his father-in-law’s urging, Brandon joined a local run group and started training under a coach. He traded his old shoes for a fitted pair, swapped cotton socks for running-specific ones, and learned how to fuel with electrolytes and carbs over long distances. The shift from lone problem solver to eager student reshaped his training and gave him a community that made the miles sustainable.

A First Marathon Full of Lessons

His debut marathon was tiny, with open roads and minimal aid stations. He aimed for sub four, pulled ahead of his father-in-law, and hit the wall around mile 21 when his fueling plan fell apart. Swedish Fish had been fine in training, but race day proved they weren’t enough. He walked, regrouped, and finished. A scare during taper had sent him to a sports medicine doctor for treatment that kept him healthy enough to toe the line. The big takeaway was simple: preparation matters more than pride.

Building on Experience

Each race that followed brought new lessons. Boston taught patience and the cost of weaving early. A pacing bracelet and focus on even effort saved energy for the hills. Philly delivered the breakthrough after a weekend challenge that stacked a half marathon and an 8K before the full. He ran 3:57 with his coach’s guidance to ease on the uphills and settle in on the downs. Later, he and his wife used a run walk strategy in Boston and both finished stronger and happier.

Purpose Beyond the Finish Line

After his grandmother’s stroke, Brandon joined Teddy’s Team and turned fundraising into a 12-hour treadmill livestream with a rotating relay beside him. Local news showed up. Friends sponsored. The community rallied. The event raised money, spread stroke awareness, and proved that big goals can change more than just a finishing time. As Brandon puts it, achieving a goal does not make you more worthy or less worthy. The real value is in who you become along the way.

Lessons Learned

• Set the big goal, but separate your worth from the outcome

• Community and coaching accelerate growth

• Fuel early and often with a plan, not vibes

• Even effort and early patience beat even pace

• Run walk can be a smart strategy, not a fallback

Want to hear Brandon tell the story himself? Listen to the full episode now: The Goal is the Spark, Not the Measure: Lessons in Letting Go w/ Brandon Hicks— available wherever you get your podcasts.

Want more stories like this in your inbox? Subscribe to The Rundown newsletter!