As an attorney, a father, a husband, and a lifelong runner, I often find myself navigating a terrain more complex than any Pacific Northwest trail. The courtroom, the parenting moments that test patience and presence, the partnership of marriage, and the rhythm of training all demand energy, attention, and endurance. Over time, I’ve found an unexpected compass for this journey: the 80/20 rule.

Most runners know the 80/20 principle from training—roughly 80% of your runs should be easy, and 20% should be hard. It’s counterintuitive, especially for those of us who have a competitive streak (and yes, I confess: I love a hard trail race or a gutsy climb). But science and experience both confirm that this balance is where sustainable progress lies.

The 80/20 Rule in Running

When I was running cross country in high school, training often meant pushing hard, chasing times, fighting for splits. But during marathon prep and long trail runs as an adult, I started realizing something: intensity without rest just breaks you. When I adopted the 80/20 approach—most of my runs conversational and relaxed, with a few intentional sessions to push my limits—my performance actually improved. I ran three marathons without burning out. My legs stayed stronger. My mind stayed clearer.

That easy 80% is where I process stress, reflect on a tough case, or just feel grateful to be alive on a wooded trail. It’s where running becomes a form of therapy, not just competition.

Applying 80/20 to Professional Life

As an attorney, it’s tempting to operate in the red—high stakes, high hours, high pressure. But that pace isn’t sustainable. I’ve learned to apply the 80/20 rule to my workflow too: 80% of my legal work is methodical, consistent, almost meditative—drafting, reviewing, steady communication. The other 20% is where the adrenaline hits: court appearances, heated negotiations, fast-turnaround crises.

The key is not trying to live in that 20% zone all the time. That’s where burnout lives. Instead, I embrace the 80% as the foundation. Like a long training run, it’s not glamorous—but it’s what makes me ready when it’s time to sprint.

The 80/20 Rule at Home

As a father and husband, I used to believe quality time had to be intense—memorable vacations, deep conversations, teachable moments. But I’ve learned that 80% of parenting and partnership is just showing up. Being present. Playing LEGOs on the floor. Loading the dishwasher. Listening, not fixing. It’s in the unremarkable consistency that real connection grows.

The 20%—the birthday hikes, the big talks, the adventures—is magical. But it can only matter if the other 80% is there too.

The Trail Is the Teacher

Running the ridgelines of the Cascades or scrambling up basalt crags, I’m reminded again and again: the path to growth is not all summit pushes. It’s a steady pace, a respect for rhythm, a balance of effort and ease. The 80/20 rule isn’t about doing less. It’s about doing the right things at the right time—and trusting that consistency beats intensity over the long haul.

So whether I’m tying on trail shoes at dawn, prepping for trial, helping with homework, or talking through life with my wife, I try to remember: you don’t have to be running full speed to be moving forward.

---

Your Turn

How might the 80/20 rule apply in your life? Whether you’re chasing finish lines, career goals, or deeper relationships, maybe it’s not about doing more. Maybe it’s about doing the important things well, most of the time.

Peter Hibbard is an Attorney from Moses Lake, Washington. Peter is a husband and father of five boys. He has practiced as a lawyer for over 8 years, primarily in Moses Lake, WA in criminal law.