The Pre-Sales role is like a series of sprints.
From one opportunity to the next, from standing still to full speed when the gun goes off. You discover, plan, message, prepare, deliver, follow up, then rest until the gun goes off again. 2:30 in the morning configuration. Four hours of sleep. The long flight home, crashing on a Friday night.
Then again, the Pre-Sales role is like a marathon.
Deals last for months, sometimes years. The reps trying to land them come and go and come back again. The RFP is pushed. The close that was expected in December happens late in March. Last minute demos. Second and third presentations to the same decision makers. Budget cycles. Competitors change the game.
You know what? Running is a terrible analogy for Pre-Sales.