Crossing the finish line of your first marathon is not the destination. It’s the vehicle. What you really achieve is an incredible new mindset that can reach any outcome you put your focus on.
We go through seasons as runners. If you hold faith through the lows, then you will reach new highs. Soon, nothing can stand in your way. Not even the 100 miles of dirt between you and the finish line.
Enjoy training, fall in love with it, and become it. By doing so, you will look forward to running, not finishing, and that makes all the difference in the world.
Every time you want to quit, but keep running anyway, your mindset strengthens. And when you come up short, adjust, and still achieve your goal, your mindset strengthens exponentially.
When running an ultramarathon, the first 50 miles I rely on my legs and run on the trail. The next 40 miles I rely on my head and run in the mind. The last 10 miles I rely on my heart and run in the sky.
Our current circumstances do not dictate our future reality. Whether you are athletic or not, you can grow into a distance runner over time. Don’t ever let anyone tell you differently.
If you’re looking for pain and misery while running, you’ll find it, and if you’re looking for joy and happiness while running,you’ll find it. Remember the saying: energy flows where attention goes.
In the process of running long distances, you learn a lot about what drives you. But most importantly, you learn to look inwards for motivation…not outwards.