Courage 5/16/2019: Push Past the Pain
One of the best books I have read this year is Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds by David Goggins. This is an ultramarathoner and former Navy Seal who knows how to deal with pain and does not allow that pain to stop him from accomplishing his goals. If you get a chance, check out his book or look into his bio. I guarantee you will be inspired.
In the early 1950’s, running a mile in under four minutes was considered impossible. On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister did it in 3 minutes and 59 seconds. All of a sudden, a mile in under four minutes was possible. And since then, over 1400 athletes have broken the once impossible barrier.
Around six minutes is the fastest I have ever run a mile. I was in the Army and in my early twenties. Back then I hated running. I had horrible form, was a veritable heel banger and prone to injuries. I only pushed myself because I had to.
Now, twenty years later. I love to run. My form is much better, even though I am much slower. One of the things I continue to work on is dealing with the pain. It is one of the reasons I love running. All of it, every run, is a mental battle. My courage is tested each time. Will I keep going? Will I give up. Lately as I run, I am reminded of Goggins’ book. What I am doing compared to what he has done and continues to do isn’t really a comparison. My 3 miles in the morning is probably a warm-up for a 100-miler guy. I also think of Bannister. Flying faster than I can even sprint, what kind of pain was he dealing with? As I keep these two in mind, I realize that I have more in the tank. I realize that I can give a little more, dig a little deeper. I can push past the pain. I can win!
We all have it within us. We all the ability to go farther than we think we can. Will you stop at the threshold or will you continue on?
The man who can drive himself further once the effort gets painful is the man who will win. -Roger Bannister
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