I’m not asking you to distract yourself
I’m not afraid of how you might feel.
In fact I know how you’ll feel.
Legs will be in pain
Every step you take will urge you to stop running
Even when you’re done there’s still more to do.
The pushups, squats and pull ups wait.
It’ll be tough but don’t worry about it
Be proud to be doing it again.
Yes again, because you’ve done this before
This whole week you’ve managed this.
All I ask is that you look around
Remember where you are and what’s around
Take a look and soak it all in.
We’re already in it so might as well
Might as well remember every bit of it.
From the stars in the night sky above
To the rhythm of your breath as you run.
Be here, be all here.
Later you’ll rest easy, not now.
You know what’s coming. The strain, the discomfort, the moments where you’ll question why you’re even doing it. But that’s what makes it worth it, isn’t it? The knowledge that despite how hard it gets, you keep pushing. You move through the pain, not away from it.
There’s no escape, no avoiding the physical reality of what you’ve set out to do. But within that discomfort is something deeper: the opportunity to experience the present in a way most people never will. Most people shy away from moments like this. They numb themselves, distract themselves, find any excuse to avoid the discomfort. But not you.
You’ve been here before, and you’ll be here again. Each time you come back stronger, more resilient. Each step forward is a reminder that you can handle whatever comes next. So as you run, don’t focus on the finish line just yet. Focus on the moment—the steady rhythm of your breath, the soft crunch of your feet on the ground, the cool night air brushing against your skin. This is the reward as much as anything else.
And when it’s all done, the pain will fade, but the memory won’t. The memory of giving it your all, of being fully present, will stay with you. That’s what will bring you back next time. Not the need to prove something, but the pure satisfaction of knowing you’re in control. You chose to push through. You chose to keep going. And that’s all that matters.
Later, when you finally rest, it won’t just be rest. It’ll be peace. The kind of peace that only comes from knowing you gave everything you had. But for now, you’re in the middle of it. So be here, fully. Every moment is part of the journey.
