The Last Two Miles

In marathon training, it is the last two miles that always hurt the most.

Always.

It's the marathon's way of forcing us--each week--to assess how bad we really want it.

It's also the marathon's way of teaching our bodies and minds a lesson.

A lesson that says, "I know it hurts, but if you run through this...I'll let you run FARTHER next week."

This teacher DOESN'T let you cheat.

And she doesn't grade on a curve.

I used to hate the last two miles of my long runs when I trained for my first marathon.

But now I know better.

Because now I know that it's the last two miles of those long runs where we grow the most..

Our muscles, our bones...our minds.

They learn to take the pain---and keep going.

A 12-mile run where the last 2 miles burns is no Mardi Gras.

But it prepares us for the 13-miler next week.

And 14 miles the following week.

So we're ready for 26.2.

But only if we learn to push through ...the last two miles.

Every week.

I think pushing through and growing from the last two miles is a metaphor for life.

The student that earns the "A" in his accounting class from studying that extra hour each week.

The salesman that became the TOP salesman from staying a little late each night to make those few extra cold calls.

The school teacher that becomes a GREAT teacher by taking the extra half-hour after school to prepare for tomorrow's lesson.

You see,  going from good to GREAT seldom involves doubling our efforts and pain.

It's not about going extra BIG miles.

It's about going extra SMALL miles.

The last two miles.

AMJ