Your Mind Will Try and Quit Before Your Body

Yesterday morning, I lined up for a 4-mile race. I knew what I wanted— another strong effort, another chance to push myself. But as always, there was a moment, mid-race, when the mind started whispering its usual doubts. This pace is too fast. Maybe I should back off. I’m feeling that last mile. Am I really going to hold this?

That's the battle. Not the legs. Not the lungs. The mind.

I’ve learned this lesson in countless races—your mind will quit a thousand times before your body ever does. It’ll search for an out, a way to avoid discomfort, a reason to pull back. But here’s the truth: If you shut that voice down and keep moving forward, you’ll realize your body has so much more left to give.

I ended up running 4 miles in 24:22. It wasn’t given to me. It was earned in those moments when the mind wanted to negotiate, and I refused to listen.

This isn’t just about racing—it'a about everything. The projects you put off. The workouts you don’t feel like doing. The habits you struggle to build. Your mind will try to stop you before you even get close to your limits. The trick is knowing that and pushing past it anyway.

Next time you feel the resistance creeping in, remind yourself: This is just my mind testing me. My body can handle this. I can handle this.

You don’t have to listen to the quit. You just have to take the next step.

Keep moving forward!

J.R.