Years ago, I trained for a half marathon. When covid changed that race from in person to virtual. The whole mindset around the race change.
I put in the work.
I put in the miles.
I was fully capable of finishing.
Then on race day, without all the people around, without the extra motivation, once I finished mile 9 of a 9.3 mile race,
I convinced myself that close enough was good enough and I stopped.
For years, I thought it was a story about running.
Eventually, I realized it was a story about life and hospitality.
Most people don't quit.
Most people don't fail.
Most people simply settle.
The gap between good and memorable, average and exceptional, often isn't talent or ability.
It's the decision to keep going when it would be easier not to.
That's where the final .3 lives.