Calm in the Burn, Calm in the Fight

One thing I’ve noticed in this marathon prep that’s different from anything I’ve done before — even the ultras, even Army training — is this:

There’s no such thing as an “easy” run.

Sure, Garmin labels them “base” or “recovery,” and the pace is slower than my usual grind. But even on those days, the effort still demands something from me. And lately, I’ve been showing up to all of it — with more focus. More presence. More awareness.

It’s not that I wasn’t focused before. It’s that I’m bringing an intentional calm into the effort. There’s joy in the grind when you’re aware of it. Joy in the slow burn — the one that challenges your nervous system to stay composed instead of spinning out of control.

Because I still have those moments.

Mid-run, I still hear it:

“Slow down.”
“Your heart is going to burst.”
“You can’t run this fast.”
“You’ll pay for it later.”

Excuse after excuse after excuse.

That’s when I say: quiet.

I take a deep breath.
I exhale longer than I inhale — intentionally.
Yes, all while running.

That breath? It’s a message to my brain. A signal to my nervous system:

You’re okay.
You’re doing fine.
You’re not in danger.
Keep going.

That’s the shift this training cycle has brought me. It’s not about pace. It’s about how present I am in every gear I move through. High or low. Fast or slow. Focused effort is what carries me forward.

This isn’t just marathon prep.
And this isn’t Leadville prep, yet.
This is showing up now. This is laying the foundation.
This is life prep.

Every run teaches me to stay calm in the burn, to find rhythm in discomfort, and to train my mind to stay — even when it wants to flee.

And I’m here for all of it.