Mental Toughness
I’m sitting outside and looking at my dog. Her name is Beverly and she is 14 years old. She is gray and stubborn, and the old girl is sleeping on the ground directly next to her comfortable plush dog bed. Don't get me wrong- she knows it's there, but she just doesn't want to lay on it.
When Jon asked me to write about what it meant to have mental toughness, I knew right away what he wanted. He wanted a story about the times I had to grin and bear it, the moment when a decision had to be made to persevere beyond my physical and mental limitations. While those scenarios exist, the truth is for many of the times I had to rely on that instant flash of mental fortitude... I failed. Overcoming pain, both physical and otherwise, in endurance sports and life are rarely found in the “end of the movie” surge of will and determination that leads our main character to glory. Life and endurance figure itself out during our daily grind and attitude towards adversity. This is shown through the decisions that demonstrate discipline, make us stronger, and allow us to embrace the suck during our everyday lives by continually reintroducing us to the feeling of pain that we need to be successful. By putting in this work, you are ALLOWED the privilege of smiling at the devil when sh*t hits the fan. Even if it’s a false sense of confidence (and it usually is), sometimes that’s all you need to hit that finish line, exit that trail head, or make it to the safety of your car after a long day outside.
Unfortunately for you, it’s not just putting in the work. If that was the case, everyone who hits their morning workout at 5 AM but cries about their coffee being too hot or their train being three minutes late would be out, smiling and crushing long hard miles like you and me (but they aren’t). Attitude is everything.
I know what you’re thinking and you’re wrong. This IS NOT the time I tell you to push the pain out of your mind and get tougher. Anyone who has been in the suck can tell you that it doesn’t work. All you really have to do is be more like Beverly and some of my best friends who I try and emulate every day on the trail, road, mountains, and even in my own home. They all understand that being uncomfortable is OK. To them, gratitude and a positive mental attitude equal mental toughness.
Story time
In 2018, I came a stone’s throw away from summiting Mount Rainer. Long story short, the whole way up, I was in a strange mood, and as I sat on the side of the trail, defeated and trying to pull myself out of the hole that I expertly dug for myself, I looked over at one of my best friends. Mike and I made eye contact and the first words out of his mouth were “I love you, it’s okay.” This sentiment was repeated by my other close friend Josh as he put a hand on my shoulder and passed me on the way to the summit. Now that I think about it, they were in just as much pain as I was, but the first words out of their mouths were of love and compassion. I can guarantee you their self-talk was probably better than mine, and their attitude certainly healthier in the face of such an amazing challenge. I let negative emotions overtake me, and regardless of how I felt physically, disaster was sure to find me.
As I finish writing this, Beverly is tucked in beside me, snoring and grunting like the filthy animal she is. Yeah... she might have been laying on the ground earlier, but she is certainly comfy now. This is a reminder that all things come to an end. Your pain will cease, the mountain will- or in my case will not- be climbed, you will not die. Whether you win the day or not, you will be grateful for having the opportunity to get outside and try. If you’re lucky, you will have another chance to try all over again. More than anything, I can promise you that you will miss that moment, as hard as it was and however much it hurt.
