By Rusty Potter
Let me say it plainly: there is no free ride. Anything worth having—peace, success, growth, or healing—will cost you something. I’ve learned this not from books but from experience.
I’ve completed four marathons. Not because I’m the fastest or the strongest, but because I refused to quit. I have trained early in the morning, when the neiborhood was still asleep. I would hit the streets at 5 a.m. while others were under warm covers. I’ve fallen during a run, skinned my knees, and burst my lip once on the road. But I got up—every time.?
Why? Because I understood this truth: you can’t cheat the process. You can’t wish your way to the finish line. You’ve got to work, sacrifice, and stay focused to get there.
That’s not just about running – that’s life. Whether you’re trying to break a bad habit, build a business, get through school, raise your kids, or come back from a setback – you will pay a price. The question is: are you willing?
Too many are looking for the stortcuts. They want the glory without the grind. But the grind is where the growth happens. It’s where you find out what you’re made of.
I don’t share this to impress you. I share it to remind you that you can do hard things. You can fight through failure, fatigue, and fear. You can run your race, even if you have to limp for a while.
There is no free ride, but there is a reward. It’s called confidence. It’s called discipline. It’s knowing you didn’t quit when it hurt, when it was dark, when it was lonely. And that reward. It will carry you farther than you ever imagined.
So lace up your shoes – whether for running – working, or simply showing up to face life. Keep moving.
The journey may not be easy, but trust me – the finish line is worth every fall.
