I have never felt "pure pleasure" during a run. At my absolute peak I've finished marathons and said, "Yeah, I don't hurt much, and I wouldn't mind running some more."
I've never felt a "commitment to winning at all costs". I'm as much in awe of the winners of marathons as anybody sitting on a couch. They are literally running a completely different race from me. I never even see them.
I run marathons because I think the training is good for my body and my brain. The actual race is just a way to set a goal. I'd actually be healthier if I ran half-marathons instead, but having a very longstanding habit of running marathons. I have an irrational fear that I'll miss some signal of decline.
Eventually I'll get over that fear. But not this year.
I've never felt a "commitment to winning at all costs". I'm as much in awe of the winners of marathons as anybody sitting on a couch. They are literally running a completely different race from me. I never even see them.
I run marathons because I think the training is good for my body and my brain. The actual race is just a way to set a goal. I'd actually be healthier if I ran half-marathons instead, but having a very longstanding habit of running marathons. I have an irrational fear that I'll miss some signal of decline.
Eventually I'll get over that fear. But not this year.