A race is not run with the legs. It is run with the mind.
Every athlete, at some point, has encountered a paradox: why does the final stretch of a marathon—perhaps just two kilometers—feel so much harder than an extra ten kilometers in an ultramarathon? Why does the proximity of the finish line sometimes make the suffering more acute rather than less?
The answer lies not in the body, nor in the course, but in the expectations created by the mind.
The Mind’s Relationship with Distance
The mind does not experience reality directly. It experiences reality through the lens of expectation.
When an athlete embarks on a 50-kilometer race, the brain understands that it is a long journey. The body settles into a rhythm, and the mind prepares itself for the effort required. At kilometer 40, there is still a significant distance to cover—10 kilometers. And yet, there is no overwhelming mental struggle. The reason is simple: the mind has surrendered to the fact that there is still work to do.
Contrast this with the marathoner at kilometer 40. Here, only 2.2 kilometers remain. In absolute terms, it is a mere fraction of the race. But to the mind, this short distance can feel endless. Why? Because expectation has changed. The mind, having anticipated the finish line, begins to resist reality.
Expectation is the invisible weight that makes steps feel heavier.
The moment the mind begins to anticipate relief, every additional step taken beyond that point feels like a betrayal. The finish line is no longer just ahead; it has become an emotional need. And when relief is needed but not yet delivered, suffering arises.
The Finish Line is a Mirage
The mind creates an illusion that suffering will end at a certain point. The runner buys into this illusion, imagining that the final steps will be easy. But when effort is still required, when the body still must push forward, the mind panics.
This is why the last stretch of a marathon can feel harder than a longer stretch of an ultra. It is not the distance itself that is difficult—it is the mind’s refusal to accept that effort is still required.
The truth is, there is no magic in crossing a finish line. The suffering does not end simply because the race is over. The body is still tired. The muscles still ache. The struggle was never about reaching a specific point. It was about the mind’s relationship with effort itself.
The Solution: Abandon the Illusion
What, then, is the way forward? How does an athlete free themselves from this mental trap?
The answer is simple, but not easy: detach from expectation.
Run with the same mindset at every stage of the race. The body moves. The breath flows. The mind remains at ease. No single kilometer holds more weight than another. No final stretch is supposed to feel easy. No finish line is owed to you.
Let go of the expectation that suffering should end at a certain point, and the suffering will lessen.
The great runners are not the ones who resist discomfort. They are the ones who welcome it. Who do not beg for the race to end. Who do not count down the meters like a prisoner counting down the days.
They simply run. Whether 10 kilometers remain, or 2, or none at all.