The lactic acid was now coursing through my body. The only feeling present was a strong discomfort, urging me to halt. The summer heat was violent despite the early hour. “Half way done… 2 more miles”. It seemed impossible to maintain this foreign pace but I didn’t have a choice. My coach had dropped back a few guys to offer some motivation and words of advice, quickly reminding me to clean up my form before it was too late. I was zoned out completely, yet this was the most mentally focused I had been in my life. I managed to catch up to two of my teammates during this 3rd mile which allowed me to “stay” in the race. As we turned around the corner of our football stadium into the last 400m of the workout l transitioned my stride into an all out surge. The physical strain I had exposed myself to for the past 3.75 miles was completely disregarded by metal fortitude. 23:43, 7th man, a 2 minute personal best from only 2 months prior. I dropped down to the grass in a frail and exhausted state, feeling more accomplished than ever.