Why You Should Keep Going

David Goggin’s autobiography Can’t Hurt Me is a masterclass for mental fortitude.

I went running yesterday with the intent to finish five miles. As soon as I took off, I was quickly reminded of my late lunch just two hours before.

About one mile in, I felt like I was going to throw up. Keep going.

Two miles in, my legs became tight from the previous day’s run. Keep going.

Three miles in, looking for the closest trashcan just in case. Keep going.

Four miles later, my knee starts to throb. Kee- well, actually I know I said five, but I can be happy with four right? Things change. You learn to adapt. Four is good enough, right?

My mind immediately went to David Goggin’s autobiography Can’t Hurt Me.

“The reason it’s important to push hardest when you want to quit the most is because it helps you callous your mind. It’s the same reason why you have to do your best work when you are the least motivated.” — David Goggins

Goggins went through SEAL Hell Week three times, observing not only his behavior, but the people around him. After being deprived of food and sleep, aching from countless miles, pushups, and butterfly kicks, he would watch people reach the bottom pits of their mind. He would see their soul leave their eyes. At the bottom, there is only one question left,

Why am I doing this?

So I asked myself as I started my fifth mile. Because I want to. No, not good enough. My legs start to falter. Because I’m a fighter. This is who I am. A bit more power starts to kick in. Because I know I can give more, and I want to see how much I can give. There is no alternative. With that, I finished the five miles.

I didn’t throw up. I stretched out my legs. Pain is finite.

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how. —Friedrich Nietzsche