Unlocking Inner Strength: The Pacers. The Push.
During my last marathon in Prague (2025), I made nearly every classic mistake of the eager amateur. The excitement of racing again swept me up. I let the energy of the crowd set my pace, pushing myself far beyond what my body was ready for. By the 15th kilometer, I was already minutes ahead of all my time checkpoints. My mind was running the show, and mentally, I felt unstoppable, my self-coaching was in full effect. But my body? It simply wasn’t there.
That strange moment when your body starts to fade, but your mind refuses to let go.
My heart rate soared, pulsing with adrenaline and emotion. My hydration plan unraveled; water just wouldn’t go down. By kilometer 28, I’d hit my physical limit. Still, I kept running, debating whether to slow to a walk and give my body a chance to recover. My mind, though, was relentless: Keep going. You can do this.
At 38 kilometers, I was convinced I couldn’t take another step. Just as I was about to walk, the sub-4-hour Pacers appeared on my right. Suddenly, hope. Was this a sign not to give up? They were there to carry me to the finish, just follow them! So I did. I corrected my posture, found a new rhythm, and pictured the finish line, with a painful smile on my face.
The Pacers, or just me?
For the next four kilometers, I was struck by the energy The Pacers gave me. Was it really them, or was it something within myself that switched on in that moment?
“Was it their presence, or my own strength?”
”Would I have made it without them?”
”Do I truly need them, or did they simply awaken what was already inside me?”
I kept running, step by step, wrestling with these questions. It was tough, it was painful, but I was still moving, still on pace. Still within target.
Miles Away, Mind Away
As my legs kept moving, my mind drifted far beyond the race. In that haze of exhaustion, I found myself searching for The Pacers in my own life and work, the people who have nudged me past my comfort zones, who have sparked something deeper within me. How many times have I drawn strength from their example? How often have their encouragements awakened a resilience I didn’t know I had?
I realized: I need these people. Their inspiration matters. But without my own values, without my willingness to rise to the challenge, nothing truly changes.
“It’s the interplay between their spark and my own inner fire that creates real growth.”
Growth is never a solo act.
And then I wondered, do they know the impact they’ve had on me? Have I ever truly celebrated that with them? Where does their influence end and my own strength begin?
I didn’t have all the answers. But in that moment, the questions themselves became fuel. They carried me across the finish line, just under four hours, but with a new unlocked room in my self-awareness, a space for gratitude, reflection, and growth.
How does this resonate with you? Where do you find your Pacers, and how do you honor the strength they help you discover?
What This Has to Do With You
This story isn’t just about pushing your physical limits when you are mentally resilient. It’s about consistency, inspiration, and inner strength, the very themes I explore with my coaching clients.
You don’t always need “The Pacers” to go the extra mile, but you will always need your inner Pacer. Allow yourself to be inspired, honor your inner strength, and celebrate it with those who help you along the way.
Maybe you’re searching for your own Pacers. Maybe you’ve forgotten the inner strength that surfaces when you’re inspired by others. Or maybe, like me, you’re just trying to take one more step.
Let’s Chase What’s Possible —Together
I help individuals reconnect with their values, overcome internal barriers, and create meaningful, resilient lives. If this story stirred something inside you, maybe it’s your time.
