The 72nd Edition

The secret to success no one’s talking about!

We glorify the hardship of early alarms, dark winter runs, discipline
and routine. But what if the secret isn’t just enduring it – it’s loving it?

Something to Think About

Discipline stops feeling like sacrifice the moment you start taking pride in it.

Something to Ask Yourself

Do you see your discipline as a burden or as something that defines who you are?

Personal Lesson

I used to think being “disciplined” was about willpower – about pushing through discomfort, white-knuckling my way through early runs and late-night work sessions. And to some degree, there is a bit of that. But over time, I realised the people who stay consistent aren’t fighting themselves every day. They’re not dragging themselves out the door or groaning about the alarm. They’ve built a strange, deep affection for the process itself. They’ve grown fond of the grind. 

It’s not impossible to find parts of a difficult process that you enjoy. Maybe it’s the quiet before sunrise, the peace of time alone, the sense that you’re doing something most won’t. These are all things that gave me a sense of control and purpose before the world woke up. 

Now, I don’t just tolerate “the grind”, I’ve realised there’s a part of me that craves it. The rhythm of structure, the satisfaction of ticking off the small, repetitive tasks that build towards something bigger, it feels good. Not in a romanticised hustle-culture way, but in a grounded, peaceful way. It’s not about being tough. It’s about being tuned in.

Running – Life’s Metaphor

Running teaches you that the grind isn’t something to escape; it’s something to embrace. The ones who stay in love with the sport aren’t those who only chase the highs, they’re the ones who learn to love the ordinary miles, the steady rhythm. It’s the repetition that shapes them.

Final Thoughts

“Loving the grind” isn’t about toxic productivity or glorifying exhaustion. It’s about finding meaning in the ordinary. The grind is where most of life happens. It’s not in the races, not in the celebrations, but in the repetition of small, deliberate actions.

You can force discipline for a few weeks. You can grit your teeth through a training block. But if we want to live this way for years – in your training, your work, and your life – we have to find joy in the doing. The quiet satisfaction of effort. The pride in consistency. The beauty in showing up, again and again. 

So tomorrow morning, when the alarm goes off, don’t think about the sacrifice. Think about the privilege. You get to do this. You get to grind. You get to work. You get to grow.

Thanks for reading and subscribing!

Run the Runnable!

Tommy 🙂