Member-only story
How I Went From Barefoot Runs to Preparing for the Pain Cave
Preparing for the Pain Cave isn’t just about physical training; it’s about mental preparation
What’s the most important ingredient when you take up physical activity as a hobby, like running, biking, or hiking?
Answer — Pain.
It’s inevitable.
Running has always fascinated me. The sheer simplicity of lacing up a pair of shoes and hitting the pavement is exciting. I’ve completed several full marathons and even a few 50K ultramarathons. I’ve chased that elusive runner’s high countless times and found it.
But there’s another aspect of running that I recently read about in Rich Roll’s ‘Finding Ultra’—the Pain Cave. Unlike the runner’s high, it’s a place I haven’t ventured into yet, but it’s a destination that I’m curious about.
From Non-Runner to Running My First 5K
Like many, my running journey began with humble beginnings. I wasn’t always a runner. In fact, my early attempts at running were marked by breathlessness, sore legs, and a burning desire to quit. I remember the first time I tried running for more than five minutes—it felt like torture. But there was something about the challenge that kept me going.
