Pushing the Envelope

I never would have thought I could run so well at the Rock N Roll marathon. I hadn't trained well enough, my piriformis was still acting up, I didn't sleep, eat or hydrate well enough. But apparently, I am a stronger individual than I thought.
At OBX I ran til mile 16 with good form, maintaining a steady 7 minute pace. Once I made the decision to shoot for 3:10, difficult though it was, I wanted to push that good form a bit farther. I thought, rather minimally, to go for 18 miles with form. When I got there, I knew that I would, and could, keep moving (though with a bit more effort than normal) until 20. When I reached 20 I was on schedule, which is this sense is not a good thing, because the schedule does not account for fatigue. I was at this point in the plan because of (or in spite of) the first 10K I ran with Trev. We ran under 7 minute pace. Either it saved the energy I need to keep running with form until 20, or it slowed me down just enough to put me at the crozzroads of 3:10 and 3:19. I like to think that it helped me, since the elites will tell you to run negative splits. I would have gone out at 7:00 and probably crashed at or around the 16 mile mark.
During this crossroads, I came to understand just how much stronger I am. I am physically strong, but I think what makes more of a difference in the long run is mental toughness. Mentally, I will never quit. Ever. I think it has proven to be one of my greatest assets, but I can forsee a time when it may be a hindrance, a 'white whale' so to speak. I kept telling myself "don't stop. Don't ever stop." And I didn't.
I told Tom and Derek that it never gets easier, but your perception of it does. You learn to push back that boundary, that gray area after which you're unsure of how you will perform. I pushed it 4 miles, next time I'll push it 2 or 3 more. And sooner or later I'll just keep running, with form, for 26.2 miles.
Running is like life. I've known it for some time now, but this time with a new application.
Life doesn't get easier, but your perception of it changes. You push back the boundary, alter the gray area, until you've done it all, or have the confidence to take on any challenge. And all the while, all you can do is tell yourself "Don't stop. Don't ever stop."