I stopped training for a marathon and started training for life.

From tire management to active recovery—here’s what I learned when I stopped training for a marathon and started training for life.

Author

Steve Larosiliere
June 16, 2025

I'm standing in the same venue where I got married 16 years ago, watching my niece get married - later I’m dancing to "Crash" by Dave Matthews with my family — and I'm crying. Not from sadness, but from this overwhelming sense of legacy and time.

Earlier that day, I ran my fastest 5K yet (11:14 pace). The day before, I had what I called "my most aligned day yet" — built 2 AI apps for non profit clients - then that week, sold a consult tied to a $15K design-build project, had therapy, delivered materials for Purpose Design Build, handled STOKED insurance and strategy calls. All in flow.

But here's what really shifted this week: I stopped thinking about training for a marathon and started thinking about training for endurance.

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"Marines run 20 miles with 50-pound packs, then fight. The run isn't the mission — it's preparation for what comes after."

That became my lens for everything this week — including how I handle the ongoing financial pressure that's been my constant companion.

THE CLIMB — 002

🌄 The View from Here

This week was about depth over volume. I sharpened systems, hit physical milestones, and redefined what sustainable performance actually looks like.

The breakthrough came from a conversation with an ex-STOKED teammate who said something that hit deep:

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"Not from force or by fear."
I realized I've evolved beyond hustle. It's about clarity, flow, and aligned action now.

🔬 What I'm Testing

Tire Management — borrowed from Formula 1. Your energy has different compounds for different situations:

  • Soft tires (high performance, short duration): That Thursday when I crushed 8 high-value tasks

  • Medium tires (balanced): Regular client work, family time

  • Hard tires (conservative, long-lasting): Recovery days, walking the dog

Active Recovery as Strategy
Instead of just "rest days," I'm programming 2-mile walks, CrossFit sessions focused on form over intensity, even strategic naps (took 2 on Father's Day).

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"Recovery isn't stopping — it's moving differently."

Bandwidth-Based Decisions
I’ve decided to step down from one of my board responsibilities. Not because it wasn't good work, but because leadership requires bandwidth, and I needed to go deeper with STOKED instead of spreading thin.

⚙️ What's Working

The Alignment Multiplier
My "Morning → Movement → Meaning" system held up even while traveling. Every day: move the body first, move the business forward, then connect with something bigger.

But here's the real insight: I can handle massive volume when it's all aligned. Thursday proved that. Eight different high-value tasks, all flowing together because they served the same vision.

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"When everything connects to your core purpose, you don't get tired — you get energized. That's the difference between hustle and flow."

Neutral Data Tracking
I'm tracking cash flow like I track macros now — neutral data, no emotion, just adjustments. Financial pressure doesn't disappear, but panic does.

Your turn: Look at your last really productive day. I bet it wasn't because you worked harder — it was because everything connected to your core purpose. That's the pattern to replicate.

🎯 What You Can Carry Forward

  1. Design for the fight after the run. Your current challenge isn't your real challenge — it's training for what comes next. I'm not just training for 26.2 miles; I'm training to be sharp in body, copy, AI, and sales in 2035.

  2. Track everything with neutral eyes. Whether it's cash flow, body weight, or energy levels — data without drama leads to better decisions.

  3. Recovery is not rest. Active recovery keeps you moving forward at a sustainable pace. Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is take a 2-mile walk or a strategic nap.

  4. Bandwidth is your bottleneck. What are you saying yes to that's keeping you from going deeper where it matters most?

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"Bold living opens doors. Presence creates opportunities."

📊 Week 2 at a Glance

Fastest 5K: 11:14 pace (PR) - saved
Active Recovery: 2-mile walks, strategic naps, form-focused CrossFit
Business Pipeline: 2 new agency leads + Two $10K-$15K design-build projects
Strategic Decisions: Stepped down from 1 board for deeper STOKED focus
Emotional Wins: Wedding tears, Father's Day river reflection, family connection

🧭 Where I'm Climbing Next

Week 3 Theme: Rhythm over reinvention.

The systems are working. Now it's about consistency without forcing it.

This week I'm focusing on:

  • Maintaining the tire management approach

  • Deepening the active recovery protocols

  • Following through on those 2 new project leads

  • Staying present with family while building

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"Your marathon isn't the 26.2 miles. It's the life you're building that requires you to stay strong, sharp, and aligned for decades."

💬 Final Word

What are you really training for?

If this resonated, reply and let me know what endurance looks like in your world. Or forward this to someone who's building for the long haul, too.

We're not just running the race. We're preparing for what comes after.

See you at the next altitude check,
—Steve Larosiliere