Recently I indicated folk with chronic pain are in a 'marathon' rather than a 'sprint'. Sprints always demand bursts of intense energy, physical strength and concentration for a short time.  However a marathon demands much, not the least being endurance from months of preparation. In another life, for about 10yrs I rode in the Cairns-Brisbane 1750kms bicycle tour. That took 10mths preparation. To cope with the journey, I divided every day into 2hourly sessions with 3breaks. That made the 1750kms possible.

There is a strong similarity between doing a marathon and coping with chronic pain. When I draw on enough courage to try to manage the first hour or so of my day, then keep repeating this principle, I'm learning to endure hardship.

No marathon is easy. If it was, few would bother with it. The goal of most marathon-ers is to finish as well as they can and if possible, with a better finish time than their last event. My life is a marathon. It has to be. So, doing the best I can on the day with what I've got, is my goal. Friends and loved ones at times say in different ways, "Good on you for trying your best today." This helps me try again tomorrow.