Who else watches the ROCKY movies just for the training scenes?

Rocky IV, III, II, and I (in that order). I skip Rocky V, I’m fine with Rocky VI, and I enjoy the Creed series, though it feels different. I run many miles on my treadmill during the Atlanta summer, rewatching the Rocky saga along the way. I crave the training scenes, but I appreciate the rest of the story too.

I’m deep into a training cycle for the Marine Corps Marathon this fall. I’ve been consistent, but I don’t feel fast yet. I feel like Rocky III when he first arrives in LA to train with Apollo Creed.

Rocky has just taken a beatdown from Clubber Lang (Mr. T) and lost the heavyweight belt. Apollo pushes Rocky to challenge Clubber again. Rocky commits, but he’s not convinced he can win. His first few weeks of training with Apollo are lackluster. His rhythm, speed, and stamina are off. He’s doing the work, but he doesn’t believe.

Then comes the beach scene.

Standing on the beach with the Pacific Ocean behind them and the sun fading, Adrian asks him what’s wrong. She pushes him. He pushes back, yelling, fighting against the truth bubbling up inside.

Finally, he says it.

Rocky is scared.

He’s scared of fighting Clubber Lang. He’s scared of the pain. Of losing. Of losing everything he has.

Adrian doesn’t let him off the hook. And there, on that beach with the California sun setting, Rocky transforms. That’s the moment. He fully commits to the fight.

Clubber Lang’s loss is inevitable.

That’s the moment I love in the Rocky movies. Rocky transforms himself in every training cycle. Sometimes it’s physical. Other times it’s mental—overcoming fear and doubt. But he’s always different at the end.

Rocky is a reluctant and scared fighter. Always. Yet in every bout, at some point he switches and makes the commitment. The fight is what he will do.

The training isn’t easy. The decision to train is.

There’s no question about the morning run, the strength work, or the sparring sessions. They’re inevitable.

I have about 10 weeks until the Marine Corps Marathon. I’m trying to qualify for the Boston Marathon for the third decade of my life. That’s my Clubber Lang. My Ivan Drago.

I’m scared. I said it. What if I can’t do it this time? What if I’m just not that runner anymore?

What would my Adrian tell me here? What is there really to lose? And what if I don’t hit a time goal? So what.

There’s nothing left to prove. I was never going to the Olympics. This is my hobby. I do it because I love it.

All I can do is try.

And commit.

ROLL CALL: Respond back and let me know what race you’re training for right now.