212 Degrees

I was talking to my cross country coach today and he brought up the concept of running at the 212th degree. I had no idea what that meant, so he explained.
"At 212 degrees, water boils and that creates steam. That steam can power a locomotive. If you live your life at 211 degrees, you are cheating yourself one degree short. You will still accomplish many things at 211 degrees, however, turn it up one more degree and you will do wonders. That extra degree can be difference between running eight intervals, feeling strong and running one more interval with one more second faster per lap, feeling utterly quenched of energy. Yet somehow, that deluded energy amounts to a greater satisfaction and eventually builds to greater and more daring things in the future. It may not happen right now, in fact I can guarantee you that it will not happen right now, or next week. But keep living your life and running to that extra degree and way down the road, at that regional meet, you will witness the steam. It will power your engine inside of you, both physically and mentally. You are able to and guaranteed to do great things; its you choice whether to make it happen."
I was stunned at what he had just said. Not because it seemed impossible, no; but because it was so simple. So, turn it up a notch and watch the water turn into steam and the steam turn into a force that will power a locomotive.