Train the Finish

Today’s Theme

Some athletes become legends because they win. Others become unforgettable because they finish.

In a world obsessed with starting fast, it's easy to overlook the skill of finishing well. But the final stretch, the way we close the gap between effort and completion, often shapes our mindset more than the opening burst.

Today’s story will remind you why the last mile matters most and why “finishing is a mindset” worth instilling in those you lead.

The Marathoner Who Refused to Quit

In the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, long after the medals had been awarded and the stadium had begun to empty, a Tanzanian runner named John Stephen Akhwari entered the Olympic arena.

He was bloodied. Limping. Wrapped in bandages from a brutal fall earlier in the race.

Most had forgotten he was even competing. But there he was, hours behind the leaders, refusing to give up.

As the remaining crowd realized what was happening, a standing ovation erupted. Akhwari crossed the finish line in last place.

The next day a reporter asked him a question many were thinking: Why didn’t you quit?

Akhwari answered with a sentence that still echoes through history: “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me 5,000 miles to finish it.”

That line sticks with you, doesn’t it? This wasn’t just a quote. It was a mindset. It’s a mindset you carry with you, every day, in big ways and small.

Finishing isn’t just something you do. It’s something you decide.

The Gift of Finishing

Let’s be honest: Starting is fun. It’s fresh. It’s exciting.

But finishing? That’s where the real work happens.

Finishing is more than a physical act, it’s a psychological win.

In his book Finish, Jon Acuff reminds us: Most people don’t struggle to start. They struggle to finish. Perfectionism tells us that if we can’t do something flawlessly, we shouldn’t do it at all. But that lie prevents growth.

Done is better than perfect. Finishing builds belief. It tells your brain, “I can trust myself to follow through.”

There’s science behind this too. The Zeigarnik Effect shows our minds crave completion. Incomplete tasks hang in the background, draining energy. But finishing clears the clutter and frees up space to focus, while also strengthening motivation for future efforts.

Every time you finish, you reinforce your identity: “I’m the kind of person who keeps going, especially when it’s hard.”

“I will finish” is one of the most important commitments you can make before you start something challenging.

And every day, you’re given the chance to re-commit to how you finish.

Coaching the Sprint Through the Finish Line

High performers speed up when the finish line is near, not because they’re less tired, but because they’re more focused.

This is the Goal Gradient Effect at work. Research shows that the closer people are to completing a goal, the more effort they exert. Finish lines inspire sprints.

Coaches can use this to instill a finishing mindset in athletes on and off the field. Below are some considerations on how you might foster a team culture that values finishing.

1. Simulate the Final Sprint

Design scenarios that replicate the emotional and physical demands of the final stretch. Utilize drills that simulate the pressure and urgency athletes will face when the outcome is on the line.

Think 4th quarter drills. Last play situations. End-of-practice “finishers.”

These aren’t just reps and moments for conditioning. They’re opportunities to build a mindset and identity.

2. Celebrate Finishing. Not Just Strong Starts

When coaches consistently recognize how athletes close, not just how they begin, it signals to the team: Finishing matters here. Finishing is a skill and, like any skill, it grows with attention and reinforcement.

A great example of this comes from a Detroit Lions film session. Head Coach, Dan Campbell, pulls up game tape and spotlights wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown; not for a touchdown, not for a highlight, but for his relentless effort and finish on the final three plays of the game.

3. Create Visual Reminders

In 2020, Baltimore Ravens’ Head Coach, John Harbaugh, created t-shirts that simply said, “Finish.”

Harbaugh’s become known for these famous motivational shirts that he uses to reinforce team values and the shared identity he wants his team to create.

When finishing becomes part of your culture, excellence becomes contagious.

Final Thoughts

John Stephen Akhwari didn’t win gold. He didn’t set a record. But he gave the world a masterclass in what it means to finish.

Because in a world that idolizes the start, your edge might come from training how you finish.

Remind your athletes: Anyone can start. Champions are the ones who finish.

Inspiration for This Piece:

• Acuff, J. (2017). Finish: Give yourself the gift of done. Portfolio/Penguin.

• https://www.olympics.com/en/news/marathon-man-akhwari-demonstrates-superhuman-spirit

The Threshold Lab Podcast:

If you’re interested in more stories and principles, last month I launched a new podcast called The Threshold Lab — where I explore fundamental principles that help high performers think, lead, and live at the highest level.

This past week’s most downloaded episode was “There’s No Tiger in the Marketplace” where I explore how repetition shapes our beliefs through an ancient parable and why we need to be intentional with the messages we hear and tell ourselves.

If you haven’t checked it out yet, I’d love for you to give it a listen and share if anything resonates for you!