There is a race you know by heart without ever having run it.

You can trace the course in your head: the river crossing, the climb that breaks people, the exposed ridge, the final turn into town. You know the shape of the start arch, the way the crowd sounds in videos, the exact corner where finishers usually start crying. Other people’s race reports have become your map.

Your body has already done years for that start line. Entire seasons arranged so that if the day ever comes, you will be ready....