On a second read I see what you mean. I didn’t make the connection between the comparisons of motivation where the amateur is motivated to “suffer” and the pro

On a second read I see what you mean. I didn’t make the connection between the comparisons of motivation where the amateur is motivated to “suffer” and the pro is motivated by something unspecified. The closest thing is when he says the pro “wanted to feel good and strong and the moment that stopped, he stopped.” It probably would have been more charitable to point out the fact that the pro is probably motivated by continuing to pursue his livelihood instead of feeling “good and strong,” or even that feeling good and strong is required for his day job. I also bristled a bit at the contrast of running as a professional sport versus an extreme test of body and mind. It seems to me that pro athletes are definitely engaged in an extreme test of body and mind, and likely moreso than the weekend warrior looking to suffer occasionally to escape the doldrums of modern work or whatever.