Here's how my experience in endurance competition shows up for me as a dad.
Picture this...
It's mile 20 of the Ironman and I am DRAGGING.
Everything hurts, I want it to be over and I'm not sure how I can make it 6+ more miles.
So what do I do?
I break down what's left so I can manage it mentally.
I don't think about how I'm gonna keep running for the next hour...
I think about getting to the next aid station.
It's the same thing with parenting.
When it's 4 pm and I'm tired from a long day...
I don't think about how I've got hours and hours left of parenting responsibility.
I think about getting to dinner at 5 pm.
Then I think about getting to bath time at 6 pm.
Then I think about getting to bedtime at 7 pm.
I don't let myself get overwhelmed by the big picture.
These are the lessons endurance teaches.
100%. Getting into endurance sports has increased my mental toughness and perseverance in other areas of life.