Run The Mile I’m In

When I tell people that I run ultras, one of the first questions is invariably “how do you run that far/so long?” Then, questions of why, but it always starts with how. The answer is very simple – I run the mile I’m in. That’s it.

In a 100-miler, I run mile 1, always so fun to start, then I’m in mile 2, enjoying every bit of mile 2-ness that that mile brings, then onto mile 3 and the idiosyncrasies of that mile…so on for the entirety of the 100. Every mile is unique and interesting and worth being present for – I can’t skip a single one; they are all required to get to 100. I don’t run each mile simply to “knock it out”, or “get through it” – that would make for a tedious day indeed. Running the mile I am in centers me – I am present.

One of the beautiful reminders I experience with The Minimalist Game I mentioned yesterday is to run the mile I’m in with everything I do. The amount of clutter around me may be overwhelming, but if I just do one step/piece/task each day, I will make progress. Don’t worry about the entirety, ~500 things, just do what is required today.

During a heavy weights workout, I remind myself to be in the rep I’m in. Each one matters so make it count and the end will come when it comes.

During a difficult training ride, I remind myself to be in the zone/minute I’m in. Like a race, there’s an eventual ending.

This carries over into processing 12 surgeries. I’m asked if I’m getting impatient, over it, frustrated, how have I had the mental fortitude to endure it all, etc. I have my eyes on the overall goal, but I’m in each step one at a time, not looking ahead to what else is yet to come, and not looking back at how much we have already done and how convoluted the path has been. I am in the now with each part of it. I know exactly what we are aiming for and when we are off track, but I also know that the way to successfully navigate it all is to stay present and take each day for what it brings. Each day matters.

Make a big-picture plan, then run the mile I’m in. And when I can finally return to training 100% (running, weights, all of it) imagine how much more I’ll savor each mile I’m in.

This is what running mile 8 of 50 looks like. Smiling and enjoying the beautiful sunrise, running the mile I’m in. Tahoe Rim Trail 50 Miler.

This is what running day 1 (mile who knows what because it was Europe and measured in kilometers) of an 8-day stage race looks like. TransAlpine Run.

Day 7 of 8.

And finally Day 8, still smiling!

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