The day I ran 50 miles

And what it taught me about suffering.

I did not sign up for a 50-mile race because I am an ultra-runner.

I signed up because I am a “yes” man.

I have surrounded myself with people who push themselves and, by extension, push me. All I had to do was say yes. That single word put me on the starting line of one of the hardest things I have ever done.

At first, it felt manageable. But by mile 8, my hip was already hurting. I had trained all summer without pain, nearly 500 miles, and then the week before the race my hip flared up. I put on some Biofreeze and told myself I could handle it. By mile 30, I wanted to quit. I remember thinking, “I’m glad my family isn’t here right now, because if I saw them, I might actually stop.”

But something shifted at mile 34. I had finished the second loop of three, and in that moment I knew I was going to finish all 50. The pain did not go away, but I accepted it. I told myself it was not going to break me.

One thing that helped was smiling. Every time I rounded a lap and saw the crowds, I smiled. They cheered louder, which made me smile bigger, and that exchange gave me energy I did not know I had. I also borrowed a mental strategy from Jessie Itzler. His Navy SEAL coach taught him to respond to pain by saying, “I feel outstanding.” I repeated that over and over. No matter what, I kept my words positive.

Crossing the finish line was overwhelming. My body was exhausted, but my heart was full. I got choked up and started crying. I thought about what I had just accomplished, but also about Austin. I thought about suffering and how many people live with it every single day. Running became more than running. It was a spiritual experience.

Here is the truth: it all passes. The pain, the joy, the struggles, and the accomplishments. They all fade. That is why the process and the people matter most. The journey is what shapes us, not the medal at the end.

So if you are in your own mile 30 moment, when you are ready to give up, remember this: keep going. You may be closer than you think. And when you reach your finish line, do not be surprised if you cry too.

Who do you know that is at their mile 30 right now? Share this with them today.