Unpacking The Why Behind 37 Flights & 1,400 kms in the Yukon – 10 Days Out

When Ryan was dying from brain cancer, and I was visiting a couple times a week I would go running afterwards to clear my head and clear my emotions. I was trying not to bring them back to my family.? When Ryan passed, I kept running, it played a huge role in the processing grief. In that motion I decided it was time to get after a goal I had been thinking about for a long time – running a marathon.? That sent me on a journey of exploring the limits of endurance and uncovering the mental game that goes with it.?? Running is often seen as a physical endeavor—a way to improve endurance, build strength, and burn calories. But running reveals itself as something much deeper. It’s not just about moving forward physically; it’s about moving inward emotionally and mentally.

A Meditation in Motion In many ways, running is a form of meditation. Each step serves as a mantra, steady and rhythmic, pulling the runner into the present moment. This simplicity creates space for reflection, insight, and clarity.

Ultra-running events like the Yukon Montane Ultra push this concept to its limits. When exhaustion sets in, and the body begins to break down, it’s not just muscles that carry you forward—it’s mindset. Finding “Relentless Forward Progress” through low-energy moments or doubt is what transforms running into an exercise in resilience.

Facing the Inner Critic Running also forces us to confront the internal voice that tells us to quit—the one that questions our abilities and highlights our fears. Especially during grueling endurance events, this voice has been loud and unrelenting. But by observing and challenging it, I’ve learned how to strip it of its power.

For many runners, the act of continuing despite this voice becomes a form of therapy. It’s proof that we are stronger than our doubts and capable of pushing beyond self-imposed limits.

Building Mental Fortitude The discipline required to run regularly, especially when motivation is low, builds a mental toughness that translates far beyond the trail. I’ve often used the mantra of “just 10 minutes” to trick myself into starting a run. That small commitment often carries me much farther than I intended. This process mirrors life—momentum is built by simply taking the next step, no matter how small.

Running as Deliberate Practice Ultimately, running is a deliberate practice in focus, intent, and presence. It’s a reminder that progress is incremental, and that true growth often happens during the hardest miles—those moments when we’d rather stop but keep moving instead.

In both running and life, the journey is not about avoiding discomfort; it’s about learning to live within it, move through it, and emerge stronger. The path forward isn’t always clear or easy, but as long as we keep running—both physically and metaphorically—we are guaranteed to grow.

What’s your inner work? What practices push you to grow mentally and emotionally?

We are at 22 flights on our goal of 37 flights for people to see their loved one who is dying.? 37 because that is how old Ryan was when he passed away.? 37 incredible final goodbyes help us make that happen. Please visit Give A Mile if you would like to support our goal ?

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