When you sign up for a multi-day ultra marathon, you’re not just committing to a race—you’re signing up for an experience that will push you physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s a challenge that demands more than just training and stamina; it requires resilience, perseverance, and an ability to adapt to circumstances beyond your control. In many ways, running long distances mirrors life itself, offering lessons about how to navigate the highs and lows, the peaks and valleys, and the inevitable hurdles that come our way.

1. The Start is Always Exciting, But the Real Journey Begins Later

At the start of an ultra marathon, there’s a palpable energy in the air. The excitement, the adrenaline, and the anticipation make you feel invincible. The same can be said for life’s new beginnings—whether it’s a new job, a new relationship, or an exciting adventure. But just as the initial burst of energy fades as the miles start to add up, so too does the honeymoon phase of any new journey. It’s when the novelty wears off that you begin to experience the true essence of the challenge.

In running, this is when fatigue sets in, your body starts to protest, and you realize just how much further you still have to go. In life, this is often when we encounter the reality of the hard work required to achieve our goals. The initial excitement may give way to doubt, discomfort, and frustration—but this is where the true growth happens.

2. Pacing Yourself is Key

One of the most important lessons of running long distances is the need to pace yourself. It’s tempting to start out fast, to race out of the gate with all your energy, but in the long run, that strategy is often doomed to failure. The same can be said for life’s big challenges. Whether you’re launching a new project, pursuing a dream, or taking on a major personal change, trying to sprint through it all at once can lead to burnout.

When running an ultra, there will inevitably be moments when you feel like you could push harder or go faster, but learning to listen to your body and pace yourself will ultimately help you go farther. Similarly, in life, recognizing when you need to take a step back, rest, and recharge can prevent you from reaching a breaking point. Long-term success requires sustainability, and pacing yourself allows you to build momentum that lasts.

3. The Power of Consistency

Ultra marathons are not won by bursts of speed, but by consistent, steady effort over time. This is perhaps the most important lesson that running teaches us about life. Whether you’re running a 50-mile race or building a successful career, it’s the consistent, small steps that compound to create long-term success.

In the race, it’s about maintaining a rhythm, taking care of yourself, and moving forward one step at a time. In life, the same principle applies. Success is often the result of persistent, daily effort—showing up when it’s hard, continuing when you feel discouraged, and keeping the momentum going even when the end goal seems distant.

4. Overcoming Doubts and Adversity

During an ultra marathon, the physical and mental challenges can become overwhelming. You’ll experience moments of doubt, pain, and exhaustion. Your legs may feel like lead, and you might question why you ever signed up in the first place. But it’s in these moments of adversity that the most profound lessons are learned. Pushing through discomfort, digging deep, and finding the strength to keep going are what ultimately define the ultra marathon experience.

Life is no different. There will be times when things seem impossible. You’ll face setbacks, failures, and challenges that feel insurmountable. But like in running, it’s often in these moments of difficulty that we find our true strength. The ability to persist through tough times, even when we can’t see the finish line, builds resilience and teaches us that we are capable of more than we thought.

5. The Importance of Support

While running an ultra marathon can feel like a solitary pursuit, it’s rarely done without the help of others. Whether it’s crew members providing aid, fellow runners offering encouragement, or loved ones cheering you on from the sidelines, support is crucial. In life, the same holds true. No one is meant to navigate their journey alone.

Having a support network—whether it’s family, friends, or mentors—helps you to keep moving forward, especially when times get tough. The bonds formed through shared experiences, whether on the trail or in life, remind us that we are not alone in our struggles. Leaning on others, sharing the burden, and offering support in return strengthens our sense of community and our ability to face challenges with resilience.

6. It’s About the Journey, Not Just the Finish Line

It’s easy to get caught up in the idea of the finish line—the moment when you’ll finally get to rest, celebrate, and be done with the race. But the true value of an ultra marathon lies in the journey itself: the training, the growth, the mental toughness, and the lessons learned along the way. More often than not we choose events in beautiful landscapes, in the Sahara I learnt to look up and take it all in. Something we can often benefit from doing in life as well.

In life, we often fixate on the destination—graduating, getting the promotion, reaching financial independence—but it’s the journey that shapes who we are. The small victories, the setbacks, the learning moments, and the relationships we build along the way are just as important as the goal itself. In both running and life, it’s not just about crossing the finish line—it’s about who you become in the process.

Conclusion: Keep Moving Forward

Running multi-day ultra marathons and living a fulfilling life are both about progress, not perfection. There will be highs and lows, moments of pain and euphoria, periods of fast-paced energy and times when it feels like you’re crawling. But if you keep moving forward, even when it feels hard, you’ll make it to the end—whether it’s a race or a life milestone.

In the end, running long distances teaches us that life is less about avoiding hardship and more about how we respond to it. The ability to keep going, to stay present in the moment, and to embrace both the joy and the struggle is what makes the journey worthwhile. So, lace up your shoes and take that next step. Life’s long run is waiting, and you’re more ready for it than you think.