Recently, our son ran a 100-mile ultramarathon in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This was no ordinary race; it meant pushing through steep elevations, terrible weather, and 33 hours of nonstop running. Physically, mentally, and emotionally, it was a grueling test.

We were his pit crew—meeting him at designated stops, refueling him, swapping out pacers, and giving him what he needed to keep moving forward. These moments were short, 10-minute intervals at most, but they made all the difference in his ability to continue.

This was his first 100-mile marathon, something he had dreamed of since his junior year of high school. He trained for two years, and when race day came, he crossed the finish line after 33 relentless hours.

As I reflected on the experience, three powerful lessons stood out. Whether you’re chasing a marathon dream or simply tackling a big life goal, these truths apply:

Knowledge is critical. Tap into it.

• Rylan didn’t just run; he prepared with wisdom. He hired a coach who had successfully run multiple 100-mile races. He also sought advice from seasoned ultramarathoners who had been there before. Their insight gave him tools to outpace storms, manage fatigue, ensure proper nutrition and keep pressing forward. In life, we don’t have to figure everything out alone. Knowledge is everywhere: mentors, coaches, books, podcasts. Tap into it.

You are better with others than you are alone.

• For the last half of the race, runners were allowed pacers—people with fresh legs who ran beside them, kept them accountable, and encouraged them to keep going. In the same way, we thrive with community. Surround yourself with people who push you, encourage you, and believe in you. Alone you may falter, but with the right team, you’ll go farther than you ever imagined.

You’re stronger than you think.

• Towards the end of the race, exhaustion sets in. Muscles ache, the mind tells you to stop, and everything feels impossible. But Rylan learned to break the race into smaller pieces. He’d focus only on the next 10 miles—or the next checkpoint where he could see his family again. In life, when challenges feel overwhelming, break them down. Take it one step, one day, one goal at a time. Dig deep—you are tougher than you realize.

The Finish Line

I will never run 100 miles through the mountains, but the same principles that carried Rylan across that finish line are the ones that carry us through life’s toughest challenges.

Tap into wisdom. Lean on others. Believe in your strength.

Because whether you’re chasing a dream, building something new, or simply trying to keep going, you already have what it takes to reach your own finish line.