Sometimes the simplest shift in mindset makes all the difference
On June 13, I’ll be taking on the biggest physical challenge of my life: the Tahoe 200, a 200-mile ultramarathon through the rugged terrain surrounding Lake Tahoe. I’m incredibly excited to see what happens when I push my body to its absolute limit.
It’s been almost eight years since I ran my first ultramarathon. Back in 2017, I tackled a 30-mile race over Vancouver’s North Shore Mountains—the KneeKnacker. Since then, I’ve completed dozens of ultras, including several 100-milers. Each one has taught me something new about discipline, mindset, and what it means to keep moving forward when everything in you wants to stop.
Of course, training for a race like the Tahoe 200 requires serious consistency. And, as you can probably imagine, I don’t always feel like doing the work.
The Rainy 6 AM Run
Last week, my coach had me scheduled for a Strides and Tempo workout. It looked like this:
- Warm-up: 10 min @ 5:33 min/km
- Intervals (x8):
- 30 sec hard @ 4:00 min/km
- 1 min easy @ 6:15 min/km
- Tempo: 30 min @ 5:00 min/km
- Recovery: 8 min @ 5:33 min/km
It was 6 a.m. The weather? Rainy and just 3°C. I was tired. This was one of those workouts I wasn’t excited about—I was just going to get it done.
By the time I got through the intervals and started the 30-minute tempo segment (5:00/km is fast for me), I checked my watch and was shocked to see I was only 8 minutes in.
Ugh.
Cold. Wet. Suffering.
And 22 more minutes to go.
Then Something Shifted
Instead of focusing on the discomfort, I asked myself:
“What if I pushed for a 5K personal best right now?”
My most recent PB was around 24:30. Some quick math told me that if I maintained just under a 5:00/km pace, I’d be in striking distance.
And just like that, everything changed.
My mindset shifted from enduring to pursuing.
I started focusing on form. I leaned in.
Pace check: 4:50. 4:55. 4:45. 5:00.
The effort didn’t feel easier, but the meaning behind it changed everything.
Purpose Transforms the Process
Adding a challenge and a sense of purpose to the workout made all the difference.
So many of our day-to-day tasks can feel like drudgery—repetitive, uninspiring, even uncomfortable. But when we attach meaning or purpose to them, they become more than tasks; they become stepping stones to who we’re becoming.
Growth doesn’t happen in ease.
It happens in execution.
Especially when it’s hard.
Oh, and by the way…
New 5K PB: 24:04!
Now let me ask you:
Where could a shift in mindset help you turn a challenge into a breakthrough?
Send me a note and let me know!
