As a financial planner, I often emphasize the importance of resilience, planning, and the power of support and accountability in achieving our goals. This year, those lessons took on new meaning during my journey to complete the Mountain Lakes 100, a tough 100-mile ultramarathon near Mount Hood in Oregon. This experience tested not only my physical limits but also my mental strength. After two failed attempts in 2022 and 2023, my finish this year felt like the culmination of everything I had learned along the way.

2022: Too Much Trail Math
During my first attempt at the Mountain Lakes 100 in 2022, I got caught up in doing “trail math,” projecting my pace and conditions far too ahead. This led me to drop out before missing a cutoff. It was a humbling experience that taught me the importance of staying present, making consistent forward progress—even if it seems painfully slow—and focusing on smaller, achievable goals rather than getting overwhelmed by the distant finish line.

2023: We Can’t Control the Weather
With valuable lessons from my first attempt, I worked with a coach in the months leading up to my second try. I trained harder than ever and felt more prepared. Yet, the unexpected happened: the weather turned unseasonably hot, and I dropped out again. I felt disappointed but resolved; before I even traveled home, I had already decided to try again.

2024: Embracing the Journey
This time, everything came together even better than I had hoped. My coach pushed me out of my comfort zone, increasing my mileage, introducing cross-training, and incorporating challenging hill climbs. I was fortunate to have solid altitude training before the race, thanks to multiple trips to Colorado where my family accompanied me on adventurous hikes and runs.

By now, I was familiar with the course, which provided a significant mental boost. I was lucky to have my coach and his girlfriend as my crew, and another experienced trail runner agreed to pace me for the final 30 miles. To top it all off, the weather was perfect—cool, clear, and dry.

As I crossed the finish line, an overwhelming sense of gratitude washed over me for my friends, family, and running community who supported me, as well as the planning and accountability that guided my training. Most importantly, I felt grateful for the resilience I had built through my challenges.

Completing the Mountain Lakes 100 was more than just finishing a race; it was a culmination of lessons learned—lessons that apply not only to ultra-running but to any life goal.

Here’s to embracing challenges and celebrating victories—both on the trails and in life!