Thank you to the 2 million of you who have watched, liked, commented, shared, and re-shared the film! Your thoughtful messages have filled my heart with love and gratitude.

I’ve been receiving a lot of questions about how I stayed disciplined, determined, and motivated during training and the race. One of the techniques that I used was to create a list of reasons why I wanted to finish the race. In the film, you see me tracing “100 miles” on an index card. What you don’t see is that, while I’m tracing, I’m visualizing running the race, finishing the race, and reviewing my “why” list. This practice is mental conditioning for potential meltdowns and is one of the most valuable techniques I developed while working with my coach Nate.

One of the self-care hacks in my short book is: “A big goal better have big reasons for doing it.” Here is my why list for finishing the race:

1. Because I wanted to honor the inspirational people in my life, including my mom, my older sister, and those who have suffered, endured and weathered more than a 100 miles without a choice.
2. Because I had already done the hard part by running 1,200 miles before the race.
3. Because it would push my limitations both physically and mentally, allowing me to continue growing as a person.
4. Because my girlfriend Kate had made sacrifices with me, understanding why I was busy every Saturday for the summer, listening to me moan about training aches and pains, and smiling when our date night became the Whole Foods salad bar.
5. Because I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to run 100 miles with my friend Brendan while creating a film.
6. Because I hoped to inspire others to pursue their own goals and to always keep moving forward.
7. Because I had already spent hundreds of dollars paying for the entrance fee, the six pairs of shoes, the countless pairs of socks, the bottles of body glide, and the other gadgets to aid in my training.
8. Because I wanted to thank my family and friends who have supported me the past few years, when training got in the way of plans or when training became our plans.
9. Because I didn’t want to disappoint my team, the people who traveled to Steamboat Springs, who gave up their weekend to cheer me on during the race, and who spent the night outside on the side of a gravel road.
10. Because all of my life experiences have prepared me to never quit, even in a 100-mile race.

When my ankle clunked out, and I was about to have a meltdown, my mental medicine was my why list. The next time you have a goal in mind, create a list of why you want to do it before your feet are at the starting line. Your why list may be what propels you past the finish line.