What If Your Goal Isn’t Big Enough?
What If Your Goal Isn’t Big Enough?
Eric Davis once reached the end of a 50K and thought it was too far. A couple of weeks later, he’d signed up for a 50-miler.
That pretty much tells you everything you need to know.
From 50K To 100 Miles
Eric didn’t grow up dreaming about ultramarathons. Running was largely supplemental to other sports, including soccer and Irish football. Eventually, as competing against younger athletes became harder on his body, running offered another outlet.
Then curiosity took over. After beginning with shorter races, Eric progressed from 50K to 50 miles, 100K and 100 miles in roughly one year.
It wasn’t simply about collecting longer distances. Eric wanted to discover what he could do.
When The Goal Becomes The Limitation
Before his first 100-miler, Eric looked at previous finishing times and decided 17 hours would be his target.
He finished in approximately 16:49.
That accomplishment created an unexpected question: Why hadn’t he targeted 16 hours?
Maybe, Eric wondered, the goal itself had placed a limit on what he believed he could accomplish. It’s an idea that reaches well beyond ultrarunning.
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Running As Adventure
Eric’s story isn’t confined to race results.
Originally from Indiana, he has spent much of his adult life abroad, living in places including South Korea, China and the Czech Republic. He’s a teacher, husband and father who has made exploration a recurring part of his life.
Running fits naturally into that philosophy.
Races become opportunities to see unfamiliar places. Family trips become “runcations.” Mountain trails become another excuse to discover what lies around the next corner.
Even his young son has become part of the experience, encouraging Dad during races with a wonderfully uncomplicated instruction:
More running, Dad.
Beyond The Finish Line
On this episode of Beyond The Finish Line, Joe Hardin and Eric talk about ultrarunning, European racing, family, teaching, travel and the constant temptation to find another challenge.
Because sometimes crossing a finish line doesn’t answer the question.
It gives you permission to ask a bigger one: What else am I capable of?
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