Miles That Heal The Mind

We talk a lot about splits and we discuss the ‘perfect ‘shoe. There is so much time spent of heart rate zones and miles splits.

But we want to change that game. Those things are important but our stories are just as important, if not more. Our shared experiences remind us why we put our running shoes on in the first place.

On Beyond The Finish Line, host Joe Hardin sat down with Tom Gillund who is an an 18-year military veteran whose journey into running didn’t begin with a race goal. It began with survival.

When Running Becomes a Lifeline

Tom lives with PTSD. He’s walked through sobriety. He deals with intrusive thoughts that don’t disappear just because the uniform comes off. Instead of avoiding those realities, he stepped toward them.

One mile at a time.

Not metaphorically. Literally.

From Walking to Ultramarathons

He started walking.
Then swimming.
Then running.
Eventually, ultramarathons.

In a world where our sports are often packaged as highlight reels with filters, rainbows, unicorns, podiums, PRs, and perfect training cycles, we learn from Tom that consistency is the real breakthrough. Movement became medicine. Miles became therapy.

Long trail runs gave him space to process anger, grief, and trauma. The kind of space that only shows up when it’s just you, your breath, and the rhythm of your feet on dirt. You know that feeling don’t you? You’ve been there. So have I.

ADVERTISEMENT

Healing That Extends Beyond the Self

Running didn’t just help Tom survive. It actually helped him serve again.

Through Ainsley’s Angels, he supports disabled athletes chasing finish lines. He takes on challenges like the 4x4x48 to raise awareness. If that wasn’t enough, he’s training for 100+ miles at Prairie on Fire. He’s organizing inclusive events at work.

Tom doesn’t thing about his ego when doing these things. His focus is on serving others.

The Power of the Trail Running Community

Joe and Tom also highlight something we don’t talk about enough: the radical inclusivity of trail running. First-timers, back-of-the-pack runners, veterans, people rebuilding after trauma. Like we say here: there is a spot at the starting line for everybody and every body…..Tom and Joe discuss why everyone belongs.

On the trail, you’re not your diagnosis. You’re not your worst day. You are that runner you know you are.

Remember that:

• Consistency compounds.
• Miles stack.
• Healing happens in motion.

Beyond the finish line is where the real work begins.

So start where you are.

And ask yourself: What has running helped you heal?

ADVERTISEMENT