But the longer and further I ran, the more I realized that what I was often chasing was a state of mind- a place where worries that seemed monumental melted away, where the beauty and timelessness of the universe, of the present moment, came into sharp focus.

We strive toward a goal, and whether we achieve it or not is important, but it's not what's most important. What matters is how we move toward that goal.

As powerful as our legs are, as magnificent as our lungs and arms and muscles are, nothing matters more than the mind.

Rational assessments too often led to rational surrenders.

Fear is what makes you come alive, the lure of the unknown - can I do this? - thats where the growth comes from, the pain. I dont remember the running effortlessly I remember the hard times adversity breathes transformation.

Most of all, the ultra distance leaves you alone with your thoughts to an excruciating extent. Whatever song you have in your head had better be a good one. Whatever story you are telling yourself had better be a story about going on. There is no room for negativity. The reason most people quit has nothing to do with their body.

We can live as we were meant to live - simply, joyously, of and on the earth. We can live with all our effort and with pure happiness.

Train where your fitness is NOW, not where you want to be.

For me, challenging myself with this type of endeavor [ultramarathons] brings the best out in me because even at the darkest, deepest moments when I feel like I can't go on, when I feel like there's no chance I could break the record or much less finish the trail, somehow I find that strength inside of me.

Every single one of us possesses the strength to attempt something he isn't sure he can accomplish.

The reward of running — of anything — lies within us … We focus on something external to motivate us, but we need to remember that it’s the process of reaching for that prize — not the prize itself — that can bring us peace and joy.

You can hurt more than you ever thought possible, then continue until you discover that hurting isn't that big a deal.

Humans aren't built to sit all day. Nor are we built for the kinds of repetitive, small movements that so much of today's specialized work demands. Our bodies crave big, varied movements that originate at the core of our body.

We move forward, but we must stay in the present.

What we eat is a matter of life and death.

Nature's arena has a way of humbling and energizing us.

Injuries are our best teachers.

The point was living with grace, decency, and attention to the world, and breaking free of the artificial constructs in your own life.