Running has been a part of my life since 2016. It all started with Nike Run Club, where I found my stride in the company of like-minded runners. But as the years passed, my running became more sporadic. I completed my first 10 km run five years ago, but since then, getting back to that level of fitness has been a challenge.
Half a year ago, I decided to make a change. I joined Uncommon Club, and the energy there was exactly what I needed. The camaraderie and the positive atmosphere got me pumped up and ready to take running seriously again. I even subscribed to the Burj2Burj half marathon in February, which is now just 19 weeks away. My training program consists of easy runs and intervals, and if I’m being honest, intervals are my least favorite. They push me, but I’ve always found them a mental hurdle more than a physical one.
Recently, I got an offer from Stephan - co-founder of Uncommon Club that changed my entire outlook. We were invited to volunteer for Evren, a man attempting a Guinness World Record by running 900 km in seven days on a treadmill. I had seen Evren before at a wellness event and heard about his incredible transformation from an unhealthy lifestyle to becoming an ultra-endurance athlete. I knew this was my chance to find the motivation I had been searching for.
I joined him at 6 AM on a Tuesday, ready to follow my program, which included six rounds of slow and fast intervals. I started running without much enthusiasm, but something shifted as I watched Evren pushing his limits. By the fourth round, I realized I had already surpassed my regular distance of 6.4 km, the longest I’d run in the past five years. By the end of my training, I had crossed 8 km, and I felt great. I kept thinking, “If he can run 900 km, I can surely push myself a little further.”
As I approached the 8 km mark, something clicked. I felt light, energized, and fully capable. I decided to keep going and set my sights on a new personal best: 11.11 km. The moment I reached that distance, I felt proud, not just of the number on my watch, but of how easy it felt mentally to achieve something I had once thought difficult. Running beside someone chasing such an extreme goal shifted my perspective completely. My 10 km was like a drop in the ocean compared to what Evren was doing, but his commitment and mental strength rubbed off on me.
The real lesson here? Our limits are in our minds. The stories we tell ourselves about what’s hard, what’s impossible, or what’s within reach are just that—stories. Our bodies are amazing tools, capable of much more than we give them credit for. With the right training, guidance, and mindset, we can achieve things we once thought impossible.
It’s not about running faster or further than anyone else; it’s about breaking through our own mental barriers. If you can commit to your goal in your head, the rest will follow. For me, that’s what running is all about—pushing past what I believe to be my limits and proving to myself that I can always go a little further.
On the journey toward your goals, it’s the small victories that matter. Whether you’re running a 10 km or training for a half marathon, the secret lies in trusting your body and building mental resilience. Keep showing up for yourself, surround yourself with the right people, and never underestimate the power of your mind to carry you through the toughest moments. It’s all about embracing the challenge and understanding that the only thing standing between you and success is the story you tell yourself.
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