Ten years ago, I stood at mile 30 of a 100-mile ultramarathon as a college volunteer, grilling cheese sandwiches and watching runners casually mention this was “just the warm-up.” I remember thinking these people were absolutely insane. Fast forward a decade, and I found myself lacing up my own trail shoes, ready to tackle my first 100-mile race at the No Business 100.
This is the story of how a skeptical college student transformed into an ultramarathon finisher, and why I decided to document every grueling, beautiful moment of that journey.
It started back in college when I volunteered at mile 30 of a 100-mile ultramarathon. As I grilled cheese sandwiches for the runners, I overheard them casually say, “Oh, this is just the warm-up.” They were trudging by in their trail shoes, munching their sandwiches before heading back into the grueling race, and I thought, “This is insane. I could never do that.”
But sometimes the seeds of our biggest transformations are planted in moments of disbelief. What seemed impossible then slowly became a whisper of possibility that grew louder over the years.
Fast forward 10 years, and I’m lacing up my own trail shoes, ready to take on my first 100-mile race—the No Business 100. What started as a wild thought of possibility had turned into a year of intense training, self-discovery, and a whole lot of grit.
The decision to attempt a 100-mile ultramarathon wasn’t made lightly. It represented everything I thought I couldn’t do, everything that seemed beyond my capabilities. But that’s exactly why I had to try.
This documentary isn’t just about running a race; it’s about embracing the impossible, facing your fears head-on, and finding the strength to keep going, even when it seems crazy. I knew from the beginning that this journey would be about so much more than just covering 100 miles on foot.
The camera became my witness, capturing not just the physical challenge of ultramarathon training and racing, but the mental and emotional transformation that happens when you commit to something that scares you.
Along the way, I discovered the power of not always taking your serious goals too seriously. There’s something liberating about pursuing something audacious while maintaining a sense of humor about the whole endeavor. Yes, the training was serious. Yes, the commitment was real. But the joy came from remembering that we get to choose our hard things.
I also learned about the importance of having a support system. Ultramarathon training isn’t a solo sport, even though race day might feel lonely at times. The people who believed in this crazy dream, who supported the long training runs and the early mornings, who understood why I was choosing to voluntarily suffer—they became an integral part of the story.
Perhaps most importantly, I discovered how challenging yourself can lead to profound personal growth. Every long training run, every moment of doubt, every time I had to dig deeper than I thought possible—these weren’t just preparation for race day. They were preparation for life.
The ultramarathon became a metaphor for everything else that seems impossible. If you can train your body and mind to cover 100 miles on foot, what other “impossible” things might actually be within reach?
The No Business 100 itself was everything I expected and nothing I could have prepared for. The physical challenge was immense, but the mental game was even more demanding. There were moments of pure joy, stretches of grinding determination, and points where I questioned every decision that led me to that trail.
But that’s the beauty of ultramarathons—they strip away everything non-essential and show you who you really are when everything else falls away. The documentary captures these raw, unfiltered moments of truth.
Whether you’re into ultramarathons, self-improvement, or just love a good underdog story, I hope my journey inspires you to take a chance on your own dreams. This isn’t just a story about running; it’s about the universal human experience of setting a goal that scares you and then showing up to do the work anyway.
It’s about the transformation that happens not just on race day, but in all the days leading up to it. It’s about discovering that you’re capable of more than you ever imagined, and that sometimes the most rewarding journeys are the ones that seem impossible at the start.
If you’re reading this and there’s something you’ve been thinking about attempting—something that seems too big, too scary, or too impossible—maybe this story will give you the push you need. We all have our own version of the “100-mile race.” Maybe yours is starting a business, learning a new skill, making a career change, or pursuing a creative passion.
The distance from “I could never do that” to “I’m doing it” is shorter than you think. It starts with deciding that the impossible might actually be possible, and then taking one step forward.
One of the most important elements I discovered during this journey was the power of community. Whether you’re training for an ultramarathon or pursuing any ambitious goal, having people who believe in your vision makes all the difference.
If you’re ready to take your training and goal-setting to the next level with structured programming and a supportive community, check out The Lyss Method—my comprehensive training programs designed to help you build both physical and mental strength for whatever challenge you’re taking on.
At its core, this documentary is about one simple but powerful message: KEEP GOING. Whether you’re at mile 30 of a 100-mile race, month 6 of a year-long project, or day 100 of changing your life, the key is to keep moving forward.
There will be moments when you want to quit. There will be times when the goal seems impossible again. There will be people who think you’re crazy for trying. But if you keep going, if you show up consistently and do the work, you might just surprise yourself with what you’re capable of achieving.
The transformation from college volunteer grilling cheese sandwiches to 100-mile finisher didn’t happen overnight. It happened through thousands of small decisions, hundreds of training runs, dozens of moments of doubt followed by decisions to continue anyway.
That’s the real story this documentary tells—not just about crossing a finish line, but about the person you become in the process of pursuing something that initially seems impossible.
If my story resonates with you, please like, comment, and share—your support means everything! More importantly, if this story sparks something in you, don’t let that spark die. Feed it. Nurture it. Take one small step toward your own impossible dream.
Remember, no matter how tough the journey, it’s always worth it to KEEP GOING. Your impossible dream is waiting for you to take the first step.
What’s your 100-mile race? What impossible thing have you been telling yourself you could never do? Maybe it’s time to start grilling those cheese sandwiches for someone else’s dream while you plan your own journey to the starting line.
I’m Exercise Physiologist, sports nutritionist, weight lifter, and ultra runner. I am here to bring science to your training in a no-nonsense way. I have helped thousands of women crush big lifting goals, cross race finish lines, and even do both. I’m here to help you do the same!
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