--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I'm convinced that a lot of people run…" description: "\"“I'm convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for the same reason they take mood-altering drugs. I don't mean to minimize the gifts of friends..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a41/scott-jurek-9773_chasing_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1448884.png" --- # I'm convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for… ![“I'm convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for the same reason they take mood-altering drugs. I don't mean to minimize the gifts of friendship, achievement, and closeness to nature that I've received in my running carer. But the longer and farther I ran, the more I realized that what I…” quote by Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a41/scott-jurek-9773_chasing_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1448884.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a41/scott-jurek-9773_chasing_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1448884.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a41/scott-jurek-9773_chasing_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1448884.png) > ““I'm convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for the same reason they take mood-altering drugs. I don't mean to minimize the gifts of friendship, achievement, and closeness to nature that I've received in my running carer. But the longer and farther 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.”” [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Running can become a mental escape, where physical effort quiets anxiety and reveals present‑moment clarity. **In simple terms:** Running calms the mind and sharpens focus on the now. Key Takeaway Use long runs to reset mental clutter. Themes mindfulness endurance psychology Mood reflective calm Type inspirational philosophical When to use this quote - training camps - marathon preparation - stress relief - nature hikes Key Concepts flow state meditation nature connection Questions to Reflect On - What mental patterns do you notice during long runs? - How can you bring that focus into daily life? A Different Perspective Physical fatigue can mask emotional burnout if not balanced. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Nature](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nature/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [State of mind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/state-of-mind/) ## Related quotes > [“I’m convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for the same reason they take mood-altering drugs. I don’t mean to minimize the gifts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-ultramarathons-for-the-same/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“The longer and farther I ran, the more I realized that what I was often chasing was a state of mind--a place where worries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/the-longer-and-farther-i-ran-the-more-i-realized-that-what-i-was/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [But the longer and further I ran, the more I realized that what I was often chasing was a state of mind- a place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/but-the-longer-and-further-i-ran-the-more-i-realized-that-what-i-was/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [To me, running is therapy. It's mood-altering and gets my endorphins going. It's also a great release and a great energy builder.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natalie-morales/to-me-running-is-therapy-it-s-mood-altering-and-gets-my-endorphins/) [Natalie Morales](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natalie-morales/) > [“I knew that even though he was way into mood-altering substances and he had this really bad temper that there was something really beautiful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/benjamin-alire-s-enz/i-knew-that-even-though-he-was-way-into-mood-altering-substances-and/) [Benjamin Alire Sáenz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/benjamin-alire-s-enz/) > [Mood reflects the biology of the brain. How you feel is affected by the chemicals in the brain, and these are the same chemicals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/liz-miller/mood-reflects-the-biology-of-the-brain-how-you-feel-is-affected-by/) [Liz Miller](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/liz-miller/) > [A Golden Globe is a mood-altering substance, there's no doubt about that.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rachel-griffiths/a-golden-globe-is-a-mood-altering-substance-there-s-no-doubt-about/) [Rachel Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rachel-griffiths/) > [Give up waiting as a state of mind. When you catch yourself slipping into waiting...snap out of it. Come into the present moment. Just…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/give-up-waiting-as-a-state-of-mind-when-you-catch-yourself-slipping/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [I'm chasing my goals, and I haven't been able to make things happen the way I want them to happen. It doesn't feel good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-dos-santos/i-m-chasing-my-goals-and-i-haven-t-been-able-to-make-things-happen/) [Junior dos Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-dos-santos/) > [If its meant to be, it will be. End of story. Im not chasing you if you're chasing after someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-its-meant-to-be-it-will-be-end-of-story-im-not-chasing-you-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I say I'm chasing dreams but you know I've been running away from, running away from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-posner/i-say-i-m-chasing-dreams-but-you-know-i-ve-been-running-away-from/) [Mike Posner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-posner/) > [The people who put you down don't have to stop you from chasing your dreams. Stand up, and prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/the-people-who-put-you-down-don-t-have-to-stop-you-from-chasing-your/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/) Christoph Niemann > [Don't go chasing love because it'd leave you heart-broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-polydor/don-t-go-chasing-love-because-it-d-leave-you-heart-broken/) [Steve Polydor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-polydor/) ## More by Scott Jurek > [“She died on March 22. Those last hours I didn’t stop stroking her hair or telling her, “Don’t worry, I’m here.” I told her…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/she-died-on-march-22-those-last-hours-i-didn-t-stop-stroking-her-hair/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [It's a hard, simple calculus: Run until you can't run anymore. Then run some more. Find a new source of energy and will. Then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/it-s-a-hard-simple-calculus-run-until-you-can-t-run-anymore-then-run/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“When you run on the earth and with the earth, you can run forever. —RARAMURI PROVERB”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/when-you-run-on-the-earth-and-with-the-earth-you-can-run-forever/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“Running efficiently demands good technique, and running efficiently for 100 miles demands great technique. But the wonderful paradox of running is that getting started…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/running-efficiently-demands-good-technique-and-running-efficiently/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. —BRUCE LEE”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/empty-your-mind-be-formless-shapeless-like-water-bruce-lee/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [Only the most saintly and delusional among us welcomes all pain as challenge, perceives all loss as harsh blessing.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/only-the-most-saintly-and-delusional-among-us-welcomes-all-pain-as/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“Snow. Sun. Sandstone. Sky. He was doing what he liked and knew. It was now. And this now had no pressure, just permission. —James…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/snow-sun-sandstone-sky-he-was-doing-what-he-liked-and-knew-it-was-now/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“You want to get the promotion at work, or the girl, or the guy, or the personal best in the 5K race, of course.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/you-want-to-get-the-promotion-at-work-or-the-girl-or-the-guy-or-the/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“The empty mind is a dominant mind. It can draw other minds into its rhythm, the way a vacuum sucks up dirt or the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/the-empty-mind-is-a-dominant-mind-it-can-draw-other-minds-into-its/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“Next time you’re running, count the times your right foot strikes the ground in 20 seconds. Multiply by three and you’ll have your stride…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/next-time-you-re-running-count-the-times-your-right-foot-strikes-the/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [Overcoming the difficulties of an ultramarathon reminds me that I can overcome the difficulties of life](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/overcoming-the-difficulties-of-an-ultramarathon-reminds-me-that-i-can/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [You could carry your burdens lightly or with great effort. You could worry about tomorrow or not. You could imagine horrible fates or garland-filled…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/you-could-carry-your-burdens-lightly-or-with-great-effort-you-could/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“The longer and farther I ran, the more I realized that what I was often chasing was a state of mind--a place where worries…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/the-longer-and-farther-i-ran-the-more-i-realized-that-what-i-was/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [“quitting, gives you even more time to ponder. But perhaps I wanted time to stop. Maybe I was meant to lie here on my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/quitting-gives-you-even-more-time-to-ponder-but-perhaps-i-wanted-time/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) > [We can live as we were meant to live - simply, joyously, of and on the earth. We can live with all our effort…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/scott-jurek/we-can-live-as-we-were-meant-to-live-simply-joyously-of-and-on-the/) [Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) [Explore all 69 Scott Jurek quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/scott-jurek/) ## More Chasing quotes > [Don't go chasing love because it'd leave you heart-broken.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-polydor/don-t-go-chasing-love-because-it-d-leave-you-heart-broken/) [Steve Polydor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-polydor/) > [Creativity is like chasing chickens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christoph-niemann/creativity-is-like-chasing-chickens/) Christoph Niemann > [Stop chasing the things you want and embrace all that you already have.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/stop-chasing-the-things-you-want-and-embrace-all-that-you-already-have/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The people who put you down don't have to stop you from chasing your dreams. Stand up, and prove them wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/selena-gomez/the-people-who-put-you-down-don-t-have-to-stop-you-from-chasing-your/) [Selena Gomez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/selena-gomez/) > [I say I'm chasing dreams but you know I've been running away from, running away from you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-posner/i-say-i-m-chasing-dreams-but-you-know-i-ve-been-running-away-from/) [Mike Posner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-posner/) > [If its meant to be, it will be. End of story. Im not chasing you if you're chasing after someone else.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-its-meant-to-be-it-will-be-end-of-story-im-not-chasing-you-if-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I'm chasing my goals, and I haven't been able to make things happen the way I want them to happen. It doesn't feel good,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/junior-dos-santos/i-m-chasing-my-goals-and-i-haven-t-been-able-to-make-things-happen/) [Junior dos Santos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/junior-dos-santos/) > [I was kind of like chasing my tail and trying to do the right thing, and was a little bit stupid. Or irresponsible, which…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-downey-jr/i-was-kind-of-like-chasing-my-tail-and-trying-to-do-the-right-thing/) [Robert Downey, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-downey-jr/) > [Don't loose your respect chasing people who don't care about.!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/caleb/don-t-loose-your-respect-chasing-people-who-don-t-care-about/) [Caleb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/caleb/) > [“Two things you will never have to chase: True friends & true love.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mandy-hale/two-things-you-will-never-have-to-chase-true-friends-true-love/) [Mandy Hale](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mandy-hale/) > [Instead of being with a person that sincerely cares and wants to be with us, we long for some one who is chasing after…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/instead-of-being-with-a-person-that-sincerely-cares-and-wants-to-be/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [You are always chasing yourself, if you have testing sessions you test it out then but it's also a thing of growing a team.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/guenther-steiner/you-are-always-chasing-yourself-if-you-have-testing-sessions-you-test/) [Guenther Steiner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/guenther-steiner/) > [ People say, "Look, your book \[Tales and Wisdom from Duck Dynasty's Favorite Uncle\] is about tall tales." And I said, "No, you don't understand,… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/si-robertson/people-say-look-your-book-tales-and-wisdom-from-duck-dynasty-s/) [Si Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/si-robertson/) > [I'm not going to stress over you anymore. It really isn't worth it. I've tried to work everything out, but you've ignored it. I'm…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-m-not-going-to-stress-over-you-anymore-it-really-isn-t-worth-it-i/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“The only bad dreams are those not worth chasing.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/the-only-bad-dreams-are-those-not-worth-chasing/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) Browse all 1,181 Chasing quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "“I'm convinced that a lot of people run ultramarathons for the same reason they take mood-altering drugs. 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