--- 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/543/scott-jurek-9773_friendship_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1143102.jpg" --- # 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 career. But the longer and farther I ran, the more I realized that what I…” quote by Scott Jurek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/scott-jurek-9773_friendship_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1143102.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/scott-jurek-9773_friendship_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1143102.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/543/scott-jurek-9773_friendship_i-m-convinced-that-a-lot-of-people-run-u_1143102.jpg) > ““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 career. 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. I don’t think anyone starts running distances to obtain that kind of vision. I certainly didn’t. But I don’t think anyone who runs ultra distances with regularity fails to get there. The trick is to recognize the vision when it comes over you.”” [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. Ultra‑running can induce a meditative state where worries dissolve and present‑moment clarity emerges. **In simple terms:** Running brings mental clarity. Key Takeaway Run to find mental peace. Themes endurance mindfulness nature Mood inspirational reflective Type motivational philosophical When to use this quote - training plans - stress relief - nature hikes - mental health therapy Key Concepts flow state psychology of sport Questions to Reflect On - How does distance affect your thoughts? - What non‑running practices give similar clarity? A Different Perspective Physical strain can be overwhelming. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Friendship](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/friendship/) [Present moment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/present-moment/) [Race](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/race/) [Realized Chasing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/realized-chasing-3196200/) [Running](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/running/) [Think Runs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/think-runs-1797172/) [Ultra Distances](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultra-distances-3196201/) [Ultramarathons Reason](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ultramarathons-reason-3196199/) ## 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-2/) [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/) > [I don't really think about the runs too much. I mean, if we get, like, a five-run lead, then I'll start to pitch according…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/zack-greinke/i-don-t-really-think-about-the-runs-too-much-i-mean-if-we-get-like-a/) [Zack Greinke](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/zack-greinke/) > [I don't think anyone who runs a TV show would ever say to you, 'I have a grasp on running a TV show.' Maybe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-meriwether/i-don-t-think-anyone-who-runs-a-tv-show-would-ever-say-to-you-i-have/) [Elizabeth Meriwether](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-meriwether/) > [I think whoever runs next time has to have a very clear idea of where he or she wants to take America and has…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/i-think-whoever-runs-next-time-has-to-have-a-very-clear-idea-of-where/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [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/) > [Life is a great and wondrous mystery, and the only thing we know that we have for sure is what is right here right…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/leo-buscaglia/life-is-a-great-and-wondrous-mystery-and-the-only-thing-we-know-that/) [Leo Buscaglia](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/leo-buscaglia/) > [“Awareness is eternity... and dances in the present moment.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bert-mccoy/awareness-is-eternity-and-dances-in-the-present-moment/) [Bert McCoy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bert-mccoy/) > [The more we try to catch hold of the present moment the more elusive it becomes. It is like trying to clutch water in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-watts/the-more-we-try-to-catch-hold-of-the-present-moment-the-more-elusive/) [Alan Watts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-watts/) > [“Life is a flow which we can either resist or go with it gracefully.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tonmoy-acharjee/life-is-a-flow-which-we-can-either-resist-or-go-with-it-gracefully/) [Tonmoy Acharjee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tonmoy-acharjee/) > [When you are not honoring the present moment by allowing it to be, you are creating drama.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eckhart-tolle/when-you-are-not-honoring-the-present-moment-by-allowing-it-to-be-you/) [Eckhart Tolle](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eckhart-tolle/) > [“When we let go of our battles and open our heart to things as they are, then we come to rest in the present…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-kornfield/when-we-let-go-of-our-battles-and-open-our-heart-to-things-as-they/) [Jack Kornfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-kornfield/) > [It doesn't matter what your circumstances are at the present moment. Think positively, expect only favorable results and situations, and circumstances will change accordingly.Your…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dranil-kr-sinha/it-doesn-t-matter-what-your-circumstances-are-at-the-present-moment/) [DrAnil Kr Sinha](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dranil-kr-sinha/) > [You'll seldom experience regret for anything that you've done. It is what you haven't done that will torment you. The message, therefore, is clear.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-ll-seldom-experience-regret-for-anything-that-you-ve-done-it-is/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) ## 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 Friendship quotes > [Life is full of change. That's how we learn and grow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/life-is-full-of-change-that-s-how-we-learn-and-grow/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I never believed in trying to do anything. Whatever I set out to do I found I had already accomplished.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/i-never-believed-in-trying-to-do-anything-whatever-i-set-out-to-do-i/) [Johann Wolfgang von Goethe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/johann-wolfgang-von-goethe/) > [“ever day Maureen is Selfish To her friend and Family One she get mad at her friend and family and She need to Grad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maureen-andeson/ever-day-maureen-is-selfish-to-her-friend-and-family-one-she-get-mad/) [Maureen Andeson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maureen-andeson/) > [I'm trying to write a film with my friend. I'd love to get the thrill of speaking actors making my work even funnier.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russell-howard/i-m-trying-to-write-a-film-with-my-friend-i-d-love-to-get-the-thrill/) [Russell Howard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russell-howard/) > [I gave my archive to Emory University because there's a really dear friend who teaches there, Rudolph Byrd, and he's the editor.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-walker/i-gave-my-archive-to-emory-university-because-there-s-a-really-dear/) [Alice Walker](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-walker/) > [Friends are like stars you can't always see them, but you know they're there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknwon/friends-are-like-stars-you-can-t-always-see-them-but-you-know-they-re/) [Unknwon](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknwon/) > [I've been writing songs since I was 10 years old and always had a penchant for rhyming. I started listening to hip hop through…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hoodie-allen/i-ve-been-writing-songs-since-i-was-10-years-old-and-always-had-a/) [Hoodie Allen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hoodie-allen/) > [If you love some one for who they are not for there body or how many friend so when you say I love you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/unknow/if-you-love-some-one-for-who-they-are-not-for-there-body-or-how-many/) [Unknow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/unknow/) > [“But my best friend from college was silent for a long time. She, of all of my friends, had seen the parade of sad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lauren-groff/but-my-best-friend-from-college-was-silent-for-a-long-time-she-of-all/) [Lauren Groff](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lauren-groff/) > [You smile upon your friend to-day, To-day his ills are over; You hearken to the lover's say, And happy is the lover. 'Tis late…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/you-smile-upon-your-friend-to-day-to-day-his-ills-are-over-you/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“way. A true friend isn't the one that agrees with everything you say or do. 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