I recently found myself running in Zion National Park, completing the epic Zion Traverse in one day: a 38-mile, point-to-point route that traverses the entire western portion of the park.
Around mile 36, I had sore legs, a body struggling with dehydration and exhaustion. appetiteand with the question of why I chose to do this for myself – and why I find this type of “Type II” experience fun, well, it’s fun.
While ultrarunning may not be everyone’s cup of tea, people keep going flirting with fear and anxiety. This can take the form of helicopter rides, horror movies, BASE jumping, Toastmasters or going on a first date.
What can be gained by willingly seeking discomfort, and why do we do it?
A comfort zone is not static
When we repeatedly seek out experiences that push the boundaries of what is comfortable and familiar, we may initially experience anxiety—but then a process called habituation occurs.
Habituation occurs when we become familiar with a situation, scenario, or activity and naturally feel less anxious over time. One of the reasons for this is that we have built confidence in our ability to manage adversity.
Something gives strength in the struggle with new challenges. Through repeated experiences, situations that once felt intense and distressing can feel familiar or even easy.
There was a point in my running career where running 38 miles through the desert felt like a trip to the moon. Over the years, I’ve slowly moved the needle on my running abilities, starting with dozens of road races (from 5k to marathon) and eventually moving on to ultramarathons and self-guided tours.
Stepping outside of your comfort zone begs the question, “what’s next?”
Fighting for good stories (and meaning to run)
My run in Zion was full of challenges: hot daytime temperatures, stretches without water sources, miles upon miles of fine talc sand, and 7,000 feet of climbing.
More than that, I struggled with self-doubt, anxiety, and existential questions.
If these challenges weren’t there, I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn, change and grow either. It just felt like another run.
I walked out of the desert that night a stronger, more confident version of myself and continued to reflect on the lessons learned over the days and weeks.
Discomfort puts you completely in the here and now
Everyday life is full of distractions and multitasking. We spend most of our lives on autopilot as we juggle competing priorities and hardly ever stop in the process.
Discomfort quickly follows us into the presence of tracking. At mile 36, I didn’t have the mental capacity to think about work on Monday, what time I needed to check in for my flight home, or my grocery list for the week. I was fully aware of how sore my legs were, yes, but I was also fully present with my thoughts, feelings, and the amazing view around me.
Being in the here and now is something we can access in any moment if we try. Any sense of discomfort is a reminder of how much clearer and clearer it can be to be here now.
Who are you when the going gets tough?
Fear and anxiety often shine a light on our deepest insecurities, worries, and inner struggles. The challenge also illuminates the underlying values that may underlie these insecurities.
Under stress, we learn things about ourselves that we might not have otherwise, such as how strong, stableand we are indeed capable. These lessons may not be immediately apparent, but they emerge as a result of experience.
Trust is transferable
I recently fell down a rabbit hole while watching videos of tandem BASE jumping. It only took a few videos before I was completely blown away.
In each one In the video, a person (usually a teenager) goes from extreme anxiety and panic to extreme joy in a matter of seconds. Once they are safely on the ground, it looks like they can take on the world.
Whether it’s jumping off a cliff in one day or running through an entire national park, it’s intoxicating to travel beyond what we expect of ourselves. Suddenly, things that once felt difficult don’t seem so difficult anymore, and it’s natural to wonder, “What else have I made harder than that?”
Moving forward
I completed the Zion traverse as the sun set over the desert, walking the last miles on feet worn by the raw elements. The day didn’t go as planned, but it was totally worth it. When we carefully choose discomfort, we also choose opportunities for growth, meaning, presence, and aliveness.
To be clear, we don’t need to seek out suffering unnecessarily, and anxiety in its worst forms can be hindering and unhelpful. If anxiety, fear, or panic interferes with daily functioning or causes severe distress, consider seeing a therapist or mental health professional for support.
What is it that scares you a little… and what might be waiting for you on the other side?
This post also appears on summerlandpsych.com.
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