I started 2024 with the intention to focus more clearly. Eventually, that intention came with a blog rename, Mindfully Focsued Thought. I planned to tackle one major project at a time, one major task before going to the next, and make meaningful progress toward my goals.

But in the midst of several life transitions, I’ve struggled with focusing on any single goal this year. I moved to a new apartment, which is no trivial decision in a major city. I am working on longer form writing projects and participating in several writing groups. My career is at a turning point and becoming more independent. Along with these transitions, naturally, my focus has had to shift. However, I am learning that having daring goals helps define the current priority, ultimately demanding focus.

Tomorrow morning, I will attempt to run 50 miles. Although this is something I’ve trained for, I have never run 50 miles in a single day. It is an ambitious goal that I am not sure I will meet during the time allotted for the race, but I know I will have fun trying to reach it.

Training for a 50-mile race requires focus. As my long runs got longer, I began to understand the limitations on my time, and if the training was something that mattered to me, I had to prioritize long runs. My Sundays quickly shifted from rest and writing days to running and rest days. I ran my first marathon and felt stiff for a day. I ran my first ultramarathon and was untouchable.

These sorts of goals are equally exciting and daunting to take on. Part of the fun of this race is the honest uncertainty of if I can physically complete the distance. It is an unknown for me, but I don’t think it would be nearly as interesting if I already knew I could finish it.

Whether I finish the ultramarathon distance tomorrow is not so important to me. What I have learned about focus is this:

1. Big goals demand clear focus. Setting a goal that is attainable, but presently out of reach, is motivating. I started running as an undergraduate student and have been running consistently throughout my graduate and postdoctoral career. Before I started training for the ultramarathon, I had run up to 20 miles in a single day. Training to run 50 miles in several months from having run 20 (I think) is reasonable. However, it is a challenging distance that meant I had to prioritize the time to build up to weekly distances of 40 and 50+ miles. I had to plan for adequate calorie and water consumption, proper running gear, and pleasant, safe running routes. With clear focus on my training, I have managed to train for months without injury.
2. Focus often has to shift. I enjoy running, but during my training, I had to balance it with work. When I had major deadlines and work trips, my running mileage would drop. Importantly, I would still run when it was feasible to, but I could not go on long runs during travel. For example, my priority would have to shift from my training to networking and learning new skills and methods for my career. None of these shifts derailed my running progress and, in fact, could help me continue to be in the privileged position to run ultralong distances for fun. In any case, our focus will naturally shift to meet the dynamic demands of our lives.
3. My focus is seasonal. Over the past few months, I have intently focused on running well, building mileage, and avoiding injury. Another personal area of my life that I would like to priotize is writing. Throughout this ultrarunning journey, my writing and running practices clashed until I ultimately realized I had to make running the priority. The run comes first. My mornings used to start with daily journaling and writing, but lately, I wake up and get ready to run. Granted, I often reflect during my runs. Sometimes I stop to journal in a pocket notebook, or I keep running and audio journal. But, after tomorrow, I think my focus will shift back to writing. (Ultra) Running season will be over for this year, and writing season will be on again.

Training for this ultralong run has incidentally taught me how to better focus. It has also helped me internalize the natural shifts that come with focus.

So what’s next for me? I’m thinking of an “ultrawriting” journey for the next season of my personal life. Wish me luck.

• If you found value in this writing and want to say thanks, here are a few ways to support the blog:
• Chat with me directly and send feedback, questions, or article requests to emily.c.hokett@gmail.com.
• Find more of my writing on Substack, Medium and here at emilyhokett.blog.
• Buy me a tea🍵 to support the maintenance of the blog.

Take care. Talk soon.