THE WHY | Running 100 Miles 

I have been running for about 7 months. I was 320lbs and couldn't run more than min and a half. Now I'm down to 263 and running non stop for 23 mins. I'm entering my first 5k in a month. I cant wait for this challenge.

Someone reading this please realise how precious your legs are, this year I had a spine injury and I would do anything to run again. Do it for me u will love the feeling

I started running 6 weeks ago exactly - overweight and fearful of running off a treadmill for the embarrassment of being seen stopping in the street, out of breath and "failing." 6 weeks on: yesterday, I covered 7km outside through wet fields, dirt tracks, hilly roads, and pedestrianised areas - all not caring whatsoever about external worries because I have discovered the most personal, liberating, beautiful way to be with myself and push myself - the only voice that matters being the one in my head... Last night: I signed up for my first race, a 10k, in another 6 weeks and have my heart set on running a marathon by the end of the year... This video made me tear up when he said about not leaving a preserved body but a body that has reached its potential... I have found that running has become my window to realise a potential I simply didn't know I had when a few months ago I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown and barely had the energy to shower... In 6 weeks it has nothing short of turned my life around and I am so excited to see where this journey will take me and to keep on pushing myself.

“When you’re stripped raw and think you’re done, thats when the race really begins”. Truer words have not been spoken. Thanks Billy for making this.

"gotta get some calories in, I haven't eaten anything in like the last hour" - me even when I'm not running 100 miles

I first watched this when I was 15. This was the second ultra video I had ever seen. I have spent every moment since then dreaming about running one. I have come back to watch this film because of the Choose Strong podcast episode with Billy and Sally. I have overcome many obstacles in my life and after every difficult season running is what helps me hold myself together. I almost 20 now and I will be running my first 50 mile ultra in September! Thank you for sharing this incredible film!

Round about 16:30 he said the pain would end if he just quit right now. Nay, sir. The pain would continue for the rest of your life. Good job on finishing

Billy, this video gets me emotional now. I've completed my 1st 100 Miler 3 days ago - Capes 100 in Nova Scotia, Canada. I studied Ultras, trained hard... but there's a mental, psychological side to it... existential even... that you touch on that is just so beautiful to me. A wild, epic journey into the depths of existence. I'm so in love with myself for not giving up.

I started trail running a year ago. First trail race was a 10K then I increased distance every week up to the point I was doing several 50ks a month. Three weeks ago, I ran the my first 100 miler on the Headlands Hundred. I definitely wasn't ready but I wanted to try. I often watched this vid to motivate me. I ran in the 'Running Screwed' division which meant no pacers, no crew, and no poles. In a sadistic way, I wanted to experience pain. I finished in 33:33 and could barely walk by the time I hit the finish.

“When it’s your time is the goal to leave a well preserved body? Or do you really want to use it? A body with stories that says you’ve pushed it and at times suffered and you sought it’s potential.” These words sum up what and how I live. Thanks Billy for this. True inspiration.

whats equally impressive to the runner are the friends that support him. its a huge time commitment for them and its so nice. i wouldnt have anyone that would do that for me so seeing this is awesome to me.

I come back to this video every once in a while to remind myself about the beauty of running. I started long distance running at the start of high school and 2 years ago did my first half marathon, next may I will be doing my first full marathon. I'm still 19 and my body is still far from ultramarathon level but one day in the future I'll be able to cross over a finish line after a 100 mile race and thank that little boy back in my past for starting running and never giving up.

This is amazing. As a teen who has just started running weeks ago, this has now become a dream of mine! Thank you for planting a seed, an idea, a goal in my mind!

I cried watching this and I'm only training to run a half marathon right now but it's the journey and the people along the way that we share it with that makes life so great!

My best friend was training for this. He passed away in June, and I'm just realizing the magnitude of what doing those finally 20 pacer miles with him would have been. Truly a great video that brought me to tears. Thank you for this.

I was a running prodigy in HS until I was diagnosed with a bone infection in my (L) great toe. I've made my comebacks through the years, until the pain returns. Then I'm in the recliner, foot up. So I live my love for running by watching and supporting runners. Thanks for sharing this part of your life. Great Video.

Congrats Billy. I introduced myself to you at the WS100 last year and told you how inspirational I found your films. Since then, I’ve completed two 50k”s. Now at age 58, I’m working up to a 50mi. Keep up the great work.

My Why: For my daughter. For my mother who passed away at 60. To prove to myself that I am capable of more than I ever thought. Thanks for this. What a beautiful film. Brought me right back. It was cool to see you out there last year. Cheers.

Thanks. I quit my very high paying DC consulting job Sept 30. I've been running through the pandemic. I'm a 53 years old 280 pounds ex football lineman. Yesterday I ran 8 miles. This was inspirational. I don't know what is next for me. My son said I should run a marathon. We'll see.

my old man ran marathons and i thought it was crazy when i was younger. i would say "there is no way i could ever do that" and he would say "yea, your right."" Its a mindset, and if you tell yourself that you cant do it, then you never will." This past November i ran the nyc marathon (38 years after he did) and it was (physically) the hardest thing i have ever done. i have been watching videos about utra running and it seems impossible just like how i thought about the marathon years ago.. I will complete a 100 miler one day.

"When it's your time is the goal to leave behind a well-preserved body, or do you really want to use it?..." You got me there man... such a great film. Well done.

27:02 - "if you'd just ran it in 15 hours, you wouldn't need that (the toothbrush)" - best part of the doc!

"when you're stripped raw, and you think you're done, that's when the race really begins"- that quote gets me through many tough miles. Idk why it motivates me, but I guess I feel like I haven't really started the run until it gets tough.

Okay, fine. I’ll go for a run in the morning...

Coming back from 1.5 years of stress fractures in my legs from running...over-trained when preparing for what would have been my first full marathon. 3 weeks from my race, after my longest run ever of 20 miles, my legs told me they'd had enough. Now after 5 months off of running all together, I'm coming back to it. Praying I don't get injured again...still trying for my full marathon-this one is April 5th, 2020. This was inspiring to me to not give up...just one foot in front of the other. Just keep going.

I recently ran my first 100k with a friend and shortly before the finish I said to him: "Imagine if this were a 100miles instead of a 100k" and he replied: "Just don't think about that" because we were so exhausted. So massive respect for you Billy on finishing this!! I think the "WHY" is a question everyone has to answer for her- / himself, I guess for me it's to explore the boundaries of my body (even though I have yet to run a 100 miles). Regards and love from Europe :-)

Those 227 ppl who have shown thumbs down I am sure they have not ran a single mile in Life.. Great going buddy, hats off to you

"What do you want the remaining chapters of your life to be about?" Truly something to ponder and meditate on.

I’m running my first marathon tomorrow. Thanks for the motivation, Billy! :)

"I think gratitude is a really powerful emotion." Yes it is Billy. Wonderful production here, Sir.

wow you nailed it, i stopt smoking for 5 weeks now and i'm becoming a new person. i love to run now and i can not quit. great vid, great insperation for me. running is a life changer! thank you all runners that inspire me. namaste.

Every mile I run is with Leadville in mind. Running this race is my ultimate goal. Someday...

3 years later….as relevant and timeless as before. Billy, take a bow. And congrats for getting on the WSER board.

This short film has motivated me so much! I always cry out of emotions at the end. I was 200lb. Started running. I watched this film again and again for my first marathon and I continue to watch it before my each marathon thereafter. One day I am determined to run Leadville 100. I am 47. So I still have left in me. Thanks for putting this masterpiece together !

Hi Billy, I don’t know if you’ll see this but wanted you to know I still watch this video all the time. Am an amateur runner also from Southern California & I found your channel about a year ago. It’s been one of the biggest inspirations to stay disciplined with running. I actually play this video in the background while I run all the time and it legit makes me emotional every time. I’ve only run a half but I plan to do a marathon by the end of the year and my life goal is to run an ultra. PLEASE keep making content, I would be so grateful :)

I’m in rehab watching this, and boy is it hitting me hard…this journey of 100 miles, and wanting to give up, and finding something deeper within ourselves.. is exactly what I needed right now. I’ve wanted the suffering to end so many times, but this film made me really ask myself “what is my why?”, and “how do I want to write the next chapters to my life?” thanks for this

Getting ready to run my first 5k and this really inspired me.. i dont know if ill ever be able to do 100 miles, but i love this. Im so proud of you and everyone who participates in these. So cool

First class filmmaking, Billy, as usual. Your channel has been a great inspiration for us running content RU-vidrs. Thank you

I’ve probably watched this half a dozen times and it never ceases to inspire. This is the first time I’ve watched it since braking my ultra cherry having run a 50K. “ I’m well aware that my little 50K is nothing compared to Leadville” watching at this time, when the race started, I literally got chills, a big ridiculous smile on my face, and I’m wishing my next race wasn’t so many months away... Billy I love your work! You’re amazing!

This is one of the most wonderful and touching films on ultra trail running I've ever seen. It contains all the answers I'll never been able to give when they ask me "Why"

The past few years postponed my first 100 Mile attempt. I've watched this many times. Now, 5 weeks away, I get emotional when I watch this. I've trained hard. I've become comfortable with discomfort. Thank you Billy, for creating content that feels pure and from the heart. The way you pushed on at Mile 50 and the way your friend said so confidently that you wouldn't drop now was humbling. You set a fine example of what Ultra content should be and I aspire to write articles as impactful as your videos. I hope one day to shake your hand.

Man, I just did my first 5k about two weeks ago. I went from being an absolute couch potato to doing my first 5k in two/three weeks (my stepdad signed me up for it). So I started training with my friend and fellow couch potato, made that friendship even stronger. During the 5k, something I didn't take into account are the people you run with and the people cheering you on. I've found my new hobby and can't believe how much joy something so seemingly simple gives me, next up in about a month is a 10k and we'll go further from there!

Dear Billy, I watched this video first when I started to get into running, and it was one of the most motivating films I have seen since then. During training for my first marathon, being injured or recovering from that marathon, I have watched this video over and over again, getting more emotional with each time watching, and realizing that I want to run a 100 Mile Trail Race in the next 10 years really bad. You inspire a lot of people around the world. Thank you very much, Adrian from Germany

I have been weightlifting mainly for years now. But this week I started training for distance running and wanting to challenge myself with something new. But I’ve noticed watching these videos how loving and caring the running community truly is. It excites me to see where I will go with this. My goal is to be doing a 100 mile race within the next 5-10 years.

I’ve lived in Colorado all of my life, undoubtedly kinda a short time since I’m only 15, and I starting taking running seriously about four years ago. I started as a short distance running, loving the feel of accelerating and feeling the surge of emotion right after. Two years back, I started really changing specifically for running. I began learning how to cook my own food and what to eat, how to prepare and what I needed to do. About more than a year ago, I entered the biggest race I’d ever done. I was in for the 100m and the 4x200. Something told me I needed to do more than I had to do more, so I volunteered to run the 800m as well. I had never competitively ran a 800m before and I was nervous, but exited as hell. First lap I was in the top ten and I was amazed, perplexed, confused. My teammates and coaches felt the same way, in an arena with more than 2,000 people screaming for their own runner, I heard my name. My coaches screaming at me with excitement and encouragement, my teammates amazed and taken back. Second lap, I decided I was going to do that for my team and for myself. In the biggest competition in my life at the time, I placed 4th and earned 8 points for my team. My other teammate earned 2nd place and our legs were so numb, we had to hold each other up. In that hobble back to our tent I fell in love with distance running. The next spring I joined my high school XC pre-season camp during the summer. Grandview Highschool placed 1st in the nation for XC and Track in the 2016 year for the woman league, largely due to Brie Oakley, and I felt a drive that I’ve never felt before. I never felt that fire in me before, I wanted to do good so badly. For me, my goal was to reach the JV team by freshman year and it was a long hard journey but I made it. My next goal is varsity by junior year and to place in state by junior year as well. This video inspired me to reach for more and do more. It makes me want to push further and further so I can keep extending my limit. It helped spark another flame to keep me going during the off season. The cinematography was beautiful and it really captured what running is all about. Thank you.

As someone who will be running their first 100 miler this year, this was perfect!

I watch this before every race I run! The story is narrated in such a motivating way, it simply makes me go run!

Just did my First marathon at 09/12/21 (day/month/year) and I still crying, can't imagine the feeling of doing 100 miles, years before was impossible to think I would be capable of finishing even a half marathon, just believe, really believe and dedication will lead the way

Well done! I found your films a year and a half ago when I started training for my first trail half marathon at age 48. Completed a 50k last year and now have my eye on my first 50 miler at age 50. Thank you for producing authentic and inspirational films not only from a 3rd person perspective but also your own experiences. Wishing you all the best in 2018!

Best fucking day ever when I hit subscriptions and there's a Billy Yang Film sitting there!

This is heart-wrenching to watch this video. I cannot prevent myself to cry. I am a runner myself not 100 miles but I am a marathon runner. Symbolically, I can relate myself to how life is tough yet we prevail because who we are not the circumstances that slow us down. Thanks for your video. It is heartwarming and encouraging. In 28:42 "How do you spend obviously our future is entirely up to us, each mile and each step, a new age written.." Thank you Billy, Blessings, Rizalde

Saw this video for the first time while I was training for my first ever half marathon. Went from unable to run 2 miles to losing 27 pounds and running a 1'51" half. Thanks so much for giving me this piece of inspiration during my journey.

Massive thank you to all the guys involved in this, I’m running my first marathon, 24hr race and 50mile this year and this showed me how important team spirit is and how getting a team together is vital to completing my dreams.

I just started running today. but I wish I started earlier. I am 16 and my dad has been running his whole life and I thought to my self. today is the day I will stop being lazy. today is the day I will start running

So inspired by this video. I am 61 and my 11th marathon just got postponed due to the corona-virus. I was devastated and this video helped me to reach down and say ... "I'll keep going and keep training and set another goal." Thank you Billy for this message. Beautifully filmed and narrated. Great job on the 100 miler and the film.

Lately I have been struggling. Life has its curveballs and since graduating from college it’s been tough. Not having a job, not knowing where I’ll be, and really not knowing what I want to do/accomplish. I come back to this video when I think I’ve hit a new low and it helps me. Billy you inspire me to keep pushing, not to give up, and to embrace the hurt that comes. Thank you

This is a beautiful film. It brought me to tears. Truly inspiring film. I am training for my 1st 50k and have reached a low point have been sick the last 6 days and this film gives me inspiration to get through the low and not to give up on my body and be thankful for how extraordinary it is. Thank you Thank you Thank you 🙏

Going for my first 5k in June and I’ve already been fired up with this wonderful sport. Videos like this make me want to keep going and keep pushing! So inspirational.

“It’s not just about 100 miles, it’s the training and the commitment ...” I cried watching this! Cause it’s real, real feelings and thoughts during the run. Cangratulation Billy! You are inspiring! I’ve been training 11 weeks now for my very first 10k race in Bali in September. This journey changes me already, I am not the same person with I was 11 weeks ago. I get stronger physically and mentally. Cheers from Indonesia.

One day, I am going to run 100 miles. Thank you for such a beautiful documentary. Brought tears of joy at the end of run. Felt as if I competed the journey myself!

Amazing Billy! I do triathlons and I am in awe of you ultrarunners. Just blown away. Your filmmaking is so first class and you have a humbleness about you that makes watching even better.

I just started a 'couch to 5k' program, with the goal of moving from 5-10-half-full. In the past I've run 5ks and even a half marathon a few years ago, but life got busy and I lost the motivation to take care of myself. Now the thought of running 5k is as daunting as a half marathon once was. Thank you, Billy, for the motivation and for showing your grit and your soul. I will have no problem crushing any of my training runs this week. Thank you.

Sitting here, crying. Can't wait to start running again after so many injuries. You really made me realize how passionate I am about running. That it is the long seeking part of my life that gives me that deep feeling of belonging. Thank you so much.

I just wanted to say that you have a really calming voice and your words were very inspirational, I'm not going to lie I was definitely shedding some tears as you achieved mountain peaks, push through the highs and the lows to accomplish your goal. Definitely feel like I could go out and accomplish something like this down the road. Thank you for being a awesome human being.

Fake hips and fake knees, you've got me looking to get back out there near 60. I don't want to leave a well-preserved body; I want to use it!

This made me so emotional for so many reasons on so many levels I can't even put it into words.... amazing! Good job 💪

This is where my ultra journey started, watching this. I always come back for more. I did a 50k in April gone, with an injury. I’m lining up for a UTMB qualifier race in 2023. Thank you Billy.

Billy, this is one of my favourite vids/films on RU-vid. Seen it three times now over 2 months. The more I watch it, the more inspired I get to do an ultra. Thanks for sharing this with us all bro! You're awesome :D

Beautiful film. Leaves you feeling inspired to do more. Whatever that more is. Excellent job.

Your channel is by far my favorite running channel I've found so far (and I've been investigating), every video is just so well done and the stories you manage to tell are wonderful. I've only been running for 8 months (11 miles is my distance record at the moment) but I totally still relate! Not that I can fathom running 100 miles... yet ;)

I started running 6 weeks ago. Always been a show pony all muscle, no fitness. I ran my first half marathon sub 1hr57 last week and intend on pushing for an 82 mile ultra next April. The release that running has brought me during some of the toughest times has been amazing and I will never look back now. This doco really hit me in the feels. Way to go Billy and everyone else finding out that the sky is not the limit!

You are an inspiration! Running definitely has not come easy to me either. At almost 46 I just started running and now trail running almost three years ago. I love the peace and quiet of the mountains. My happy place for sure. April 2019 I will push myself farther than I ever have with my first 50k. Just watching you here has definitely boosted my spirits and seeing you push yourself to this has renewed the fight in my during some of this early training for this race. SO THANK YOU!!! YOU are the man!

I know I've already commented on this once before, but this video is such an inspiration Billy. I've been injured since the start of the year, and I'm finally back into training. Seeing you go through that has just cemented my 100 mile goal.

Outstanding! Simply outstanding!

I’ve never seen the journey of 100 put into words so well. This is a spot on.

Life is very messed up. There isn’t a why. It’s about having the strength, and the joy to overcome. With gratitude for this fleeting life.

Billy Yang. Does. It. Again. Well done. Your stories contain an emotional depth that is so powerful.

came from kara and nate! beautiful documentary!

Im a novice runner and while Im watching this Im inspired and so thankful that I could also literally run. Your so true “gratitude is the powerful emotion.”

What a masterpiece ! If this cant inspire you to put your shoes on I dont know what will...Started running since 30th Jan 2020. Lost around 12 kgs since and with the height of 5 8" weigh around 72 kgs now. Though seems like a dream to someone who has not crossed the barrier of 16 kms, I wish I will run 100 mile one day. Lots of love my friend for inspiring your fellow comrades!

Well damn... I was going to be lazy today, now I gotta go for a run. Good stuff man, I really like it!

Simply awesome. I am not a good or natural runner, started at 51 🤪 but I love the outdoors and being alone. So much of this resonated with me ..the love of the endurance tribe is such an amazing thing to see. Beautiful film, thank you. ❤️❤️❤️

Billy, I love your movies. I just did my first ultra (without ever doing a marathon lol) 55k last year with a lot of climbing. I found along the way a strength and mental focus that I had never excepted. I could relive the ups and downs I felt in your race so vividly. Thank you for this inspiring story that is so well told and that pushes us to go explore even further what we can do. This year will be a 80k for me and I am sure this is not the end. Keep your videos coming. You are a talented storyteller.

Two months ago I couldn’t run a mile without stopping. I did run/walk workouts for a little over a month and then started a marathon training program where I’m now in week 3 and doing great! Just ran 8 miles yesterday without stopping! Stick to the plan and understand that sometimes you have to tell your feelings to stfu! So many opportunities to quit but when you set a goal (run a marathon for me), do everything you can to stick to it!

Thanks for sharing Billy, absolutely epic!

Amazing insight! I want to show this to all my non-running friends so they might finally "get it"

Thousands of years ago men realized that the key to happiness is through accomplishment. We tell depressed people and drug addicts to 'do the next best/sober thing.' And by that small step they reach that awareness of having accomplished a task. It is small wonder that those people who push themselves to do more, need more to make them happy. This cycle can lead to a crash if the person does not DAILY remind themselves that the smallest task when finished, can offer this miracle of happiness. Learning to sit still and meditate is great stuff, it's an important part of one's growth, but you will not be happy doing it in a messy apartment, when the rent is due, and the dishes are piling up. Do those little things with some of the same intent as you run your marathon, and you will find the peace you're looking for.

Ran 40 miles for my 40th birthday, and am currently planning on a 50 miler on my 50th next summer. Of course now this video has become an earworm. Seeing you do this was inspiring to say the least.

Outstanding work Billy. I always love your videos because I feel like I can relate to you. I've never been a natural runner either but I love the mountains and going on adventures. Seeing you get through this 100 mile makes we want to push up to the next level.

Super inspiring Billy, cant even count how many times I've watched and rewatched this. Hoping the lottery is kind to me this year 🙏 🤞

Every time I feel demotivated about running, I watch one of your videos and they immediately inspire me to go out and push myself. Thank you, Billy!

Yes for me too it’s gratitude that gets me out there. So fortunate to have the health and capacity to enjoy “the trails” - whatever form they take.

One of the best videos on RU-vid. Love it Billy thanks mate.

whos here from Kate and Nate's channel? 🙋‍♂️❤️️

It's been years since I've been up there and even longer since I was helping at the hope pass aid station. I'm glad they are still using the llamas. I miss having them and working with them. I also miss the people I met up there. I may have been quite young, but there isn't a year that goes by that I don't think about it. The amount of difficulty the race is, is truly unimaginable. I'm proud to see those that finish and even prouder of those that meet their goals in the race. Maybe one day I'll be back. Making ramen and runny potatoes in the cook tent fueling the runners that really want to achieve something incredible. Til then, commit, don't quit.

Got my first half marathon next week, perfect timing for me. Anxiety was killing me, this gives me hope. This video is better than many other award winning films. Absolutely loved every bits. This video will be my motivational mantra 💪

Awesome Billy. You did a great job capturing the beauty and challenge of Leadville 100. This will inspire people to sign up and run it.

Thank you for sharing this journey with us! I've been struggling with my own running this year, on the heals of running my 2nd marathon last fall. This video helped me to remember that though the struggles of that race in particular were hard, in a way, I crave them again. Guess it's time to dig in. All the best!

I feel this SO accurately sums up everything in an ultra! Highs, lows, good friends, and a hell of alot of running!

I know this was a while ago, but I continue to show this film at a drug and alcohol treatment center and it is probably the most important group I can provide for the patients. “ Finding comfort through the discomfort “ . Thank you Billy.