Jen’s journey through the 100Km Angkor Ultra Trail was a meditative and transformative experience. After two years of planning, she not only completed the race but also received an unexpected gift—finishing in 5th place—a reward she never anticipated. But the true gift went far beyond the race itself. Here’s the deeper story behind her journey:
1. The ‘Gift’ of Finishing the Run
Jen crossed the finish line hand-in-hand with two new friends who supported her through the final kilometers. To her surprise, the organizers awarded her 5th place—an outcome that was never part of her original goal. This reward wasn’t just the end result, but the culmination of everything that had led to this moment.
2. The ‘Gift’ of the Journey
Mind and Goal:
Jen’s journey to the Angkor Ultra Trail started as a distant goal. In 2023, she set the intention to run the 100Km Angkor Ultra Trail in early 2024. But at the time, she wasn’t emotionally connected to the goal. She hadn’t made a solid plan, and it didn’t feel like a priority.
By 2024, Jen had run other domestic races, gaining experience, and refining her mindset. She finally set a firm deadline: running the Angkor trail in 2025, using visualization, strong emotions, and a clear plan to make it happen. By January 2025, her body was ready, reflecting the goal her mind had committed to.
Observing the Mind Through Running:
Running 100Km is not just about physical endurance; it’s about mental discipline. During the long stretches of the race, Jen practiced observing her mind, especially when exhaustion set in.
When her legs ached and her body screamed for rest, she had two choices: exaggerate the pain or observe, accept, and continue. She faced a pivotal moment when a sign announced the final 5Km, and a brief thought of frustration arose. But a fellow runner reminded her: “Let’s enjoy every moment.”
Jen realized the struggle wasn’t physical; it was mental resistance to an unexpected reality. Once she acknowledged this, the discomfort faded, and she refocused on the beauty around her, the journey, and the company of her friend.
The Mind and Its Infinite Power:
Jen’s journey reinforced the concept of limitless potential. During her 112Km run in Da Lat, she met a Japanese runner who completed 100Km every month and planned to run 100 ultra-races in his lifetime. On the Angkor Trail, she met a runner who runs 100Km five times a month in preparation for even longer races. This challenged her perspective on limits—limits are shaped by our vision and commitment.
Bathing in the Kindness of Strangers:
Jen’s journey was filled with kindness from unexpected places. From the simple gestures of people offering their seat to Jen during tough times, to the cheerful waves of children as runners passed through villages during the race—these small acts pulled Jen into the present moment, where joy and gratitude filled the air.
Bathing in the Wonderfulness of the Universe:
At the finish line, Jen received the unexpected surprise of 5th place. This moment reminded her of something deeper: sometimes, the universe gives us exactly what we need when we least expect it.
But the most profound moment came the next morning. Jen and her British friend had been hoping to meet again, but their plans seemed uncertain. Jen let go of the attachment to the meeting and instead enjoyed the moment with her Cambodian friend. Then, out of nowhere, she found her British friend sitting at a café. The universe had aligned them once again.
Trusting the Universe
Jen’s experience in Angkor revealed something powerful about trust and detachment. The moment she stopped forcing outcomes and embraced the uncertainty, the universe responded. It was a reminder that when we trust the process, we allow space for magic to unfold.
The Mission of Planting Seeds—Beyond the Race
While reflecting on her time with friends from around the world, Jen realized that the journey wasn’t just about running a race. It was about planting seeds of rebirth, transformation, and healing.
Her time spent with her South African friend revealed an unspoken story of emotional wounds, and it was through their deep, present conversations that healing began. The universe had sent her to this moment, not just for the race, but to facilitate a moment of profound connection and personal growth.
The greatest gift of this journey wasn’t the 5th-place trophy or even the finish line. It was the discovery that our experiences, struggles, and connections are all part of a bigger picture. Sometimes, the most meaningful part of a journey is the unexpected gifts that come along the way—the gifts that help us grow, evolve, and become more connected to the universe and those around us.
❤️ The true gift is in the journey itself.
