DUNES - My Story, Running My First 10k Through The West Texas Sandhills | Apex Mindset Podcast
DUNES is a short documentary telling the story of my first 10K race through the sands of West Texas at Monahans Sandhills State Park.
This wasn't just a race. Running a 10K in sand tests more than your legs, it exposes your mindset, your preparation, and your purpose. In this film, I break down what it takes to step into longer distances, the mental and physical demands of racing, and the lessons learned along the way.
From learning the structure of distance races to navigating race-day nerves, weather, gear, and strategy, DUNES follows the run as it unfolded; mile by mile. I also reflect on the deeper side of running: faith, discipline, community, and the people who shaped my pursuit, including the influence of my stepdad, Jon Kelso.
If you're training for your first 5K or 10K, curious about competitive running, or simply looking for motivation to pursue something hard, this story is for you.
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro
02:23 - Why Distance Matters (5K vs 10K Rules Explained)
03:30 - The Running Community & Contagious Positivity
08:12 - Running the Race: Faith, Purpose, and the Word
11:06 - How Running Found Me
12:40 - My Origin Story: Flaws, Focus, and Becoming More
16:25 - Jon Kelso: Inspired the Run
19:08 - The Catalyst: Proving Something the Right Way
23:11 - Lessons From My Stepdad, Jon Kelso
25:50 - Pursuit, Passion, and Self-Motivation
30:07 - Who Wins and Why: Competition, Classes, and Demographics
33:20 - DNFs, Qualifying, and Running as a Career
41:15 - Training the Right Way: Prep, Planning, and Habits
47:32 - Weather, Gear, and Adapting on Race Day
50:54 - Starting Line Nerves & Pre-Race Rituals
59:16 - The Run Unfolds: Pace, Playlist, and Strategy
1:05:40 - Alone in the Dunes: The Mental Battle of a 10K
1:10:03 - The Finish Line & Fighting Through Injury
1:14:26 - Your Harshest Judge: Finishing 4th Unexpectedly
1:18:35 - After the Race: Recovery and What Comes Next
1:21:18 - Raising the Bar: Bigger Goals and Enjoying the Spoils
1:29:31 - Facing Limits and Choosing to Push Forward
Thanks For Watching & Being A Part Of My Journey!
Check Me Out: https://www.ethanpeal.com/ [https://www.ethanpeal.com/]
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Resources:
https://www.maxwellleadership.com/ [https://www.maxwellleadership.com/]
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https://jocko.com/ [https://jocko.com/]
https://cameronhanes.com/ [https://cameronhanes.com/]
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Prefontaine [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steve_Prefontaine]
Books:
https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shoe-Dog/Phil-Knight/9781501135927 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Shoe-Dog/Phil-Knight/9781501135927]
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https://cameronhanes.com/products/endure-book [https://cameronhanes.com/products/endure-book]
Products:
Garmin Instinct 3 Watch - https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1316397/ [https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/1316397/]
Collagen Peptides - https://orgain.com/products/collagen-peptides-pre-probiotics [https://orgain.com/products/collagen-peptides-pre-probiotics]
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