In the 1990s, a group of scientists created an ambitious experiment called Biosphere 2—a self-sustaining ecosystem designed to mimic life in a sealed colony. The project included rainforests, deserts, and even a mini-ocean. The idea was to create an environment where everything needed for survival—oxygen, food, and water—could be produced internally to sustain eight humans. 

One of the surprising lessons came from the trees. Inside Biosphere 2, trees grew quickly, but they never reached maturity. Instead, they would collapse under their own weight. Scientists eventually discovered the reason: there was no wind. In the wild, wind stresses trees, pushing them back and forth, forcing their roots to grow deeper and their trunks to grow stronger. Without this stress, the trees remained weak and fragile.  

You see where I'm going here?

Stress is not the enemy, although it can definitely seem like it in the moment. Stress is a necessary part of growth. Think about your toughest workouts: intervals on the track, long runs that push you to the edge of your endurance, or even the mental grind of running when you don’t feel like it. These challenges don’t just test you; they strengthen you. They expand your endurance, toughen your mindset, and build the resilience you need for race day.  

Just like the trees in Biosphere 2 needed the wind, runners need the challenges. Stress, when applied thoughtfully, is what makes us grow. It strengthens not just our muscles but also our will. Stress is your wind. Embrace it. It's making you stronger.