More than the finish line: Eric Carufel learns lessons that extend far beyond running

For Eric Carufel, the day often starts long before sunrise. While most of Bismarck, North Dakota, is still asleep, he's logging miles, fitting training runs into a schedule that already includes a demanding role at Basin Electric and family life at home.

It's a routine built around something Carufel has come to believe: if something matters to you, you make time for it.

Carufel has long been focused on health and fitness, but running wasn't always part of his plan. After being encouraged to sign up for the Fargo Half Marathon in 2022, what started as a fitness challenge quickly became something more.

His first race went better than he expected, but what he really gained from the experience is a changed mindset.

“Running is no longer just about health and fitness; those have become positive side effects. What drives me now is performance, pushing my limits, and the incredible community of friends I've found along the way,” Carufel says.

Today, he trains with an online running coach and follows a routine that includes strength training, dedicated recovery time, and an average of 25-30 miles of running each week. He recently completed the Bismarck Half Marathon while continuing to build back after a stress fracture sidelined him following the St. Louis Marathon in 2025.

“The road back has required patience and persistence, but it feels great to be healthy again, back in training, and ready to race,” he says.

The discipline required for distance running mirrors the mindset he brings to work. As an ERP system administrator and member of the ERP project team at Basin Electric's Headquarters, Carufel enjoys having ambitious goals to pursue and seeing the results of consistent effort over time.

"I've always been motivated by setting goals and having something tangible to work toward," he says. "I enjoy having a target to chase and a box to check when it's accomplished."

That same discipline helps him balance work, training, and family life. Carufel and his wife have been married for 15 years and are raising two sons. By getting up before dawn to run, he can dedicate his evenings to being present with his family.

"One thing I've learned is that you make time for the things you love," he says.

Running provides other benefits beyond race day. For Carufel, long runs have become a form of meditation, allowing him to step away from the demands of everyday life and clear his mind.

"During a long one- or two-hour run, the noise of everyday life fades away," he says. "My mind goes quiet, and I can simply enjoy the rhythm of my footsteps or the music in my headphones."

Long-distance running was never something Carufel thought he would continue, but looking back, he says there were a lot of experiences that led him to where he is today and are a big source of motivation.

At 15, Eric lost his father to a heart attack and was diagnosed with colitis and Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis. Years later, medication complications led to lymphoma and six rounds of chemotherapy. He says those experiences shaped the way he views challenges today.

“Looking at me today, you’d never know any of that from the outside,” he says. “For much of my life, I didn’t have a choice when it came to facing hard things. Now, I choose them. Running gives me an opportunity to willingly embrace discomfort, test my limits, and prove to myself that I’m capable of more than I thought possible.”

Basin Electric's wellness reimbursement program has been a valuable resource throughout Carufel's running journey. He jokes that he may be one of the program's biggest users, but says it's a benefit he proudly talks about with others.

"Whenever I mention it to people outside of Basin, the reaction is usually, 'No way, that's pretty awesome,'" he says.

For co-workers considering their own fitness goals, Carufel's advice is simple: start small and stay consistent.

"Think long term," he says. "The occasional missed workout won't hurt your progress, but injuries can. Focus on building sustainable habits, staying healthy, and putting together weeks, months, and years of consistent training. That's where the real gains happen."

Success isn't just about finishing a race. For Carufel, it's about setting meaningful goals, putting in the work, and building the resilience to face life’s challenges.

"Taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's necessary," Carufel says.

For him, the miles logged before sunrise are an investment in himself and the people who depend on him, strengthening his ability to meet challenges head-on.