Nineteen-year-old Zach Bates told his mother at his high school graduation that he wanted to run a 100-mile ultramarathon before his 20th birthday. Surprised, she reminded him that his farthest race had only been a 5k. Undeterred, he continued to envision running a 100-mile race before he turned 20. Seeing his determination and knowing her son's unique ability to deeply focus - due to autism - she decided to let him run.