For most people, completing a 107-mile ultramarathon would be enough of an accomplishment for one weekend.

For Northern State University nursing student Jackson Harrison, it was just the beginning of the week.

Harrison recently completed the Black Hills 100, covering 107 miles with more than 16,000 feet of elevation gain in 31 hours. A day later, he was back on campus for a required nursing skills validation.

"I got back and penguin walked into the validation," Harrison said with a laugh. "Let's just get it done."

That determination has become a defining characteristic of Harrison, who believes the same mindset required to conquer an ultramarathon has helped him succeed in one of Northern's most demanding academic programs.

"If I was prone to quitting, this wouldn't be a feasible major," he said. "You can't have thoughts of quitting and giving up because you won't survive. Even when you're tired and don't want to study, you still have to put your foot forward and complete it."

An Aberdeen native, Harrison first came to Northern to compete in cross country and track while earning a bachelor’s degree in biology and an associate degree in biotechnology. During his collegiate running career, he set seven school records, five of which still stand today.

After working for a couple of years, Harrison planned to enroll in another nursing program. When those plans changed, returning to Northern felt like the right decision.

"I figured I might as well keep doing Northern and stick with it," he said.

He's glad he did.

Harrison says Northern's nursing program has exceeded his expectations, especially because of the close relationships students build with faculty and classmates.

"The professors are very knowledgeable and very helpful," he said. "Everyone says Northern is close-knit, but you really feel it in the nursing program. We're going through everything together, so it feels very one-on-one. I really like that."

He was also drawn to nursing because of the profession's versatility.

"You're not limited by what you can do," Harrison said. "You can work in a nursing home, an ICU, a clinic, flight care, home health or continue your education. Every area is rewarding in its own way."

While he's keeping an open mind, Harrison hopes to begin his career in an intensive care unit after graduation.

"I think the ICU would be a really fun department to be in," he said. "If I try it and decide I like something else, that's one of the great things about nursing. There are so many opportunities."

Harrison believes his years as a competitive runner have prepared him well for the challenges of nursing school. He credits coaches, parents and mentors for instilling a mindset centered on perseverance.

"Endurance sports teach you that when it hurts, you have to convince yourself to keep going," he said. "Maybe that's why, even when I don’t want to study and I'm tired, I still keep moving forward. There’s no other option. I mean there are, but that’s not an acceptable option in my mind."

That mentality has carried Harrison from middle school cross country to collegiate athletics, record-setting performances and now ultramarathons. Running, which he began in sixth grade, continues to challenge him long after his NCAA eligibility ended.

After taking some well-earned time to recover from the Black Hills 100, Harrison already has his sights set on future goals, including running a fast marathon and eventually completing an Ironman triathlon.

For now, however, his biggest race is preparing for a career in nursing.

Whether on a rugged trail or in the classroom, Harrison approaches every challenge with the same philosophy: keep moving forward.