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Lauren's avatar

Hi Terrell, I would love to share my story. I’ve been a runner for 25+ years and it’s a big part of my identity, spiritual journey and life as an athlete. I was the kid picked last in gym class and becoming a marathoner 4x over as an adult has been transformative. Thank you for featuring stories!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Awesome, Lauren! Email me at terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com and I'll send you the list of questions, and we can go from there!

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Mike Mabe's avatar

Hey Terrell, I am new to your substack. Running has been a big outlet for me since I was a teenager.

When I was a teen, I was arrested and sent to prison. I ended up at a facility run and operated by the Army National Guard. We did PT every morning, of which the mile run was my favorite.

Long story short, there was a nationwide competition amongst ROTC programs. One of the guards petitioned the warden to take a few of us to this competition, myself included for the track events. The warden went for it and I went on to train in the 800 meter, mile, and two mile events. At the competition, I podiumed at the mile and two mile events.

Since then, I have continued to run as a major outlet in my life. I now run mountain ultras and am attempting to run with the elites. Not sure I will ever be that good, but that is how much I love running.

Thanks for the opportunity to share. Below is a link to my latest substack story, which is about my journey to run with the elites. Feel free to check it out. No pressure to do so though.

https://open.substack.com/pub/mikemabe/p/failure-personified?r=1xp9kc&utm_medium=ios

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Mike, I'm really, really honored that you'd share your story -- I'd love to include yours. Email me at terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com and I can send you the list of questions, and we'll go from there. Thanks so much for this!

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Mike Mabe's avatar

hey Terrell! Great to chat with you. I am honored you want to share my story. I emailed you from michaeltmabe@gmail.com. I’d be happy to receive your questions and create a post with you!

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Debby Jones's avatar

I am so glad you are asking again for people to share their stories. Each person so far has shared his/her unique prospective, yet I know I have made a connection with every single one. I am hoping to read many more stories as they are one of the things I look forward to the most when I see your newsletter, Terrell, in my inbox:)

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

LOVE hearing that, Debby! We're definitely going to keep doing these 🙌

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Gosh! you have a whole new bunch of stories coming!

Reading Facing the Mountain by Brown. What a story! It starts out in Maui, takes in all the Hawaiian islands and moves into the PNW. You'll really have to read it to get the flavor. I spent a lot of time in the islands, so I can picture it in my mind

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Abbey Algiers's avatar

Hi Terrell! Thanks for the opportunity to share my story. I'm a former marathoner (used to do 2 per year and did Boston the year of the bombing), but haven't run a full since 2019. My goal is to run another in 2026, hopefully in Spain. :) I also used to have a running blog (back in the Stone Ages of blogs - here's what's left of it :) - https://imrunnerchica.wordpress.com/). Now I run probably 25 miles a week and have a Substack not related to running. If any of that vibes align with your content, would love to tell you more. Thx!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

I would love that, Abbey! Email me at terrell@thehalfmarathoner.com and I'll send you the list of questions, and we'll go from there!

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