106 Comments
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Carissa Liebowitz's avatar

Running is the thread that brought us together, but community is the reason we stay. 💜

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

You are the best, Carissa!!! (And congrats on getting into Boston!!)

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Kel B.'s avatar

i can't comment better than this!

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Gara Doll's avatar

Love this!

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Jim N.'s avatar

I like your honesty and straightforwardness. I won't stop reading if you stray from running issues. I am in the midst of one of my own crises. Back in 2014, I was diagnosed with mantle cell lymphoma an incurable cancer. I became involved with a clinical trial and was in remission from mid-2015. I continued running halfs during my treatment. I have been checked repeatedly and the MCL is nowhere present. Then after a short 4 mile run this past Feb., I came down with pneumonia and was sent to my cancer hosptial. My oncologist was puzzled. I did not have MCL but precursor b-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). I am at the M D Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, TX going through a 1 year long clinical trial tht will help me beat cancer again. I will be batting 2 for 2. To give you more perspective. I began running in 1977 at the age of 28, and haven't stopped since. I estimate I have covered 60,000 miles. But for the next year, no running, maybe walking. I am a retired environmental engineer and looking to write feature films now. Write what you heart tells you too and maybe you will reach the one heart who needs to really hear your words.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Wow, on just everything you've written here, Jim. My heart goes out to you right now, and bless you my friend -- you are in my prayers for sure. I will be thinking of you every time I send out an issue. Wishing you better health as quickly as possible.

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Corrina T.'s avatar

God bless! You are in my prayers!

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Justin Stanchfield's avatar

Hoping for the best. You beat this before, you can do it again!

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Gara Doll's avatar

Praying the cancer gets kicked out of you and that you experience full recovery!!

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Ruth Beardsley's avatar

I second that!

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Mindi's avatar

I love, love your newsletter and I look forward to your stories all the time and the great advice you offer. So whatever you want to write about, I am 100 percent on board and looking forward to it. :)

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

I love that, Mindi! So glad you're a part of this whole thing 😃

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Brian Pillsbury's avatar

You the man Terrell. I'm proud of you for trying something new. Ill read it as long as it has nothing to do with politics lol jk but seriously.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you Brian!!! I should have mentioned that in the post — I definitely will not be covering politics here! That is already *very* well-served by plenty of other publications. 👍

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Gara Doll's avatar

Thanks. We have all had enough of politics!

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Terry Rasmussen (female)'s avatar

I totally get it. During the past 9 years I finished my goal of running half marathons in all 50 states ( plus other places-total 58). I ran my first in 2010 on my 64th birthday and ran the 50th state on November 17, 2019. My new direction is shorter distances but I have different focuses now, especially support for social justice issues and environmental concerns. Looking forward to see where you are led. I know where God is leading me and I am excited for the journey- and to see your journey develop as well.

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Michelle Tenzyk's avatar

Terrell, I am planning to follow whatever direction you take. We are runners, but human beings first, then athletes, then runners, in truth. So speak your truth to us, we will listen and we will stay.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you SO much, Michelle! 😃

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Robyn V Jones's avatar

I’m in! Tell me more about the frogs 😉

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

I will! There's actually a pretty funny story about them... will tell in a future issue 😃

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Amy K's avatar

Terrell, you are an amazing writer. I would say it is an admirable step to begin a change in topic. Because you really are gifted at speaking to the majority of readers, (runners and non runners) I suspect you will be very successful. I’m looking forward to reading about all you have to say.

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

Well said, Amy. I was just thinking the same thing. It is Terrell who holds us together as a group. :)

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Not without you, Nilima! 😃

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you so much, Amy!!! I really, really appreciate that.

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Gara Doll's avatar

Dear Terrell,

I understand completely. Running is wonderful, but as your only main topic in a newsletter, I can see how after awhile you would run out of material.

I'm looking forward to your new direction, and as always , I enjoy your content and your encouraging thoughts...👍🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️🏃‍♀️😊 Gara

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thank you, Gara! It was hard to come to this decision -- I was afraid of disappointing everyone, I really was. But it's just time, you know? I was really getting to a place where I was having a really hard time finding anything new for me to say in this area, and I didn't want to just repeat myself -- I'm a big believer in "no fun for the writer, no fun for the reader," you know? And more than anything, I want you guys to have fun and enjoy/get something out of reading my stuff. Every time. So glad you've stuck with me!

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Nilima Srikantha's avatar

By all means let that bud turn into a beautiful flower! I have been enjoying your newsletter more and more since you have deviated from running.

Running is cool, but life is not running. Myself, I am pondering where my life has been and where it is taking me. It gets to be different the more pages you turn. . . an interesting story. I turn 74 in June--50 years old seems young to me. :)

Run/walk where I am headed, probably fewer runs, and longer. One has to be open to allow change to happen and dance with it!

Time to take of the blinders and let our minds run free! Your latest newsletters have been really fantastic. Continue on with them. I'll be with you on the journey.

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Clark Rose's avatar

Helen Keller once said “Life is an adventure or it’s nothing at all”. Excited for you...

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Corrina T.'s avatar

Yes! A change is good. It feels like we are at that point as a group. I support you in this. 👍🏼

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

So glad to hear that, Corrina!

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Nelda Rupprecht's avatar

New things are scary but my guess is we've all had the same ideas and thoughts so now we can all share. One thing that I've learned from this pandemic, change is going to happen and you can either embrace it or be stuck. I was pretty much confined to the house for a good portion of 2020 and looked forward to having some link to the outside so bring it on!!!!

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

They are, aren't they? Change is definitely going to happen whether we want it to or not, that's one thing I've learned in 50 years! So glad you're here. 😃

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Anne Benjamin's avatar

I have been with you through it all and enjoy it all! I think it will be a great read....maybe more like a blog about life as we know it, right? I hope as half marathons open up, you will continue to post those as that is how I originally found you. I would look for races in certain states, or especially flat/fast, etc. Your site was always the best. So I'm hoping for both? No pressure, LOL.

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Sara Campbell's avatar

I think it's a great idea! And I'm excited to hear what you have to say. Kudos to you for following your curiosity.

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Terrell Johnson's avatar

Thanks so much, Sara! That means a lot.

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Anita Graham's avatar

Hey Terrell - I read your note with some trepidation only because I sense so many shifts out there - so many people re-examining their lives as I re-examine mine and all the re-examinations will inevitably lead to a new framework within which we will all have to find our own space, our own way of belonging...or not. The thing is though that I think the world - and all of us - have changed and that is good, actually. Things that bring us together, like running, connect in new and different ways into the rest of what we are becoming. I welcome you talking about frogs, about parenting and about change...running is still a "glue" that brings this diverse and far flung community together and I'd love to see the thread of that remain.

Thanks!

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