John Maynard, all I can say is WOW and may you one day run that most meaningful of Ultras, the one with your daughters. We are all looking to find our "tribe within the tribe". Looks like you have done that with the Ultra Running Community. Congrats‼️👣‼️
I sure hope so, Clark! In October, I came pretty close ... when my oldest daughter crewed me at Cuyamaca 100k. It was a very special father-daughter day, and my favorite 100k to date.
I loved all of this but particularly this passage:
"At first, I felt betrayed. I was livid. I wasn’t driving! I thought. I was just a passenger. Why would I be to blame? How was I the careless one?
On our trip back to California, I thought about our conversation. It hit me: He’s right. My roommate wasn’t being malicious. He knew that I loved cars, and he just want to show off the car. And I chose to get in the car. I wanted to go for the ride.
That interaction changed everything for me, and it put me on a course to fast-track my recovery."
Brilliant self-awareness and congratulations on all your achievements! (Sidebar: My first and only marathon was the San Diego Rock & Roll a day before my 46th birthday a couple years after you... It was great.)
I was there a year or so later—but close enough! BTW—I love your “on screen” conversations—hope to see more of those in the coming year—although, with a full-time job, I understand you have your hands full!
Thanks! I’d love to do more. You’re right, the biggest challenge is scheduling — but, provided I can make them work, I’d like to do as many of them as I can. The one on Friday was a ton of fun!
Thank you, Diana. Much appreciated. It was when I stopped looking for sympathy and turned to responsibility that I could actually start moving forward. Congrats on SD RnR!
I identify with many pieces of your story, and am excited for you to reach your goals of those OG races. I am still super new to the Ultra World, so I have "new to me races" popping up all the time on my feeds. Hard to know just what to pursue sometimes.
Thank you, Wendi! I've got 16 tickets in the lottery this year for Western States, so chances remain quite slim (~6%). But you never know! Best of luck on your journey. Which events are you thinking about?!
The final statement says it all - We’re all capable of achieving great things. We just have to want to. The only things I'd add is: "and we have to actually do it".
Nike did well when they came up with "Just Do It". It may have been almost 40 years ago, but it still rings true and I think it is one of my most-used quotes.
Love your story of perseverance and perspective. My husband did the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, and it was truly epic. I did the 10k while we were up there - it's the highest elevation race in the country! I was truly gasping for breath - but loved the challenge, too.
Thank you, and congrats to you and your husband! What an amazing opportunity. I will keep doing these things until I get to run the "race across the sky."
The first comment I would like to share is I am in absolute awe of all you have, and continue, to accomplish. You are an incredible runner. Secondly, this quote speaks to me, and my guess is that it does to others as well: "[t]he work we’re doing today pays dividends not today or tomorrow, but well into the future." I didn't start running until I was 44, and now as I turn 66, I see this is so true. Finally, this was a great share, John! Thank you!
Thank you, Debby! I'm going to do what I can to be a lifelong runner. The training and the racing teach us so many things about ourselves and each other, and I'm always eager to learn.
John Maynard, all I can say is WOW and may you one day run that most meaningful of Ultras, the one with your daughters. We are all looking to find our "tribe within the tribe". Looks like you have done that with the Ultra Running Community. Congrats‼️👣‼️
I sure hope so, Clark! In October, I came pretty close ... when my oldest daughter crewed me at Cuyamaca 100k. It was a very special father-daughter day, and my favorite 100k to date.
My Dad always told me if you live long enough you'll see most of your dreams realized. Stay Healthy. ‼️🙏🏻👣
I love that phrase, Clark -- finding our "tribe within the tribe." 👏
I loved all of this but particularly this passage:
"At first, I felt betrayed. I was livid. I wasn’t driving! I thought. I was just a passenger. Why would I be to blame? How was I the careless one?
On our trip back to California, I thought about our conversation. It hit me: He’s right. My roommate wasn’t being malicious. He knew that I loved cars, and he just want to show off the car. And I chose to get in the car. I wanted to go for the ride.
That interaction changed everything for me, and it put me on a course to fast-track my recovery."
Brilliant self-awareness and congratulations on all your achievements! (Sidebar: My first and only marathon was the San Diego Rock & Roll a day before my 46th birthday a couple years after you... It was great.)
I ran the San Diego RNR Marathon too once! Back in 2001, actually. What year did you run it?
We just missed one another!
No way! You were there too, in 2001? It must have been fate!
I was there a year or so later—but close enough! BTW—I love your “on screen” conversations—hope to see more of those in the coming year—although, with a full-time job, I understand you have your hands full!
Thanks! I’d love to do more. You’re right, the biggest challenge is scheduling — but, provided I can make them work, I’d like to do as many of them as I can. The one on Friday was a ton of fun!
Thank you, Diana. Much appreciated. It was when I stopped looking for sympathy and turned to responsibility that I could actually start moving forward. Congrats on SD RnR!
Love this! What a story and a comeback.
I identify with many pieces of your story, and am excited for you to reach your goals of those OG races. I am still super new to the Ultra World, so I have "new to me races" popping up all the time on my feeds. Hard to know just what to pursue sometimes.
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Wendi! I've got 16 tickets in the lottery this year for Western States, so chances remain quite slim (~6%). But you never know! Best of luck on your journey. Which events are you thinking about?!
The final statement says it all - We’re all capable of achieving great things. We just have to want to. The only things I'd add is: "and we have to actually do it".
I loved that last line too 👏
Yes, indeed -- the "do it" part is key!
Nike did well when they came up with "Just Do It". It may have been almost 40 years ago, but it still rings true and I think it is one of my most-used quotes.
Love your story of perseverance and perspective. My husband did the Leadville 100 mountain bike race, and it was truly epic. I did the 10k while we were up there - it's the highest elevation race in the country! I was truly gasping for breath - but loved the challenge, too.
I feel certain you will get where you're headed.
Thank you, and congrats to you and your husband! What an amazing opportunity. I will keep doing these things until I get to run the "race across the sky."
What was the elevation up there? I've heard so much about the race over the years, but can hardly even dream of actually doing it -- and yet you did!
10,000 feet in Leadville. It's the highest incorporated city in the US.
the 100 mile running and mountain bike races go up to 14,000 feet!
there's also a race there that you can do with your donkey! that's on my bucket list. First I have to find a donkey...
Have you ever read 'Running With Sherman,' by Christopher McDougall?
oh, yes.
that's where I got the donkey idea! :)
Amazing story great resilience
The first comment I would like to share is I am in absolute awe of all you have, and continue, to accomplish. You are an incredible runner. Secondly, this quote speaks to me, and my guess is that it does to others as well: "[t]he work we’re doing today pays dividends not today or tomorrow, but well into the future." I didn't start running until I was 44, and now as I turn 66, I see this is so true. Finally, this was a great share, John! Thank you!
Thank you, Debby! I'm going to do what I can to be a lifelong runner. The training and the racing teach us so many things about ourselves and each other, and I'm always eager to learn.
I'm in awe too! Especially with how quickly John moved up to longer and longer distances. It's just amazing.
Amazing!
Isn't it? Seriously, these stories all inspire me to think "maybe I could run an ultra too..." Who knows?
@Terrell, You definitely could. It just takes a little patience and dedication, and the sky really is the limit.
Hi John! It's so incredible to hear more about you and your story. Inspiring! Thank you.
Thank you, Julie! That's very kind of you
You bet! Happy Thanksgiving you and yours.
They say balance is important in training … I admire John’s balance of running and family!
Thank you, Terrell, for allowing me to share my story. I'm honored to join -- and inspired by -- the other athletes who have shared theirs.