#190: Ultra Running Randy Overcomes Major Injuries to Complete His First 100 Miler

Run The Race

If you think huge goals are unattainable or you're not good enough, so did this week's guest on the "Run The Race" podcast. More than a decade after this abused young man was a cocaine addict and homeless...he's focused on his Christian walk and long distance running, having recently completed his first 100 mile race...but there's pain on the way to the finish line for fitness and faith. (2:46) I first talked with Randy Murphy, father of 3 in Alabama and new endurance runner, about how we can all overcome injuries as amateur athletes. It's bound to happen. 2 years into his running career, he had an almost completely fractured hip. He didn't know if he'd run again, (10:00) but he has a message for anyone hoping to make a comeback in any sport. Listen to his post-injury lessons learned, especially about not being undertrained, putting enough work/miles in. (16:25) It was gaining 20 lbs during the Covid pandemic that prompted him to start jogging, fast forwarding to half marathons too quick too. Finding running friends and group runs helped keep him going. (21:15) Randy also talks in-depth about the similarities of endurance for both ultrarunning (anything over a 26.2 mile marathon) and faith. What do you do when you feel you can't go any further in a workout or a race? As scripture refers too, there's a lot of training and discipline in the Christian walk too, just like for a sport. He gives some examples of how to prepare for those incoming storms in life. (26:33) He's had plenty of obstacles too, on drugs and living in his car during his early 20s. Eventually, he was invited to church, not judged there...and says God supernaturally took away his desire for those substances. Now, he strives to be the father he didn't have. (37:30) As for running longer distances, he previously thought people that ran 50 or 100 mile races were crazy, but now finds it very fulfilling. Listen to the episode to hear his full recap of the Pinhoti 100 in Alabama, which he completed 1 year after his hip surgery. He breaks down feeling good for 75 miles, then the sleep-deprived Randy couldn't even run much because of calf pain, in tears the last few miles and at the finish line, after a 28 hour journey. (50:30) Runner Randy also has advice for others about setting big goals, not feeling good enough, our bodies and minds capable of so much more as we chip away at challenges through hard work. (56:25) I close out the pod in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast, which I hope you'll subscribe to! Share it with your friends. Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and listen to any previous episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.