Cool story: 6 yrs ago, he was a recovering meth/heroin addict who smoked 2 packs a day. Now he's a 2:16 OTrials marathoner

I think he’s talking about that girl in Harry Potter

Great story. I first read about him when he was dating Allie K a few years ago, but he's really made a name for himself since and all credit to him- he is making a great life for himself.

This really is a great story. I remember reading somewhere that one of the major things we do not understand about the human brain is addiction. Wish I could find the article...but one of the major points was that addiction can be *positive.* There are a lot of examples of star athletes who have succumbed to drug problems, of course...but just as many who have channeled their desire to engage in self-destructive behavior into something that builds them up.

This is awesome. Shows how ovverrated grinding out miles for decades is.

This is him less than 10 years ago. Huge transformation.

Well if you are willing to take heroin I imagine EPO would be on the table. But either way he has done well, super shoes or not.

I got a better story.... how bout the guy who never wasted life on heroin or meth and runs pretty slow. Rather meet that guy

Aren't we judgemental.

Judgemental would be if the person was an alcoholic or couldn’t kick cigarettes. These are legal and accepted. heroin and meth are not accepted and very hard to come by, and must be obtained illegally. so it is not unreasonable or an unfair judgment

Sadly, neither is as hard to get your hands on as you imagine/hope. And let's not be so quick to cast moral verdicts on those who have fallen into addiction; there's a massive genetic component to it, which is why it's increasingly being recognized and treated as a chronic disease rather than a failure of character.

An amazing success story over his addiction battles. This is the kind of person that should be invited to speak to young running audiences because it's reality. And he can testify to them why they should avoid friends of bad influences.

I am so tired too of these stories of addicted people who figured it finally out.
Maybe we should admire the people more who make the right choices straight away.

The story is phenomenal and all, and it's very important to get those stories out to the general public for inspiration, but I'd like to know how he improved so quickly (besides magic, aka talent) and what that looked like.

2015: Got "sober" but was a two a day pack smoker and ate junk food / didn't exercise

2018 - Jan: joined local running group coached by Gilbert Tuhabonye (fastish dude)

2019 - June: 1:07:38 half (sad for me that he can run a half at close to my lifetime best for the mile)

I’m a big supporter of giving people second chances and practicing forgiveness, but I agree we shouldn’t elevate these people to such an inspirational level above those who never let themselves fall into the evils of addiction.

I get ya. Church people in particular like to flaunt a drug addict or such “coming to Jesus” as some sort of miracle. The thing is that drug addicts destroyed a lot of lives along the other way. Either directly or indirectly. How about celebrating someone who did the right thing all along and wasn’t a major player in the drug cartel. The same drug cartel that’s resulted in countless murders and sex trafficking.

Hmm yes it is very hard to get you hands on meth and heroin. Anywho, yes, there is a genetic component, clearly his running success is due to that addiction. However is there not a choice on what to become addicted too? he could have chosen exercise first, or why didn’t he choose addiction to long hours at a job?

Last time I read this exact same story it was Kevin Castille…

*proceeds with much caution*

The “don’t judge” group is so thirsty for these stories that they will be suckered by the “hooker with a heart of gold “ everytime. “he’s a real nice guy “ is the kiss of death in these. check out how many times that Washington state San Diego charger guy changed his ways