Danny Mackey: "On March 3rd my life turned into a nightmare. Since then, it’s been worse. I’ve heard people talk about meeting the Devil, and what that can do to your heart, soul, brain and

I didn't see it. What did he say?

Oh No! Did Nia Akins get a day late DQ in the 800?

This is an incredibly intense post. I am not sure what happened but I have some guesses. I hope he's okay and his daughter is okay.

I don't know anything about his recent personal life, but the post makes it sound like his wife (or the mother of his child, if they weren't married) died. I guess it could "just" be that she left him, but he references a "tragedy," which makes it sound like some kind of accident. He also says he'll have to raise his daughter alone, and it's unlikely that the mother would completely give up custody after a breakup.

I don't know the guy, so I feel kind of weird speculating about his personal life. But yeah, that post was startling and troubling, if also pretty cryptic. I feel like usually when something bad happens to the level of a notable coach's spouse dying young, the running community typically has some public outpouring of support, fundraising, etc.

But if a well known coach's wife died 4 months ago, wouldn't you think someone would have mentioned it by now?

Yeah, that's why I said it sounded that way, but then expressed surprise that it hadn't been more public by now. That disconnect is exactly why I'm confused.

Yeah he doesn't include a ton about his private life on instagram.

Yeah he doesn't include a ton about his private life on instagram.

Yeah he doesn't include a ton about his private life on instagram.

To be fair, perhaps Danny or a loved one learned of a terminal disease diagnosis on that day in March?

That's weird

This is a very troubling post. I remember listening to a podcast he did a couple of years ago and he talked in depth about mental demons he started facing during the NOP stuff. Not sleeping, having really dark thoughts, etc. Admitted that part of the reason his marriage with Katie ended was bc of the mental health stuff he had going on. This is all very sad and I hope he gets the support he needs, regardless of what this specific post is about.

Probably earlier

Yeah this is actually really unsettling. Regardless of what happened, it seems like he needs a lot more help to cope. I hope he gets it and is ok.

His wife committed suicide shorty after giving birth to his daughter

A commentor mentioned losing a parent recently in an attempt to comfort/relate to him. Not sure if they're just wrong or in the know but based on that one could assume a parent of his passed away?? Not sure why this post is so damn cryptic. Why beat around the bush and draw more attention to it than there would be otherwise by just stating what happened?

bizarre to throw in a crappy joke at this stage.

My ex-girlfriend of 3.5 years forgot it was my birthday and canceled plans at the last second in 2018. We were at a point in the relationship where she had been doing this increasingly for the past three months so I made sure to ask her in advance to save time for dinner on Tuesday.

She wasnt cheating. She was just being very stubborn, to herself and difficult to deal with because of graduate school. She lived with her twin sister and they resorted to some child-like tendencies in that proximity. The relationship was rocky and definitely missing something though but she sparked flares of greatness every few weeks to keep me believing. The previous month I had provided her the most epic valentines day surprise. She got a lot of attention from her friends, family and co-workers and certainly felt very special herself.

On the Monday she canceled plans it dawned on me she had forgotten my birthday. The line in the sand was now drawn. I told myself I'd give her until 3pm the next day to realize her mistake in this situation.

I remember vividly giving up on her throughout the course of that next day's afternoon. I hadnt responded to her canceling plans via text Monday night. I was definitely on my way to becoming indifferent toward her. I then looked over at the digital oven clock reading 3:07PM.

She was so self-centered and into herself at this point she had forgotten about me and, really, forgotten about us. It was such a huge letdown and reality check.

I went out with a few of my friends that evening and suddenly after 8pm my phone started blowing up with calls from her. I didnt pick up. She left multiple messages. She had finally realized what she did and didnt do right in this situation. But I was so severely disgusted and appalled with her that my deep love for her was dying quickly. It had gone up like a tidal wave but now dropping off at absurd speeds. I just could not believe it. I ignored her for the next ten straight days.

This may sound harsh and like I was on my high horse. However, the truth is I was at such an emotional low that I didnt have an appetite for at least three whole days and was depressed then after. Never before had I felt like this where my life just didnt matter. There was a pit in my stomach. I was despondent and withdrawn. I was completely preoccupied with what felt like a burn hole in my heart. And when I hit that ultra low point I told myself, over weight and out of shape, that I had better go running everyday starting today because I cant live like this. It was all I had to cope.

My life really changed that day and I will never get over those feelings. I can only choose to not revisit them.

I bet Danny Mackey got a similar relationship punch to his stomach. Something humanly awful that brought him to said lowpoint.