🎧 Martinus Evans: A Letter From The Back Of The Pack 🏃‍♀️ 🏃
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In today's episode, Coach Marie Rose Leggio interviews Martinus Evans. He offers up wisdom and inspiration that counters the elitist narrative. Martinus may not be breaking two hours in the marathon, but he is breaking stereotypes. That's why we got him on the show, that's why we love him, and that's why we know you will too!   #RunPainFree: Everybody's run story is super personal. And I always love to know what they run for. So why do you run?  Martinus Evans: The reason I run has changed throughout the years. When I started in 2012, it was for weight loss. But in the past couple of years, it's been about supporting others, as well as making a political statement. As I've evolved, my thoughts and feelings about using running for weight loss changed. It's become more about just being active and not using exercise as a punishment for weight loss.  #RunPainFree: It was a visit to the doctor that became the catalyst for you to start running. Rather than taking their advice to go for a walk, you set your goal on running a marathon. Tell us about that?  Martinus Evans: One day, I had excruciating hip pain. So, I found myself in front of an Orthopedic specialist. I was 360 pounds at the time, and he said, 'Mr. Evans, I know why you're in pain, you're fat'. He told me I had two options – lose weight or die.  I said, screw you, Doc, I'm going to run a marathon. And he laughed at me like I told the world's funniest joke. On my way home, I made a U-turn at a running store. I told them I need running shoes and I need them now. I put them on and got on the treadmill. I turned it to seven; I don't know what the hell I was thinking. I didn't last more than 30 seconds. #RunPainFree: A big misconception about slower runners is that people don't consider them as athletes. As long as you're taking care of your body, you're an athlete. I hope we can bridge that gap between those myths and misconceptions about the different runners and why it's everybody's reason why they're running.  For those who don't run marathons, can you explain what the back of the packers are?  Martinus Evans: I like to break marathoners up into four parts. You've got the elites like Shalane Flanagan. Those are the people whose toes touch the start line. Then you have the semi-elite who haven't quite cut it yet.  After that, there is this whole pack of runners called the 'mid-pack people' who are below semi elites, but they're ahead of the back of the pack. This is where the elitism stems from in the running community. These mid-pack people have a chip on the shoulder. Then you've got me, way, way in the back. By the time I start, the elite runners have already finished.  #RunPainFree: I love that you mention the chip on the shoulder. Everybody should mind their own business and run for themselves. Just support everybody no matter the pace!  You talk about choosing to win. So many runners in the back of the pack are down on themselves. They don't feel like they should be running because so many people talk smack.  Tell us about choosing to win and not getting caught up in that noise?  Martinus Evans: It's about mindset. I've been a fat guy all my life. Before I was a fat guy, I was a fat boy. I have man boobs, and before that, I had boy boobs.  As a plus-size individual, it can feel as if the world is against you. You get shamed, you get talked about, and you get laughed at.  When we attempt to do something athletic, we have so many things against us. We can't find clothes that fit, and our family members don't support us. If you see me running a marathon, you should be asking yourself, why does he do it when there's no water or no medal at the finish line? I'm not doing it for anybody. I'm doing it for myself. And it's the satisfaction of achieving a seemingly impossible goal.  I ran five marathons in 2019, and d
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