**This episode release was delayed for the past 8 months due to legal reasons. As such, it has been held deep inside the PRP vault, safeguarded by nanners, until now...**
In this special bonusode of the PRP Adam rambles on over to Philadelphia to catch up with dear friend, seasoned ultra runner & post doctoral fellow extraordinaire Mikel Haggadone who has been preparing for the Wakely Dam 55K on July 29th, 2023. Things get immediately vulnerable as Mike shares a detailed and frightening account of a recent accident he was involved in. While attempting to cross the street on the last mile of one of his final training runs heading into race week, Mike was the unfortunate victim of a hit and run accident and was struck by a vehicle going 30 MPH.
The lads take time to reflect on this horrific accident and use his experience as a catalyst to discuss some of their recent challenges with grief-based mental health hurdles they’ve both been navigating. Although this accident sent Mike to the emergency room and has forced him to make the tough decision to withdraw from the race, what it can’t take away is his sense of pride, his gratitude for life and his appreciation for his tight knit community who is there to support him, rain or shine.
The gentlemen then evolve their conversation to the topic of movement in the form of racing vs adventuring. Having both gone through multi-year injury struggles, they’ve both, in independent ways, been forced to reevaluate and reshape their relationships with running. These days, it’s less about fast times and podiums and more about forms of the sport that encompass and allow for the creation of running as form of art, exploration and adventure.
Just how fucking LAWLESS is Philly?! Trolly say toot toot? Is Mike running ultra marathon’s during government issued heat warnings?! Pizzaterian?! Yep, it’s raining, it's lightening & it's thundering! What’s with Mike’s love affair with hats?? Mail time! Humid nanners?! Bears, canyons & Underoath, oh my! All this and loads more in this ponderous, stoic & bromance-filled episode of the PRP.
Explain that Strava section:
Sponsors
Ann Arbor Running Company
Recorded Monday July 24th @ 1PM EST