The 'Real' Story Behind Steve Runner

It was like working for Baby Herman from the 'Roger Rabbit' movie. He was so nice when he was behind the mike but ranting and raving when he was off mike. He once asked me to ask the Race Director of the Marine Corps Marathon to re-start the race THREE times because he kept on flubbing his first line. Just impossible. --former assistant producer of the SteveRunner.com podcast

Nay. I come not to bury Steve Runner, but to praise him!

I didn't think I was going to write on this particular subject until later in the year. But, events during the Boston Marathon have changed my mind.

If you don't know who Steve Runner is, that's ok. This is a life lesson I think you may enjoy. Steve (Walker) Runner is a fellow runner who lives in Oxford, Massachusetts. He produces a podcast called Phedippidations. (You will see it on the right as one of my favorite websites).

Steve and I have been friends for the past twenty-two years. We used to work as radio engineers at an all-news station in Boston. We got out of the business (Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be radio engineers!) but both still have an interest in the media. Steve started his own website with a blog. About two years ago, he decided to create a 'goofy little' running podcast instead of the blog, because, it gave him a chance to talk to 'someone' when he was out training. Steve imagined only 10 people or so would listen to him on a regular basis. He doesn't do it for money but for the love of the sport.

This year, Steve had an opportunity to run in the Boston Marathon. So each week, for the past 3 months or so, he described what he did to prepare himself and his thoughts and feelings on the runup to the marathon. He asked people who enjoyed his podcast to subscribe to a newsgroup to follow his race.

Something happened yesterday that I could never have imagined. As Steve was running, people from all over the world were cheering him by e-mail. E-mails from Australia, Hong Kong, Netherlands, England, Colombia, up, down and across the United States, everywhere were coming in with words of encouragement and cheering him on. (One e-mail from Canada said it best: I could almost hear those cheers coming into my inbox throughout the day. In fact, it reminded me of your gift to us last fall - the "shouts of encouragement" episode for the 1st Annual P.W.W.H.M.C. I felt like we could finally return the favour in some small way. And it was also great to hear that John let you know about the huge crowd of supporters following your every step. There's nothing quite like real-time positive feedback :-)) People talked about what an inspiration he is and how he has changed their lives for the better. (I just found out that he is a YouTube star as well!) http://youtube.com/watch?v=c02kszt4IE8. It was amazing to take it all in from this side of the race.

I talked to Steve today and he told me that he thinks hypothermia was setting in at mile 22. He spoke to his running mentor at mile 22 and was thinking of quitting at that point. His mentor told him about the hundreds of e-mails coming in from around the world cheering him on. He found, within himself, the fortitude to go on based on all the well-wishers. He did finish the race and was happy with what he had done that day.

I tell this, not to be a name dropper that I KNOW Steve Runner, but as observation of what you can accomplish in this world today. Steve took a simple idea of a podcast and a love of media and running, and put it out there for all to hear. Through no means of advertising but strictly by word of mouth or by sheer accident, people started to latch on and care about who Steve Runner is. He had no idea that what he had done would change, entertain, encourage, touch the lives of hundreds (if not thousands) of people around the world. Think about it. AROUND THE WORLD! Just because he thought it would be fun. Yesterday's chain of e-mails amazed me, beyond belief, of how small our planet has become.

If you get a chance and need something new for your MP3 player, download Steve's podcast.

Steve, I am very proud of you, buddy, not just for your valiant effort in the wind and cold of the Boston marathon. But, also, for finding a way for all of us from around the globe to virtually cheer you on and make it feel we were there, under the Pru on Boylston Street, as you crossed the finish.

(I found out yesterday that Steve is changing his mind and is now thinking about racing against me at the Falmouth Road Race in August. I told him already that I will be waiting at the finish line with a nice, frosty Sam Adams after I beat him in the race.)