Featured Runner “Adam Monaghan” October 2018

October 12th, 2018 Tags: amazing, badassery, Being Epic, Featured Runners, motivation, perseverance, ultrarunning, unstoppable, why

Posted in Announcements, Featured Runners, Funny, Inspirational, Motivational, Personal Philosophies, Preferences & Opinions, Tips, Training

Adam taking on “The Rock”

In lieu of a formal bio, here are several fast facts about Adam Monaghan:

FlatRock 50K “Hall of Pain” Inductee #12 (2015)
Current president of Kansas Ultrarunners Society
Race Director of the KUS 6/12/24 in November
Has run marathons in 30 U.S. states and counting
Winner of a 50K…but there were only 4 finishers
He has served as a pacer for more than 20 marathons
Had the opportunity to run in 20+ countries around the world
Loves running in the early wee morning hours of 4-6am
Thinks that ultrarunners are some of the friendliest athletes and people in the world
First decade of his working career included working in the church world with event planning and leading dozens of international trips
“Si, habla español!”
Adam had summited 23 of Colorado’s 14,000+ foot mountains
Loves his family profoundly and considers it his highest life ambition to love them well

THE BASICS

Date of Birth: February, 1983.

Place of Birth: Great Bend, Kansas.

Currently Residing: Wichita, KS.

Marital Status: Married

Job(s): Currently work for a non-profit serving homeless families and still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

Children: 4 little ones, 1 girl and 3 mini-me boys.

Height: 6’0

Weight: 180

Shoe Size: 12

Best Physical Feature: Friends have affectionately named my running calves “Adam & Adam”.

Religion: Christian

Political Affiliation: Progressive

Educational Background: Masters from Friends University, Undergrad at Barclay College.

Personal Strength(s): I like to make life happen and not just sit back and watch.

Personal Weakness(es): Same

Make Of Car You Drive: 2004 Toyota Avalon with lots of scratches and dents.

Favorite Car I Used To Drive: 1997 Ford Crown Victoria that I put 380,000 miles on in 16 years of owning it.

Pets: No way…see line about 4 kids!

FAVORITES

Favorite Podcasts: NYT The Daily.

Favorite Movie: Lethal Weapon from the 90s.

Favorite TV Show: The West Wing, The Waltons, Boston Legal.

Favorite Spectator Sport: Baseball

Favorite Subject in School: Debate & Forensics.

Favorite Vacation Destination: Rocky Mountains.

Favorite Time Of Day: 4:30am with coffee.

Favorite Item of Clothing: Race T-shirts, of course (but you can only wear shirts from the races you’ve personally finished under the cutoff), or if you have RD’d, or volunteered at them!

Favorite Non-Running Leisure Activity: Hiking 14ers in the Rocky Mountains.

Favorite Running Shoe: Asics

Favorite Food/Drink Before An Ultra: Bananas and oatmeal.

Favorite Food/Drink During An Ultra: Ginger Ale.

Favorite Food/Drink After An Ultra: Chocolate milk.

Favorite Crew/Pacer Person(s): My wife.

Favorite Place To Run: Country roads.

Favorite Type Of Running Surface: Gravel

Favorite Famous Quote: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” –John Maxwell

ULTRA STUFF

Number of Years Running Ultras: 11

Number of Ultras Finished: I have finished 77 ultras (including 18, 100-mile finishes) in addition to 69 marathons in 30 U.S. states.

Best Ultra Performance(s): 2010 Heartland 100 where I got my 100-mile PR of 22:24. I threw up at mile 51 and sure felt like quitting but recovered nicely. I have gotten within minutes several times since then, but never can quite beat that PR.

Most Memorable Ultra: I have some great DNF stories, including from the Canadian Death Race (grizzly bear and hypothermia), Leadville (altitude sickness and what I now realize was a case of wussitis) and lots of snow at PST in 2013.

Typical Training Week(s) Before A Major Race: My training plan basically consists year round of running every chance I get, which usually works out to 5 early mornings a week, almost always with my loyal and faithful running friends who also like to wake up early. So, I don’t really taper before and generally “run to recover” after.

Injuries: None yet.

Ultrarunning Idol: Dennis Haig

Why Do You Run Ultras: My friend Allen Smelser put me up to it starting with FlatRock in 2007…kind of on a dare and then I was hooked.

Race Directing Experience: Had the opportunity to serve as Race Director for 20 races in the last 8 years from 5Ks to 100 mile/24 hour races.

ACHIEVEMENTS / GOALS / MEMORIES

Personal Philosophy: Rather fond of the golden rule.

Short-Term Goal: Stay injury free and keep running fun and life-giving.

Long-Term Goal: Run a marathon in all 50 United States and some day I want to qualify for the Boston Marathon.

Most Prized Possession: My race medals and race bibs – I have saved them all and have them properly displayed.

Happiest Memory: Birth of my first born.

Secret Ambition/Fantasy: I have already accomplished my number one life goal: FlatRock Hall of Pain – Bib #12 (2015).

Adam being knighted into the FlatRock Hall of Pain.

Greatest Adventure: Traveling to Bhutan in 2017.

DISLIKES / FEARS

Least Liked Subject: Science

Least Liked Household Chore: Cooking

Greatest Fear: Snakes

SPARE TIME

Book Currently Reading: “Lasting Happiness in a Changing World: The Book of Joy” about the Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.

What’s Next: 2018 New Year’s Resolution was to NOT run a 100 mile race and I have held to that so far through October! Only 2 more months and I can start planning my next one in 2019. I am just running several marathons and a couple 50Ks this year…at this point.

Adam’s Heartland 100 finisher pic – successfully finished 8 times.