Chase your dreams and don't stop until you've outrun everyone | Ed Ettinghausen | TEDxTemecula

At 31 years old, Ed's dream of completing a 26.2 mile marathon was crushed after a mere three miles. Fifteen years after the dream was buried and forgotten, starting anew, putting one foot in front of the other, he hasn't stopped. He soon realized the dream of not just completing a marathon, but broke the world record for most marathons in a year, followed by the world record for most 100 mile races in a year. Keep Calm & Jester On . . .

I loved running as a kid, and ran everywhere. As a 31 year old adult, I attempted to run a marathon, but failed before getting to mile four. I was told my knees were ruined. 15 years later, at the ripe old age of 46, I attempted to run a marathon once again - and this time I finished.

Within three years I attempted to break the world record for most marathon races in one year, and completed that goal. Three years later, I attempted to break the world record for most 100 mile races in one year, realizing that quest by finishing 40 races of 100 miles or longer in 2014.

In less than seven years, I've completed over 200 marathons, in addition to 111 races of 100 miles or longer, including seven 6-day races, completing over 400 miles five times. I've set three American 50-54 age group records, including breaking the 6-day record, on three separate occasions. I've now completed more races of 100 mile length or longer, than all but one American, and two other people in the world.


This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at http://ted.com/tedx