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MN RUN Series Updates

Lake Minnetonka runner Mark shares his story

  • Caleb Olsen
  • Dec 31, 2020
  • 2 min read

Mark Fellows was one of the first runners to pick up his bib and shirt for the Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon on Thursday at Running Room Maple Grove. I got a chance to hear his inspiring story of why he runs. I asked him some questions to share with the MN RUN Series.


MNRS: What is your next race?

Mark: The Lake Minnetonka Half Marathon on May 5, 2019


MNRS: What is your goal for 2019?

Mark: My main goal is to have fun and to continue to enjoy running. Also to finish the Afton 50k trail run this year.


MNRS: What inspires you to run?

Mark: I was in a car accident back in 2006. I broke my right heal and arch of my foot. I had a truck pull out in front of me and I pushed the brake pedal so hard it went through the firewall of the car. Pushed the arch of my foot up 2 inches and stretched my heal and broke it in 4 pieces. The lower joints of my foot are fused. I have 3 plates with around 12 screws in my heal. I was told by 2 foot specialists that I would never be able to run. And probably would have problems walking. I listened to them first and after a while started to become depressed and started gaining weight. So I thought I better start doing something. I started eating differently and started going for walks which led to trying to jog. Which was not easy at first. It took a lot of playing around with shoes and inserts and different socks. And even how to land or lead off of my right foot. Then I started out walking a block then jogging a block. To jogging 2 blocks then walk one. To eventually being able to jog a mile. Then in march of 2016 I ran 3 miles without stopping. Then in spring of 2017 I ran the hot chocolate 15k and started getting into distance running. In may of 2017, I decided to try for a full marathon.


MNRS: What inspires you to run?

Mark: Being told I couldn't run fueled me to do it even more. I have proven to myself that anything is possible if you try. Fall of 2015 is when I decided to try and start running again. Started out walk/jogging and doing 3 miles in around 46 minutes. Then in spring of 2016, I signed up for my first 5k and ran it in 27 minutes. And I was hooked. I did 3 5k's in a row in May.


MNRS: What is one of your most memorable race experiences?

Mark: Crossing the finish line of my first full marathon. TCM 2017 under my goal time of 4 hours 30 minutes. It was an awesome accomplishment and an amazing experience.








 
 
 

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