Sam Thompson

Bio:

Sam Thompson, an avid ultra marathoner and a Mississippi native, has been in the small town of Bay St. Louis, Mississippi since the day after Hurricane Katrina came ashore on August 29, 2005. After completing a run of the Appalachian Trail (over 2,000 miles) about three years ago, Sam had the compulsion to run 50 marathons in 50 days in 50 states. The idyllic nature of his run across the nation felt appealing to reach people both on the local and national level, a voyage to reawaken the nation to the struggles that still remain on the Gulf Coast.

Sam established what began as a small relief effort and has since blossomed into an operation now employing an average of more than 100 volunteers daily. This operation serves mainly the Bay St. Louis/Waveland area, and strives to aid those most in need, though the need is so great for all.

On July 1st, Sam began his 50 marathons in 50 states in 50 days to raise money for hurricane Katrina Relief in the Run for Hope. Sam will complete the journey in Bay Saint Louis, Mississippi on August 19th and will continue to lead relief efforts there while continuing training.

Follow his quest at www.50in50in50.com

Birthdate:

10/24/1980

Nickname:

Flash was my trailname on the Appalachian Trail (I think both for the speed at which I was moving, and the fact that I didn’t typically wear more clothes than were necessary).

Favorite Destination:

France somewhere out in the boonies.

Favorite The North Face Product:

Though I’m not sure what the technical name for it is, I love The North Face hand water bottle holder- the bra kind of thing that goes on the water bottle and holds it to your hand. I double fisted and used these for my first hundred miler a few weeks ago, and they were fantastic. It’s great that it really holds to your hand- not the other way around. I don’t feel like I have to exert any extra ounce of energy to grip the bottles- they just cling to me, and it’s awesome. They’re also extremely lightweight and wicking, so there’s no discomfort at all.

Proudest Moment:

I guess it would have to be August 19, 2006, the day I ran my last marathon of the 51 in Bay St. Louis, MS. When I crossed the finish line surrounded by hundreds of precious friends and family, all the emotion of what had just happened over the last 50 days came rushing in, and to have the whole town come out to show their love and support was incredible. Since I had been running to help the coast, it was so humbling and amazing to see so many people there so proud of me and thankful for my efforts. It was amazing.

Cause(s):

I’m most passionate about people helping people, specifically people using their own unique talents for the good of others. Because it is near and dear to my heart, I am definitely still very passionate about the Gulf Coast region and the vast continuing needs that exist there, and unfortunately will continue to exist for years to come.

Words To Live By:

Kiss the joy as it flies!

Favorite Moment In History:

I just love reading about and watching old races, etc. of Steve Prefontaine, so the epic history that he left us is my favorite piece of running history I guess. He loved this sport so much and truly embodied the unbridled spirit of running for me. I’d say that his legend lives strong even today, and has contributed at least in some way to the current running boom, especially of marathoning and ultramarathoning.

Most Recent Epic:

Completing 51 marathon distance runs in 50 consecutive days in 50 states + D.C., although I guess completing my first 100 miler was even more recent than that, and that, too, was certainly epic.

Most Humbling Moment:

Well, this was probably in 2005 at a trail marathon in Texas called the Grasslands Run. It was a completely miserable day weather-wise (freezing cold, pouring rain, sloppy mud almost the entire course), but I made the trek and got to the start line right on time. I wasn’t wearing much, so I took off like a crazy man when the gun fired and was just cruising, trying to stay warm. Anyway, I just kept running and running and running, never seeing anyone around me, and eventually as I realized I was almost to the end, I started to get very excited about winning the marathon. So I admit I began building up in my mind an exciting fanfare at the finish of cheering fans and swooning women, and as the finish line came into sight, I saw no such thing. I then remembered that it was still freezing cold, pouring rain, and muddier than anywhere I’d ever been. I crossed the nondescript finish line, winning the marathon, and the only fanfare was the man huddled there under his umbrella with the stopwatch and clipboard who mumbled my time and a modest congratulations. And that was it.

Weakness:

Coffee. I absolutely love it, and can’t keep my hands off it. My recent move to Seattle certainly hasn’t quelled this desire much either.

Inspiration Within the Sport:

People around the globe continually pushing the limits- not just the presupposed limits of society (i.e., it’s humanly impossible to run 51 marathons in 50 consecutive days), but also and probably even more so, seeing people push their own individual limits to stretch themselves. I love the out and back parts of marathons and ultras, because it gives me the opportunity to see face to face hundreds and hundreds of athletes on all levels in the same boat, each one pushing themselves to a common goal, but with totally unique reasons and challenges. I think it inspires me most to see someone push themselves to their own personal limit (whether it’s their first 5k, 10k, marathon, or 100 miler) in order to make a difference for someone else.

Web Site:

www.50in50in50.com