“It’s kind of fun to do the impossible.” - Walt Disney
Who’s Behind This Impossible Blog?
My name is Joel Runyon. I used to be okay with the possible. Not anymore.
I’m a javelin-throwing, world, traveling, triathlete set on doing impossible things in order to tell a great story with my life. 
Some pretty great stories that I’ve had a chance to experience:
>> Traveled to France on 24 hours notice, spent 5 days homeless in Paris for less than $300
>> Threw Javelin for 2 years in College & won a National Championship with my team – while practicing on a middle school track.
>> Lived in the Dominican Republic for 3 1/2 months, got sick for 2 months straight and lost 20 pounds.
>> Lived with locals in the mountains of Jamaica for 5 weeks.
>> Run 10 Triathlons, a bunch of half marathons, a marathon and a half ironman [I'm currently training for an Ultramarathon]
>> Traveled to over 15 countries on 4 continents.
I’ve got a lot more impossible things and amazing stories on my list of impossible things – and they’re getting crossed off one by one. You can see my list of impossible things at the link below.
>> The Impossible List <<
The Blog of Impossible Things
I write here every Tuesday & Thursday. That’s twice a week and turns out to over a 100 posts/year. Occasionally I post stuff on the weekends when I’m feeling extra creative. You can follow along via RSS, email updates or just by checking back here every day if you want.
If you’re new to the blog, here are some good places to start [last updated January 29th, 2011]:
The Popular Ones [people really seem to like these]
- 25 Quotes To Inspire You To Do The Impossible
- 5 Great Early Morning Activities
- How To Keep Going When You Don’t Feel Like It
- How To Buy A Road Bike For $150
- In Case of Emergency
Lots Of Comments [these made people talk]:
- The Uncommon Start To A New Year: Spectacular Failure
- Originality is Overrated
- Apathetic Living and the Edges of Reality
- How To Keep Going When You Don’t Feel Like It
A Few of My Favorites [these are what I'm about]
- Experiences > Things
- My First Triathlon
- When Do You Give Up?
- Stretch Regularly
- How To Really Write About Stuff That Matters
I’ve contributed to a number of other blogs and you can read every single post I’ve written [even the bad ones] in the archives [it's one of my favorite ways to figure out what a blogger is about].
I’ve also created a word count tool, a tribute to boom, and the most gut wrenching site on the planet just for fun.
Why I Write Here
Your why behind your what is critical. It determines everything else you do.
Here’s mine:
My reason – I got tired. I got tired of living in the world of practical reality, only attempting the things in life that I thought were “possible.” When I traveled, I had a slew of amazing travel adventures, but when I came back stateside, there was nothing. No more travel, no more adventure, no more stories. I settled for the possible and life was boring.
I got tired of that and realized I didn’t want to live a boring life. I wanted to live a life where I did extraordinary things. I wanted to do things most people considered impossible. I wanted to do things that I considered impossible. But more importantly, I wanted to start living a great story with my life. So I set out to attempt impossible things and ever since, life has become a lot more fun.
>> You can read the a lot more about why I’m trying to tell a great story here <<
What To Do Next?
Read all that? I’m impressed. Chances are, if you got this far, you’ll want to do something next. Here’s a few good next steps.
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Or just leave a Comment on Your Favorite Post
Thank You
If you’re reading this, thank you. There’s a lot of noise on the internet and I appreciate you taking the time to be a part of my story & for paying attention to what I have to say. Thanks 
.
-Joel Runyon
Such a clean blog. Such a sterling life.
I look forward to reading on. Here’s to the impossible on Friday Jan 28, 2011
–m
Hey Joel!
Keep up the great work contending for the “impossible” things. It’s really inspiring that your life is an example and demonstration that the only limits that we really have are those that we impose on ourselves.
All the best in your endeavours!
Cheers,
Dominic
Thanks for the support Dominic!
I stumbled across your site and its one of the most inspiring things I’ve read and found. As someone who’s completed 3 marathons and having friends and family think I’m crazy for doing so, I feel like I can somewhat understand the exhilaration behind “doing the impossible.” Keep up the good work and I look forward to reading more about your pursuits and accomplishments!
-R
Thanks Ryan! Glad you enjoy the site
. Thanks for hanging out and keep doing the impossible!
This is one of the most beautiful blogs I have seen on the internet. Thank you!
#blush
I know someone who can help you learn to kitesurf. Check out http://www.cosmickites.com – they are based in Long Beach on Long Island in New York and give lessons there. They also have schools in the Caribbean, most notably in the DR in Cabarete. Mike is the owner, he’s a friend. Tell him I sent you!
Hey Joel, congrats on the triathlon. I found your blog when I was looking for the valpotri pictures. I noticed on your blog that we share a lot of common interests, although I am just now beginning… Keep it going man. This world is too round to live like it’s flat. Follow me up on twitter. Sabeder09
-Lucas
Hey Lucas, Thanks for saying hi. How was your time? The hills on that course absolutely kill me.
G’day Joel
I am another who has stumbled across this blog and I have spent the last 30 minutes going through stories and inspirational messages. You have done a great job. I am currently in training for the Noosa Tri (in Qld Australia) on Oct 31. I have done a few before, run 7 marathons and took my daughter skydiving for her 21st birthday present last month, so I understand the satisfaction you and your followers get from our “hobbies”. Keep up the good work, I’ll be reading.
G’day Joel
I am another who has stumbled across this blog and I have spent the last 30 minutes going through stories and inspirational messages. You have done a great job. I am currently in training for the Noosa Tri (in Qld Australia) on Oct 31. I have done a few before, run 7 marathons and took my daughter skydiving for her 21st birthday present last month, so I understand the satisfaction you and your followers get from our “hobbies”. Keep up the good work, I’ll be reading.
+1
First time I’ve visited your website. I love it. Thanks for everything you do.
Hope you can handle a 70 y/o woman having a “crush” on you, because I do. I admire your tenacity, your excitement for life, taking it on the “chin” to live your dream and knowing that when I leave this earth, someone is still living with my philosphy in life: “Do the impossible.” Having lived 4-5 lives in this one already, I look forward to the “next best thing”. Keep doing what you’re doing. You have my admiration, appreciation, and prayers. Author Joyce Godwin Grubbs
Hi Joel, love the site and love the concept. Did you do the Tough Mudder competition in Whistler, Canada this past weekend or are you doing it somewhere else?
Haven’t done it yet. Still looking for a good spot!
Came across this blog via a relative. You are such a positive and humble person, always thanking your readers. It’s very refreshing especially with all the snarky, sarcastic things all over the internet. Keep up the great work!
I am on my path doing something impossible too. Thanks, this blog is a good inspiration for me.
Joel,
You are awesome. Keep it up.
Laurel
And I had no idea that you were gonna say I was awesome when I told you that you were awesome. How awesome is that? Geezuz.
Just curious, How old are you.
25.
Dude, youre like a chick posting selfies on facebook. The only thing more sad than someone living a boring, wasted life, is someone who needs constant attention and social approval to do something slightly active with themselves.
Youre not that cool, you definitely dont know the first thing about being humble.
The ‘impossible’ thing for you to do now would be to take down this self glorifying web site and try living like a man.
Hey Alex!
I’m sorry you don’t think I’m cool. I certainly never said I was. In fact, if you look around the site, you’ll find me doing lots of “uncool” things.
Regardless, I hope you find something impactful to do with your life (it’d be a shame if all you did was comment on other people’s websites).
ummm, wow. I love you already. This is going to be a very long blogger/bloggie relationship.
I love you too
Nothing is “impossible”..
in fact “impossible” really means I’M Possible