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You are here: Home / Fitness / People Are Awesome

People Are Awesome

July 22, 2010 By Joel Runyon 42 Comments

Note: was going to attach this post at the end of my last one, but as I wrote it, it kept getting longer and longer, so I decided to just make it it’s own post.

People are awesome.

Seriously. People are way more awesome than we give them credit for.

Yes, there are a handful of jerks whose sole existence is to suck the life, dreams & happiness from you because they’re upset about their own unfulfilling existence, but there are way more awesome people out there than you think, and I’m glad I know so many of them.

This really came about from just observing on Saturday. Running the triathlon on was really awesome, but what was almost even cooler than that was seeing the support coming from those not running it. I honestly was floored to see all the people cheering everyone on as they went through the course and crossed the finish line. That was really awesome.

With that in mind, here’s a short list of people I’m grateful for:

  • Kyle for agreeing to run the triathlon with me.
  • My brother for letting me steal his bike [even if it wasn’t triathlon appropriate].
  • My sister for helping me try to smash my bike into my Ford Taurus as I tried to bring it to Valparaiso.
  • My sister’s old roommate for letting me steal and use her bike rack when I realized my bike was NOT going to fit INSIDE of my car.
  • My Mom & Dad for randomly driving 2 hours to come and watch without telling me.
  • The guy with the sprinkler out in his yard pointed right at us as we ran by his house in the 90+ degree heat.
  • Everybody on my facebook wall & page for the encouragement.

The support on Facebook was amazing but I was absolutely blown away by twitter. Seriously, my twitter feed was blowing up Saturday as I seemed to get congratulations from almost everyone including: Matt, Nina, Sarah, Haidn, Mark, Jess, David, Mark, Patrick, Nate, Kara, Trever, Steve, Tyler.

[On the off chance I missed your tweet and/or left you off the list, let me know and I’ll make it up to you. I screw up sometimes.]

Thanks for the encouragement before, during and after the race.  I honestly really do appreciate it. I’ve said before that surrounding yourself with the right people is essential if you want to do impossible things, so I wanted to say a big thanks to those of you that were a part of that. You are all seriously awesome.

Also, If you’re awesome [hint: chances are you are if you’re reading this] and we haven’t met, emailed, twittered, skyped, etc or you know someone who’s awesome and I should get to know, get at me and we’ll figure out a time. I’d love to hear more about the impossible things you’re doing and if there’s anything I can do to help.

Keep Being Awesome

###

Joel

Speaking of awesome people, I’m meeting up with a bunch of awesome people tonight. The Indy meetup of Way Below Status Quo Roadtrip is tonight. Colin Wright [Exile Lifestyle], Andi Norris [Instigationology], and Ashley Ambirge [The Middle Finger Project] are swinging through Indy on their way from New York To LA. Adam Baker [ManVsDebt] is organizing a meetup just south of Indy. If you’re in the area check out the event, RSVP and come on out. We’d love to see you.

10 bonus points to the first person who knows how many times I used the word “awesome” in this post.

[Photo Credit]

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Filed Under: Fitness, Hacks Tagged With: Awesome, Bill & Ted, Encouragement, People, People Are Awesom, Support, Triathlon

About Joel Runyon

I started IMPOSSIBLE to push myself to try to live a life worth writing about by pushing my limits, living an adventure & telling a great story by doing the impossible. You can get free updates in your inbox via your new favorite newsletter, free fitness training tutorials, and see all my businesses at Impossible X and our philanthropic efforts at Impossible.org

Comments

  1. Tyler Tervooren says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:40 pm

    When you decide to go after something, the world conspires to help you get it. Way to go, Joel.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 22, 2010 at 1:23 pm

      Can I steal that quote?

      Reply
  2. Matt says

    July 22, 2010 at 12:48 pm

    You’re awesome Joel! Love your site and what you are doing. It’s been really great to connect with you recently. You’ve been a real encouragement to me. Keep rockin’ it!!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 22, 2010 at 4:04 pm

      Matt-
      Loved getting to know you the past few weeks. Looking forward to doing it more!

      Reply
  3. Patrick Hitches says

    July 22, 2010 at 1:30 pm

    Love it brother!! Right back at ya!! ha

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 22, 2010 at 4:54 pm

      Haha, Thanks Patrick. Pumped for what you’re doing. Keep me posted when it goes live!

      Reply
  4. David Crandall says

    July 22, 2010 at 2:10 pm

    I’m so glad that you felt the love! I’m also glad that Twitter is such a place of encouragement; I feel it there too.

    Rock on, buddy!

    PS – @IgniteAdventure’s name is actually Mark. 🙂

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 22, 2010 at 3:59 pm

      Thanks David! I’ve been amazed at how Twitter connects people. Absolutely blown away.

      Re: @ignite adventure – I know, I just got in touch with him the other day. I actually meant to call you and him out in the post but I was writing your name and linked his account. That will teach me to try and multitask. I’ve fixed it now!

      Reply
      • David Crandall says

        July 22, 2010 at 4:55 pm

        HAHA! That’s awesome. I have a bunch of Tweets that I look back at and think “What was I doing when hit update on that? It doesn’t even make sense!” At least your’s didn’t look bizarre. 🙂

        Funny too that you would combine us because Mark and I talk on Skype all the time. Speaking of which… 😉

        Reply
        • Joel Runyon says

          July 23, 2010 at 4:03 pm

          One of these days I’ll get an editor…

          Then again, maybe not =)

          Reply
        • Mark Lawrence says

          July 24, 2010 at 10:17 am

          Haha, I love this conversation stream guys. This isn’t the first time someone has mixed up David and I. Anyways I can’t believe I just saw this message stream until now. Congrats on the triathlon again!

          Reply
          • Joel Runyon says

            July 24, 2010 at 5:52 pm

            Thanks Mark! It was definitely of a case of me typing faster than I’m able to think [something that happens more often than not].

            Do people mix you two up often?

  5. Sarah says

    July 22, 2010 at 5:26 pm

    Hey, thanks for the mention! It’s really easy to be encouraging when you come across someone who has goals and is really going after them. It’s selfish really, I encourage you, you do impossible things, and I get inspired and go after my own “impossible” list. Everybody wins. 🙂 Anyway, congrats again! Can’t wait to read about your other triathlons, especially once you get the proper bike.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 23, 2010 at 4:06 pm

      Haha, Dang bike =)

      Reply
  6. Chris says

    July 22, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    By my count, you used awesome 12 times throughout the post. So give me those bonus points. Oh we should skype できるだけ早く!Thats the Japanese equivalent of ASAP

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 23, 2010 at 4:07 pm

      Sorry Chris. David already guessed it…plus it’s technically 13 if you count the title =)

      Reply
  7. Nate says

    July 22, 2010 at 9:30 pm

    People ARE awesome, including you man. I’m glad you posted this. I’ve had similar experiences where it’s just amazing the support that comes from people, many of whom you’ve never even met in person. It’s something that a lot of people still don’t understand, but it’s very real.

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 23, 2010 at 4:14 pm

      That’s what I love about blogging & twitter. You can connect/meet people you would have never had the chance to before.

      You’re right, it can be hard to understand but it’s still very cool.

      Reply
  8. Haidn Foster says

    July 23, 2010 at 4:41 pm

    Hey Joel,

    Now I’m holding you accountable to root for me when I go for a marathon! (Now just to get past, oh, the 2 mile mark?) 😛

    By the way, look at the reciprocity in action even in this post–thanking all these awesome people, and already this article’s gotten more comments than just about any other on the site. Pretty cool.

    Best,
    Haidn

    P.S. As mentioned elsewhere, you’re pretty awesome yourself.

    P.P.S. Love the photo for this post.

    Reply
  9. Joel Runyon says

    July 23, 2010 at 5:23 pm

    I was hoping someone would pick up on the photo =)

    Truth about reciprocity – it’s all about how you treat people =) although this article still holds the record for monster # of comments – http://www.impossiblehq.com/5-great-early-morning-activities

    As for your marathon, keep me posted. Do you have a date picked out yet?

    Reply
  10. Haidn Foster says

    July 23, 2010 at 5:32 pm

    No, the marathon is definitely a longer-term goal. I just watched a few documentaries on marathons, and I thought: now that’s something I’d like to do. What a great challenge though.

    Haidn

    Reply
  11. roe says

    July 23, 2010 at 9:43 pm

    um, hellllo. What about those who suggest awesome blog names?

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 24, 2010 at 1:40 am

      Those who suggest awesome blog names are implicitly awesome =)

      I owe you big time 😉

      Reply
  12. Trever Clark says

    July 23, 2010 at 9:47 pm

    Hey man – Thanks for the shout out. It’s been good talking to recently. Congrats again on the Tri, and I’m looking forward to seeing what’s next!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 24, 2010 at 1:41 am

      Definitely man, You’ve got some big things ahead yourself! Excited to see what you do.

      Reply
  13. Nina says

    July 26, 2010 at 8:59 pm

    Joel, YOU are awesome!! 😀 Such positive, energetic people can only attract more positive and energetic people to you!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      July 27, 2010 at 9:45 am

      Thanks Nina!
      Next time I’m in Chicago, we should definitely meet up!

      Reply
  14. Rick says

    February 28, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    Wow, this post is awesome and I’m RT’ing it right now! I use the word “awesome” way too much, so I just had to read this post, and I love it! Thanks for being awesome, Joel, and for writing such amazing stuff. You’re truly inspiring. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      February 28, 2011 at 11:58 pm

      Awesome Rick. 🙂

      Reply
  15. Rick says

    February 28, 2011 at 10:55 pm

    Hmmm, what do I have to do so that my pic shows instead of the generic icon?

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      February 28, 2011 at 11:57 pm

      Gravatar –> http://en.gravatar.com/

      Reply
  16. Kate says

    May 19, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    Have you seen the youtube video called ‘People are Awesome”? Worth checking out- while it’s pretty insane things, it’s still really inspiring. People ARE awesome!

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      May 20, 2011 at 2:24 pm

      You mean this one? Yea, it’s pretty awesome.

      Reply
  17. Yvonne Totty says

    December 8, 2011 at 9:15 am

    I am so glad I found this site Joel! There are a few things that I want to do that I have considered impossible.

    Just after one day of ‘knowing’ you, I am closer to thinking it is possible!

    Thanks so much for sharing!

    Reply
  18. Sergio Felix says

    December 21, 2011 at 12:03 pm

    That’s pretty cool man, congratulations on finishing your triathlon!

    For an awesome and amazing video, check out Running The Sahara, it’s pretty rad!

    Sergio

    Reply
    • Joel Runyon says

      December 28, 2011 at 8:32 pm

      I’ll check it out. Sounds like it could be a good fit with Nerve Rush.

      Reply
  19. Jessica Sopko says

    February 2, 2012 at 8:12 am

    I joined your site yesterday, it was recommended by my good friend Johnny Nasello. I’m reading your amazing email this morning and getting excited inside… I have some thinking to do about Why!!! I look forward to sharing my story & doing the Impossible….
    Have an Awesome Day!
    Jess

    Reply
  20. Ian Robinson says

    April 7, 2012 at 9:34 am

    Phew. People are awesome…. But running a triathlon is crazy. Good on you for roughing that maddness out. Phew!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Episode #37 – 5 Reader Questions about Location Independence and Business says:
    July 29, 2010 at 5:02 am

    […] “People are Awesome” we are pretty sure Joel is […]

    Reply
  2. I’ll Never Make A Dime From This Blog | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    December 16, 2010 at 11:59 am

    […] is a networking tool This blog gives me the chance to meet a lot of really awesome people. I’ve had a chance to connect with people from all over the world and meet people that I never […]

    Reply
  3. People Are What You Expect Them To Be | Blog Of Impossible Things says:
    June 21, 2011 at 10:26 am

    […] have a different theory. I think people are awesome. Most people are good and are capable of doing amazing, impossible […]

    Reply
  4. The Indy Monumental Half Marathon: Half as hard, Twice as Painful | IMPOSSIBLE says:
    October 19, 2013 at 3:03 am

    […] time was slower than most and I was pushing the 2 hour mark. I know people are awesome, but I was really becoming impressed that people were cheering so loudly for someone so far back in […]

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