Race Team Member Josh Wheeler
Josh Wheeler
Age: 20
Occupation: Graduate School Assistant Exercise Physiology Appalachian State University
I am an undergraduate pre-medical student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. I am currently majoring in exercise physiology with minors in biology and chemistry. I plan to attend medical school and have aspirations of entering into a dual degree M.D./Ph.D program. Long term, I see myself working in a clinical setting with cancer patients and trying to solve biomedical problems in a research based environment.
I got my start in endurance sports at an early age. I ran my first marathon on my thirteenth birthday and completed my first ultra-marathon by the age of 16. I wrestled throughout high school and was inducted last year into the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame. During my senior year of high school, I was diagnosed with brain cancer and was told I would never be able to wrestle again. I shifted my athletic pursuits towards excelling in triathlon and have not looked back since. My first year on the triathlon circuit, I was ranked the top junior in the Southeastern United States and received All-American status nationally.
The following year marked my freshman year in college and I managed without ever having completed a full season in of cross country in high school to walk onto Appalachian State’s cross country team. I ran in the top ten on the team the entire season as we eventually won the Southern Conference title. That year I competed at both national competitions in Triathlon and placed in the top 100 overall each time. However, it has really been between 2008-2009 that I have managed to breakout on the endurance scene. This past year, I have been able to drop over thirty minutes on my half-ironman PR, improved my Olympic Distance PR by more than ten minutes and finished in elite level times at every stand alone running competition I have entered.
Over the last few years, I have had the privilege to represent the Rock/Creek Race Team at a number of endurance events. It is through R/C’s passion and support that I have been able to strive to achieve what at first would appear lofty aspirations. As of late, I compete predominately in the ultra-running/trail running; however, I have a varied past in triathlon and marathon running.
The upcoming year promises to present many challenges. As I start the application process for medical school, balance the rigors of studying for the MCAT and judging a 20hr science curriculum, running provides me with a release. It allows me to step back from the big picture and simply take a deep, calming breath. Whether it is snowshoeing across a snowy bald in North Carolina, running through Africa or getting out at before the sunrise, running gives me balance. It is my art form.
Favorite Favorite Place to Run:
My favorite place to run has been at the base of Mt. Kilimonjaro in Tanzania. Over the summer of 2009, my girlfriend and I traveled to Tanzania to assist in a school for mentally and physically disabled children. This remains to this date one of my greatest memories.
Please feel free to visit my race blog at www.jrwheeler.blogspot.com
What I like most about running:
"I am a running addict. There are not many things I do not like about running.
The freedom and independence running brings after a long day of work or school is most rewarding to me."
I also enjoy being able to eat whatever I want whenever I want. I am passionate about the lifestyle and the running community.
Tips for other runners:
Skip the track work and head out for a tempo run. Build up your threshold and have fun. Train to race but always race your own race. Try to laugh more, its good for you
2009 Fall Race Re-cap and Accomplishments:
Rock/Creek Stage Race – Stage 1 – 1st place, CR
Rock/Creek Stage Race – Stage 2 – 1st place, CR
Odyssey 40mi Rampage Run – 1st Place, CR
Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k – 1st Place, CR
Raleigh City of Oaks Marathon – 4th Place, 3rd American - 2:40:23
Rock/Creek UpChuck 50k – 1st Place, CR
Rock/Creek Lookout Mountain 100k - *50mi – 1st Place
What are your 2010 Running Goals?
My 2010 goals are a little different than in past years. I am looking to enter into a number of ultra runs ranging from the half-marathon to the 100k and hopefully can find the same level of fulfillment and satisfaction that 2009 brought. I will be starting the 2010 season off at the Mt. Mitchell Challenge (weather permitting).
Race Results 9/30/2007 – 11/08/08
South Carolina Half-Ironman, 9/30/07 Total Time: 4:42:37
1st Age-Group (M18-24), 5th Elite, 14th OA (out of 750)
The South Carolina Half-Ironman marked my first race at the Half-Ironman Distance. I managed a race best run after battling the wind, hills and heat to finish in the top five elites overall.
Rock/Creek StumpJump 50k 10/06/07 Total Time: 4:41:26
4th OA (out of 500)
After running off course twice, I managed to finish fourth overall against a who’s who of the US ultra-marathon scene. The day recorded the hottest temperature in history for the sixth of October. This was the week after my first half-ironman race and marked only my second race at the 50k distance.
Charlotte Thunder Road Marathon 12/8/07 Total Time: 2:47:38
3rd OA (out of 5500)
The Charlotte Marathon was only my second race at the marathon distance. I trained specifically for this race for two weeks. I ran off the front alone for the entire race until the final three miles to finish third overall and qualify for an elite start at the Boston Marathon in 2009.
Scenic City Half Marathon 3/1/08 Total Time: 1:14:56
1st OA (out of 500+)
I used this race to determine pacing for the Florida 70.3 in May. I lead from the start to the finish to win by over a minute and a half on an extremely difficult course.
Florida Great Escape Triathlon 3/9/08 Total Time: 1:19:27
17th OA (out of 500+)
I raced in the elite field against some of best triathletes in the world. The entire Canadian Olympic Team was present along with a strong showing of USATs best ITU athletes not to mention a mix of ironman champions. First triathlon of the 2008 season, splitting one of the fastest 5k run splits of the day.
Collegiate Triathlon Nationals 4/19/08 Total Time: 2:07:33
43rd OA (out of 750+)
I qualified and raced in the first elite wave for this race. I had one of the quicker bike/run splits of the day for a very , challenging course against some of the best competition in the US.
Ford Ironman Florida 70.3 5/19/08 Total Time: 4:30:44
1st AG (M18-24), 29th OA (out of 1995), 14th,, OA amateur
I targeted this race early in the year in order to qualify for Clearwater 70.3 World Championships. I had a great swim/bike/run in extremely hot conditions that saw numerous World Champions DNF. I collapsed at mile 12 of the run due to heat but was able to crawl across the finish line to win my age-group.
Duke Half-Ironman 9/14/08 Total Time: 4:32:19
5th OA (out of 750+)
Both the bike and the run course proved to be extremely challenging. I had a great bike/run split to finish top five overall against a very tough professional field.
Toronto Goodlife Half-Marathon Total Time: 1:16:05
Top American finisher, 13th OA (out of 5000+ people)
This was my first international race. I led the race for about two miles and ended up splitting an extremely fast initial 13k. I had a very solid finish against a very tough professional field through downtown Toronto, Ontario in extremely cold conditions.
Clearwater World Championships 70.3 Total Time: 4:12:30
9th AG (18-24), 56th Amateur, 104th OA
I had a great race and a solid finish in what turned out to be the most competitive age group at this year’s world championships. Knowing that I am capable of a ten minute faster run off the bike than what I split this year at Clearwater is encouraging because it means next year I will be in contention for an overall top ten amateur finish.
Please feel free to visit my race blog at www.jrwheeler.blogspot.com
Previous races:
2:46.23 Charlotte Marathon – 3rd Overall 2007
Collegiate Cross Country at Appalachian State – SoCon Champions 2006
#1 Junior in the Southeast for Triathlon 2006
Honorable Mention All-American Triathlon 2006
4th Overall StumpJump 50k 2007
12th Overall, 5th Elite South Carolina 70.3 2007
Cancer Survivor
Josh was inducted into the TN Chapter of the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2007 >>
Support Josh's fundraising efforts for the National Brain Tumor Foundation >>
Read Josh's Trail Running Gear Guide >>
Read a Times-Free Press article about Josh overcoming brain cancer [PDF] >>
Optic Nerve supports Josh and raises funds for cancer research >>
Josh's Favorite Winter & Spring Trail Running Gear:
