9RUN6

Name: David Thesell

Twitter:@davidthesell

Instagram: daveyvintage

Originally from …. the San Fernando Valley (Odelay!) but I’ve lived most of my life in Fair Oaks.

How I found 9RUN6 … I owe it all to Brad “The Beast” Bernel. He told me about it at a holiday party and invited for the next workout, which was December 31, 2014. I had read a Runner’s World article on the November Project and I stoked to try. Really a HUGE shout out of thanks to Brad, he picks me up at my house every morning for the workouts.

What 9RUN6 means to me …Accountability and fun. By myself, I won’t miss a long run, but I struggle with doing workout routines such as this alone. I can count on a great workout with some fun people. There’s a lot of laughs and a whole lot of liquid awesome! And these workouts complement my running perfectly.
Favorite race distance …I love to run long on trail, so the 50K means I get to spend all day running through the woods with my friends, and that makes me happy.

Favorite race I have ran …Way Too Cool 50K last March. It was my first experience running an ultra and the vibe was just incredible. The trails, the volunteers, the “ultra village” after party was all like a dream come true.

Top race on my bucket list is … I know all trail runners say Western States but there really is something special about that event. I’ve volunteered there and let me tell you, it’s way more than a footrace. It’s hard to describe but my experiences there have had a profound affect on me. It’s really part epic mystical journey and celebration of the ultra lifestyle. We are lucky to be able to live so close to the “Grandaddy of ultra running” and to experience it. So if bucket list means dream list, WSER 100 is on the top of my list.

Favorite musical artist and song … I don’t listen to music when I run, but music is really important to me. I listen to a lot of indie rock, classic rock. Right now I’m on a Brian Jonestown Massacre kick. Which, if you think about it, may be the best name for a rock band ever.

A little more awesome stuff about me … I’m really grateful to work out with 9run6 in such a supportive environment. A number of years ago, I led an extremely sedentary lifestyle and was morbidly obese. I lived with a lot of fear and had a whole host of serious medical issues which went away when I dropped the weight. But the fear and timidness of “not fitting in” or being able to work out with others remained, largely because of being too hard on myself. I wish I could encourage others to get out and just do it, because I see so many people holding themselves back from living their life. Look, I’m the oldest and usually the slowest guy out there and NONE OF IT MATTERS. I wish that others can drop the self imposed barriers and experience how group workouts and an active lifestyle can improve their life. I’m so grateful!