Jim Huthmaker

“Don't say can't because can't ain't a word.”

City: Cayce State: SC

Favorite Shoe: flat, $35 Size: 13

Age: 44.7 years old

Marital Status: Married

Family members:
Wife: Jessie
Son: Elijah
Daughter: Aspen
Cat: Kettle

What I do for work:
Pastor, runner, urban farmer

Places I’ve called home and why I like where I am now:
Lexington, SC; Charleston, SC; Redmond, OR, Colorado Springs, CO, Cayce, SC

When I started running and what got me started:
I started running somewhat seriously about 18 years ago. I have always been quite hyper active so it is a nice release. I started ultra running after resigning from my smokejumping career with the Forest Service. Running helps me maintain my all around focus.

What does running mean to me:
My version of relaxing.

Running accomplishments:
Mountain Masochist 50 mile (VA)
Promised Land 50k (VA)
Holiday lake 50k (VA)
Rock Ledge Rumble 50k (TX)

Favorite running trail and why:
Start at America the Beautiful Park to Bear Creek Regional Park to Section 16 to Red Rock Canyon, couple of loops around and go back.
Ute Trail to Waldo Canyon;
Harbison State Forest trails.

Favorite trail/mountain race and why:
Mountain Masochist 50 Mile (VA), challenging and super fun race.

Best running experience:
When I first started running years ago, my plan was to run about 5 miles, when I returned home I had run 17 miles. This is the day I knew the human body was designed for endurance.

Neatest thing found on a run:
I lost religion and found a true relationship with God.

Running pet peeves:
Pavement: man was not designed to walk, much less run on it; don't get me started.

Something non running related that no one would guess about me:
Trivia buff! My brain vastly stores actors names (that no one should remember), 80's bands (especially 1 hit wonders) and inventors of strange objects!

Other stuff:
KETTLEBELLS!
I train with Kettlebells 3x per week. No other training modality has enhanced my running more. Based on dynamic, functional movement, and explosive power; it is the perfect compliment to running. I notice the biggest difference in my uphill longevity and speed, and recover much faster and better than I did before Kettlebells! I know a great trainer (so great I married her!)

Page last modified: 3/30/2013