Running in Circles with Marc SandersonRunning in Circles with Marc Sanderson
Addict II Athlete Podcast
Marc Sanderson talks with Coach Blu about using running to cope with stress, trauma and a cancer diagnosis, moving from marathons to extreme multi‑day events. The conversation focuses on routine, community and choosing healthy outlets instead of destructive coping mechanisms.
43:48•30 Sept 2024
Running in Circles: How Marc Sanderson Outran Stress, Cancer and Burnout
Episode Overview
- Running can act as a healthy coping mechanism for stress, trauma and an addictive personality, offering an alternative to alcohol or drugs.
- Consistency and year‑round training often matter more than raw talent, whether for marathons or multi‑day ultra events.
- Movement after critical incidents or emotional shocks can help process feelings and prevent them from building up.
- Having the next event or goal on the calendar helps reduce post‑race depression and keeps motivation alive.
- Supportive friends, family and running partners can make extreme goals feel possible and provide accountability and encouragement.
“Blue, I would have totally found some other coping mechanism, whether it was alcohol, drugs, something.”
What drives someone to seek a life without unhealthy coping habits? For longtime runner and fire chief Marc Sanderson, the answer has often been as simple as lacing up his shoes and heading out the door. Chatting with Coach Blu Robinson, Marc traces how running moved from "alone time" with his wife Jessica to a lifelong anchor through stress, trauma and a cancer diagnosis.
From a first marathon that "hurt so bad" he swore he'd never run again, to a 2:38 personal best and 33 years at the St. George Marathon, you’ll hear how consistency slowly beat talent and ego. Marc talks candidly about working in law enforcement and fire services, seeing the worst days of people’s lives, and needing somewhere to put that weight.
After doing CPR on his police chief’s father, he said, "I just need to go for a run" – a pattern that became his mental health lifeline for decades. The conversation also gets into the wild stuff: 100-mile ultras, brutal mountain races, and multi‑day “running in circles” events like Across the Years, where he covered 402 miles on a one‑mile loop and even completed a challenge that meant running at least one mile every single hour for six days.
Post‑cancer, with damaged lungs, he’s had to adapt, but he’s doubled down on daily movement and gentle discipline rather than backing off. This one’s ideal for anyone in recovery who wonders if they’re "not a runner," or for those looking for a healthier outlet than alcohol, drugs or old habits.
Marc’s message is simple: you’re stronger than you think, and "no matter what, you can do it and you can finish" – whether that’s a marathon, a 12‑hour loop race, or one more day clean. What small step could you commit to today that your future self would thank you for?
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