Running Supported Him Through Substance Abuse and Out of Jail

I was still on drugs when I was arrested in 2017 and had to serve six months in jail. It was the best thing for me at that moment. At the start of the term, I came off drugs cold turkey. Finally being sober-minded gave me the opportunity to realize that I needed to make radical changes, especially to my mental and physical health.

I stumbled into running while I was locked up. At first, I started slowly. I’d pop in my headphones and walk while listening to music. Then, I transitioned to running up and down 20 steps in the jail’s common area for up to two hours a few times a week. The routine became part of my self-discipline practice.

I’m a goal-oriented person, and I’m at my best when I have something on the calendar to work toward. It keeps me focused, and that brings me satisfaction. Within a week of being released from jail, I signed up for an Ironman 70.3 in Wilmington, North Carolina. I had eight weeks to prepare.

When I started training, my first run lasted less than a mile, and I gasped for air. I wasn’t ready when I arrived at the starting line, knowing I had to complete a half marathon as part of the Ironman. I felt like I nearly died during the run segment, but I was completely hooked on running after I finished.

My devotion to running continued to grow. Months later, in 2018, I started an ultra run on the Benge Route of the Trail of Tears. My goal during the more than 600-mile journey, from Fort Payne, Alabama, to Tahlequah, Oklahoma, was to retrace part of the path that five Native American tribes endured during the U.S. government’s forced removal of Indigenous peoples in the 1830s. It took me 40 days, and I finished on my 32nd birthday. That extreme quest taught me how to process my trauma and how to deal with pain.

I always attach a purpose to why I run. At the beginning of my journey, I ran for all the people who didn’t make it out of jail and those who continued to struggle with substance abuse.

My “why” has evolved over the years. As an Indigenous man of the Eastern Band of Cherokee, I use running as a tool to connect more deeply to my heritage. One of the values we hold as Cherokee is to consider how to leave the world a better place. Running helps me achieve this. I understand that I’m always running for something much larger than myself.

I also love that running brings out my competitiveness. I appreciate what I can do now, especially knowing where I came from. I’m constantly figuring out how else I can use running to challenge myself. I’m planning to run more than 3,000 miles in March 2025.

Taking 50 days, I plan to start from San Francisco and end in Wilmington, North Carolina as a way to grow more connected to my culture. Of course, I’m nervous, but it’s going to be interesting, and that gets me excited.

I’m just one of many who is a beacon of resilience. As I continue my running journey, I’m looking forward to the next decade, when I’ll become a Masters runner. I want to be one of the top in the country. I hope to keep lacing up my shoes and inspire the next generation.

These tips helped make my running journey a success:

1. Put a race on the calendar

Signing up for a race is a great way to put yourself in a position to learn more about yourself and grow as a person. Having a goal like training for a race holds your feet to the fire. You’ve got a level of accountability to maintain, and that’s going to help you be more dedicated and motivated to stay consistent.

2. Enjoy the me time

We’ve all got so much going on in life. Let running be your time—a way to escape the overstimulation of your phone or computer. If you’re just beginning your running journey, the key is to take things easy. It’s important to allow yourself time to adapt and develop. Run/walk. Take in the scenery, and let it become a meditative experience.

3. Tap into a running community

Immerse yourself in a running group, and don’t be afraid to get advice from other runners. We go farther together. As a coach, I see how much value being part of a community adds to people’s lives on a daily basis. It’s a source of encouragement, and it’s powerful to have people cheering you on no matter how big or small your accomplishment. Celebrating one another helps you believe that you can do more.

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Kallup’s Must-Have Gear

→ Brooks Hyperion Elite 4: These are my go-to race day shoes. I’ve got almost 300 miles on them. I love the breathable material and responsiveness of the carbon plate.

→ Ciele Athletics Go Cap: It’s very lightweight, breathable, and comfortable. I think Ciele makes the most stylish hats on the market.

→ Swiftwick socks: The material of Swiftwick socks keeps my feet dry and odor free. Plus, they are really stylish.

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Donna Raskin has had a long career as a health and fitness writer and editor of books and magazine articles. She bikes in a nearby county park, lifts weights, takes Zumba, and loves to walk/run with her dog, Dolly.