[Audio Content Available For Members Only. Click Here to Join Now]

Hey you guys! It’s Sean Astin star of The Goonies, Rudy, Lord of the Rings . . .

All favorite movies of mine.

As a kid I watched The Goonies a dozen times or more. I thought it was a true story. It’s not.

But what is a true story is how Sean has used running to recalibrate his health and fitness and reach greater levels of success.

In this interview you will hear all about Sean’s genesis as a runner, favorite running stories, and future marathon goals.

SPOILER ALERT: He’s working on a 50 State goal.

Interview with Sean Astin

Sean Astin is an actor, filmmaker, and voice artist who lives with his family in Calabasas, California. He has completed 9 marathons at the time of this interview and is the creator of an inspirational Twitter movement called #RUN3rd. The inaugural #RUN3rd 5k is taking place in Mesa, Arizona, April 11th, 2015. To sign up for the virtual event here, use the promo code “MTA” at checkout to save 10%.

The Running Journey

I (Trevor) can relate to Sean’s running journey and I’m sure many others can too. He considers himself to be a slow marathoner (mid-packer). I am also among those who number among the slow.

Sometimes he can go for long stretches without doing much running at all. Ditto that. I do love to run. I just struggle to stay on top of my training as well as those enviable people who run 1,600+ miles a year. Yes, I’m talking about you Angie Spencer.

When it comes to training Sean says he knows a lot but basically does everything wrong. Been there done that.

He’s run nine marathons. Strangely, I’ve run the exact same number.

When I hear Sean describe how running has changed his life and the exhilarating feeling of going as far as his feet can carry him I can’t help but think, Yes! That’s exactly what I have felt.

To run long is to push beyond perceived barriers and transcend mediocrity. You don’t have be an elite to benefit from this sport. Everybody is welcome who is brave enough to get off the couch and start training.

The marathon is the great equalizer since we all have the same miles to cover to get to the finish line. People who otherwise would have very little in common are brought together and there is a shared respect for everyone who takes the journey. It’s a beautiful thing.

Sean and I don’t share much in common outside of running. Sean and I are both good looking guys from California. Now it’s cool to see how relatable his running journey is to my own.

You (I’m talking to you the reader now) have probably been on a similar running journey. You might be a total stranger but we could talk for hours; conversations that would drive our non-running friends crazy.

Big Goals

It doesn’t take long figure out that Sean dreams big.

He almost signed up for the Antarctic Marathon but couldn’t get his family to buy into the idea. As an alternative he signed up for the Kona Ironman Triathlon. He’s also running the Boston Marathon this year for charity.

Long term goals include running a marathon in all 50 States and 7 Continents, hence the desire to get to Antarctica, and earning a sub 4-hour marathon PR. His fastest time is 4:04 at the 1998 LA Marathon.

Meanwhile, he’s been working with Run Disney, making celebrity appearances at races and staying on top of the #RUNrd movement. The first #RUNrd 5k is in April and Sean said that if things go well other terrestrial events could follow.

These are all tough goals but this is the guy who traveled to Mordor (by foot) and helped his friend topple an evil dark lord’s palace of pain. A marathon is only slightly harder than that.

If you have ever been on that arduous 26.2 mile journey you will appreciate this movie metaphor. I’ve always wanted to use a Lord of the Rings movie clip in a blogpost. hehe

Sam and Frodo Hitting the Wall.

This is how a marathon looks after mile 20.

Links:

Sean’s acting website
Sean’s running website
The #RUN3rd 5k website -use the promo code MTA
#RUN3rd Twitter
#RUN3rd Facebook

Sean Astin with Mindy and Kris Przeor

#RUN3rd

Recommended for You

Race Recap: The Marine Corp Marathon
Never Limit Where Running Can Take You
Just Go For It! 4 Mantras for Attempting Great Things
Interview with Dave Asprey – Biohacker, Bulletproof Coffee