The LEGEND

The Legend, Stan Fortuna’s Race around Hawaii

I got the honor of catching up with Stan to talk about his recent epic adventure...running around the Big Island of Hawaii.. and if that wasn't inspiring enough, this legend, is in his mid 70's, so if you are looking for motivation, look no further!

1. What enticed you to do such an epic event of 260 miles plus around Hawaii's big island?

Overall enticement- explained in the “Man in the Arena” speech by President Teddy Roosevelt:

"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat."

specific enticement-

Returning home to the Big Island, the ‘aina (land), where I lived 11 years; the sky, the fire of Pele, the goddess of volcanoes and fire all enticed; I have a spiritual connection with the land; last year with Coach Salynda and her husband Ryan as crew, and Michele with 24/7 support from afar, I completed the Go Big 100 on the same course; circumnavigating the Big Island represented a goal with meaning to me that was made possible by the Go Big 100 effort

2. Did you do any pre-planning for this event or did you just wing it? Did you have help?

haha- just winging a 260 mile race would not be in my mental or physical wheelhouse! Preparations: intensive and guided training with Michele and Salynda, NO workouts of any kind ever missed; substantive “energy work” with Dr. Jasmine Hornberger who also served on my crew, providing guidance to me, and to all crew numbers; Jasmine is a Chiropractor by training and helped me further my connection with the ‘aina and the non-physical; almost weekly massage with Shelbi Auspach; very controlled nutrition under the guidance of Michele and Salynda along with Dr. Alyx Barnett, race director (who also coaches and consults;

3. What was your favorite part of the Hawaii adventure?

Favorite part- my Dream Team crew was by far my favorite “part”; the 3 Michigan-based crew and I met weekly for 2 to 3 months developing and tweaking the race plan; three Zoom meetings with the entire crew of 6 (3 from California, and 3 from Michigan); this was a very complex planning effort with 7 people traveling from 2500 to 4500 miles and needing to be fully prepared in a matter of a few days; the 6 crew were organized into teams of 2 with specific responsibilities; they traveled in 3 vehicles

4. What was your least favorite part of the Hawaii Adventure?

Leaving Hawai’i was my least favorite part; however, this adventure will be a springboard for all of us for meaningful challenges in 2023 and, frankly, for the rest of our lives! One crew person, as a result, is now thinking about moving to Hilo, Hawai’i’. several crew members and myself are considering the inaugural Kauai 50 miler, as well as the San Diego 100; considering working with one of the high performance labs in the USA as well as engaging with Gary Hoogeboom (former Dallas Cowboys quarterback no less) and he Elite Athlete program locally

5. It's no secret you are a LEGEND for your master's running, what do you do in order to stay so strong and healthy?

Staying healthy- (1). at least 95% of the time……. eating very well (80% plant-based, low sugar and salt intake; measured and varied sources of protein; 5 smaller meals/day; no preservatives; only occasional junk; trying to control just before bed food cravings lol). (2). most importantly asking “how high” when Salynda and Michele say “jump”! The program developed for me, is just that…. developed for me alone is effective. (3). strength training- never missing a workout; I continually explore ways to enhance this training and will need to do so as I begin to look at some REAL mega adventures!

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