Meet nominee Ultramarathoner Ed Rousseau!
When your faced with a decision, make that decision as wisely as possible and then forget it because the moment of absolute certainty never arrives.
- Ed Rousseau
Had the pleasure of hanging out with Ed Rousseau aka “Fast Eddie” the last few days. What an extraordinary and inspiring human being. He built his cabin up in Northern Minnesota by hand all by himself over the course of 25 years. He even hand dug the basement out using the extra dirt to build up his driveway and when he hit sand he used it to make the cement.
At 83 years young he is still crushing his athletic dreams as an ultra runner. Just recently placing first at the World 48 Hour Championships running 108.23 miles in 48 hours. And he still has his sights set on the 48 hour world record for his age which is 145 miles! I asked him “how he does it?” He replied “you need to have a vision, once you have your vision set goals that will help see your vision through and lastly create a plan (write it down) on how you will complete your goals.”
Ed has set or broken 18 US Ultra marathon Records from 100 Miles to 48 Hour and 6-Day Events and 5 World Indoor Track Records. His 110 Mile Total in the 2005 24 Hour Nat'ls, at age 66, was ranked the USA 7th best Overall USA Masters Runner Ultra Marathon Performance that year. His 336 mile total in a 6 day race at age 74 in 2014 was a U.S. and World Masters Division Record while also setting four other 70-74 Age World Records at 12, and 24 Hours, at 100K, and 100 Miles. In February 2020, he broke the US 100 Mile 80-84 Record and moved to Number 2 in the World all time 100 Mile 80-84 Division. In June 2021 with 303.37 Miles in a 6-day race he passed Hall of Famer Ted Corbitt and moved into 2nd place 80-84 Division in the World All Time.
It goes to show that no matter which age you are, it really is just a number and it is up to how you live it. Often I hear people say “I’m old or I’m getting to old for that” which in my humble opinion it’s just a limiting belief that stops you from reaching your full potential. Not everything has come easy as Ed had to overcome a drinking addiction which he eventually did at age 40 when he took up running. So when you’re reading this, know that it’s never to late to start but there will be work involved when creating your dream life. The question becomes, what’s it worth to you? An example of SISU at it’s finest. Thanks for the memories Ed! #anythingispossible
- Brad Anderson
Congratulations Ed you are a D.I.V.A.!
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