Sean Johnson first became interested in running after hearing his friends discuss an upcoming 5K in January of 2013. After expressing an interest in joining them, several of Seans friends (and occasionally Sean himself) had doubts that he would ever start running.
In the summer of 2013, with help from the Couch to 5K (C25K) app, Sean set out for his first run and was instantly hooked. As the summer went on, Sean continued to extend the length of his neighborhood runs. Sean ran his first 5K (the Color Run in Buffalo, NY) in the summer of 2013, and soon signed up for and competed in several other 5K and 10k races as well as two half marathons over the next two years. Sean is currently training for his first full marathon.
Sean has been an active podcaster since 2011, serving as the co-host of the popular technology-based show Android App Addicts before launching his own podcast, Throwback Reviews (light hearted 80s film reviews), and even launching his own retro-themed podcast network, Throwback Network. In early 2015, Sean combined his love of running with his love of podcasting and launched The Average Runner Podcast with his running partner Jason as his co-host. On the show, Sean and Jason talk about juggling work & family with running, goals, race recaps along with tips on how they make it all work as average guys.
Update: As of May 2017 Sean has completed 3 marathons, one 50k trail ultra and has one 50k DNF
Jason Bennett began his official running “career” during his High School years, initially pushed into trying out for the track team by his guidance counselor. After making the team, he began training with the sprinters though the coaching staff had other plans. Jason was moved to the middle distance runners, where his stride and turnover rate was developed for 400 and 800 meter runs as well as 400 meter hurdles (1 lap around a track is 400m).
After High School, Jason’s running faded into a more recreational form, running just a few times a week during his college years. Once entering the job force, running stopped almost altogether except for when The Corporate Challenge race would come to town once a year. In the summer of 2013 Jason formed a team and competed in the well known obstacle race known as the Tough Mudder. From there Jason started to have more of an interest in running and along with Sean ran in the Color run which led to a series of 5 & 10k’s and two half marathons in the next two years.
At one time Stephen Lee weighed 225 pounds, was a smoker and had dangerously high blood pressure. After a blood pressure incident he decided to take control of his health and started hitting the gym. Soon Stephen became bored with gym life and a friend talked him into running a 5K in late 2013. That is all it took and he has never looked back. Since then he has completed 5 halfs, 2 fulls, and one 50K along with many 5, 10, and 15K races both road and trail.
Stephen is looking forward to pushing himself even farther both in distance and in the difficulty of the races he does. If you tell him that this running thing has gone to his head he will take that as a compliment.
All kidding aside, besides running Stephen has two teenage sons that he has been raising by himself and is very proud that even tho they are teenagers they still enjoy spending time together.
