Joshua Wheeler

Age: 23, Years running: 13, Hometown: Durham, NC, Favorite product: C-LITE

blog: http://jrwheeler.blogspot.com/

What are some of your lifetime running goals?

My lifetime running goals outside competition would be to achieve a sense of balance between work, family and running. My competitive running goals would be to break 2:30 for the marathon, 1:10 for the half and win a 100 miler.

Do you have a claim to fame?

I am a five year brain cancer surviver.

Do you have any vices?

Coffee. Need I say more. Pound per pound, I consume more caffiene than my little body should be able to handle.

What makes you tick as a runner and in the real world?

I am a competitive person. I love the thrill of competition and mental chess game that goes on in the late stages of a race. I a delayed gratification kind of guy. The more work and energy I invest into a project (either work or training) the greater the accomplishment when I achieve the result I was initially aiming for.

What drives you to run?

It is my release from the everyday. I feel uplifted and rejuvenated when I run. No matter how long the day/week/month/year, I can always return to running and find peace of mind.

What is your favorite movie?

Currently: Chasing Legends Previously: Without Limits

Do you have any nicknames? Explain:

The Yellow Dart. I guess it is now fitting since La Sportiva's colors are yellow. The Yellow Dart is simply put the coolest nickname ever. I cannot take credit for it, the nickname comes from my highschool cross country team watching the cartoon StrongBad before practice.

What’s the longest you’ve gone without sleep? Why?

Somewhere between two and three days. My girlfriend and I flew to Tanzanzia to work in a special needs school. The trip to Africa and back was brutial with close to 50 hours of travel.

If you had to be named after one of the 50 states, which would it be?

Utah. Because it is my boss's name (spelled differently though). I thought that was kind of cool.

What did you have for lunch yesterday?

An alvocado,spinach,mushroom wrap on a whole week tortilla. I love nutrition! (Oh, and some dark chocolate)

If you could hook up a thought monitor to your head, would you see pictures, hear words or would music be playing?

I would be curious to find out myself because I am not exactly sure what goes on up there.

What really scares you about trail running?

Hypothermia.

If your life was made into a movie, what would it be called?

Hey, Ya'll Watch This.

Where would you live if it could be anywhere in the world?

Somewhere with mountains.

What’s your worst encounter on the trail?

Being confronted by two armed military national guards in Tanzanizan backcountry. Scary.