Survivor Contestant, Extremely Runner Inspires People to Start off Their Running Journey
Alec Merlino is constantly up for a obstacle. From fact television to extremely jogging, he is inspiring folks to do hard points.
Hailing from San Clemente, California, Merlino participated in football, swimming, water polo, browsing, biking, and skating in the course of his formative several years. And this formed a push and ambition that has been woven into all factors of his everyday living.
In 2018, Merlino was cast by CBS to contend in the 37th season of Survivor: David vs. Goliath. He promptly became a enthusiast favourite, but in the long run completed tenth.
Following returning household from the clearly show, he set his sights on his subsequent major obstacle: functioning.
“Running Turned an Addiction”
Functioning commenced as a way to press himself though shelling out some by itself time to reflect on lifetime. Merlino set out to run a 5k a working day for 30 consecutive times. Immediately after completing the obstacle, he was hooked.
“It turned an addiction,” Merlino claimed. “Running designed me feel better. And matters in my everyday living started out to increase — my associations, my function, and my all round effectively-being. Both equally bodily and spiritually.”
Normally one particular to up the ante, Merlino began pursuing endurance gatherings. Months into his operating career, Merlino entered the Zion 100k where he concluded 11th. Then, he ran the Elephant Mountain 50-miler wherever he completed 15th.
Moreover, he’s accomplished the David Goggins 4x4x48 challenge, running 4 miles every 4 hrs for 48 hours, as effectively as the Calendar Club Challenge, exactly where he ran 541 miles in excess of the class of a thirty day period.
“Survivor did not spark my interest in running,” suggests Merlino. “However, through a lot of my runs or races, I certainly draw from the obstacle that Survivor was to aid me get by way of the difficult occasions.”
Creating a Group By means of Social Media
By means of his time on Survivor in addition to his managing endeavors, Merlino has constructed up a following on YouTube and Instagram. He makes use of the platforms to showcase what he’s accomplishing.
And he hopes to encourage people today to stay much healthier and happier life through his attempts. He frequently features troubles to his followers this sort of as completing 100 miles in a month or working 30 minutes a working day for 30 days.
“It’s wonderful to develop a neighborhood,” states Merlino. “I’ve been inundated with messages of people indicating they are impressed to get up and operate and direct a far better existence. If a image of my runs each individual day is what conjures up people to get out and start out their journey, then I’m happy.”
Alec’s Go-To Equipment: HOKA footwear, Rabbit operating dresses, and TruWild dietary supplements.
To stick to Merlino’s journey and continue to be up to date on upcoming difficulties, check out his Instagram (@alec.merlino) or his YouTube channel.
