Joseph P. Fisher

Q: When did you begin running and why?
I began running in the sixth grade, when I joined my middle school cross country team at 11 years old. My parents encouraged me to do it because they thought I would be really good at it. I don’t know how good I actually am, but I am certainly better at running than I am at most other sports.

Q: How did you find out about DCRR and when did you join?
My wife Kelly and I joined DCRR in late 2010. Kelly found the club before I did, and she brought me to a training run sometime in December of that year.

Q: What are you training for right now?
Shortly after I started running long distances at a fairly high level, in the early 2010s, I experienced strange pain in my right ankle that plagued me for the better part of six years. I ultimately needed an osteochondral defect repair surgery in 2018 that necessitated a second repair procedure in 2021, which ultimately preceded two hip labrum surgeries in 2023. My 40s have been very challenging. Right now, I am just trying to get to a point where I can sustain over 25 miles per week of running. Once I get there, we’ll talk about training.

Q: What is the toughest run or race in which you have participated?
The 2012 California International Marathon. The weather was biblically bad, and this was right at the start of my ankle problems, so my training was a mess. Got 20 miles in and stopped and started walking in the rain. A nice family took me to their house, soaking wet and sobbing. They clothed me and drove me to the finish. I guess the whole day was kind of biblical.

Q: What is the most important lesson running has taught you?
Running is punk rock. Grab a pair of shoes, and go. No prior experience necessary. All are welcome, and everyone can do this.