Eddy Godfrey

If you are a runner on Delmarva, you probably know the name Eddy Godfrey. Get to know him better in this feature and see how he trains to crush his goals.

When did you start running? Is this a lifelong habit or did you pick it up later in life? 
Running has been a lifelong habit with only a few drop offs when I moved to Maryland from South Carolina 37 years ago. It started in junior high. The junior high cross country coach in Greensboro, NC,  asked me to come out to run but I preferred football.

Do you remember your first race? Tell us about it! 
I do not remember my first race but I will take a picture of some early bibs. I have most of my bibs. (Can you imagine?) My first and second marathon was Marine Corps in DC with the first one in 1992.  I knew and swore I would NEVER, EVER do another marathon after that first one. I went out way too fast (7 minute miles for the first 10-12, then slowed and then DIED around 18 and somehow finished around 4 hours ). Never again!

You are an accomplished runner with a long history of races. How many marathons and ultras have you run? What’s next on your schedule? 
My first ultra was Patapsco 50k with Mark Granger and Melissa Wilson.  That was in 2014. Trent, Gabe, Roy and a few other Flatlanders were there as well.

What’s a typical week of training look like? 
A typical week for me is 7 miles after a Fixer Upper workout early Monday, 3-7 miles on Tuesday, 7 miles of intervals at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday with the “Do the Work” gang (meet in front of the Y at 11:30), 6-7 miles on Thursday, and off on Friday. Saturday is long run day. For example, 15.5 miles last week at Phunt Trail Race, 19.5 miles at Trap Pond the week before and 16 miles at Ben’s the week prior to that. No running Sunday. As I have “matured,” I realize and value rest and recovery more than ever!

I recall you had a significant injury a few years ago. What happened and what advice do you have for runners dealing with injury? 
While running Stone Mill 50 miler in 2021 with several Flatlanders including Justin, Al, Matty B and The Crushers, I took a hard fall around mile 36. I knew I was hurting but my quads were also burning so I thought no big deal and finished the 50 miler. Probably not smart. Long story short, after about a week back home the pain was lingering and after seeing the doctor, getting an MRI, etc., it turned out that I had a broken femur ( hip area) so I completed the final 14 or so miles with a broken femur. UGH.
Similar story at Patapsco 50K in 2022 but this time 3 ribs broken at mile 25 but I finished. I did not realize in either race that I had any broken bones OR I might have stopped.  Might have stopped…With an injury, you just have to be patient and wait, wait and wait some more until you get the green light from the doc. We want to be able to run forever so we have to be smart. Yes, I know what you might be thinking …

You are very involved in the community. What do you do to volunteer? 
My community involvement includes past volunteer coordinator (12 years) at Trinity UMC ASP (Appalachian Service Project), several past board positions, including the YMCA and my current board member status at HALO, our local incredible homeless shelter.

*Editor’s note: Because of his extensive resume of community service, Eddy received the local Rotary Club’s most prestigious honor, The 4-Way Test Award in 2016. The award is presented to someone who embodies the spirit of Rotary – “Is it TRUTH? Is it FAIR? Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS? Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?” 

Anything you’d like to add? 
Salisbury and the shore have an amazing running community because of the PEOPLE!The 11:30 group now runs on Wednesday from the Y (intervals with a 7 miler).  I am a proud original member of the Eastern Shore Running Club (Vanessa has taken that to another level) and love the Algonquin Running Group which I also support totally. It’s amazing what Trent has brought to our running community with his ultra / trail love of running and it has created another world of running on the shore. I am blessed, too, to have total support from Mary, my significant other, in all training runs and races, regardless of when or where they may be and that’s a big help!
In summary, I love my running and if all goes as planned at Alqonquin50k on February 10, my next event will be running the 128th Boston Marathon on April 15th at age 70! BOOM!