#209: Going For Olympics Decathlon Then Surviving Cancer, Spud Still Serves God and Runs Fast

Run The Race

He almost made it on Team USA for two different Olympics, in events that many say make up the best athlete in the world: the decathlon. In this episode of the "Run the Race" podcast - which you can easily subscribe to - I talk to Spud Alford about training for Olympic dreams for almost a decade, a battle with cancer where they gave him 6 months to live (40+ years ago), prayers of healing, God radically changing his life, creating board games revolving around sports, and chasing a world record involving sprint speed even now at nearly 70 years old. (4:57) Spud talks about a conversation with God while at University of Southern Miss and watching Bruce Jenner in the Olympic while working at Sears prompted him to go after the eventually-boycotted 1980 Olympics. He became the 8th highest ranked decathlete in America! (12:14) Overcoming injuries and training again for the 1984 Olympics, even using steroids to do so, he got a diagnosis of deadly and dangerous testicular cancer. Fast forward to a prayer from a stranger, and doctors amazed by his healing. He fell just short of the Olympics. (22:46) Drifting from God for years, he now shares his testimony all over, also played Jesus in a big church production for almost 2 decades, and led now pastors to God. (29:15) Regrets about missing out on the Olympics? Spud also gives us his favorite and worst of the 10 decathlon events, which he focused on during almost his entire 20s in age. He also authored 2 books, explaining what one title "God If You Are Real" really means - it involves tragedy and triumph. (36:19) He's also faced depression, now focused on guarding his thoughts. (40:39) And Spud created a business called Zelosport, creating 7 board games including "finger football" that led to a national championship of that game. (44:25) Now, at 69 years old, Spud continues working out - this time trying to break the world record for his age in the 100 meter dash, hoping to do so at the Masters Olympic Games! How's he training? Spud also talks about the neurology and feeling of speed, running fast. This time around, he'll be glued to the track and field events at the Paris Olympics (I give you my favorite sports I'll be watching too). (52:52) Spud closes us out in prayer. Thanks for listening to the #RunTheRace podcast! Also, write a quick review about it, on Apple podcasts. For more info and all past episodes, go to www.wtvm.com/podcast/.