5/16/2019 0 Comments The Incredible LaFondBy Kenidy Cessna Mr. LaFond, a teacher by day, a runner by… anytime after school. Mr. LaFond is a teacher in the Science Department at HFHS and isn’t only a teacher, he enjoys running; a lot of it. In 2018 LaFond ran two official ultramarathons, an ultra marathon is any race over 26.2 miles. The two ultras he participated in were a 50-mile race and a 50k race (31 miles). In order for a race to be official, it has to be run by an organization; but that doesn’t exactly mean he hasn’t run those great distances before. He has done a couple 50k runs on his own too. LaFond has run almost every year since 7th grade, he says he took a year off from running for a year and later found a way to enjoy it by running on trails. He ran for his high school career and was on a team for St. Olaf college until he took the following year off.
“People think that ultra running is crazy because you are running 10 hours or more without stopping for more than 30 minutes. Yup. It's crazy. But so is switching out an engine on a car and expecting it to safely take you down the road at 60 mph. So is stretching a bow to insane tension, releasing a sharp arrow and accurately hitting a target. Everybody has their passion. Find what you love, go outside, and do it. I bet the mechanic and the bow hunter put more time into perfecting their art than I do perfecting mine.” LaFond has high and realistic goals for himself, he entered a lottery for a 100 miles race but didn't make it through the registration but he plans to run one by himself and expects it to take 1.5 days! He said that he decided to choose hobbies that make him happy and healthy like mountain climbing, rock climbing, and cross country skiing. Other than athletics he plays the French horn, piano, organ, tuba, and guitar. On top of all that he is learning how to make a dining table out of a tree that fell at the home, he grew up at. I guess you could say Mr. LaFond is a very busy and driven person. Going out and finding something you enjoy and something that is good for you will keep you busy and build your character. Find something like that and stick to it.
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