John Pruett’s first attempts at running in 2003 were met with dragging feet, gasping for air and little endurance. The first steps led to a new passion.
With the support of his wife, Pruett became a competitive runner at age 42 by setting what he deemed to be the unrealistic goal of joining a running club and tackling marathons. Running became his passion, and the unrealistic became very much a reality when he completed 50 and 100-mile marathons, an Ironman and even a qualification for the historic Boston Marathon.
Then 2021 happened
Derailed by mysterious symptoms, numbness, stiffness, slurred speech and loss of balance, Pruett found himself unable to run. The diagnosis: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, a disease that will steadily rob him of mobility and way of life.
ALS often begins with muscle twitching and weakness in an arm or leg and trouble swallowing. Eventually it affects control of the muscles needed to move, speak, eat and breathe. There is no cure.
Faced with his new reality, Pruett adapted.
“With ALS, you have a choice: Shrivel up and wait for the inevitable or move forward. I choose to move forward,” he said.
Push himself to new heights
With the help of VA and his medical team at North Texas VA, Pruett learned to navigate his condition, finding ways to stay active and engaged. He discovered the world of adaptive athletics and realized he could still compete and still push himself to new heights.
In November 2024, Pruett will line up at the New York City Marathon to run, but this time his run will look a little different. VA is working with Pruett to purchase a sort of racing wheelchair that he will sit in and be assisted by other runners to complete the marathon. Pruett will also be recognized for the five of six World Marathon Majors he completed before his diagnosis.
Armed with an indomitable spirit, Pruett refuses to let ALS define him.
“No matter what life throws your way, you always have the power to choose how you will respond. Keep pushing forward, no matter how horrendous things may seem,” he said.
