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Michael Friant

@potentialfulest

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Motto Kicking CP’s Ass
Advocate/Motivational Speaker/Adventurous/ UNCW Alumni #wingsup
Website: despiteofcp.org
Follow @runswithcerebralpalsy

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I used to crawl across my house.

Now I’m training for a 50K.

That sentence still feels unreal.

For the first decade of my life, I lived in a wheelchair. I wore UFOs, had surgery to correct my inwardly turned ankles, and went through years of rehabilitation without professional oversight.

Later in life, I found running.

I didn’t start because I thought I’d be fast.

I started because I believed in equality.

I wanted the same starting line.
The same finish line.
The same opportunity to see how far I could go.

5Ks became half marathons.
Roads became trails.
And now the next chapter is a marathon and my first 50K.

My body may have taken a different path.

But that doesn’t mean I have to dream smaller.

If you’re wondering how far you can go, start by believing you deserve the chance to find out.

Follow @runswithcerebralpalsy and come see where this journey goes. 🏃‍♂️

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Over 8 hours of being out in the heat and on the trails, I persevered and got that machete. 🌳

The person who did it with me said something that stuck with me: pain and exhaustion are temporary, but that machete is forever.

Now, going on 15 hours after the finish, I can attest that it’s true. I’m feeling much better, and the machete is still right nearby.

But I’m not going to lie—there were moments where I wanted to quit. I came very close.

That’s what makes this machete mean so much more to me. It’s not just something I earned at the finish line. It’s a reminder that sometimes the hardest part of the journey is simply refusing to stop when every part of you wants to.

The pain passed. The exhaustion passed.

But I’ll have that reminder forever. 🪓

I want to thank the @gotimerun and @iamwithoutlimits teams for putting on an incredible event. I especially want to thank Mrs Marsha for slugging it out with me

**Before anyone comments and says it’s not a 20k. Other runners who ran this race just had 12 miles on their Strava activity.

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Year to Date: 600 miles milestone achievement

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Most people see 20K through the woods and think it’s a challenge. I see it as an opportunity. Living with cerebral palsy means every step takes extra effort—but that’s never stopped me. On August 22nd, I’m taking on the trails, pushing my limits, and chasing the ultimate prize… a machete. Let’s see what I’m made of.

Footage from a previous attempt. I think 2021.

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POV: Running so far in 2026.

Carolina Beach 5k
Southern Tour Ultra 10 miler
Track loop with my friend Blaine
Wilmington Marathon 5k
Run with my friend Danny whom I am running the 30 miler with in January.
Lo Tide 10k run
Run with the one and only @colinhackman on a random Thursday morning

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They said it couldn’t be done. Mile by mile, I’m proving otherwise. Living with cerebral palsy, I’ve learned that courage grows with every step and that finish lines belong to those who refuse to quit. Keep showing up, keep pushing forward, and never let anyone else define what’s possible for you.
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As of today, I’m bringing the daily running series to a close. I am proud to have run 561 miles in 198 days. I’ll still be running every week, and I remain fully committed to the races and challenges I’ve been advertising. The consistency continues—just in a new way. Thank you for being part of the journey.

Yours truly,
Michael

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Run 198 Running everyday. No fancy edits just proof.

Thank you to my friend Blaine for doing a lap with me. Great seeing everyone

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Run 197 Running everyday. No fancy edits just proof.

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Run 196 Running everyday. No fancy edits just proof.

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Run 195 Running everyday. No fancy edits just proof.

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Run 194 Running everyday. No fancy edits just proof.

#RunningCommunity
#RunnersOfInstagram
#RunMotivation
#cerebralpalsyawareness
#runnerwithcerebralpalsy

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