Podcasts · The Marathon Podcast
#231 Tim Howard was a heroin addict - now he is a runner and Ironman
· 1 h 11 min · S1 E231 · Explicit
Episode #231 Tim Howard was a heroin addict - now he is a runner and Ironman
Content note: This episode includes open discussion of drug addiction, homelessness, violence, mental health and suicidal thoughts (mainly between 05:00 and 12:00). Please take care while listening. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use in the US, the SAMHSA National Helpline is available at 1-800-662-4357.
The Marathon Podcast is now proudly sponsored by Saysky Copenhagen. Use code TMP15 for 15% off at saysky.com.
Get 20% off a Strava annual subscription with code KRISTIAN
Save on FlexBeam using code WARWICKRUNS or this link: https://rechargehealthas.sjv.io/55GAPb
Tim Howard went from a decade of heroin addiction and years of homelessness to running marathons, finishing an Ironman and working for the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon. In this episode of The Marathon Podcast, Tim shares how a flyer for a running group, and a hug on his first morning there, changed the direction of his life.
Kristian first came across Tim in an Athletic Brewing documentary about Ironman, and their conversation goes much deeper than the race. Tim talks about what early recovery really looks like, the role of community in staying sober, and how running became a healthy outlet. He also opens up about the lows that came with injuries and surgery, and why giving back has been the thing that keeps him grounded.
You will also hear about his first marathon four months into sobriety, running with a pacer and thanking every volunteer on the course, his Ironman Lake Placid journey, and his role at Monumental, where he now helps others reach the start line of their first marathon.
In this episode:
• Tim’s story, from addiction to recovery • Early sobriety and what the first two years feel like • Finding Back on My Feet and a community that accepted him • How to acknowledge people experiencing homelessness • Trading one obsession for a healthier one • Overtraining, ankle surgery and a dark period • His first marathon and why he thanks every volunteer • Ironman Lake Placid • Giving back through the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon
Timestamps 00:00 Introducing Tim 01:18 Kristian’s quick update 01:49 Saysky 02:20 Interview begins 02:31 The Athletic Brewing documentary 04:06 Tim today 05:21 Life before running 07:07 Hitting bottom and getting sober 08:52 Detox and the first weeks 11:55 The first two years of recovery 13:08 Identity in and out of addiction 15:48 Back on My Feet 18:18 The hug that changed everything 20:23 How to show up for people experiencing homelessness 24:09 Finding community 25:16 Accountability and starting over 30:13 Trading heroin for running 32:03 Injury, surgery and a dark period 33:22 Finding a new way to belong 35:08 Tim’s first marathon 41:55 Becoming the community guy 43:37 Thanking the volunteers 47:15 What goes into a major marathon 48:16 Photography and the road to Ironman 51:37 Anxiety and staying on course 54:48 Why Tim never goes back 56:54 Ironman training 1:00:18 The documentary and the team 1:04:17 Finishing Lake Placid 1:07:46 Working for Monumental 1:10:03 Wrap up
Tim on Instagram: @timmy_hotdog_howard
Start your free Musicbed trial: https://fm.pxf.io/kristianwarwick
Full episodes + the Boston 2025 documentary: https://www.youtube.com/@Warwickruns Follow my training journey on Instagram: @warwick.runs Music from Musicbed: MB01XPYH8ZYENVAMB0133EV2TCQFZY
Links in the notes 3
Shows are listed from Apple Podcasts' charts and directory, and Podcast Index where it is used. Every show and episode belongs to its publisher and plays from the publisher's own feed; this site hosts none of them. Explicit shows are for adult profiles only, and children’s profiles hear only children’s shows. More about this list.