We’re pleased to highlight Tim Mahaffey in our continued series of runner profiles. We hope you enjoy getting to learn a bit more about Tim and we look forward to hearing more from him during our ultra-marathon panel at our next member meeting!
Tim and Jan Mahaffey have lived here in The Villages since 2008 beckoned by a recommendation from close friends, Woody and Mary Pumphrey, who they knew through coaching and teaching in Vandalia, OH. Though Woody has passed away, the remaining trio gather for all the holidays like the closest of family.
Teaching was a passion for both Tim and Jan. Tim taught math in grades 7-12, then college students at Sinclair Community College and Wright State University. Jan, meanwhile, taught at an inner-city school in Dayton, OH.
In addition to the fact that Tim taught, his focus on mathematics and numbers became evident as he participated in athletics. He started out as a cyclist where he put up huge numbers! He participated in a ride from Portland, ME to Portland, OR which totaled about 3600 miles. Even his leisure activities seemed to be numbers driven. Tim participated in a program called Wandering Wheels at Taylor University in Upland, IN. While in town with the program, he happened upon an ice cream shop called Ivanhoe’s. Their menu included 100 sundaes and 100 milk shakes. Tim was unable to try all of them, but he made a good dent in the list he kept of which flavors he ate!
Tim found he faced a number obstacle as he started running. The number five haunted him; he could not seem to run through the 5-mile mark. He finally called his buddy, Ben, who ran alongside him as he busted through the 5-mile barrier. Tim notes that so much of running is like that, just breaking through mental barriers that we use to limit ourselves. He observes that the first half of every race is done mostly with the legs, and the second half is fought out in the head!
Tim ran his first adult race in Dayton and saw runners doing 50-milers and was intrigued but did start running ultras until later. He did numerous half marathons starting in 70s, including 43 consecutive Dayton River Corridor Classic half-marathons! He kept up a schedule of bicycling cross-country each summer and running that half-marathon every fall; an accomplishment most of us would be satisfied with, but Tim wanted to do more. He decided to run a 50K. His friend who taught spinning, brought him a copy of Hal Higdon’s training program for Seniors. Tim elected to follow the marathon training program and used it to run the 50K in Mount Airy in Cincinnati. The race was tough, climbing hills for 8 miles four times, but he found out there was a special award for completing all four of the 50Ks in the series, so Tim did them all.
Tim ran his first 50-miler in 2010, at the Palatka Iron Horse Endurance Runs, and then went on to run a 100-K and 100-miler the next year. He has now completed 28 ultramarathons, with three 3 this year so far and 3 more scheduled for 2021!
Tim really enjoys the camaraderie that is a big part of ultra-running. Unlike, traditional races most ultras do not offer age group awards. The elite runners claim overall awards, but most other athletes participate for completion awards or time awards. Runner’s help and support each other through the events. Runners will share miles with one another, cheer each other on, and offer words of encouragement along the road. That atmosphere is what keeps Tim coming back for the next run!
The Villages Running Club 