If you’ve participated in any local races, you’ve probably seen Matt Magnuson, a 44-year old runner, husband and father who enjoys scuba diving, smoking BBQ and watching sports. 

Matt once ran for 506 consecutive days before sustaining injuries in a car accident, and he’s currently working toward a 1,000-day fitness streak that he started November 1 and will finish in July 2022. 

“I intend to run at least 3,500 miles while logging 700 hours of non-running fitness activities during those 1,000 days.”

He hasn’t always been as dedicated to staying fit. Back in 2011, Matt was 92 pounds heavier. 

“I finally decided that I ‘wanted it bad enough,’ so I made a lifetime commitment to eating clean and working out and have not looked back. My love for running was unintended but changed my life. I’ve kept things rolling for almost 9 years.”

Matt’s favorite activity to stay fit is obviously running. But what is his least favorite way to be active?

“I don’t see those things as ‘least favorite’ as much as something I need to get better at. My motto is to do things that suck until you can do them. For instance, I did not like swimming so I decided that I need to swim 3 days a week until I could swim a mile. I like swimming now.”

Matt’s advice to others is to go for your goals and dreams that have been pushed to the backburner.

“Life is too short to put things off until tomorrow.”

Matt’s dream is to qualify to run the Boston Marathon. 

“My marathon PR time is 37 minutes slower than the qualifying time for my age group. I intend to change that before turning 50 in 2025.”