The Wicked Sobah Runnah Story

There are athletes who chase finish lines, and then there are athletes who discover that running becomes something much bigger than racing. Brett Myhre’s running recovery journey inspiration isn’t about medals, personal records, or standing on podiums. It’s about finding purpose one mile at a time. For more than 2,000 consecutive days, Brett has laced up his shoes regardless of the weather, injuries, or life’s challenges. His story isn’t just about becoming a runner. It’s about becoming the person he was always meant to be—a husband, father, recovery advocate, DJ, and proud “Wicked Sobah Runnah.” If you’ve ever wondered whether running can truly change a life, Brett’s journey is proof that sometimes the hardest race is the one that leads you back to yourself.

Odd Duck Running Co. Athlete Spotlight Questionnaire

The Basics

• Name: Brett Myhre
• Hometown / Where you are currently running: Shrewsbury Vt
• Occupation or side hustle: Recovery Assistant/Recreation Specialist at Divided Sky Recovery Retreat (my side hustle is that I Dj weddings and well any party, run or event )

Your Running Story

• How did you get into running? I’ve run a bit in the past but in  2014 I decided to sign up for a local 10k race. I’m not even really sure why other than it was a nice fundraiser and I knew a couple people running. I had been running a little that year and I had grown up playing soccer ice hockey and hiking a decent amount so I was curious.

The next year I did a half marathon. There was more in between, but I enjoyed running on the trails, the track, the beach, etc.. late 2019 I was consistently joining a couple of friends on 5K’s, 10 K’s and the occasional half marathon. One friend and I signed up for the Vermont city marathon in 2020 but then Covid ended that. I ended up creating my own marathon where I left my house and traveled along a route I created  with locations that are connected to my alcoholism and sobriety journey. That was my 10 year sober date as well.

• What keeps you coming back to it? I keep running for my mental and physical health. But I keep coming back to it as I’ve connected with some of the most amazing humans in the world online and in person. I’ve connected with so many people in the running and sober community who have inspired and motivated me. I keep trying to pass that on to the next person, my community and to spread more awareness of both. I tried to inspire and encourage my friends and family to join me along the way.  Occasionally they do.

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The “Odd Duck” Section

• What makes you a little different as a runner? Ummm.. I’m a bit older at 52, I rarely ever stretch, my duration, time of day, mileage or type of run is never known until I really step out the door. I could do my 1 mile or end up 6+ on the road at the track on the long trail/Appalachian Trail, which I live nearby.

I’m a streaker… I have a run streak that I just surpassed 2000 days of at least a mile every day in a row. I’m definitely an odd duck and have always felt as if I was one of the goonies.  I tried to “fit in“ for way too many years. I figured out why I started drinking, why I continued, why I needed to stop and why I stopped.  There was time spemt figuring out where I belong as I have embraced the outdoor, running and sober communities. I call myself the Wicked Sobah Runnah.

• A quirky habit, superstition, or pre-race ritual. It takes me a while to get going, and so usually I prepare to prepare for my run or occasionally I prepare to prepare to prepare… All that means is I slowly get shoes, socks, hats, etc. ready. This could be 10 minutes or potentially an hour depending on how I’m feeling. My son just informed me that I also inform everyone in the vicinity that I’m “going on my run” in that “ I’ll be back in 9 minutes to possibly more than a half hour or more who knows”
• Favorite weird or unexpected running snack.  When I run straight from my house I will sometimes bring a peanut butter sandwich.  I have found that if I add honey it’s really nice but quite messy. The odd Reese’s take 5 is pretty sweet as well.

Life Beyond the Miles

• What does running give you outside of fitness? Mental health, connecting with others, motivation.
• How has running changed you as a person? When I completed my marathon, I felt so much joy, but also gained a lot of confidence and knowing that I can do hard things.
• Something you’re proud of that has nothing to do with running. I’m extremely proud of where I am in my life right now as I am 16+ years sober from alcohol, I’m married, have 3 children and I get to work at an amazing organization called Divided Sky in Ludlow, Vermont as a recovery assistant and as our recreational specialist. I get to take folks that are working on their sobriety and recovery outside,  on trails, to lakes and rivers where we explore nature and hit the occasional rec. field. Hopefully soon I’ll be starting a canoe program.

Community & Connection

• How has the running community impacted you?  I believe I have DJ/MC’d more running events than actually being signed up and have run the actual event. But in both of those scenarios, I’ve learned about amazing connections, incredible stories and met incredible humans. I’ve seen so much love, gratitude and endless smiles that come from running 5ks, brutal trail races and just getting together for a quick run. The biggest thing is I’ve met friends and I’ve found a place where I belong that welcomes everyone and embraces silliness, weirdness and self expression.
• Advice for someone just starting out: it’s not really about how fast or how far you run. It’s about getting out there meeting new people, connecting and being different. So mix it up on the trails, on the road or the track and go with friends or on your own then listen to a podcast or music or just get out in nature, listening to the trees.
• Shoutout to someone who’s inspired you: Scott Strode from The Phoenix & Newform app.

Looking ahead 

• Current goals (races, adventures, or personal growth): i’d like to share my drinking career story and why/how I chose to stop drinking in a workshop, podcast or who knows maybe even a book format so that I can help others on their recovery, sobriety journey and to create  awareness about the prevention and treatment of addiction. I’m in Vermont and I’d love to be able to run in every county as there’s a 251 challenge.
• A dream race or challenge: I definitely want to create another marathon for myself and raise money for recovery/sobriety community services. But I would love to be able to become a “ultra runner” so the challenge is a 50K and the dream is to raise money to send somebody to a rehab/retreat to work on their recovery journey:
• What “success” in running looks like to you right now:  success in running  for me right now is that I get to run every day as my 52-year-old body is allowing that to continue to happen. I’ve been fortunate that for over 5 1/2 years i’ve run every day in a row no matter where I am, what the weather is, what mood I’m in (running my mile or more definitely helps that) through Covid x2, with broken ribs, an Achilles issue, endless aches and pains that thankfully we’re not a “injury” ( they probably were ) and pretty much everything else life throws at me.

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