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CJ Howard
La Crescenta, CA
Local Dealer: Run with Us
Sports: Road Racing, Cycling and Snowboarding
Christopher James Howard was born on October 21, 1983. He spent most of his life in Pasadena and La Crescenta, raised by his parents, Regan and Charlie. He attended Lincoln Elementary, Rosemont Middle and culminated his prep education at Crescenta Valley High School.
At C.V., he first discovered his talent for running. By the end of his first cross country season, he made the varsity squad. He was a standout in the local southern California prep track scene. Throughout high school he conquered many injuries, the combination of which would have discouraged the average athlete.
His hard work, leadership, and determination paid off as he led his cross country team to a CIF-SS finals bid. He topped of his senior year of track with a league title in the 3200 and an individual berth to CIF sectionals.
He continued his running at the University of California, Irvine. In the first quarter at Irvine, he made the dean's list for achieving a GPA of greater than 3.5. He was also a top 5 member of the men's varsity cross country squad.
By the end of the first season, he noticed a pain in his left heel. After several MRIs and visits to multiple doctors, it was suggested to CJ that the pain may not be running-related but rather a form of malignant tumor. On December 23rd 2002 he underwent an incisional biopsy at USC University hospital. The procedure revealed that he had osteogenic-sarcoma (bone cancer).
The surgeon told him that in order to survive, he would require months of chemo-therapy and the amputation of his left foot. In typical fashion he charged forward with boldness, never doubting that he would run again. Less than a year from the date of the diagnosis, after 5 surgeries, including an amputation and a thoracotomy to inspect a possible tumor in his right lung, he returned to school. He competed in his first 1600 meter track race as an amputee.
CJ's GPA still has not faltered below a 3.7. He hopes to specialize in the field of prosthetics to help people get through the horrors of amputation. Strictly speaking running, he has already set the national record for 5k on the road for a below knee amputee. He also ran the second fastest time in the world for the 1500 meters by a below knee amputee in the year 2004.
National Leg Amputee Record Holder
5k - 18:08
10k - 38:25
Half Marathon - 1:23:59
Here's what CJ will be training in:
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