Carol Seppilu running outside of Nome, photo courtesy Carol Seppilu 
Kilgaaqu Run Series, Nome-Teller Highway, Leg 1, photo courtesy Carol Seppilu 
Kilgaaqu Run Series, Nome-Taylor Highway, Leg 2, photo courtesy Carol Seppilu 
Kilgaaqu Run Series, Nome-Council Highway, Leg 3, photo courtesy of Carol Seppilu
When Carol Seppilu was 16 years old, she attempted suicide. She survived but was left with injuries that make it difficult to breath and talk. After years of surgery, inactivity, and depression, one day she decided to try to run. Although she didn’t go far on that first run, something about running resonated with her and she continued to run farther and farther, eventually settling her in the category of an ultra-runner, running distances longer than a marathon on trails.
Although most of our conversation is centered around running, we did talk about depression and suicide, a topic that might be difficult for some listeners.
Guest:
- Carol Seppilu, suicide survivor and ultrarunner
LINKS:
- Anchorage Daily News story on Carol Seppilu and the Leadville 100: “Given a second chance at life, Nome woman runs her way to health and happiness.”
- Max Romey Productions, Trailbound Alaska project: “A Light in Nome.”
- State of Alaska Department of Education & Early Development: Suicide Awareness, Prevention, and Postvention
BROADCAST: Thursday, September 17th, 2020. 2:00 pm – 3:00 p.m. AKT
REPEAT BROADCAST: Thursday, September 17th, 2020. 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. AKT
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Eric Bork, or you can just call him “Bork” because everybody else does, is the FM Operations Manager for KSKA-FM. He oversees the day-to-day operations of the FM broadcast. He produces and edits episodes of Outdoor Explorer, the Alaska-focused outdoors program. He also maintains the web posts for that show. You may have heard him filling in for Morning Edition or hosting All Things Considered and can still find him operating the soundboard for any of the live broadcast programs.
After escaping the Detroit area when he was 18, Bork made it up to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, where he earned a degree in Communications/Radio Broadcasting from Northern Michigan University. He spent time managing the college radio station, working for the local NPR affiliate, and then in top 40 radio in Michigan before coming to Alaska to work his first few summers. After then moving to Chicago, it only took five years to convince him to move back to Alaska in 2010. When not involved in great radio programming he’s probably riding a bicycle, thinking about riding bicycles, dreaming about bikes, reading a book, or planning the next place he’ll travel to. Only two continents left to conquer!
