Terrie Wurzbacher, D.O.’75, is an open book — literally. In a no-nonsense writing style shaped in part by more than 45 years as a U.S. Navy physician and administrator, Wurzbacher shares her life’s story and struggles with unflinching honesty and self-reflection in her books. Her first book, “It’s Not About the Miles: Lessons from the Road,” and second, “From Tipping Point to Turning Point: A Journey to Self-Awareness,” recount her progression to a healthier, happier mindset while endurance running and walking.
Wurzbacher, who turned 76 in October 2024, is one tough human, especially on herself. She calls the books an “archaeological dig” in her life, recounting several difficult moments that held her back, derailed by fear and shame.
“Although this book is a lot about the effects of what I experienced (childhood trauma and chronic stress), it’s much more about my irresponsibility, my lack of awareness, my not listening to the most perfect message machine available — my body,” she writes in “Tipping Point.”
At the same time, Wurzbacher chose hard paths and accomplished much, including serving as a Navy physician when women were not readily accepted in the military. After surgery to repair a torn ACL, she forced herself to start running so she could continue playing recreational softball. It’s here she got hooked.
Crewed to Screwed
“I couldn’t even run to the streetlight less than a 10th of a mile from my house,” she says. Her perseverance, especially in long-distance events, led her to discover the Last Annual Vol State Road Race, a 10-day, 314-mile ultra run/walk trek across Tennessee. “I was so enthralled by it. In 2014, I applied and got in. I only made it 100 miles, but once you get involved with this race, it’s like a virus,” she says.
Ultra run/walk events require more than physical endurance. Vol State, for example, entails long stretches through remote areas without services, requiring participants to carry what they need. Mental and emotional strength are tested just as much as participants’ feet.
Vol State participants check in twice daily to confirm they’ve reached specific mileages, allowing them to stay in the race. Participants can do the event “crewed,” with the support of an accompanist in a vehicle, or “screwed,” relying only on themselves.
Wurzbacher had her sights set on completing a “screwed” event. In 2021, her fourth attempt, the then-72-year-old began on her own but fell on the first day. She was often unsure how far along the route she was, which made her anxious. Walking alone, the “FEAR monster” stoked her stress.
By day five, she decided that switching to “crewed” and being able to finish the race was better than not finishing at all. Enter friend and fellow journey runner Paul Heckert, who strictly monitored when she walked, ate and drank. After Wurzbacher completed Vol State that year, she still debated whether she could do it “screwed.” “I’d been trying to do that since 2014,” she wrote in “Tipping Point.” “Eight years! That’s longer than I had to wait to get into medical school.” But she was determined.
Wurzbacher went into serious planning mode and adjusted to attempt a “screwed” walk the following year. She did well that year until she reached the “Bench of Despair” at approximately 182 miles. Knee pain, sleep deprivation and extreme heat began taking their toll. She accepted a friend’s offer to come crew for her and contacted Jan Redmond Walker, driver of the event’s “meat wagon,” which drives the route and picks up runners who want to quit or are behind. Walker’s arrival was among the “turning points” in Wurzbacher’s life.
“Why on earth are you switching to crewed?” Walker demanded, recalls Wurzbacher in “Tipping Point.” “You are NOT behind. You’ve done consistently well enough at this point that there’s no reason you can’t continue this way.” Dumbfounded, Wurzbacher canceled her crewing friend and mustered onward, newly uplifted.
“A New Terrie”
Wurzbacher recently finished a third book, “Punched in the Mouth: The Inner Game of Overcoming Adversity,” in which she further shares ways her struggles and triumphs offer life lessons. She has a loyal “Team Terrie” of friends on Facebook and other platforms who cheer her on. In March 2024, she launched a weekly podcast titled “It’s All About the People” that features guests who help others succeed at Vol State and other ultra events. Wurzbacher also continues to participate in ultra events.
She’s also become more circumspect about her past struggles. “I trust the universe, that it knew what was better for me than I did,” she says. “My biggest mantra is everything always works out for me. Sometimes, you have to wait a while to see the results. But if you look back on all the bad things, I think you’ll see, ‘Well, that actually worked out pretty good.’”
Get Motivated
Want to hear more from Wurzbacher and feel inspired to take on the challenges life sometimes throw at you? Check out her three books, each telling different aspects of her life and how she learned to overcome them — one step at a time.
