‘Never give up’

Frank Bybee planning to run across the country to celebrate two decades of sobriety

WORLEY— Frank Bybee wants to mark 20 years of sobriety like this: 60/60.

That’s 60 miles a day for 60 days.

By foot.

If he does that, he’ll travel from the Peace Arch State Park in Washington to Key West, Fla., a trip of some 3,500 miles.

“I’ll make it,” he said Monday shortly before heading out for a training run along U.S. 95 from Worley to Fightin’ Creek Smoke Shop and Market. “My philosophy in anything I’ve ever done is never back down, never give up.”

The Coeur d’Alene Tribe member refers to himself as a former drinker and barroom brawler turned boxer who won a handful of professional fights, mixed martial arts fighter and a Tough Man champion.

Alcohol, for years, derailed the best of intentions to get his life on the straight and narrow. But when he was 25, he swore it off and has been proving his commitment since, completing several full and half Ironmans.

Aug. 26 will mark two decades without booze. Bybee wants to take on his biggest challenge yet with a cross-country run that is sure to be full of obstacles and seemingly insurmountable challenges.

He says no problem.

“If I have to crawl to Key West, I will,” the 45-year-old said. “Once I get going, I’m not going to stop.”

But first, he needs some financial help because while the running and crawling are free, food, fuel and lodging are not.

He’s scheduled a spaghetti feed fundraiser, $10, from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Short House in Worley. He’s also established a GoFundMe account under “Worley Warrior,” which is also the name of his biography.

During Monday’s training run, he took it nice and easy on a warm, sunny afternoon, which is the approach he plans to use when he sets out on his next quest when he will represent the Wellbriety Movement.

He figures that he’ll space out the miles throughout each day, resting when necessary, pushing the pace when he can.

“I don’t have to do it all at once,” he said.

Bybee could use a support driver. His daughter may join him for the first few weeks, but can’t go the distance.

“I’m hoping somebody wants to come with me,” he said.

At 5-feet 6 inches, Bybee is solid, strong and steady. Not fast. But he keeps moving. He believes those physical attributes, along with determination, will see him through.

He has no doubts.

“It’s a freeing feeling,” he said.

Bybee speaks slowly and deliberately. He does not waste words. His training is much the same.

It’s not unusual for him to run from Worley to Coeur d’Alene, or bike from Worley to Spokane and back.

He spends time on treadmills, stationary bikes and other machines at that wellness center.

“I did a lot of bike riding during the pandemic,” he said.

He said he began drinking when he was a teenager in Vancouver, Wash., and got into trouble. He skipped school, got locked up in juvenile detention and spent time in jail. He said he tried several recovery programs and treatments, and failed them.

“I tried to stay sober when I got out, but no matter how many times I got out of jail, I’d go straight to the bar,” Bybee said.

He never gave up, and eventually, overcame.

He credits having a son with motivating him to finally turn the corner, pick a new path and stay on it.

“I wanted to show him a better way of life,” said Bybee, who moved to Worley about 25 years ago.

Attending Alcoholic Anonymous meetings, turning to boxing (more than 50 amateur wins), MMA and Tough Man competitions (three titles) gave him a new hope and identity that he could, and would, do whatever he set his sights on.

Bybee weighed about 155 in his fighting days and fearlessly took on larger opponents.

“That was big for me,” he said.

While this cross-country journey will be his biggest and most daunting challenge, he is not scared.

He will finish what he starts, he said.

“If it takes until Christmas, whatever it takes, I’ll keep going and keep going and keep going.”