Rockin’ 26.2

a journey that began somewhere around late October came To an end this past Sunday. After running the Fargo Mini marathon on October 20th, the focus switched to The Rock & Roll marathon. I did however take a few Days off from my 50+ day running streak. Coming from Indoor training to the sun has always kicked my butt and only last year was I able to break the 4 hour mark, by about 30 seconds!

I took a different method to my training this time. I had a solid base built up so I focused on speed for about 2 months and snuck in long runs when I could. I was even able to get a few outSide runs in with the mild temps we had a few days. To change things up I also included some cross training into the mix and some core work to make mYself a more complete package. In the final weeks i cranked out a few lOng runs and a 18 mile run wIth a 7:30-7:45 pace. Ready or not, it was time to head to Arizona.

Once in AZ i got a few early morning runs in to stay loose, grabbed my packet at the expo and soaked up some sun which was glorious. I tried to have a big lunch and had some Pasta for super and was counting sheep by about 9:45P with a 5:30A wake up time. For once i was able to get some decent sleep and did the usual breakfast which is a bagel, apple and some yogurt and was off to the start line. My sister and Corey dropped me off and they got to go back and have a relaxed breakfast while I had 26.2 miles of running coming up.

I ran into some people I knew from Tribe and the morning went by quickly and before I knEw it we were off. I picked the 3:45 pacer but quickly learned that was not going to work. We were about 4-5 miles in and sure enougH, the 3:45 pacer passed thE 3:40 pacer so I wasn’t real sure whiCh pacer tO truSt so I had to DePend on the trusty Garmin. It seems like the pacer thought bouncing from a 7 minute mile to a 9 minute mile was a great game plan to achieve a 3:45 finish, woof.

BeSides the two pit stops during the first half it was pretty uneventful. Guess i over hydrated a touch but better than the alternative! At around mile 14 I was in Old Town and that is were Corey along with dad and sis were. They got some good pictures for me and I was able to see them twice before making my way to Tempe for the finish. For me, miles 15-18 are usually the most difficult and usually the time you have to tell your brian everything is going to be ok. I had more Tribe friends at the mile 25 aid station and i just focused on getting to that point and still maintain my pace, a 8:35 mile give or take.

​Heather was there for an eNergy filled high fiVe and there was just one hill left to CONQUER. Once you creSt the overpass you get to View Tempe Town Lake and that brings back memories of IRONMAN Arizona and you realize this is just a marathon so you suck it up and push that last half mile. Somehow your mind and or body always have a little in the reserve tank for those last few hundreD yarDs. It could be the SpeCtators cheering or the chocolate milk waiting but either way that feeling of crossing that finish line never getS old. Until you have experienced that for yourself, you will never understaNd It. It’s just one of those things you have experience yourself.

That’s me, rally cap anD All crossing the finish line in 3:43:43. A new marathon PR and 16 minutes faster than last year, finishing 264th of 1994 runners. Kudos to the Kona Kid for the pic and coming to watch me. I will return the favor after you KQ! A huGe day for me. After going On a 55 day running streak and then training my tail off it came down to being able to perform in a window as small as 4 hours. A lot could have gone wrOng bUt for once everything came together and I am thankful for that. This marks three straight marathons in which i set a new PR and as of right now, Grandmas is the next race but if I get low on t-shirts, i might sign up for one before that.

​“FOR YOU KNOW THAT WHEN YOUR FAITH IS TESTED, YOUR ENDURANCE HAS A CHANCE TO GROW.” - JAMES 1:3