04/29/2026
Didn’t think this day would come. I’ve long kicked myself in the ass for not running a marathon in my 20s when I didn’t have injuries and was constantly fit. At 44 years old, dealing with 12 years of achilles issues, 2 failed marathon training attempts and now a dad of 2 young boys, I thought my chance to do a marathon was gone.
9.5 weeks ago I was informed I had any entry into the London Marathon through our broadcast partnership. I called and asked him if it was even a possibility given the injuries and lack of training (I’d been averaging only 7 miles/week for the previous 1.5 yrs). He put together a plan and we decided to give it a go! Through the process my “good” achilles became the bad achilles and a plan that had me running 4 days/week quickly went down to 3 and then to only 2 days/week prior to race week. Over the 10 weeks leading into the race I averaged 27 miles/week of running (and one 25 mile bike ride per week). I hit one 20 mile long run 3 weeks prior to race day.
The week of London I set a goal of sub-3:15, not knowing what my body would feel like given I had only 3 training runs that averaged that pace, none of which exceeded 10 miles.
On race day I went through the half at about 3:09 pace and started experiencing leg cramps at mile 18. I slowed to a pace that would allow me to run without the legs seizing up and finished in 3:13:05.
While I hit my goal, the time didn’t matter. It had been so long since I put a challenging marker on the calendar… I am most proud of starting the process, working through adversity and seeing it through to the literal finish line! I was proud that I tested my body in a way that I had never before and fought through adversity on race day to get to the finish line! And it was amazing to have at the finish line cheering me on and supporting me along the way (this is the video she got at the finish)
In the end, I got to be a part of the largest and fastest marathon in the world. you were amazing, and thanks to you, now I can say I’m a
