At the finish area of the California International Marathon, which ends at the California State Capitol Building in downtown Sacramento. I knew going into the 2019 California International Marathon that hitting a Boston qualifier, and getting to ring the BQ bell, was unlikely. Inconsistent training gave me some doubt, but a nagging Achilles issue really […]
Miss the Boston Marathon cutoff? — Don’t give up
I’ve missed the Boston Marathon cutoff. Twice. I’ve written about those painful misses before. But with this year’s cutoff landing at 4:52 faster than actual qualifying times, I’ve seen a lot of reactions on social media. From anger and outrage to despair. Thankfully I was able to make the 2019 Boston Marathon field with a […]
28 days later, Outer Banks Marathon wraps up wild racing month
A twisted ankle, overheated final 5K, and wrong-turn DQ turned three straight marathons sour for me to start the Fall racing season. All of that drama and disappointment made Sunday’s Outer Banks Marathon finish more special. Failing to hit race goals can lead to more self pressure and self doubt — feelings I tried to […]
One wrong turn can turn a special race into a nightmare
Nothing will bring down a running high like a mid-race detour. From knocking out miles and building momentum to frustration and helplessness. One wrong turn can completely change mood and motivation. I know many runners who have taken a wrong turn in a race — some make getting lost a habit. But I avoided such […]
Coeur d’Alene Marathon: keep your head down, push through
What do you do when everything goes wrong early in a race? I faced that question Sunday at the Coeur d’Alene Marathon in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. My plan fell apart immediately, and I was forced to fight multiple mental battles starting in the first few miles. I learned a lot about mental toughness, however, which led […]
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