On October 6th, 2024, I ran my first marathon.
First and foremost, I am so grateful for all of the prayers and support of my family and church community! I couldn’t have done this without your encouragement and prayers.
I began this journey about 25 weeks prior and was not a runner by any means. I could hardly complete a 5k without being winded and sore. However, this has always been on my bucket list, and I finally told myself “if not now, when?”. I researched training programs, asked around for advice, and set out on my training.
While training, I had knee issues flare up about 2-3 months before the race and was very nervous that I’d finish 26.2 miles. Even leading up to race day, it never felt like I was at 100%. These issues were such a problem that I need to be picked up on a 10 mile run once because I physically couldn’t walk home. It was so discouraging, and I felt that my chances of even walking the marathon were bleak. With that, it threw off my training schedule, and I missed a handful of long runs leading up to race day. Combine that with 2 weeks of travel for work and a handful of other commitments just weeks before the race; I was not on track to finish strong. I debated up until the week prior whether I drop down to a half marathon instead. I fought a lot of internal feelings that I’d be a disappointment or that I’d always be someone who couldn’t follow through.
Before marathon day, I never walked (let alone ran) more than 17 miles in one day. On those two occasions, my knee would act up to the point where I could only walk with it being tensed up in pain. I was doing the mental math to see if I ran two-thirds, could I walk for the last third to finish before the 6.5 hour cutoff time. I thought maybe I could walk it if I needed to.
Unsure of what would happen, I kept pushing! Elise (my wife) and I would work out together 2-3 times a week at Orangetheory. I would also find time to fit in a long run here and there. I got new shoes. I changed my gait. I dieted for month and kept trying to improve physically (it helps to have a PT wife!). Incrementally, I could feel myself getting stronger, but there was always a nagging thought that it wouldn’t matter if my knee stopped me from running.
As I approached race day, I was very nervous. I felt like a fish out of water. I hadn’t taken a long run in almost a month, and I was scared that I lost my endurance. Also, while traveling for work, my diet was not so good. I was stretching all day Saturday before the race and was continuously rolling out my legs and knees. Overall, I had an attitude of “whatever happens, happens”.
But, God had other plans! The day of the marathon, not only was I able to complete 26.2 miles, I was also able to complete it at my target time of under 5 hours. I also PR’d in my 10k, 15k, 10 mile, 20k, Half Marathon, and 30k times as well. For the first time in months, I was able to run this far without any knee pain whatsoever.
This is not a story of my focus and determination because I messed up a lot. I had no business finishing that race. But with God, all things are possible. If He calls you to it, He’ll get you through it. It was through the prayers of so many people around me and by God’s grace that I was able to finish this race. When we put our faith in Him, He is able to demonstrate amazing things through us.
Again, I am so grateful for the friends and family who texted me and prayed for me throughout this. I love you all so much and am so thankful to have the amazing life God has blessed me with. To God be the glory!