My Best Marathon Time! 2:56:45

The rain picked up and the wind swirled in my face. My legs felt like lead. My mind said faster, but my legs refused to respond. I wanted to increase the pace for the last 6 miles, but 12 mph winds had different ideas.

I was watching the weather all week. I would have loved 40 degrees, cloudy and windless. The forecast was rain with strong winds. Not my preference. There were even some forecasts of snow/sleet before the 8am start. This would have not only been nasty, but created slippery conditions not ideal for a marathon.

"Remember to focus on what you CAN control and trust in the process. You've put in all the work, and are fit enough to reach your goals." Taegin's text the night before was a perfect reminder. I cannot control the weather. I cannot control the wind. I can trust the work I've put in and go for it on race morning.

Shortly before the race started.

Go for it I did!

At 8am the air horn sounded and I crossed the starting line. I had a couple goals. My top goal was a 2:55 marathon, which would have meant a 6:40/mile average pace. My main goal was to break three hours, which would again qualify me for Boston. With inclement weather, breaking three hours became the main focus.

The Two Rivers Marathon is a simple and beautiful course. It's an out-back-out-back along the Lackawaxen river. The precipitation gave the river energy even as it sapped runners.

Over the first four miles I settled into a pace around 6:40/mile and felt comfortable. I knew it would hurt soon, but enjoyed the peacefulness of the beginning of the race.

An early race moment of excitement came at the 7.5 mile aid station. Jordan, my best friend (more about him in another post - a crucial part to my race day success), was at the aid station. He had my chews and gatorade bottle ready for a quick hand-off. Yet, with gloved hands, I fumbled the chews and they fell to the ground. Jordan urged me to keep running. In work boots and two winter jackets, he picked up the pace, caught me, and delivered the chews. Thank you Jordan.

Something that struck me throughout the marathon was how relationally I experienced it. Jordan ended up meeting me at most aid stations, not only helping me, but other runners who came through. Every time I saw Jordan my energy lifted. As much as I wanted the calories and water, I was moreso longing for that momentary emotional lift.

This makes me wonder. Are there other places I miss the beauty of relationships?

The first 10-11 miles went well (pacing smoothly like the video above). The rain and wind was annoying, but I was holding pace, feeling comfortable and settled into the race. It started to hurt after 11 miles. I felt the fatigue building in my legs. Cruise control was no longer an option. Entire body/mind focus was now demanded to hit my goal.

My half marathon split was 1:27:36, so right on pace for even the A goal of 2:55. The mental lift of being 50% through was also a gift.

The most beautiful moment of the race came around mile 15. Looking up, less than 100 feet above me was a bald eagle soaring in the wind. At the risk of tripping, I fixated on this majestic bird floating with ease. As my legs were churning, the eagle was gliding. And then it got better.

Three other eagles joined and became a circle of four eagles. It appeared that two adults and two children were circling a nest.

Two things came to mind. First, the bald eagle has been my favorite animal since childhood. There's a bald eagle on the medal for the race, but I never expected to see one live. What a gift. I thanked God for the sighting of the eagle. It was a visible reminder that God delights to give good gifts to his children.

Secondly, there were 4 eagles circling with each other. It seemed like a symbolic moment - one eagle joining three others to circle together. I thought of three friends: Jordan, Jenny, and Taegin. These three are training partners and were cheering me on from a distance. (Jordan was often quite close!)

Another relational reminder. I was running alone, yet I wasn't alone. All four of us had marathon PRs within a minute of 3 hours, but none of us had gone sub-three. Each step I took was one step closer to breaking three for the four of us. It was as if Jordan, Jenny, and Taegin joined me on the ground as the family of eagles circled together high above.

I don't remember much between mile 15 and mile 20. My focus was on getting to the turnaround, to start running back to the finish. Yet, the turn towards the finish also meant a turn into the wind and the rain. The rain seemed to pick up and my soaking shirt stuck to my body. I commanded my leaden legs to run for 6.55 more miles.

I hit the turnaround at 2:12. I had 48 minutes to get in under three hours. This would mean a 7:19/mile pace. At this moment, with 6.55 miles left, I knew I had it. Barring a huge blow up, either a muscle tearing or a bad fall, I would get in under 3 hours!

Still, every mile was a battle. At this point, I wasn't able to eat anything and was doing my best to keep drinking. I would get a bottle of Gatorade, take a couple of sips and discard it. I couldn't stomach any more.

The wind seemed to get stronger every mile. With teeth gritted, quads firing and toes bloodied, I took step after step towards the finish line.

With about a mile left in the race I caught the runner in front of me. I didn't know it at the time, but that put me in first place for my age group. For 25 miles he ran a faster race than me. While my main goal was hitting my personal time, it's always a boost to pass someone late in the race. On the last uphill, I came behind him and spoke a few words of encouragement - "Let's finish this! Come and tag along!" urging him forward for the last 8 minutes.

When I saw the finish line, about .2 miles away, I started to shout and scream. I was going to hit the goal. Teeth were no longer gritted and I no longer felt my legs. All I felt was the pending finish line, hitting a goal I had dreamed of for more than 5 years. The video Jordan took at the finish captures it pretty well.

It was the worse race conditions I've ever had. And my best marathon time.

I woke up the morning after very sore and very grateful. I still don't know what to expect when I hit goals like this. Gratitude surprised me. I expected to feel accomplished, proud, or at rest. But, I mainly felt thankful.

Thankful for Emily and her years of support. She didn't marry a marathoner. The longest I had run before marriage was 7 miles. Her love and support throughout my evolving passions is a testimony to her grace, rootedness, and faithfulness. I love you Em. Thank you.

I was also thankful for Jordan, who encouraged me throughout the process. Thank you for the super shoes. Thank you for driving me 4 hours back and forth. Thank you for traversing the course by car to fuel me. Thank you Jordan. I wouldn't have been there without you.

I'm also grateful for Jenny and Taegin - two running friends I never knew I needed. You both inspire me as moms and runners and I'm a better runner and father because of you. What a gift to run the race of life alongside you both.

A shivering smile after a hard race day

Stay tuned. I hope to add a couple more posts on this race:

-Gear and Fuel - a more technical post.

-The Gross Post (Don't read this if you don't want to know - you've been warned)