Category: Running

Hydration, Sodium, and a 13.5‑Mile Reality Check

With the Kenya race coming up in just 40 days, I’ve been trying to unravel what really happened with my hydration and fueling during the London Marathon. I knew something was off that day, but I didn’t have the numbers to understand why things fell apart the way they did. So this week, I finally decided to get serious about it and started using an hDrop wearable on my runs to gather real data instead of guessing.

Today’s 13.5‑mile run gave me more insight than I expected — and honestly, more than I was prepared for.

According to the hDrop, I lost 1,783 mg of sodium during the run. Meanwhile, I only took in 1,200 mg, which means I was already in the red before I even hit double digits. No wonder things felt off toward the end. Sodium loss has always been a blind spot for me, but seeing the actual numbers made it impossible to ignore. This is officially a fueling issue I need to address before Kenya.

The water situation wasn’t much better. I lost 77.1 oz and only took in 54 oz. By the end of the run, my body was absolutely feeling that shortage — heavy legs, sluggish brain, that unmistakable “you’re running on fumes” sensation. I ended up cutting the run short by two miles because I ran out of both food and salt around mile 10. Not ideal, but also not surprising given the numbers.

The good news? Now I know. And knowing means I can fix it.

For recovery, I booked some time at the Sweat Houz, which turned out to be exactly what I needed. I spent an hour cycling between the infrared sauna, the cold plunge, and wrapped it all up with a vitamin‑C infused shower. It felt like hitting a reset button — physically and mentally. A small reminder that recovery is just as important as the miles themselves.

So the work continues. I’m dialing in my hydration plan, rethinking my sodium strategy, and making sure I’m not repeating the same mistakes in Kenya. Today’s run wasn’t perfect, but it was productive — and right now, that’s the win I needed.

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A Small Step Forward (Blisters Included)

After the London Marathon, I’ve been struggling to find my rhythm again. Part of it was the emotional hangover of a race that didn’t go quite the way I hoped. Part of it was physical — I genuinely wasn’t sure how my feet would hold up after the blisters, the bruising, and everything else they endured on race day.

So on Sunday, I decided to test things out with an easy run. Nothing ambitious, nothing structured. Just a gentle check‑in with my body to see where things stood.

And amazingly… it went better than expected.

My legs felt lighter than I thought they would. My breathing settled quickly. For the first time since the marathon, running felt like running again — not a chore, not a question mark, but something familiar and comforting.

Of course, because my feet love to keep things interesting, I did end up with another blister. At this point, I’m convinced my socks and shoes are conspiring against me. Clearly something needs to change before I start stacking more miles. Whether it’s new socks, different lacing, or a full shoe rethink, I’ll have to figure it out soon.

But honestly? Even with the blister, the run felt like a win. A reminder that progress doesn’t always show up in big, dramatic ways. Sometimes it’s just a quiet, steady step forward — one that tells you you’re going to be okay.

And right now, that’s exactly what I needed.

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London Might Be My Last Marathon — And I’m Surprisingly at Peace With That

I’m not ready to say it with absolute certainty, but I think the London Marathon may have been my last full marathon. The decision isn’t final, but the idea has been settling in quietly, the way a truth sometimes does long before you’re willing to say it out loud. I’ve already decided that when I’m in Kenya, I’ll be switching from the full marathon to the half — and honestly, that feels right.

What makes this harder is that my training leading up to London was incredible. One of my best cycles ever. I felt strong, consistent, and genuinely excited. I went into race day hoping for something special.

And in many ways, the day was special.

I started in the Team Green area, which felt like a little oasis before the chaos of the race. Hot tea, picnic tables, no bathroom lines — it was the calmest, most civilized marathon start I’ve ever experienced. I soaked it in, feeling grateful and ready.

The first ten-plus miles were everything I hoped for. My pace felt smooth, my legs felt good, and I was enjoying the energy around me. But then the heat crept in, and my fueling just didn’t keep up. By mile 15, things started to unravel. I was still enjoying the run, but my body wasn’t responding the way I needed it to. I had to walk big portions of the second half, and eventually I couldn’t take in any more food. Even water had to be taken in tiny sips.

Still, I made a choice: if I was going to finish, I wanted to finish strong. So I ran the last few miles, lifted my head, and crossed the line with a smile. And that smile was real. Despite everything, I genuinely enjoyed most of the race.

As for injuries? Nothing dramatic — just a sunburn, a few blisters, and one very bruised pinky toe. Honestly, that feels like a win.

So maybe London was my last marathon. Maybe it wasn’t. But if it was, I’m glad it was this one. A race that challenged me, humbled me, and still gave me joy. A race that reminded me why I started running in the first place — and why it’s okay to let the definition of “runner” evolve.

For now, I’m looking ahead to Kenya, to the half marathon, and to whatever comes next. Maybe the marathon chapter is closing. Maybe it’s just changing shape. Either way, I’m grateful for every mile.

#LondonMarathon #MarathonJourney #MarathonRunner #RunningCommunity #RunHappy #RunStrong #RunLondon #MarathonLife

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One Week to go

It’s officially one week until the London Marathon, and I’m feeling all the emotions. I’ve logged over 520 miles preparing for those 26.2 on race day — miles filled with discipline, doubt, breakthroughs, and a lot of determination.

No matter what happens next weekend, I’m proud of the work I’ve put in. Now it’s time to taper, breathe, and get ready for the big moment.

London, I’m coming for you.

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59 Days to London: Finding Strength in an 18‑Mile Run

With just 59 days until the London Marathon, today felt like a turning point — the kind of training day that reminds you why you signed up for this journey in the first place. I headed out for my longest run of the cycle so far, 18 miles, and finished feeling strong, steady, and surprisingly grateful.

Long runs have a way of stripping everything down to the essentials. It’s just you, your breath, the rhythm of your feet, and the quiet space to think. And with everything happening in the world — the uncertainty, the heaviness, the constant stream of headlines — being able to step outside and run for hours felt like a privilege I didn’t want to take for granted.

There was something grounding about it. Mile after mile, I kept coming back to the same thought: I get to do this. I get to move, to train, to chase a goal that once felt out of reach. I get to spend a morning outdoors, watching the sun rise higher, feeling the air shift, and letting my mind settle into a rare kind of calm.

Training for a marathon is never just about the miles. It’s about perspective. It’s about finding small pockets of clarity in a world that often feels anything but clear. It’s about choosing to show up — even when it’s hard, even when life feels loud, even when the finish line still feels far away.

Today’s 18 miles reminded me that progress isn’t always dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply the quiet confidence that comes from doing the work and realizing you’re stronger than you were a few weeks ago. And with 59 days to go, that strength matters.

There’s still plenty of training ahead, but today was a win — a reminder of resilience, gratitude, and the simple joy of being able to run.

#LondonMarathon2026

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A Tempo Run I Didn’t Think I Could Do… Until I Did

Today was one of those running days where the mental battle started long before the first step. On my schedule from Runna was a 6‑mile tempo run, and honestly, I’d been stressing about it for days. The paces looked intimidating, and I kept convincing myself I wasn’t ready, wasn’t strong enough, wasn’t quite “there” yet.

But there comes a point where you can’t put it off anymore. So this morning, I bundled up, stepped out into the cool air, and told myself one simple truth: “The worst thing that happens is I get a solid 6‑mile run in.”

With that mindset, I started. One mile at a time. One pace target at a time. And something amazing happened— I hit every single pace.

Every. One.

Somewhere between the steady breathing, the rhythm of my feet, and the crisp morning air, the run shifted from something I feared to something I owned. By the time I finished, I was buzzing with excitement. Not just because I completed the workout, but because I proved to myself that I’m stronger than the doubts I walked out the door with.

Today was a reminder that the hardest part is often just starting. And sometimes, the run you’re most nervous about becomes the one that lights you up the most.

Here’s to showing up, trusting the process, and surprising ourselves along the way.

#Londonmarathon

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Looking Ahead to 2026: A Milestone Year in Motion

There are years you simply live through, and then there are years you step into with intention. For me, 2026 is shaping up to be one of those rare, powerful years—the kind that feels like a turning point long before it even arrives.

This is the year I turn 50. A number that once felt distant and abstract now feels like a badge of honor. Not a finish line, but a marker on a much bigger journey. I’m stepping into this new decade with gratitude, curiosity, and a determination to make it unforgettable.

And what better way to celebrate a milestone birthday than by doing something bold, challenging, and deeply meaningful?

🏃‍♂️ April: Running the London Marathon

In April, I’ll be taking on the London Marathon again, one of the world’s most iconic races. The energy, the crowds, the history woven into every mile—it’s a dream race for so many runners, and I’m thrilled that I will get another chance at it.

Training for London feels symbolic. It’s a reminder that strength isn’t something you lose with age—it’s something you build, nurture, and reclaim. Every run is a step toward that start line, and every mile is a celebration of how far I’ve come.

🐘 June: The Lewa Safari Marathon in Kenya

Just a few months later, in June, I’ll be heading to Kenya to run the Lewa Safari Marathon—a race unlike any other in the world. Set in a wildlife conservancy, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and incredible conservation work, it’s more than a marathon. It’s an experience at 5,500 ft elevation, a hilly dirt terrain and temperatures between 80-90 F.

Running through Lewa will be a privilege: a chance to challenge myself physically while supporting a cause that protects wildlife, communities, and one of the most extraordinary ecosystems on the planet.

✨ Turning 50 With Purpose

If there’s a theme for 2026, it’s this: movement. Forward, upward, inward.

Turning 50 isn’t about slowing down—it’s about leaning in. Leaning into adventure, into health, into experiences that stretch me in the best possible ways. These races aren’t just events on a calendar; they’re milestones in a year that I want to remember for the rest of my life.

So here’s to 2026: a year of big goals, big miles, and big meaning. A year to celebrate where I’ve been, embrace where I am, and run boldly toward everything that’s ahead.

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675 Miles for 26.2

This morning marked the first long run of my marathon training bloc—and with it, a quiet but powerful reminder of what this journey is really about.

They say the race itself is a celebration of all the miles that came before it. Today, that sentiment felt real. As the sun rose and my feet found rhythm on the pavement, I wasn’t just running—I was beginning a commitment to 675 miles of preparation, grit, and growth. All for one glorious 26.2-mile celebration in London.

Marathon training isn’t just about endurance. It’s about showing up when it’s cold, when it’s early, when it’s hard. It’s about building something invisible but strong—mile by mile, run by run. And this morning, with the first long run behind me, I felt the quiet pride of starting something big.

Here’s to the journey ahead. To every early alarm, every recovery snack, every mile logged. Because come race day, I won’t just be running 26.2—I’ll be celebrating 675.

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Countdown to the London Marathon: Day 1 of Training in Chilly Florida

159 days. That’s how long I have until I toe the line again at one of the most iconic races in the world—the London Marathon. Today marked the beginning of my training journey, and Florida decided to surprise me with a rare chill in the air. Not exactly the tropical warmth I’m used to, but maybe it’s a sign: this journey is going to be full of surprises.

Bundled up and laced up, I hit the pavement for my first official training run. It wasn’t long, but it was meaningful. Every step reminded me why I signed up for this challenge—to push myself, to grow, and to be part of something bigger than just a race.

Running in cold weather is my favorite, there’s something invigorating about starting this journey with a bit of discomfort. It makes the goal feel real. It makes the finish line in London feel just a little closer.

Over the next 159 days, I’ll be logging miles, battling early mornings, and learning more about myself with every run. I’ll share the highs, the lows, and everything in between. Whether you’re training too, cheering from the sidelines, or just curious about the process, I hope you’ll follow along.

Here’s to day one. Let’s do this.

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🏃‍♂️ Running the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon: A Journey of Grit and Gratitude

Participating in the 2025 Marine Corps Marathon was more than just a race—it was a personal challenge, a test of endurance, and a celebration of perseverance. From the early-morning chill to the final uphill push, this experience was packed with memorable highs, humbling lows, and everything in between.

🎯 Setting the Goal

My mission was clear: finish the marathon in under five hours. With months of training behind me and a solid strategy in place, I felt ready to take on the 26.2 miles winding through Washington, D.C. The weather was cooperative, and I started injury-free—two major wins right off the bat.

🏁 The Race Begins

The first half of the race went smoothly. I maintained a steady pace through the initial 13–14 miles, buoyed by fresh legs and the cool morning air. The largest hills appeared early, within the first 2–3 miles, but they were manageable thanks to the adrenaline and favorable conditions.

However, things took a turn after I ate mid-race. Digestive discomfort led to several bathroom breaks, which chipped away at my time and momentum. By the halfway mark, I was trailing my goal pace by nearly two minutes, and I knew the second half would require a serious push.

💪 The Final Stretch

Despite the setbacks, I pressed on. The temperature rose slightly during the final mile, adding to the challenge. The last 0.2 miles featured a steep incline that forced me to walk briefly—but I crossed the finish line with a time of 5:10. Ten minutes over my target, but still a finish I’m proud of.

🧊 Post-Race Realities

The post-race area was packed, making it tough to unwind or grab refreshments. Announcements urged runners to keep moving, so I didn’t linger long. Fortunately, my hotel was just steps away from the finisher zone. A hot shower and a quiet celebration were the perfect way to wrap up the day.

🙏 Final Thoughts

Running the Marine Corps Marathon was a powerful reminder that goals are important—but so is the journey. I may not have hit my time target, but I gained something even more valuable: resilience, perspective, and a story worth sharing.

Every mile taught me something. Every step was worth it. #marinecorpsmarathon #MCM2025 #MarathonJourney #RunnerLife #FinishLineFeels

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