Excited to be one step closer to the Marine Corps Marathon! Picking up my race packet today and the energy is already electric. Everything’s feeling real now!
Had a great run by the water this morning to shake out the nerves and soak in some calm before race day. Grateful for this journey and ready to take on the miles with heart and grit. 💪
Let’s go, runners! #MarineCorpsMarathon #PacketPickup #RaceReady #MorningMiles #RunWithPurpose
Facing Pre-Race Nerves for the Marine Corps Marathon
Six days. That’s all that stands between me and the start line of the Marine Corps Marathon. Six days until the cannon fires and I take on 26.2 miles of grit, honor, and determination. And right now? My stomach feels like it’s doing hill repeats.
The nerves are real. The questions creep in: Did I train enough? What if I hit the wall? What if something goes wrong?
Here’s what I’ve learned—those nerves aren’t the enemy. They’re proof that this matters.
What I’m Doing This Week to Stay Calm
My Race Week Mantra
“Decide. Commit. Execute.”
Decide why you’re here. Commit to the process. Execute with everything you’ve got. Every time nerves creep in, I repeat this mantra. It reminds me that this race isn’t just about running—it’s about following through on a promise I made to myself.
After months of training through the brutal summer heat, early mornings, and long runs that tested every ounce of grit — the countdown to the Marine Corps Marathon is officially on.
This isn’t just a race. It’s a tribute to discipline, resilience, and the spirit of the Marines. Every mile trained was a step toward something bigger.
Now it’s time to taper, refocus, and prepare to run with heart.
Summer miles = Fall glory.
Let’s finish strong. 💪
#MarineCorpsMarathon #MCM2025 #MarathonTraining #26DaysOut #RunWithPurpose
Paris Marathon Recap
The trip started out rocky with back pain and other issues that lead to surgery the week before heading to Paris for the marathon. I thought I was going to be ok to run the first few days in Paris, but unfortunately the pain came back. I reluctantly packed up all my race kit.
I did go to packet pick up to get my bib, but was not hopeful I would be able to run. I had a good chat with Kelly about the race. It was a hard decision because I didn’t want to give up and not try, but I also did not want to get another DNF like Dublin.
Race morning I felt ok, so I decided to give it a try. The state was one of the coolest starts for any marathon I have done, but within 5 miles I was ready to quit. I was just tired and didn’t want to run. I think the stress of the week had got to me. As I was getting ready to quit I asked myself what hurt causing me to quit… the answer was nothing. I was mentally quitting.
I chose to take the rest of the race easy. I walked when I wanted to, stopped for photos and just enjoyed the course (other than the dead rat).
It was not my fastest marathon by far, but I enjoyed the course and race experience probably more than any other marathon.
I just finished Suzie Chan’s book and the last 2 minutes was probably my favorite part of the book and sums up the question- “Why do you run?”
Some days I run for fun, but other days it is a chore.
Running is going thru emotions, blank them, think about them, to avoid them,
Run to take yourself away from life
Run to numb feelings
Run to make yourself feel alive
Run to feel part of something
Run to feel spending isolation
It strips you down, builds you up, humbles you, it gives you confidence,
Running lifts you up, and breaks your heart,
Running expects nothing of you
Why do I run… I run because I can
It is ongoing. It changes with you and gives you back what you put in.
I always enjoy reading my past blogs about my marathon, but I have been putting off doing a blog for months now. I know it is something I need to do.
The London marathon was a race I had been looking forward to for years and I was looking forward to the week. Unfortunately it was probably the worse week of my life and I considered not even running. But I knew I would regret it is I didn’t go to the start line.
The night before we had an amazing speaker, the director of the Boston marathon! His story of not being an athlete growing up and running because it was the only sport that they didn’t cut athletes reminded me of growing up. He failed at his first 2 attempts at the marathon, not even finishing, but has gone on to do some amazing things!
I woke up race day to rain. I put on a brave face and headed out. They estimated 1 hour to get to the start line and I gave myself extra time, only to arrive at the start line long enough to drop my stuff at bag check, use the toilet and walk to the start line. It was probably a good thing as the rain was coming down fairly good. The atmosphere at the start line was pretty boring with not much going on and there was no fanfare when you started. In fact I had to ask someone if we were at the start line.
Once we started I just ran. I didn’t look at my watch, didn’t follow any race plans. I noticed I was running faster than I planned at the check points. I just took the stress of the week out on the course. The course was busy and I spent most of it dodging people in light rain. I got to the last 10k and had a decision to make with regards to time, so I picked up the pace. The rain stopped as I got within a few miles of the finish line. As I ran up to Buckingham Palace I had about 45 seconds to get to the finish line to break 5 hours. I ended up about 20 seconds off.
The finish line was pretty quiet as well. I collected my bag and finisher shirt and walked back to the hotel. A quick shower and diner followed by an early night to bed finished up the day.
It is hard to believe we are just 30 days away from the London Marathon. This is a marathon I have wanted to run for as long as I can remember!
With just a month to go I have a wide range of emotions a bit nervous, very tired, excited and so many more. I am getting close to my last few long runs and can’t wait for the 23rd of April.
I starting a running program with a group called BMT Training and I have been learning so much! This past weekend we had a group run in Winter Park it is so nice to have a change of scene on my runs! Even Richard joined me on my Sunday run (he declined to run 18 miles with me on Saturday).
Next week I have my first 10k race with the group!
This past weekend we made a trip to OSU to watch my grandfather enter the OSU Hall of Fame. It was such a great weekend!
We arrived on Thursday and I got a nice run around campus before an amazing dinner with my aunt and uncle at The State Room.
Friday we explored the campus a bit more and attended the award dinner for Cecil.
On Saturday we had a nice breakfast with family before heading out to a basketball game with Cecil and Francis. I snuck out for a little run on the cross country course (which proved to be a challenge) We finished the day with a lovely dinner in a private room with just my grandparents.
Today I travelled to the other side of Orlando for a group run. It was a beautiful park and the weather was perfect. I got 12-13 miles in before most people were awake!
Now time for some recovery!
The Johnsons 