Miles And Miles

Won a complementary entry for the 100th Comrades Marathon!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Mon, 17 Aug 2026 20:48:52 +0000

I never win anything. Ballot. Random draws. Raffles. Running the 100th Comrades is a huge lifetime goal. I was so stressed about trying to get a spot. I just found out that I won one of 3 complementary entries into the 100th Comrades marathon. I think I have used up all my luck for the rest of my life!!

My registration also went through. Now I need to do all I can to make the start and finish line! No skimping on Coach Parry strength workouts 3X per week!!

8/27/26: Appears to be insane demand so far with the Green and Yellow numbers sold out within a day. Over 80% of the $1000+ charity spots are taken. Marathontours indicated that they have 200 spots for internationals. They expect to sell-out with their SCC members and per-registered list. Marathontours would have been my ultimate backup. I was preregistered and as a legacy Gold member would have almost certainly gotten a spot. That said I prefer to be able to make my own lodging arrangements and not have to share a room to avoid the single supplement. Probably best for CMA Members to join the queue an hour in advance with their EasyReg account created and all details filled out.

8/30/26: All charity spots are taken. TBD whether all CMA members get a spot on 9/2. Aside, I got a qualifier with a C corral at the Sydney marathon today. Unlikely, I'll be able to run a sub-3:20 for a B. That is fine. Based on what I saw this year it won't make much of a difference.

9/2/26: I was up at 1am PST, sharing the anxiety and excitement of the CMA member entry opening. Thankfully, everyone got an entry and entries were open well into the end of the day. TBD, what happens with the lottery but hopefully, there will be entries for almost everyone!

9/12: The lottery applications are well underway. Marathontours has open-ed up to folks on their pre-registered list/SCC members. If I hadn't already secured an entry I would have surely taken up the Marathontours offer at this point. Basically, my (backup) plan was to get the marathontours package, if I made the lottery I'd have used my own entry and I'd also stay in the rooms I'd already booked in the Southern Sun Maharani Executive rooms. I'd have opted for the shared accommodation, basic rooms with marathontours but not stayed in the rooms. Of course this was Plan C. Plan A was CMA. Plan B the ballot. As luck would have it I ended up with plan Z :)

9/22: Ballot officially closed. Results tomorrow. Per Coach Parry demand was unprecedented. I’m not surprised since I’m seeing people amongst my running circle who would not normally do an international ultra, enter… Lucky vibes to all!

9/23: 42808 ballot applications for about 14560 spots. 34% odds or 1 in 3. Not the worst especially compared to some of the majors but quite shocking for an ultra!!

9/24: Emails informing folks are out. Limited pathways remain. For internationals, MTT still has entries. For the rest it's up to the transfer window in March as well as lotteries for spots which are unclaimed by people not paying in time.

Cape Town Marathon 2026 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 24 May 2026 16:15:00 +0000

Cape Town Marathon 2026 Race Report – Chasing an Eighth Star

My lottery luck meant that as expected I didn't get picked for the 2026 lottery. At that point, I had pretty much accepted that Cape Town wasn't happening in 2026. I wasn't interested in buying one of the expensive travel packages that bundled race entry with a hotel, so I figured my pursuit of an eighth Abbott World Marathon Majors star would have to wait.

A few months later, everything changed.

In Feb, a tour operator sent me a targeted email saying they had a limited number of race entries available without requiring a hotel package. That immediately changed the equation. Suddenly, Cape Town became possible again.

A Much Better Travel Plan

My original itinerary was, in hindsight, completely ridiculous.

The plan was to land in Cape Town on Saturday morning, spend barely 24 hours there, run the marathon on Sunday morning, and rush straight to the airport for my flight home. I had booked a hotel for a single night and intended to treat South Africa like an extremely long layover.

Then world events intervened.

The conflict in the Middle East disrupted flights through Qatar, and my original itinerary was canceled. Ironically, it turned out to be one of the best things that could have happened.

The forced rebooking made me rethink the trip. I added several days of buffer, arriving on Wednesday after an overnight layover in Doha and departing Sunday evening after the race.

Having those extra days made a tremendous difference.

It also allowed me to switch from a hotel to an Airbnb near the V&A Waterfront. It turned out to be a fantastic luxury condo with 24-hour concierge service, biometric building access, a rooftop viewing deck, and a full kitchen. I could shop for groceries, prepare exactly the food I wanted before race day, and relax instead of constantly eating in restaurants.

Even better, many other marathon runners were staying in the building, so the entire place had race-week energy.

Looking back, I can't imagine trying to do the original express trip.

A Difficult Build-Up

The build-up Cape Town didn't go according to plan. The marathon was scheduled only a 3 weeks before Comrades, so Cape Town was intended to be more of a supported long training run than an all-out goal race. I was expecting to be in peak fitness and at the end of a Comrades training cycle.

Then my mother passed away on April 23.

I immediately traveled to India and spent roughly three weeks away from structured training. When I returned to Seattle, I was surprised by how much fitness I had lost. My first few runs were discouraging enough that I honestly wondered whether I would even be able to complete Cape Town.

Fortunately, the week before Cape Town I was already registered for the Olympia Marathon.

That race couldn't have gone much better. I ran a controlled marathon on a challenging course, negative split the race, and finished feeling strong. More importantly, it restored my confidence. My fitness metrics showed a rebound.

I wasn't back to the level I had reached before my training interruption, but I knew I was fit enough to run Cape Town comfortably.

A Special Year for Cape Town

This wasn't an ordinary edition of the race.

Cape Town was being evaluated for inclusion in the Abbott World Marathon Majors, so there was tremendous excitement surrounding the event. Eliud Kipchoge was racing, just as he had at Sydney the previous year. It almost felt like Kipchoge was following me around the world.

The race was also hosting the Age Group World Championships, bringing many elite age-group runners from around the globe.

Everyone knew the significance of the weekend. If Cape Town became a Major, everyone who completed this edition would receive an eighth star. Around 2,500 runners ultimately earned that distinction, and after seeing how professionally the event was organized, it wasn't surprising when Cape Town was officially added as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major.

Arrival in South Africa

After the flight changes, Qatar Airways performed flawlessly.

As an Alaska Airlines Titanium member with oneworld Emerald status, I enjoyed lounge access, priority baggage handling, and an exit-row seat with plenty of legroom. Those little comforts mattered on a journey that included roughly fifteen hours from Seattle to Doha followed by another ten hours to Cape Town.

Before arriving, I had read reports of a few runners being mugged after arrival, so I planned to be cautious. I used Uber exclusively, ignored unsolicited ride offers at the airport, and avoided unnecessary risks.

My caution quickly gave way to a positive first impression.

My first Uber driver noticed I had entered an incorrect destination and helped me correct it mid-way. The corrected trip was actually cheaper than what I had originally requested. He didn't have to help, but he did anyway.

That became a recurring theme throughout my stay.

Whether it was Uber drivers, restaurant staff, concierge personnel, or random locals, people were friendly, welcoming, and genuinely happy that visitors had come to South Africa.

Checking into the Airbnb was effortless. The building was exceptionally secure, with biometric access and concierge staff available around the clock.

That concierge even helped solve one unexpected problem.

I had forgotten my Garmin charging cable. Buying an original replacement locally would have cost far more than in the United States, so instead I ordered an inexpensive $5 replacement from Amazon and had it delivered directly to the building. Thanks to the 24-hour concierge, it was waiting for me just a few hours later.

Problem solved.

After nearly twenty-five hours of flying, I was exhausted. Rather than forcing myself to visit the expo, I simply crashed for several hours.

Later that evening I took an Uber to the V&A Waterfront and visited Woolworths to stock up on groceries. I was pleasantly surprised by the quality and selection. Although prices were comparable to grocery stores back home, the vegetarian selection was outstanding. I probably bought more food than I needed, but that meant I was completely self-sufficient for the rest of the trip and never had to worry about race nutrition.

Thursday: Settling In and the Expo

I had originally planned to run on Thursday morning, but fatigue from travel finally caught up with me. Given that it was also a rainy day it made more sense to call it a rest day.

It was rainy as I made my way to the expo, but fortunately I avoided getting soaked. The expo was compact but well organized. There were no lines for the number pickup and a good mix of vendors and photo-ops.

One pleasant surprise was discovering that the organizers had credited me with my virtual Cape Town Marathon from 2020. While the virtual race obviously doesn't count toward a marathon star, seeing my name listed as a returning participant was still a nice touch.

I had two goals at the expo. The first was to buy 226ERS nutrition products. I'd looked unsuccessfully for them in Rotterdam, but Cape Town had a full selection. I stocked up for Comrades and Sydney where they'd be present again. The second goal was to meet Coach Lindsey Parry. Cape Town isn't quite as Comrades-focused, there wasn't much of a line at the Coach Parry booth. We had a great conversation about my interrupted training and my Comrades goals. He reassured me that based on my running background I should comfortably finish Comrades, probably somewhere around the ten-and-a-half to eleven-and-a-half-hour range, provided I continued training consistently. His advice was simple: treat Cape Town conservatively, avoid overdoing the remaining training, and maintain consistency. He also told me to find him again at the Comrades Expo.

Friday: Morning run, Cape Peninsula, International welcome event

Friday began with an easy shakeout run. I asked the concierge whether it was safe to run, and they assured me that as long as I stayed aware of my surroundings, I'd be fine. I took an Uber to the Waterfront and immediately found myself surrounded by hundreds of other marathon runners. It almost felt like a massive organized group run. Running along the waterfront with Table Mountain in the background was a wonderful introduction to Cape Town. I ended up skipping the Uber and running back - primarily because I had to get to my tour pickup at the aquarium by 9:30am.

Friday's tour of the Cape Peninsula turned out to be another highlight of the trip.

We visited Cape Point, the Cape of Good Hope, and Boulders Beach to see the famous African penguin colony.

The weather cooperated beautifully. It was overcast but dry, making for perfect sightseeing conditions.

The evening concluded with the International Welcome Ceremony inside the stadium, featuring the internationally acclaimed Ndlovu Youth Choir. I expected it to be good and an opportunity to partake in a South African cultural experience. I was very impressed - they were spectacular.

Saturday: Morning run and down time.

Saturday was to be a quiet day with rest, sometime on the view deck, after a longish run which ended up being 11.5 miles. I needed some time on feet and it would also ensure that I did not go out too fast for the race. I ended up sleeping very well - 7-8 hours which is a luxury pre-marathon night.

Race Morning

Race morning couldn't have gone much smoother.

After breakfast I took an Uber as close to the start as possible. Unlike most marathons, I also carried my phone so I could arrange transportation afterward and take a few photos at both the start and finish.

Everything about the start area reflected how well organized the race was. No lines for the porta potties. Very little walking around or crowding. Just an organized and compact set-up.

The organizers used separate start areas and staggered start times to prevent overcrowding, making the entire process calm and efficient. I started from the B corral, which started right after the elites and A within a minute. Some motivating and inspirational music at the start but nothing Comrades like.

The Race

The opening kilometers gradually climbed onto bridges and highways while offering magnificent views of Table Mountain.

One interesting observation came almost immediately. Several runners commented on my carbon-plated Alphaflys. Whether it was the sound they made or simply that they were less common locally, they attracted far more attention that I would expect than at a marathon.

Along the way I chatted briefly with another runner who was also using Cape Town as preparation for Comrades before we each settled back into our own rhythm.

I also noticed something distinctly South African. Many runners were moving together in organized groups, following run-walk strategies as clubs rather than individuals. Compared to the often solitary nature of marathon running in the United States, the sense of community was refreshing.

Given that the race also included the Age Group World Championships, I gradually worked my way past many outstanding older competitors. Passing women in their seventies or men in their seventies who were competing at such a high level was incredibly inspiring.

My own goal was simply to run around a 3:45 marathon while carefully monitoring heart rate.

The course included a few rolling hills, but nothing severe. I stayed conservative on the climbs and let gravity help on the descents, knowing flatter sections would come later.

Crowd support was excellent throughout the populated neighborhoods. Some stretches along highways were naturally quieter, but spectators everywhere seemed genuinely excited to host this historic event.

Aid stations offered another preview of South African racing culture. Unlike typical marathons, Coca-Cola was available at most aid stations. I would later discover just how important Coke becomes during Comrades, so this turned out to be useful preparation. While I intended to practice taking some solids for Comrades, specifically bananas and potatoes, I never managed to expend the mental energy to do some. Incidentally, I wouldn't manage to do so for Comrades either.

Around the final 10 kilometers the sun emerged from behind the clouds, temperatures rose noticeably, and my heart rate crept upward. For a training run this did not impact me but it reminded me that I would need to get some more heat preparation for Comrades. The final miles followed familiar roads near the Waterfront where I had completed my training runs here. The waterfront out and back let to the finish at the DHL stadium.

I collected my medal, grabbed some food, took a few pictures with Table Mountain in the background. I walked for a bit to find a suitable spot to Uber back to my airbnb. I had a nice conversation from a South African who now lived in the UK.

Based on my experience, I was sure Cape Town would make the major cut - it did within a month of the race.

Heading Home

I had intentionally booked my Airbnb for one additional night.

That decision turned out to be another excellent one.

Instead of rushing through checkout, I returned to the apartment, showered, cooked a meal, relaxed on the rooftop deck, and enjoyed the views before leaving for the airport around 4:00 p.m. for my evening flight.

The return journey itself was uneventful, although the combination of an ultralong flight immediately after running a marathon eventually caught up with me. I picked up a mild illness on the way home and had to complete the final Comrades build-up at 75% capacity.

Final Thoughts

Cape Town certainly delivered. The organization was outstanding. The volunteers were wonderful. The scenery was spectacular. The city was welcoming, and the race fully deserved its eventual promotion to World Marathon Major status.

Perhaps the biggest lesson from the trip was that slowing down and allowing myself more time transformed the entire experience. What began as a frantic twenty-four-hour turnaround evolved into a memorable race experience.

Will I be back?

Not in 2027. I will heed to Coach Parry's guidance and prioritize the 100th Comrades Marathon - that will be special.

But I fully intend to return.

Like the other World Marathon Majors, Cape Town is a race I'd love to complete multiple times. Hopefully the lottery smiles on me again someday.

Another factor is that given the distance. If I have to fly to South Africa once, it will be for Comrades. Cape Town is great, Comrades is special.

In conclusion, I'll always remember being part of the historic class of runners who earned their eighth star in Cape Town.

Capital City Marathon Race Report 2026

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 17 May 2026 14:00:00 +0000

Marathon #103 – The Body Remembers

Capital City Marathon 2026 – Olympia, Washington

3:40:55 (3rd AG M45-49)

Marathon #103 – After all that has been… a 71-mile week and a marathon (3rd AG).

The Capital City Marathon has quite a pedigree as the host of the first U.S. Women’s Olympic Marathon Trials, where Joan Benoit Samuelson qualified for LA84. This year marked the race’s 45th anniversary, and I managed to grab one of the special $50 anniversary entries. At the time, it felt like a no-brainer addition to the spring schedule and part of the buildup toward Comrades Marathon.

Then life happened.

Five weeks earlier, I had run the Rotterdam Marathon in 3:41 with a carefully controlled effort and relatively low heart rate. I came out of Rotterdam feeling optimistic about the road ahead.

But in the five weeks between Rotterdam and Capital City, almost three weeks of training effectively disappeared following my mother’s passing. There were stretches where running simply did not matter. When I finally tried to return to training, I struggled to get past eight miles. My heart rate was noticeably elevated relative to pace. I had two tendon niggles that worried me enough that I seriously considered skipping the race entirely.

My expectations cratered. If I could safely run somewhere between 3:55 and 4:00, I would have considered the day a success.

The night before the race, I slept barely three and a half hours. Part of the reason was that I did not want the dream I was having to end. My mother was there talking to me, and waking up meant returning to reality again.

Still, at 4:30 AM I got into the car and drove south toward Olympia, arriving around 6 AM for the 7 AM start.

Race morning itself felt subdued and peaceful. Temperatures hovered in the high 30s with fog and mist hanging over Olympia. Winds were essentially nonexistent. Standing around before the start felt chilly, but once running began, the conditions turned out to be close to perfect marathon weather. Over the course of the morning the temperatures slowly climbed through the 40s into the low 50s with calm winds throughout.

I wore my favorite lightweight black Brooks top — the one with the hood and foldable sleeves that I use constantly for cool-weather runs. Once moving, I was perfectly comfortable for the entire race.

The atmosphere at the start was low-key compared to the majors. No massive production. No overwhelming hype. Just runners quietly gathering before the gun. In many ways, it fit the personality of the Pacific Northwest perfectly.

I lined up conservatively behind the 4:00 pacer and just ahead of the 4:20 pacer. That alone says a lot about my mindset entering the race. I genuinely had no idea what fitness remained after the disrupted month.

As a pacer myself with Super Pacers, I quickly noticed something interesting: the pacing groups all seemed to be going out far too aggressively, especially considering the slightly uphill opening miles. The 3:35 group eventually finished more than three minutes fast. Even though I ultimately ran significantly faster than 3:45 pace, it still took me until around mile 15 to catch the 3:50 pacer.

My own strategy was the opposite — stay patient, stay relaxed, and let the race come to me.

The first mile clicked by in 9:14. Then things slowly tightened:

8:52
8:45
8:41
8:38

The deeper I went into the race, the more confidence quietly returned.

The course itself held no surprises for me. I knew exactly what Capital City was — a rolling but fair course with excellent support and strong community energy throughout. What I did not know was what shape my body would be in after the previous month.

The race organization itself was exceptional. Honestly, the aid stations would put some major marathons to shame. There were water stops every two miles throughout the course, consistently well staffed and easy to navigate. Water came first, electrolyte drink second. Some stations offered sponges. Two had Honey Stinger gels and chews. Later in the race there were oranges available as well. The mile markers were accurate and easy to spot.

This is clearly a race that has learned a few things over 45 years.

What struck me most was how runner-focused everything felt. There was none of the excessive sponsor clutter or giant piles of unnecessary race junk that increasingly accompany major marathons trying to market themselves as environmentally conscious while simultaneously generating enormous waste. Packet pickup was refreshingly simple: a paper envelope containing the bib and a really cool commemorative hoodie. Efficient. Functional. Thoughtful.

And slowly, the race transformed.

At 10K I sat 11th in my age group. By halfway I had moved to 8th. Then 6th. Then 5th. By the finish I had climbed all the way to 3rd in M45-49.

The pacing progression told the story perfectly:

First quarter: 8:42/mile
Second quarter: 8:33/mile
Third quarter: 8:21/mile
Fourth quarter: 8:09/mile

This was not survival running. This was controlled negative splitting.

My first half was 1:52:54. The second half was significantly faster in 1:48:01. I closed the final segment at approximately 7:40 pace.

What surprised me most was not even the finishing time of 3:40:55. It was the realization that despite weeks of disrupted training and emotional upheaval, the deeper marathon engine was still there. The body somehow remembered some of the earlier training.

The elevated heart rate was a clear sign that detraining had happened, but the durability remained.

Perhaps the biggest victory of the day was that both tendon issues behaved completely throughout the race. Huge credit goes to the Nike Alphafly 3. Ever since wear testing the shoe before release, I have loved it. One major lesson from this stretch is that I will probably only wear test carbon-plated shoes moving forward. People often say runners should not always train in plated shoes, but for me they have become less about speed and more about injury management technology. Since the advent of supershoes, my biomechanics have simply held together better. I recover faster. I stay healthier. For someone trying to balance high race volume, aging durability, and increasingly ambitious schedules, that matters enormously.

One of the genuinely delightful surprises of the race was the post-race massage area. This was not one of those token two-minute race massages. The therapists spent real time working through trouble spots, and there was essentially no wait. I ended up lying there for close to half an hour, exhausted but peaceful.

At one point while lying on my back looking up at the sky, I almost felt like I could see my mother smiling.

Afterward, I skipped the post-race pizza and instead drank my Ensure recovery shakes before eventually wandering into Costco where, in true marathoner fashion, I recovered primarily via free samples.

Then came the funniest twist of all.

I had not even bothered checking the age group standings because podiuming never remotely crossed my mind entering the race. Only later did I discover that I had finished 3rd in my age group. Even more amusingly, the awards turned out to be beautiful handmade pottery cups created by a local artist. Once friends started posting photos of them online, the FOMO became very real.

I eventually emailed race director Sally Elliott — someone I know through the local pacing community — mostly assuming the opportunity had passed. Instead, I got one of the warmest race director exchanges I have had in a long time. She explained that the awards had been handmade by a local artist and that they would figure out a way to get mine to Seattle eventually.

That entire interaction perfectly captured the spirit of Capital City Marathon itself:

local
understated
thoughtful
functional
community-oriented
quietly special

This race surprised me.

It started as a cheap anniversary entry and nearly became a DNS during one of the hardest stretches of my life. Instead, it turned into one of the most emotionally meaningful races I have run in years — not because of the time itself, but because it reminded me that despite grief, interrupted training, aging, and uncertainty, the foundation is still there.

Next stop: Cape Town Marathon and the continued road toward Comrades.

Rotterdam Marathon 2026 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 12 Apr 2026 17:00:00 +0000

Controlled Execution in a City That Shows Up

I had been looking forward to the Rotterdam Marathon for a long time. My experience at the Amsterdam Marathon, especially the incredible crowd support, had made Dutch races particularly appealing. I also have a soft spot for anniversary races, and with this being the 45th edition, it felt like the perfect opportunity. This was also the first year the race moved to a lottery system, and I was fortunate to get picked - I suspect internationals had higher odds (I usually have awful lottery luck).

The original plan was to race this hard. However, as my Comrades training plan took shape, it became clear that this race fell too close to be run at full effort. With multiple races stacked together, this shifted from a goal race to a controlled effort marathon, part of the business end of the buildup to Comrades. I would like to come back for the 50th anniversary and race it properly.

The hotel situation ended up becoming one of the defining aspects of the trip. Almost a year in advance, I had booked a stay at the Stayokay Cube Houses, a non-refundable reservation that I had locked in even before getting through the lottery. Three weeks before the race, the hotel canceled due to renovations. That forced me to pivot, and I ended up booking the Rotterdam Marriott using my Titanium status. In hindsight, this worked our really well and completely changed the experience for the better.

I ended up with a top-floor suite for both nights, with lounge access on the same floor and a location within walking distance of both the start and finish. The convenience was hard to overstate. Even small things made a difference. I was able to get an ice bag delivered late at night, and simple amenities like dental and shaving kits were available on request. I loved having a panoramic view of the city from my room and the lounge. It reinforced a theme I have been noticing more and more: spending a little more in the right place unlocks a significantly better experience. It also contrasted nicely with the rest of the trip, where I was intentionally keeping things minimal.

The travel itself was very much on the opposite end of the spectrum. I flew Delta basic economy for about $653 round trip, which meant minimal luggage and the risk of getting the worst possible seat. On the flight from Seattle to Salt Lake City, I ended up in seat 28B, a middle seat in the second last row on a full flight. It was a very different experience from my usual priority boarding and premium seating, but it was manageable.

At Seattle, as usual I hit up the multiple Priority Pass restaurant credits. At Salt Lake City, I was able to get a 30-minute massage chair session at Xpresspa (again through Priority Pass). This was probably the best way I could have spent my layover time. I had also pre-ordered a special Indian vegetarian meal for the long-haul flight, which is something I’ve found to be a bit of a cheat code, especially when sitting at the back of the plane where options can run out.

The second leg to Amsterdam came with its own uncertainty. I didn’t have a seat assigned initially, and there was a real concern about whether I might get bumped. Eventually, I did get a seat, though not a particularly good one, and the flight filled up. By the time I arrived in Amsterdam, I had not slept and was already feeling the fatigue.

Getting into Rotterdam was more complicated than expected. Immigration was slow, with a single officer taking several minutes per person. I also made sure I verified how to tap my credit card for the IC Direct to Rotterdam (there were 2 taps required and I would have certainly missed the second tap for the supplement). On top of that, there were cancellations, and I ended up standing for the train ride. By the time I reached Rotterdam, I was quite beaten up from the travel.

I had originally considered doing a six-mile run on arrival, but that quickly became unrealistic. The better decision was to eat and rest. I also noticed some calf soreness, which I initially wondered might have been from the massage chair, but in hindsight was more likely from the strength work I had done on Thursday combined with the travel.

The expo was efficient and straightforward. It took about twenty minutes, and while I was able to pick up the race T-shirt, I didn’t find the 226ers gels I had hoped to stock up on.

Race morning was one of the smoothest I’ve had. The 10am start made a huge difference. I was able to have breakfast at 6:30am without rushing and still have plenty of time to get ready and walk to the start. Sleep also worked out surprisingly well. I slept for a couple of hours initially, woke up to do some light recovery work like icing, and then managed another five to six hours of sleep. I felt well rested by the morning.

The weather looked colder from the hotel room than it actually felt outside. It was sunny with some wind, but once moving it was quite comfortable. I ended up wearing a second layer that I didn’t really need, and I would have been fine in just a T-shirt.

The start atmosphere was noticeably mellow compared to the majors. Dutch runners come across as very humble and understated. You don’t see people showing off their achievements or drawing attention to themselves. There was some music and a rendition of a song, and then the race simply started. I positioned myself at the back of Wave 1, which worked well since I knew I would be running slower than most in that group and would have space from the beginning.

The plan was to run by heart rate, with a target of 140 (which usually is my easy long run and recovery target) and letting the pace take care of itself. I wasn’t chasing a specific time. Fueling was straightforward. I carried four gels, took the first 2 at six miles each (I normally do every 4 miles when I am racing), and picked up one more gel on the course around 35 kilometers. That brought me to about five gels total. I supplemented with sports drink and water, and late in the race a kind lady was handing out Coke, which felt fantastic. There were banana stations on the course, but I couldn’t bring myself to put in the mental effort to eat solids during the run. I noticed some sponge stops but it wasn't warm enough to require them. They however made for some interesting running on a surface littered by discarded sponges.

The early miles were not particularly engaging. There was a slight incline to start off and a headwind, and the crowd support was limited. However, soon we were in sections that were easier to get to and the support was amazing. Rotterdam is defined by its people and the crowds showed up in a big way. In many sections, people were lined several deep along the course. What stood out was how engaged they were. I had people cheering me by name at multiple points, which is no small feat given that my name is not the easiest to pronounce. There were kids lining the course with their hands out for high-fives, and one of the most memorable moments was passing a senior housing facility where residents were lined up in wheelchairs cheering the runners. I remember folks along the canal cheering from outside their homes. Loved the serenity and peace of sections of the course. A lot of similarities with some parts of the Amsterdam course.

There was also a lot of music on the course. Some of the live bands stood out, particularly a few that were made up of middle-aged women who were genuinely excellent and brought a lot of energy. There were also DJs and music playing at various points. I made a conscious decision to slow down mentally and take it all in, as the atmosphere felt special.

Compared to Amsterdam, the course itself is less visually dense. Amsterdam has more to offer in terms of scenery and feels more international, while Rotterdam feels more local. You still pass interesting spots like the cube houses and the Erasmusbrug, and there are some quieter, more peaceful sections, but what really defines Rotterdam is the people.

From an execution standpoint, the race went exactly as planned. I finished in 3:41, with a first half of about 1:51 and a second half of about 1:50, giving me a slight negative split. My average heart rate was 141, with most miles coming in below 140. I didn’t chase the pace, and yet it still ended up close to where I expected.

At the finish, I felt satisfied. The time was in line with expectations, and more importantly, I felt good physically. I was able to walk normally right away, with no quad soreness or any major fatigue. Given the back-to-back marathon weeks, the travel, and the lack of taper, this was about as good an outcome as I could have hoped for.

I briefly thought about running back to the hotel after the race, but that idea didn’t last long. My body made the decision for me, and in hindsight, that was the right call.

The race itself was extremely well organized. There were plenty of porta potties, the corrals were well managed, and everything ran smoothly. The medal was a highlight, marking the 45th anniversary and incorporating elements of the course and city, such as the cube houses and the Erasmusbrug. The overall design of the race stood out as well, with a clean blue theme and minimal sponsor clutter.

I also appreciated the approach to sustainability. Instead of a bulky race bag filled with items, everything was handed out in a simple paper envelope with the bib and T-shirt. Compared to races like London and Paris, which attempt sustainability but still generate a lot of waste, Rotterdam felt like it was genuinely reducing its footprint.

Logistically, Rotterdam is very straightforward. Realistically, you can take a train into the central station on race morning and be at the start within minutes. Compared to Amsterdam, which requires more planning and navigation through a larger and more complex city, Rotterdam is much more straightforward. Lodging also felt more accessible, as I was able to secure a very well-located hotel even relatively close to race day.

This race was the first in what will be a challenging stretch leading up to Comrades, with pacing duties at the Cherry Blossom race and Eugene coming up over the next two weeks. As a training effort, this was exactly what I needed. It was a controlled, well-executed marathon that delivered strong performance without unnecessary recovery cost.

I would definitely like to come back for the 50th anniversary and race this one properly.

Chuckanut 50k 2026 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Chuckanut 50K – First Trail Experience

Build-Up

Chuckanut was going to be my first trail race. Up until now, both of my ultras had been on the road, so this was new territory.

I hadn’t done much in the way of trail-specific preparation. The only real trail run beforehand was about 8 miles on the Fort Ebey kettles trail. I also spent time on the Lord Hill trail while volunteering for Northwest Trail Races, including a long day of about 15 miles over 4.5 hours carrying and removing course markers. Beyond that, my training remained largely road-focused.

This race was always meant to be a training run for Comrades, not a race effort. I chose not to taper, aside from taking two rest days before the race. In fact, I did an 8-mile tempo run less than 36 hours before the race, which made it clear this was not about peak performance.

At one point in January, I had asked to withdraw from the race due to what I thought was a hamstring injury. Fortunately, that turned out not to be serious, and I was able to get my spot back in early February. Given how quickly this race sells out, I was grateful for that.

I expected muddy and potentially technical conditions, especially with recent rain and snow. I’m not particularly comfortable on muddy, rocky terrain, so that added some uncertainty.

For shoes, I chose the Columbia Trillium. They’re not particularly responsive or fast, but they felt stable and protective, which mattered more for this race. I had snagged a pair for $50 at the employee store in January (I was probably the only runner running this race in Columbia shoes, which were perhaps more suited for shorter runs/hiking).

I also planned to use this race as a test for my Salomon Adv Skin 12 vest. I carried Maurten gels, electrolytes, and even Pedialyte, though I wasn’t sure how much I would actually need given the expected effort level.

The field was strong and skewed younger. I expected to start near the back and take it easy. My initial goal was simply to finish within the 8-hour cutoff, with anything faster being a bonus.

This race also marked the start of a heavy block leading into Comrades—Rotterdam, Eugene, and several others—so the priority was to get through it cleanly and recover quickly.

Getting There

The trip to Bellingham did not go smoothly. What should have been a 90-minute drive ended up taking about four hours due to traffic. I missed packet pickup at Backcountry Essentials, which was disappointing. I had been looking to partake in the social pre-race vibe with the sponsors.

In hindsight, going up the day before was still the right decision. Had I tried to drive up on race morning, there was a real risk of missing the start given the highway issues.

By the time I got to the hotel, I was already quite tired. I stayed in, ate the food I had brought, and got to bed around 11:30pm.

Race Morning

I woke up at 4am after about 3.5 hours of sleep. Despite that, I felt reasonably functional given I had slept well the previous night.

I left around 5:50am and reached the Western Washington University parking lot by 6:05am. The shuttle was comfortable, and the cherry blossoms on campus were a nice touch.

At the start, things felt calm. There were heaters set up, which made a big difference in the cold conditions. I also used the warm restrooms at the Fairhaven Pavilion instead of the porta potties—a small but meaningful decision.

Looking around, most runners seemed younger and more experienced with trails. There were very few older runners, and I was likely the only person of Indian origin in the field. That didn’t matter much—it was just an observation.

Strategy

This was not a race effort.

The plan was simple:

Walk the climbs
Be cautious on technical terrain
Run the flatter sections
Keep effort controlled

I expected to run more of the first and last ~10.5 km and conserve energy in the middle. I also budgeted about five minutes per aid station but didn’t plan to linger.

Early Miles – A Peaceful Start

The first few miles felt surprisingly peaceful. There was no urgency—just settling into the trail. It was here that a runner wearing an olympic trails T ran by us - there would be other (likely elite/sub-elite) runners getting in their run during the day.

I stayed disciplined, walking the climbs and taking the technical sections cautiously. A lot of runners passed me here. They were power-hiking efficiently while I was mostly easy walking. On the technical terrain, they moved more fluidly while I stayed conservative.

I also found myself implicitly following other runners in deciding when to walk. If a group ahead of me started hiking, I would often do the same rather than making that decision independently. That cost time, but it was intentional.

Photo Credit: Tiare Bowman Photography

Middle Section – Cleator Road and Conditions

Cleator Road was easily my least favorite part of the course. It was a long, gradual climb on a gravel road that just kept going. It lacked the character of the trails and felt like a grind.

This was also when the weather turned. It started hailing, and the temperature dropped quickly. I tried to put on my gloves, but my hands were so cold that it was difficult to get them on. I am glad that the race director, Krissy, had mandated gloves (along with beanies, and a waterproof layer). It did warm up soon and the sun was out for the latter part of the race.

I also stopped a couple of times to take pictures. Since this wasn’t a race effort, I wanted to capture the experience. The overall vibe was so different from most road races.

Trail Learning

One of the biggest takeaways was how much more efficient other runners were.

They were:

Power-hiking climbs at a much faster pace
Moving seamlessly across technical terrain - almost gliding.
Transitioning smoothly between running and hiking

I was:

Easy walking climbs
Being cautious on technical sections

Over the course of the race, that difference added up significantly. Based on the results, about an hour would have moved me roughly 200 places up the field.

Looking back, that also meant I was reacting more than deciding—using others as a cue for when to switch between running and walking, rather than managing it based on my own effort or terrain.

Later in the race, I realized that on trails—especially in mud—you often need to be more aggressive rather than tentative. Being cautious can actually make things harder. I did take one fall while trying to be more assertive, but that seemed common for many runners that day.

Late Miles – Strong Finish

As the course became more runnable toward the end, I was able to pick up the pace significantly.

I never felt like I was fading. In fact, I felt stronger than many of the runners around me in the final miles.

Early on, the goal had been to stay within the 8-hour cutoff. But as I continued to feel good, that shifted to trying to finish under 7 hours.

Photo Credit: Tiare Bowman Photography

I finished in 6:57:57.

What stood out most was that I still felt like I could keep going. I'm also thankful for the time on feet. I'm targeting a 8:20 for Comrades (for the Bill Rowan medal). Of course, I am hopeful on the roads I will be a different being. My running on the trails reminded me of the Sea Lions I encountered on the Galapagos Islands - they were so clumsy on land but so carefree and graceful under water. I will also Have my Alphafly-3 and not my 11.9oz tank of a running shoes :)

Results and Splits

Finish Time: 6:57:57
Overall Placement: 396 / 521
Division: M40–49

Splits

6.2 miles: 1:01:39 (~9:57/mi)
12.9 miles: 2:44:32 (~15:20/mi for segment)
24.9 miles: 6:01:42 (~16:25/mi for segment)
Finish (~32 miles): 6:57:57 (~7:55/mi final segment)

Interpretation

The splits reflect how the race unfolded:

The opening miles were controlled and efficient
The middle section slowed due to hiking and technical caution
The final segment was the fastest of the day

This highlights a deliberate strategy—trading time early for control and finishing strength.

Garmin / Strava Data

Distance: ~32 miles
Elevation Gain: ~5,700 ft
Average Pace: ~13:00/mi
Average Heart Rate: ~137 bpm

Effort Profile

The heart rate data confirms that this was a controlled effort:

Average HR was significantly lower than marathon effort (~155+)
Effort remained largely aerobic
No meaningful late-race fade or drift

Fueling Context

Given the low effort level:

~4 Maurten gels were sufficient
Minimal use of carried fluids (500ml of 1l)
Supplemented with water, coke, and electrolyte drink at aid stations

Post-Race

The finish area was simple. The finisher gift was a choice between two hats.

I didn’t stay long. With a 4pm hotel checkout, I grabbed my checked bag and skipped the rest.

I had an $8 meal ticket but didn’t use it. Instead, I gave it to someone standing in line for food, and they seemed happy to have it.

The shuttle wait turned out to be one of the more uncomfortable parts of the day. I stood in the cold shade for about 45 minutes, and the first bus was completely full.

I got back to the hotel around 4:20pm. The hotel was very accommodating and let me stay until almost 5pm to shower.

The drive back was mostly uneventful—some traffic about 40 miles out, but much better than the drive in.

Final Thoughts

Looking back, I think the only reason I was able to pull this off—with just one non-technical trail run beforehand—was a combination of the course and my road fitness.

The roughly 13 miles of flatter terrain at the beginning and end made a big difference. I was able to take advantage of those sections.

Beyond that, it really came down to my overall road running base. Without it, I likely would not have made the cutoff comfortably.

The climbs and technical terrain exposed clear gaps in my trail experience—especially in power hiking and moving efficiently over technical ground.

For now, this race served its purpose. It was a controlled effort, a new experience, and a solid step toward Comrades.

Looking Ahead

I would like to come back and run this race again next year, but with a more intentional approach.

There are a few clear areas I would change:

Shoes: While the Columbia Trillium performed reasonably well in terms of protection and stability, they lacked responsiveness. I would look to use a more capable trail shoe that still offers grip and confidence but allows for better movement on runnable sections.
Trail Preparation: This time, I went in with minimal trail-specific training. Next year, I would include a few shorter trail runs over the summer—not necessarily as structured workouts, but to get more comfortable moving efficiently on trails and technical terrain.
Race-Specific Preparation: I would also consider running a trail marathon beforehand, possibly the Northwest Trail Runs Fort Ebey Kettles Marathon, as a way to build familiarity with trail racing dynamics.

The biggest takeaway from this race is that the gap wasn’t fitness—it was efficiency. That’s something that can be improved relatively quickly with the right exposure.

Houston Marathon 2026 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 11 Jan 2026 15:00:00 +0000

Marathon #100: Pacing Houston Back to Good Luck

Chevron Houston Marathon — January 2026 Bib #9191 · 3:45 Pace Group · Chip Time 3:44:43

The Voodoo

Houston has always been my second-unluckiest marathon, right behind Boston. I love running anniversary editions of races, so over the years I'd signed up for Houston's landmark editions — and the race kept finding ways to deny me:

40th anniversary (2012): DNS.
45th anniversary (2017): Actually ran it, but on a day of unusual heat and humidity that took the shine off.
50th anniversary (2022): Another DNS — I'd just run four pandemic-rescheduled majors in the fall of 2021 (could've been five, if not for a Chicago DNS) and had nothing left in the tank by the time Houston rolled around.

So Houston and I had unfinished business. I wasn't even planning to toe the line in 2026. Then a mailing-list email showed up, out of the blue, looking for marathon pacers. I filled out the application on a whim and promptly forgot about it — until, a couple of months later, an email landed saying I'd been selected for the pace team. Cool.

What I didn't plan for: this would turn out to be marathon #100. I'd have picked somewhere with more history to me — Berlin, maybe, which I've now run eight times — if I'd been trying to time it. But I wasn't, and Houston 2026 (the 54th running) is where the streak broke.

While digging through the pacer application later, I came across the line that had made me apply in the first place, from the "Why do it?" prompt:

Running is the ultimate leveler — an opportunity to unite all irrespective of wealth, race, age, etc. Being a Pace Team member contributes to this mission in a small way, helping folks in the Houston community be empowered by finishing a race as optimally as possible and want to keep running.

That's a pretty good reason to pace.

Getting There

Flew in on Alaska, upgraded to first (small thanks to Titanium status). Landed in Houston in the evening and skipped the traditional hotel for an Airbnb-style place instead. Being a little frugal, I took the bus in from the airport — a dollar well spent.

Sleep did not cooperate. Not that first night, and not really the couple of nights before the race either.

Shakeout 5K and Expo

One of the nice pacer perks: a complimentary entry to the morning shakeout 5K, plus a free pair of Brooks Hyperion Max and pacing gear — Brooks sponsors the Houston pace team.

I ran to the 5K start and back rather than take transport, a little wary of downtown Houston that early. The 5K itself felt way harder than it should have — not a flowing run at all. Sleep? Shoes? No idea. Picked up my bib, then went back to the expo later to volunteer at the Brooks booth and spend a happy hour wandering stalls collecting swag.

Prominent enough race that you just casually spot pros doing warmup loops — saw Galen Rupp working out near the Hilton by the convention center, and Sara Hall was pacing that weekend too.

Race Morning

Early start, and — in hindsight, a mistake — I ran/walked roughly two miles to the start line on race morning itself. That, combined with what was probably an overloaded training week leading in, is something I now chalk up as a contributing factor to what happened late in the race. Lesson for next time, pacing or not: no extra miles on your legs on race morning.

Also managed to miss the official pacer group photo by about thirty seconds, thanks to expo-center chaos. The pacer area itself was a nice perk though — a dedicated space at the GRB convention center with indoor seating and bathrooms, out of the cold, right up until corral time.

The Race

My co-pacer was Gus Rodriguez - a Houston local, a genuine legend with a stack of hundred-mile finishes, and someone who'd paced Houston before. Having his local knowledge alongside was a big asset.

We had a big, cohesive 3:45 pack — somewhere between 30 and 60 people at various points — and it turned out to be one of the more memorable pace groups I've run with, sticking together nearly the whole way. Goal was to stay within a minute ahead of target, never faster, and we kept the group talking and informed throughout — a lot of good conversation out there.

Early mechanical annoyance: my shoelaces would not stay tied. Kept having to stop, retie, and chase back onto the pack.

The course itself is a real highlight — flat, well organized, and running through some genuinely nice parts of town, especially around Rice University. The tradeoff is that it's almost entirely on concrete, and someone had warned me beforehand that all that hard pavement adds up on your legs late in a race. They were right.

Weather was about as close to perfect as you could ask for. We hit the half in 1:51:50, just under a minute of pace buffer and right on schedule.

Then, in the last 800 meters, my left hamstring nearly seized entirely. I told Gus to go on without me — he wasn't having it. "We're running together." Somehow I made it to the finish, buffer intact, pace group delivered on target.

The hamstring issue was humbling for a couple of weeks afterward, but it resolved on its own. Everything else — genuinely one of my best race experiences. Amazing crowd support, top-notch organization start to finish.

Looking Ahead

Everything about Houston 2026 makes me want to keep pacing — the Brooks perks, the community, the redemption of finally breaking that unlucky streak on marathon #100 of all races. I'm already signed up to pace again in 2027 for Houston 55.

That said, I'm weighing it honestly: flying in from Seattle every winter for this isn't cheap between flights and accommodation, and December training in Seattle weather is rough. There are other races calling — Miami among them — and part of me wants to spread the pacing (and the travel budget) around a bit more in years ahead.

For now, though: Houston, we're square.

Honolulu Marathon 2025 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 14 Dec 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Race Report: Honolulu Marathon 2025

Marathon #99 | Honolulu #2 | Hawaii #4 The Grand Finale of a 16-Marathon Year

The Lead-Up: Soak It All In

My Honolulu journey began Thursday morning, landing in the islands and heading straight to the expo at the Hawaii Convention Center to soak up the pre-race energy. Friday turned into an unintentional "legs-day" as I clocked almost 10 miles of walking around town.

Saturday was all about the community. I spent the early morning watching the 1-mile race before joining the Body Art Run Club for a pre-race shakeout run. The weekend weather was a preview of race day: a constant dance of heavy tropical rain mixed with bright, sunny breaks. Between the miles, I fueled (and eventually celebrated) with some truly fabulous meals at Hau Tree—the perfect beachfront backdrop for both pre-race prep and post-race recovery.

Race Morning: Drenched Before the Start

The 5:00 AM start was as electric as I remembered from 16 years ago. I ran to the start line in a torrential downpour, meeting and running with Iris and her friend along the way. We were absolutely drenched before the fireworks even went off, but the sight of the downtown streets lit up by Christmas lights made the soaking worth it.

The Course: A Tale of Two Climbs

Returning to this course for the first time since Marathon #20 (2009) was a trip down memory lane. The race remains a beautiful, seamless blend of Japanese and American culture—though I marveled at how the race pics have evolved into a Tokyo-like $200+ price tag! The views at the break of dawn are quite majestic. The highway out and back might feel like a little mental chore but you also get to see runners on the other side! I recall a lady passing out around mile 13 and runners rushing to help her - the head and humidity does make for relatively tough conditions abet the course being flat (compared to say Kauai) with a net 400ft of elevation gain…

The Conditions:

Atmosphere: 75°F+ and 90%+ humidity.
The Weather: A wild mix of torrential downpours, piercing sun, and everything in between.
The Strategy: My preventive Vaseline worked like a charm—no chafing despite the constant moisture!

I felt great for the vast majority of the run, but by Mile 23.5, the sun came out in full force. I made the executive decision that I simply did not want to run up that final hill in the heat, so I walked from Mile 23.5 to 25. No regrets! That tactical break made the ice-cold Coke stops toward the end feel absolutely divine.

The Finish & The Hardware

Crossing the finish line of my 99th marathon was a moment of pure gratitude. The finisher medal, crafted in Japan by SGC, is stunning, though I found myself feeling nostalgic for the bead of seashells I received back in 2009 instead of the conventional ribbon.

The Honolulu marathon does not have a time limit. The course is open till the last runner crosses. This year that was around 15 hours. It was inspiring seeing the final runners make it to the finish line in some cases amidst the torrential downpour - their joy and sense of achievement was contagious.

I did not expect to be running this again. In reflection I really enjoyed the vibe of Honolulu and the race. I signed up for 2026 using the super early race. This time around I will also run the 1 mile run the day before!!

2025: The Year of the Journey

This was my 16th and final marathon of 2025. People often ask "Why do we do it?" For me, it’s about the memories etched into every mile across 4 continents and 8 countries. This year was a whirlwind of 6 Majors (earning another 6-star + 7th star) and incredible cities:

Mumbai → Tokyo → Rome → Jersey City → London → JNJ → Tunnel Vision → Sydney → Cascade Express → Berlin → Chicago → Amsterdam → Marine Corps → NYC → Seattle → Honolulu

Milestones Hit

Marathon #99 (One away from the triple digits!)
2,500+ miles for the year 2025.
23,000+ total Strava running miles.

As I look toward 2026, I’m celebrating the health that allows me to chase these experiences. Next stop: The Big 100.

Here’s to health, wealth, and happiness in the New Year!

Seattle Marathon 2025 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 30 Nov 2025 15:30:00 +0000

Marathon #98: Local Legend of These Miles

UW Medicine Seattle Marathon — November 30, 2025
Bib #8777 · 3:26:28 · 7:52/mile

Some marathons are about the destination.

This one was about coming home.

After more than two decades of living in Seattle, I know these roads, bridges, and waterfront trails better than almost anywhere else in the world. I run many of them several times a week. By the time I reached the final miles of the Seattle Marathon, I wasn't discovering the course—I was running through a highlight reel of my everyday training.

That made Marathon #98 feel surprisingly special.

A Race I Thought I'd Left Behind

For a while, I assumed I was finished with the Seattle Marathon.

I ran the race during its 50th anniversary in 2019, had an excellent race and it seemed like an appropriate farewell to a former love. The course had changed several times from its traditional route, Thanksgiving weekend in Seattle usually meant cold rain and short daylight, and the cheap and uninspiring medals represented the race as a whole - average rather than excellent. For such a major city we could surely do better?

Then I noticed positive changes.

The 2023 medal immediately caught my attention - it was one of the best designs the race had produced in years and the course was improving. I returned in 2024, enjoyed the experience, and also volunteered for the race. Volunteering again for the race made me feel more connected. I had in the past volunteered and paced the race for several years. It felt like the organizers were genuinely investing in improving the runner experience. I also volunteered again this year, earning another heavily discounted entry for 2026. A nice perk was that I was able to choose my race number. I went with "8777".

The Ultimate Home Race

Very few marathons let you wake up in your own bed, walk out your front door, and be standing at the start line ten minutes later.

No flights.
No hotel.
No rental car.
No transportation logistics.

Just an easy walk from home to the Seattle Center start.

The day before the race, Club Seattle Running Division (CSRD) hosted a fun pre-race gathering featuring with a sponsored breakfast, Monster Energy drinks, and free sponsor socks. Small details, but they created a welcoming hometown atmosphere amongst "familiar faces".

This marathon also arrived after an unusually demanding stretch of racing. Only four weeks earlier, I had completed four marathons in four consecutive weeks—Berlin, Amsterdam, Marine Corps, and New York City. All four races went really well and I was looking to finish the year well. Having a little recovery time before lining up again felt like a luxury.

Cool Weather and Familiar Roads

Race morning was nearly ideal.

Temperatures hovered around 30°F with light mist, almost no wind, and conditions gradually warmed into the mid-30s as the morning progressed. A little chilly, but nothing you can't dress for.

The course winds through many of Seattle's most recognizable neighborhoods before climbing toward Capitol Hill and the University of Washington. Around miles 19 through 23, runners tackle a somewhat awkward loop around a hillside before the marathon and the start of the second loop was where the half marathon courses separated. There were some marathon runners who accidentally went the wrong way early on and had an incorrect course distance.

One of the race's most talked-about moments came at the Magnolia Bridge. The bridge closure generated plenty of local controversy, with drivers delayed while thousands of runners crossed. From the middle of the race, though, it simply felt like another memorable Seattle moment.

Then came the best part.

After descending from Magnolia, the course joins the Elliott Bay Trail.

This is my trail.

I run here constantly throughout the year. Instead of counting down unfamiliar streets during the closing miles of a marathon, I was running the same waterfront path that has carried me through countless easy runs, workouts, and recovery days. The race suddenly became deeply personal.

Even better, the finish line sat only a block from my home.

Cross the line.

Collect the medal.

Walk home.

That's hard to beat.

A well-executed marathons

The pacing told the story.

I deliberately started conservatively, covering the opening 5K at 8:07 per mile before gradually settling into rhythm. I reached halfway in 1:44:11, then negative split the second half in 1:42:18.

Quarter-by-quarter pacing was remarkably consistent:

7:44
7:48
7:54
7:44

From miles 12 through 20, nearly every mile stayed comfortably under eight-minute pace without ever feeling forced.

Once I reached Elliott Bay, I began pressing the pace. My closing miles were 7:34, 7:58, 7:39, 7:48, 7:43, before finishing with a final sprint at roughly 7:30 pace.

The effort remained controlled throughout.

Average heart rate was 153 bpm, cadence averaged 185 steps per minute, and instead of hanging on during the closing miles, I was still accelerating.

The result was 3:26:28, averaging 7:52 per mile—a substantial improvement over my previous Seattle Marathon pace of 8:16 per mile.

I finished:

320th overall (approximately 2,640 finishers)
277th male
8th in the M45–49 age group

A Race That's Finding Its Identity Again

The finish area near the waterfront remains a little cramped, and I watched several runners navigating and being blocked at a single elevator to exit the area. That said the recovery beverages and stations were top quality with premium offerings!

I had a much easier route.

I simply turned toward home.

A few minutes later I was recovering in my own apartment with an Epsom salt bath, reflecting on a fun race day.

The medal was another standout—beautifully featuring Mount Rainier—and continued the race's recent trend toward higher-quality finisher awards.

Another cool aspect was the detailed result analysis from Brooksee - AI generated race report, in-depth splits and race analysis. I guess if you had a bad race it would be adding salt to fresh wounds :p

More importantly, the event itself feels like it's heading in the right direction.

The organization has improved. The course continues to evolve. The atmosphere feels stronger than it did several years ago. And with plans to extend even more of the finish onto the newly renovated Elliott Bay Trail in 2026, the experience should become even better.

For years, I wasn't sure I'd ever run Seattle again.

Now, it's becoming an annual tradition.

There's something uniquely satisfying about racing through your own city, seeing familiar faces along the course, finishing on your favorite training trail, and ending the day with nothing more complicated than a short walk home.

Some marathons take you somewhere new.

Seattle reminds me exactly why I love where I already am.

New York Marathon 2025 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 02 Nov 2025 17:45:00 +0000

TCS New York City Marathon 2025: Fifth Time Through, Fastest Yet

November 2, 2025

Bib #13865 · 3:27:11 · 7:55/mile · Fourth Marathon in Four Weeks

This was my fifth New York City Marathon and my third consecutive year running it. After Chicago, Amsterdam, and Marine Corps on the previous three weekends, I expected to arrive in New York with very little left in my legs.

Instead, I ran my fastest—and most evenly paced—New York City Marathon yet.

Why I Keep Coming Back

I ran New York for the first time in 2009, for the marathon’s 40th running. I stayed out in Westchester and completely missed the energy surrounding the race in Manhattan. The marathon itself was memorable, but I didn’t come away feeling any urgency to return.

My second New York came in 2021, for the 50th anniversary. Pandemic restrictions meant that even such a historic edition couldn’t quite deliver the full New York experience.

It finally clicked for me in 2023. I realized that the New York City Marathon isn’t simply a 26.2-mile race - it’s a weeklong gathering of the global running community, culminating in a citywide celebration across all five boroughs. Once I began treating the entire weekend as part of the experience, New York became one of the highlights of my racing calendar. I returned in 2024 and again in 2025.

Getting into the race as a non-local runner isn’t easy. The lottery odds are notoriously low, I don’t have a qualifying time for guaranteed entry, and I can’t realistically participate in the local 9+1 program. Instead, I have booked through Marathon Tours, which has been seamless each time.

My long-term goal is to reach 15 NYC finishes and earn guaranteed entry for life. This was number five.

The Setup: Red-Eyes and an Unexpected Solo Room

I stayed at the Sheraton Times Square again, taking advantage of my Marriott Titanium benefits for early check-in, a room upgrade, and breakfast.

My New York strategy has become fairly standard: catch a Thursday-night red-eye from Seattle, land early Friday morning, and go directly to the hotel. Flight disruptions had plagued the East Coast throughout the week, but my Alaska Airlines flight operated perfectly.

To keep the Marathon Tours package affordable, I generally agree to share a room with another runner. This year, however, my assigned roommate never appeared. Having the room to myself, and getting an uninterrupted night’s sleep before the race, was an unexpected luxury.

Friday: The Expo and the Gold Club Circuit

I headed to the Javits Center on Friday morning to collect my bib. The expo was well organized, although I thought Chicago had a slight edge in its layout that year. Either way, getting bib pickup done on Friday was important; the crowds become considerably heavier on Saturday.

Membership in the Abbott World Marathon Majors Gold Club continued to deliver some nice benefits. In addition to the gift of race-specific socks, I won a complimentary entry to Saturday’s Dash to the Finish Line 5K (typically $45).

Friday evening became a whirlwind of marathon-weekend events:

The Saucony x Fleet Feet gathering
The Abbott Gold Club meetup
Dinner at Red Poke near the hotel - one of my favorite inexpensive meals in Manhattan and an excellent place to construct a custom carbohydrate-heavy dinner

By the time I returned to the Sheraton, New York marathon weekend was fully underway.

Saturday: Dash to the Finish 5K, and Pre-Race Italian

Saturday began early. The Westin was hosting a shakeout run for Six Star finishers and Gold Club members. I stopped by briefly for the photos, swag, and food before jogging over to the United Nations for the Dash to the Finish Line 5K.

The 5K has a wonderful international atmosphere, with runners from around the world carrying their national flags through the streets of Manhattan. This year race directors from major marathons competed against one another in a friendly dash.

I kept my own effort strictly conversational. There was no reason to burn matches less than 24 hours before the marathon - especially with three marathons already in my legs.

Afterward, I had planned to meet some of my Go! Running Tours colleagues for coffee, but Central Park road closures made the logistics impossible. That felt entirely appropriate for New York on marathon weekend.

Saturday evening more than made up for it. Instead of holding the customary banquet in a hotel ballroom, Marathon Tours hosted its pre-race dinner at an Italian restaurant. Both the food and the atmosphere were excellent.

During dinner, the company’s founder spoke about how New York had been Marathon Tours’ first race trip decades earlier. It was a fitting story, especially given the extraordinary logistical challenge that still defines this race: moving tens of thousands of runners to Staten Island before sunrise and somehow getting everyone to the foot of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge.

Race Morning: Staten Island and the Blue Start

One of the best reasons to book through Marathon Tours is the private charter bus from the hotel directly to Fort Wadsworth. It is a major improvement over navigating the ferry-and-bus system on race morning.

My strategy is to take the latest available charter so that I spend as little time as possible sitting outside in the cold. I also left the hotel’s boxed breakfast behind and stuck with the pre-race fueling routine I had already tested countless times.

Security at Fort Wadsworth became a significant bottleneck that morning, with VIP lanes occupying nearly half the available capacity. Some runners arriving on later ferries were delayed long enough to miss their assigned waves. Fortunately, I had enough time and made it through without any real stress.

To stay warm, I wore one of my mother’s old hospital robes. I think it'll become my go-to disposable layer for cold race mornings: warm, practical, and more meaningful than the usual throwaway clothing.

I had been assigned to Wave 1, Corral 1F, Blue—the final corral in the first wave. It was almost an ideal starting position: cool temperatures, early daylight, and no need to weave through large groups of slower runners.

Corral 1F was filled with local “streakers” preparing to run their 15th, 20th, or even 30th consecutive New York City Marathon. Their presence made my fifth finish seem modest, but it also gave me a glimpse of what continued participation in this race could eventually become.

The Blue start also meant running across the upper deck of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge. It may involve slightly more climbing, but the sweeping views across the harbor are worth every additional foot of elevation.

The Race: Five Boroughs, One Steady Rhythm

Having run the course several times, I knew what was waiting around almost every corner. There were no surprises to fear and no reason to force the pace early.

Despite this being my fourth marathon in four weeks, I settled into a remarkably comfortable rhythm almost immediately.

Staten Island and Brooklyn: Miles 1–13

The opening mile climbs the Verrazzano, which makes it difficult to judge effort from pace alone. The second mile drops sharply into Brooklyn, where the different starting colors gradually merge and the race begins to take shape.

The long stretch down Fourth Avenue is where New York first starts to feel like New York: neighborhood after neighborhood, bands and DJs, handmade signs, and crowds that seem to grow with every mile.

The atmosphere shifts again after the turn onto Lafayette Avenue in Fort Greene. The broad avenue gives way to tree-lined streets, brownstones, dense crowds, and music coming from every direction.

Another recurring New York visual was members of the local Orthodox Jewish community attempting to cross through the stream of runners - an urban endurance event in its own right.

I kept the pace controlled and concentrated on running the shortest available line. Three marathons in the previous three weeks had taught me that patience was going to matter much more than bravado.

Queens and the Queensboro Bridge: Miles 13–16

The Pulaski Bridge carried us out of Brooklyn and into Queens, with the halfway mark near the top. From there, the course wound toward one of its defining landmarks: the Queensboro Bridge.

The bridge is long, enclosed, and almost completely silent. After miles of continuous crowd support, the sudden absence of noise is striking. All you hear are footsteps, breathing, and the occasional watch alarm as the course climbs gradually toward Manhattan.

Then comes one of the great moments in marathon running.

The course descends from the bridge, curls onto First Avenue, and the silence is replaced instantly by a wall of sound. The noise seems to hit you physically. No matter how many times I experience that transition, it produces an adrenaline surge.

First Avenue and the Bronx: Miles 16–21

First Avenue is loud, straight, and deceptively long. The crowds make it easy to speed up, but the road continues north for miles, and the race still has plenty of work left.

I resisted the temptation to chase the energy around me and maintained my rhythm toward the Willis Avenue Bridge. After a brief loop through the Bronx, we crossed back into Manhattan and began the long journey south toward Central Park.

By then, I was well beyond the point where accumulated fatigue from the previous three marathons should have become obvious. Yet my pace remained steady. I wasn’t surging, but I wasn’t fading either.

Fifth Avenue and Central Park: Miles 21–26.2

Fifth Avenue is where New York begins collecting its debts.

The incline alongside Central Park never looks particularly severe, but at that stage of the race it exposes whatever weakness remains in the legs. I concentrated on maintaining effort rather than worrying about individual mile splits.

Once inside Central Park, I locked my eyes onto the blue tangent line painted on the road and followed it whenever possible. Late in a marathon, even a few unnecessary yards feel expensive.

Near the southern end of the park, a spectator suddenly darted across the course to high-five someone on the opposite side. He stepped directly into my path, and I had to push him aside to avoid a full-speed collision. It was a moment of chaos at exactly the point where concentration mattered most.

I regained my line, exited briefly at Columbus Circle, and then turned back into the park for the final climb toward the finish. With the grandstands ahead and four weeks of racing behind me, I used whatever was left.

I crossed the line in 3:27:11.

The Numbers

Finish time: 3:27:11
Average pace: 7:55 per mile
Overall: 7,655 of 59,122
Men 45–49: 731 of 3,507
Age-graded time: 3:10:48
Age grade: 64.44%

More importantly, the pacing had been almost perfectly even. After four marathons in four weeks, I had expected New York to become an exercise in survival. Instead, I had run the course with greater control than ever before.

The Long Walk Home

Finishing the New York City Marathon does not mean the day’s walking is over. The slow procession out of Central Park and up toward 72nd Street always feels like one final endurance test.

Eventually, I made my way back to the Sheraton on foot - roughly another two miles after the finish. My legs may not have appreciated it, but the walk gave me time to absorb the atmosphere and appreciate what had just happened.

I collected the complimentary post-race Shake Shack ’Shroom Burger. It was mediocre, but free food tastes better after a marathon. I then went to the Nike store early enough to have my medal engraved before the lines became overwhelming.

The following morning, I boarded an early flight to Singapore - partly to bank Alaska Airlines mileage and partly to explore a new part of the world. It was an appropriately ambitious ending to an already excessive month.

Four Marathons in Four Weeks

The final results from the four-week block were:

Chicago: 3:22, even splits
Amsterdam: 3:22, negative split
Marine Corps: 3:25, negative split
New York City: 3:27, even splits

The month became a large experiment in recovery, restraint, and accumulated fatigue. I never knew exactly how my body would respond from one weekend to the next, but the results were remarkably consistent.

New York was also a course personal best by approximately two minutes and 30 seconds. That moved it off the bottom of my World Marathon Majors performance list, with Sydney now occupying that position by the narrowest of margins.

I was grateful for what my body had allowed me to do - not only in New York, but across all four weekends. Four marathons in four weeks, all between 3:22 and 3:27, with two even splits and two negative splits.

And I was equally grateful that I didn’t have to run another marathon the following Sunday.

Five New York finishes down. Ten to go.

See you in 2026, New York.

Sydney marathon 2025 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 31 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Sydney Marathon 2025: Star Number Seven, Courtesy of Team Abbott

TCS Sydney Marathon presented by ASICS — August 31, 2025

Bib #7013 · 3:27:16 · Marathon #91 · Continent #4 · World Marathon Major #26

Sydney was announced as the seventh Abbott World Marathon Major in November 2024, making the 2025 race its first as an official member of the series. I had more or less written off any chance of being there.

Lottery luck has rarely been on my side, and I wasn’t interested in paying for an expensive tour package simply to guarantee an entry. Then Abbott introduced Team Abbott, offering a small number of complimentary places to runners with a compelling health-related story. There were only about eight spots available for Sydney, but I applied anyway and then largely forgot about it.

For months, I heard nothing. Then, with the race only about two months away, I received the unexpected news that I had been selected.

Abbott covered my race entry, while flights and lodging were my responsibility. That felt like a more than fair trade. A race I hadn’t expected to run had suddenly become my opportunity to earn Major star number seven.

A Bonus Marathon

There was one complication: I was already scheduled to run another marathon just six days after Sydney, and that race was supposed to be my primary target. I wanted to run it as fast as I possibly could.

Sydney therefore wasn’t going to receive a proper taper or an all-out effort. The plan was to treat it as a controlled marathon - a very well-supported long run in the middle of tapering for the following weekend.

Running two marathons six days apart, with the second one as the goal race, might not have been the most conventional approach. But there was no way I was going to turn down a complimentary entry into the inaugural Sydney Major. Star number seven was suddenly within reach, and I intended to collect it without completely emptying the tank.

Getting to Sydney

I flew through Hawaii and arrived in Sydney late Friday night. That left Saturday for the expo and Sunday morning for the race - a tight turnaround for an international marathon, but this was a bonus trip, so I was willing to keep things compact.

Hotels close to the finish/opera house were predictably expensive for the first edition of Sydney as a Major. Instead, I booked the Moxy near the airport. It was reasonably priced, and my Marriott Titanium status delivered a particularly good complimentary breakfast, including a spread of fresh tropical fruit that was several levels above the usual hotel offering.

Saturday began with a short shakeout run through the neighborhood around the airport. I then headed to the expo to collect my bib and Team Abbott singlet.

Sydney also gave special arm warmers to runners completing their seventh Major. They were a small but meaningful touch - something that distinguished this finish from an ordinary marathon without trying to compete with the significance of the Six Star Medal.

The expo itself was relatively compact, which left me enough time to revisit the Opera House and Darling Harbor. I had been to Sydney before the pandemic, so the afternoon was partly sightseeing and partly a trip down memory lane. I also used the day to work out the bus-and-train combination I would need for the point-to-point course the following morning.

With a 6:00 a.m. start, I kept dinner uncomplicated both nights: Italian food delivered to the hotel through Uber Eats. It provided the carbohydrates I needed without adding another logistical adventure to an already compressed weekend.

Race Morning

The early start made transportation the first challenge of race day. Fortunately, the bus and train connections worked exactly as planned, followed by a short walk to the start village in North Sydney.

It was a chilly morning - 47°F at the start. I was glad to find a restroom inside a nearby shopping center rather than immediately joining the enormous porta-potty lines. I still made one final stop after entering the corral area, but finding the mall restroom took much of the stress out of the process.

There was a genuine sense of occasion at the start. This was not simply another edition of the Sydney Marathon; it was Australia’s first race as part of the World Marathon Majors. Eliud Kipchoge and Sifan Hassan were among the elite field, and both had appeared at a kickoff event outside the Opera House on Friday evening. The event was accompanied by fireworks off the Opera house - given my Friday evening arrival, I missed this event.

My submitted predicted time had placed me in a fast corral, so I was able to settle in without having to weave through large numbers of slower runners. As the start approached, the challenge was to balance the excitement of the occasion with the restraint the day required.

Across the Harbor Bridge

The opening miles provided the course’s signature experience almost immediately. We left North Sydney and climbed onto the Sydney Harbour Bridge, with the city and harbor opening up around us.

It was an unforgettable way to begin a marathon - and also an early reminder that Sydney would not be an easy course.

Among the Majors I have run, Sydney is clearly one of the hillier ones. The bridge provides the most obvious early climb, but the course continues to roll throughout the race. There are frequent changes in elevation and direction, along with several out-and-back and looped sections. It never settles into the long, flat rhythm that makes races such as Berlin and Chicago so fast.

My goal was to stay controlled, especially through the opening half. I reached 5K in 24:35 and 10K in 49:07. At halfway, I was at 1:44:28—almost exactly eight-minute-mile pace and comfortably within myself.

The cool weather helped enormously. The temperature remained in the upper 40s during the early miles, with no wind, before gradually climbing into the 50s. These were close to ideal conditions for a course with so much climbing and turning.

A Controlled Negative Split

Although my pace occasionally moved around with the terrain, my effort remained remarkably steady. My average heart rate for the race was 147, and through most of the first half it stayed in the 140s.

Once I passed halfway, I began allowing the pace to come down naturally. I reached 25K in 2:03:30, 30K in 2:27:53 and 35K in 2:52:20. By that stage, I was no longer simply protecting my legs. I was running strongly and steadily moving through the field.

My overall position improved from 7,115th at 5K to 4,309th at 35K. Even with a slight slowdown between 35K and 40K, I never came close to a late-race collapse. Mile 23 was my fastest of the day at 7:19, and the final recorded 0.98 miles averaged 7:21 pace.

I covered the second half in 1:42:48, giving me a negative split of 1 minute and 40 seconds.

That was probably the most satisfying part of the performance. I had gone into the race determined not to overextend myself, yet I still finished faster than I started. On a hilly course, while preserving something for another marathon six days later, I had executed almost exactly the race I wanted.

My official finishing time was 3:27:16.

I placed 4,851st out of 32,989 finishers, 4,286th among 21,425 men, and 476th out of 2,592 runners in the 45–49 age group.

My watch recorded 26.98 miles at an average pace of 7:49 per mile, another indication of how much turning and weaving the course involved. The official distance and time work out to approximately 7:54 per mile.

The Course and the Crowds

Sydney’s course is spectacular in selected places rather than continuously scenic. The two defining moments are crossing the Harbor Bridge near the beginning and finishing beside the Opera House. Between them, the route explores different sections of the city through a complicated collection of harbor stretches, loops and out-and-backs.

The repeated sections may not appeal to everyone, but they do allow runners to see other parts of the field moving in the opposite direction. They also create natural gathering points for spectators.

Crowd support was noticeably lighter than at the established Majors. That was not particularly surprising given the 6:00 a.m. start. Sydney does not yet have the almost continuous wall of sound found in New York or the massive neighborhood presence of Chicago. But this was the first year of a new era for the race. The crowds and traditions will have time to grow along with its Major status.

The weather, meanwhile, could hardly have been better. It was 47°F with no wind at the start, 49°F two hours later and still only around 59°F when I finished. The temperature eventually reached 63°F later in the morning, but by then my race was long over.

Finishing at the Opera House

The course saves its best visual moment for the finish. After the rolling miles through the city, the approach to Sydney Harbor includes a welcome downhill stretch before the Opera House comes into view.

Crossing the finish line there was a remarkable way to complete Major star number seven.

The finish area is visually magnificent but geographically constrained. With the Opera House on one side and the water on the other, there is limited space for thousands of runners to move through the precinct. The result was a significant bottleneck immediately after the line.

Shortly after finishing, I became nauseated and lightheaded, most likely from the sudden drop in blood pressure that can follow a hard effort. I asked the medical staff if I could sit down, rested for a few minutes and recovered without further trouble.

The medal was cleverly designed with the silhouette of the Opera House along its lower edge. When held up from the correct angle, the outline aligns with the actual building behind it - a perfect photo opportunity for a race finishing at one of the world’s most recognizable landmarks.

Once I escaped the immediate congestion, the cold and fatigue caught up with me. I found a quiet place nearby and slept for almost an hour.

That improvised nap did the job. I eventually worked my way around the spectator bottlenecks, took the train back to the hotel, showered and then returned to the Opera House area to pick up souvenirs before heading to the airport for my Sunday evening flight.

The 48-Hour Sunday

The return journey through Hawaii created one final bonus.

I had started the Sydney Marathon at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, finished a little over three hours later and boarded my flight that evening. After crossing the International Date Line, I landed in Honolulu on Sunday morning and began the day all over again.

It felt like a 48-hour Sunday.

I used the extra version of the day for a scenic trail hike on Oahu - a slightly improbable post-marathon activity, but a fitting end to the trip.

In the space of one extended Sunday, I had run the inaugural edition of Sydney as a World Marathon Major, completed a controlled sub-3:30 marathon, collected star number seven and still found time for a hike in Hawaii.

None of it had been part of my original 2025 plan. It happened because I submitted an application with little expectation of being selected and because Team Abbott decided to take a chance on my story.

Sometimes the best races are the ones you never expected to run.

128th Boston Marathon – Notice of Non-Acceptance

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Fri, 29 Sep 2023 17:55:00 +0000

Filing away as a reminder that you need to target beating the Boston Qualifying time by at least 10 minutes. In this case BQ - 2:27 was well short by over 3 minutes.

==========

Dear Subhasish Bhattacharya,

Thank you for submitting your entry application for the 128th Boston Marathon presented by Bank of America. Regrettably, we are unable to accept your application due to field size limitations and the record number of applications received from qualified participants this year.

The B.A.A. recognizes what an achievement it is to have met the Boston Marathon qualifying standards. We understand the effort, training, and commitment that goes into this, and it is runners like you who have helped distinguish the Boston Marathon from any other marathon in the world.

Entries in all age groups were accepted through and including those who ran 5 minutes and 29 seconds (5:29) or faster than their respective qualifying standard.

Registration for the 128th Boston Marathon was not first-come, first-served, but rather allowed for a more systematic and orderly application procedure from September 11-15. Given the field size limitations, the fastest qualifiers among those who submitted entry applications were accepted.

Participation in April's race is still possible through the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program. All 160 non-profit and charitable members of the Bank of America Boston Marathon Official Charity Program have begun accepting applicants. If you are interested in fundraising as part of a charity program, we encourage you to contact the non-profit or charity organization directly for more information.

129th Boston Marathon present by Bank of America

Qualifying performances achieved on or after September 1, 2023 will be eligible for 129th Boston Marathon registration. The 129th Boston Marathon will be held on Monday, April 21, 2025. Registration information will be announced in the coming months.

We appreciate your dedication to running and our sport, and we encourage you to continue your pursuit of running in a future Boston Marathon.

Sincerely,

The Boston Athletic Association

International Yoga Day 2022

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 20:18:00 +0000

Global running day 2022 is my birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Thu, 02 Jun 2022 04:22:00 +0000

Global Running Day 2022 = 1st June 2022 = My birthday 😃💥

Barefoot stairs workout

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 14:19:00 +0000

I had been talking time off running in India and wondered how I'd be able to get in a good workout. I didn't have access to a gym. I didn't want to take a chance in a gym since folks here seem to be a bit foolhardy with respect to COVID precautions. Then I realized that I had a perfect workout at home - a barefoot stair workout... It's ending up being an amazing workout option in terms of getting the HR up. It reminds me of the days of training for the Big Climb except that I did not have the luxury of time and a private staircase to run bare foot on then…

Talonavicular ligament sprain

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Thu, 11 Nov 2021 21:46:00 +0000

Saving my MRI results on my right foot for future reference. It's been hampering me all year so hopefully can get this to closure soon!

Impression

1. No findings to suggest stress fracture.

2. Dorsal talonavicular ligament sprain.

I have personally reviewed the images and agree with the report (or as edited).

Narrative

EXAMINATION:
MRI FOOT W/O CONTRAST RIGHT

CLINICAL INDICATION:
chronic right foot pain, navicular and 5th MT; no improvemed from PT> 6 weeks; evaluate stress fracture.
Chronic pain in right foot

TECHNIQUE:
MSK MR 53 Metatarsal Stress Fracture.
No contraindications to MRI scanning were identified by the departmental screening protocol. Multi-planar, multi-sequence MR imaging was performed. Intravenous gadolinium-based contrast was not administered.

COMPARISON:
Feet radiographs 9/2/2021.

FINDINGS:
Bone: The bone marrow signal is normal. No acute fracture or dislocation. The previously seen possible avulsion fracture at the dorsal talar head corresponds to an osteophyte. No findings to suggest acute stress reaction.

Joints: Small ankle joint effusion.

Tendons/ligaments: The visualized flexor and extensor tendons are intact. Thickening with mild edema within the dorsal talonavicular ligament most compatible with sprain.

Plantar aponeurosis: There is no abnormal thickening of, abnormal intrasubstance signal involving, or perifascial edema about the plantar aponeurosis.

Plantar musculature: There are no findings of denervation involving the plantar muscles of the foot.

Subcutaneous tissues: Unremarkable.

New York Marathon 2021 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 17:10:00 +0000

Background

I had eyed the 50th anniversary of the New York marathon for a long time. I wanted to run it and beat my time in my previous NYCM (the 40th anniversary). All was on track. I had started 2020 off in peak shape, running my PR of 2:58. I had Chicago and New York scheduled for Fall with enough time in-between to run well in both. Unfortunately, COVID happened and the race was pushed to 2021 along with all the other majors. I had a choice to give up some entries or try to run them all. I gave up Chicago but decided to do the rest. I came into NYCM injured and tired after running Berlin, London and Boston. My only realistic desire was to finish.

It was certain that I would have to walk. The question was how many miles would I be able to run. Thankfully, I also have an entry for the 2022 NYCM. Hopefully, it will be a case of 3rd time lucky. I do not know if I will be able to get another entry for the race.

I wasn't going to be in New York for long - red eye from Seattle on Friday, pick-up my number, eat, sleep, run the race, and head to the airport. In and out in a little over 24 hours.

The expo at the Javits center was fast and quick. A vaccination card check at the entrance, bib and T-shirt pickup. Like the other big races this season it was quite sparse. I did get my first view of the medal for the race. I really wanted it - it was so beautiful!

Race Day

I wish I had discovered Melatonin for pre-race night sleep ages ago. Despite jet lag and four hours of sleep in the afternoon, I slept like a baby. I woke up at 3pm after 7 hours of sleep. I was never more thankful for daylight savings time ending and getting an extra hour of sleep.

I had a 5:45am race start from the mid-town aka Public library (42nd & 5th) bus pick-up. I had strategically picked my hotel to be close to Penn Station, Jatvis Center and the public library. It would also be a quick subway ride from the finish - C line from 72nd to 34th. No-one was checking the bus board times so I really did wonder if I should have taken a later bus. There were some folks from the last wave (starting at 12pm) in my bus. I couldn't believe they were signing up to stay at the start area for so long instead of sleeping longer in their hotel. The bus was quite luxurious compared to the typical school bus fare. The bus ride was comfortable and uneventful. We were at the start in Staten Island/Fort Wadsworth by 6:45am.

At the start a couple of things stood out for me - the security and the organization. We had to get through metal detectors to get to the start area. There was a pretty significant presence of NYPD and other military. The start area was very organized with ample porta-potties - all over including in each start corral. I never had to wait in line. There were bagels, coffee, Gatorade, and water. It was frigid. I did my best to stay warm with a heat sheet. Next time I'll remember to bring warmer throw-away clothes. At the sun came out it became warmer. I felt for the folks in the later waves who'd likely be finishing in the dark/cold (the sun would be setting at 4:45pm).

The corrals for the first wave opened at 8:10am, closed at 8:45am, with a 9:10am start. I was in corral D. They were very strict about letting in folks into the corral as well as making sure everyone had their masks on. A lot of people were getting a scolding for not having their face covered. Around 10 minutes before the start the corrals separators were taken off and folks were able to jockey to get beyond their corrals. There was the singing of the national anthem and an official race start for the general wave.

The weather for race day was just perfect. A little chilly while waiting for the start, warming up to optimal running conditions once we started running.

Race

The first mile has the toughest climb and probably is one of the more iconic moments of the race going over the Verrazzano-Narrows bridge. Quite a few runners were stopping to take pictures and soak it in. For me it was the first indication of how the day would progress. I had hardly run in the 4 weeks since Boston. I felt my ITB in my left leg right away. The lack of power in my left leg and having to compensate with my weaker + already injured right leg would make for a slower pace. Thankfully, the amazing weather helped keep my HR in a safe range: low 160s.

For the next 11 miles or so we ran in Brooklyn, mostly along Fourth Avenue and Bedford Avenue. I appreciated the energy of NYC. This would continue for the rest of the race - it surely provided a lift. Irrespective of what would happen in the race this was making for a memorable experience. The Fall colors were lovely. The water stops were very well organized - Gatorade, the water, with some having the Honey Stinger gel.

I was thankful to be still running as we crossed the Pulaski Bridge into Queens. It was on the bridge that the race hit it's half-way point. I had a shoe lace malfunction here. My laces were too long and I did not triple tie them. I tripped over my laces and fell face down. Luckily, it looked worse than it was. Runners around me were amazing and were ready to help. I took a couple of minutes to properly tie my shoe laces before proceeding.

I had a wish to still be running on the Queensboro bridge and on First Ave in Manhattan. I did not want to be walking when I knew there would be such an incredible crowd support and ambiance. I was thankful that my wish was granted and I was running and soaking it all in. I lost GPS so my splits were impacted - in all fairness I was probably slowing down too.

I finally started run walking at mile 20 - perhaps the mental symbolism. I knew it could have been a lot worse so I had to be thankful. I'd be walking on the journey to Bronx and back over the Willis Avenue and Madison Bridges.

Through Harlem down Fifth Avenue and into Central Park. I made the most of the down hills in Central park while walking on the inclines. This was such familiar terrain. The last mile and the crowds in the final mile was incredible. The 800m to go sign and the finish in the park!

Finish line again incredibly well organized. The food packet had exactly what you'd hope for - a protein drink, gatorade, water and some food. The poncho was warm and high quality. You leave the race and the 72th Ave subway is right there for you! The walk to the exit was not overly long. The volunteers were great! I think I asked about the nearest subway stop at least 6 times. As runners entered the subway everyone clapped and cheered as can only happen in the NYC subway. I showered, rested for a bit and was on my way back home from Newark. Being able to sleep on my own bed after the race was priceless!

With a 4 hour finish you'd think I'd be disappointed but I was not. I was surprisingly happy and satisfied with the result. I was thankful for the finish and the experience. I was glad this ordeal was over. I was glad that I would finally get to rest. I am looking forward to recovering from my injury(ies). I'm looking forward to running New York again next year as my only and goal race for Fall. Time Target - 3:20 or better! That would be a BQ for the next year :) Thank you NYC for 2021 - I'll be back!!

Boston Marathon 2021 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Mon, 11 Oct 2021 16:00:00 +0000

Background

I've had incredible bad luck with attempting to run the Boston marathon. I ran my first Boston back in April 2005, some 16 years back (that was marathon #3 and this was going to be marathon #60). I had since attempted to run it 3 times and missed out due to injury each time. Therefore, I was determined to get to the start and finish line no matter what! It was also the 125th anniversary of the marathon. I wasn't running when the 100th anniversary happened. I'm a big anniversary junkie. As luck would have it due to COVID Boston was moved to Fall in a crowded calendar with all the other majors. I had been injured this year as is. Coming in after running Berlin and London in the previous two weeks I knew it wasn't going to be pretty. My legs were quite thrashed. Thankfully, my 2:58 from Mar 2020 should get me into the 2022 Boston Marathon. So this one would be to finish somehow and I'd be back in 2022 to hopefully run a good race.

I took a red-eye on Saturday night into Boston. It would be the first time I returned to the city since I left in 2006. It would be a very nostalgic experience. Reminiscing down memory lanes and trying to compare the Boston of today to what it was when I left. For instance there was no Apple store on Boylston in 2006. The iPhone was not a thing yet. I went to pick-up my race number straight from the airport. The buzz around the finish line was quite palpable. It made for amazing people (runner) watching. I got my vaccine bracelet and picked up my race number from Hynes Convention center right at 9am. Similar to Berlin and London, the expo was very sparse and barely recognizable from what we were used to pre-covid.

Boston is a runner's city much like Seattle skews towards bikers. There were runners getting in their runs, at all times of the day, everywhere in the city. It was in Boston that I started running way back in 2004...

Pre-race

The weather for race day was not optimal - a tad too warm, too humid, and a little bit of a head wind. However, the cloud cover would help in the open course.

Buses to the start from the Commons for my bib color (white) was from 7:45-8:15am... The ride to the start was quite an adventure since our bus driver got lost and it was up to a runner to navigate him using Google Maps. We spent quite a bit of time meandering around the suburbs of Hopkinton. As a result, as soon as we reached it was time to get started (our start window was 9:24-9:48 am). I didn't get time to stretch, use the toilets or mentally get ready. The start was rolling... Folks were starting when they felt like and there was no official wave start. So I took of my mask, and started running when I crossed the starting line.

Race

The start and the first few miles was very anti-climatic. It almost felt like a club training run. There wasn't much in the ways of spectators... The signs were ominous for me. My heart rate was very high even going downhill in the first mile. My body had not caught up from the marathons in the past two weekends and it was going to be a long day if I was to finish. I ran till a bit beyond mile 8 before I started walking for the first time. Had it been any other circumstance I would have called it a day. Boston & the 125th anniversary of Boston meant that I had to finish no matter what. I've never started walking so early. It's almost unthinkable that you'd need to walk after 8 miles in a marathon. I run walked the rest of the race - I tried to run the downhills while walking most of the climbs. I noticed so many inspirational runners along the course - a pregnant woman running strong, older runners who were in incredible shape, a runner with a prosthetic leg,...

Some of my favorite memories from an otherwise tough day:

The Wellesley scream tunnel: It was still there and we could hear it a mile away. The energy inspired me to run for all of it.

Eating a Popsicle while walking up heartbreak hill: Someone handed me a popsicle at the bottom of heartbreak hill. I remember reflecting on how much I was enjoying eating it while walking up the hill. I don't think and I hope I will ever have the luxury to do this again. I hope I will be racing up every other time.

The beauty of the Fall leaves blowing in the wind - We're unlikely to have another Fall Boston marathon in my lifetime and it's unlikely to be something I'll get to experience again in a Boston marathon.

The incredible ambiance of the approach to the finish line - I enjoyed soaking in the atmosphere as I approached the finish line. When I lived in Boston and before I started running, I'd head to the finish every Patriot's day to watch the runners finish. Such an incredible experience!

Results

What can I say about my race? It was my personal worst by quite a bit. My standings/placement in the race was indeed humbling. It was a high quality and well-trained field. You had to beat the qualifying time by some 8 minutes to make the start line of this COVID reduced field. I placed in the bottom third. That's never ever happened before and hopefully will never happen again!

I'm looking forward to be back next year. It was a good refresher of the Boston experience and I'm sure will help me as a race next year!! See you in 2022 ... Boston...

London Marathon 2021 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 03 Oct 2021 16:40:00 +0000

Background

I was due to run my 4th consecutive London marathon and the 40th anniversary race in 2020. I was excited because I was primed for a good run. I was in my best running shape every, having just run a 2:58 PR. Then COVID happened and mass events world-wide ceased. The 40th anniversary race became a virtual event in October. I ran loops around Green Lake in Seattle to get it done. There was very little certainty on when we'd have another physical London marathon. The vaccines arrived and all races including London got pushed to Fall 2021. Meanwhile, I also got injured and out of shape. I decided to run London a week after Berlin. Difficult as it might have been it seemed logistically reasonable since I would already be in Europe.

My training was minimal to get be across the finish line. I ran Berlin in 3:34, which I though was pretty good for the weather and my training. I had a week to recover for London. My plan was to stay in Berlin (working remotely) and travel to London on Friday. This would also be optimal in terms of COVID tests since I would be able to combine the UK 2nd day test requirement with the US entry PCR test requirement. I didn't run in the week between Berlin and London but I did get in a couple of long walks after the soreness wore out. My left leg had taken the brunt of Berlin compensating for by right foot injury. I was lucky to get a spot with a massage therapist in Berlin. She had quite a reputation working with some famous elite athletes. Apparently, I snagged the slot right after she had a cancellation. Typically she's all booked up months in advance. The massage was great and surely helped with the recovery process.

Pre-Race

I had read about the long wait times at immigration at Heathrow. I prepped for a long wait by scheduling my 2nd day test 2 hours after arrival (I worried that this might not be enough of a buffer). I carried food and fluids. I was astonished to discover that there was absolutely no wait or manual check for folks from some 15 countries. I used the automated machines and was out in under a minute. Now I had the opposite problem. I had to wait at the airport until it was time for my 2nd day check. As I made my way from the airport to my hotel I observed the change in COVID culture in the UK. Folks seemed to have moved on from masks. There were very few wearing one in the tube. It seemed to have been replaced with self-administered lateral flow tests. These in itself seemed like an honor system. My first task in the hotel was to figure out how to administer one of these tests on myself. I would need this result to collect my number from the expo as well as on the race day morning. Thankfully, I was all done in 30 minutes. The number pickup from the ExCel center and the expo itself was pretty quick. There were no lines to get into the ExCel center but a vaccination check. At the number pick-up we had to drop-off a bag for pick-up at the finish. It was interesting to see them fill the bag with the race medal, race T-shirt and refreshments in front of you... The Expo similar to Berlin the previous week was very sparse.

The weather for race day was quite hospitable. The rains from the day before had subsided. It was windy but after the conditions in Berlin the previous week I could not complain!

The waves for the start was staggered into more waves than in previous years. I was thankful for the MarathonTours bus ride to the start. I was happy that this year they had moved to a bib based timing instead of the chip on your foot (which I had almost forgotten to wear in 2018). I wore my Berlin marathon poncho to stay warm. I killed time by standing in the porta potty lines until my start wave was open. I was in the Blue Start, wave 3 and a projected start time of 9:40-9:43am.

Race

As I started running, I was thankful that my legs seemed to feel good and my HR was in a good range. Maybe this would be a good day after all? Unfortunately, this exuberance would not last long. By mile 8 my legs felt fatigued and I knew that it was a matter of trying to run for as long as possible...

This race was also the inaugural edition of the World Age Group championships. I would see a lot of these runners throughout the race and during the weekend (including on the plane ride back). At the finish I was jealous of their medal. It was significantly better than the London marathon medal...

The crowds were as amazing as previous years. It was the return of the marathon after 800+ days and another sign of recovery for the city.

I ultimately started walking after mile 17. Mentally, I capitulated and ran walked the rest of the race through to the finish...

Results

I'm thankful and glad to have finished. Not my most spectacular race but it wasn't unexpected. This is a great and amazingly well organized race. The crowds are the best in the world - loud and energetic. They truly do get behind the runners. It's what makes the race given that you don't hit central London till the latter parts of the race. I'm glad to have run it 4 times (plus the virtual finish last year). I'll be back again someday but certainly not next year or the year after. 2024 or 2025 maybe?

Berlin Marathon 2021 Race Report

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 26 Sep 2021 16:15:00 +0000

Backstory: I was surprised when I made it through the Berlin lottery last year for my 6th running of the race. Perhaps in the midst of the pandemic not too many folks entered. The field size was to be halved and there would likely be a lot of registered runners who would not run this year. Thanks to the vaccines running a marathon major was a reality again. My training was sub-optimal with a focus more towards finishing than an aggressive finish time. Add to that all the marathon majors were switched to Fall so this would be my first of a series of majors in close succession. A component of making the start line was the logistics aspect of a COVID world - documents and tests to transit through England and entering Germany. Then the vaccination documents for the race and the mask protocols before and after the race. I've realized that the best time to go to the expo is a couple of hours before it closes. I was there around 5:30pm on Saturday and it was a breeze. The expo was mostly empty with practically no vendors. All I picked up was my race bib and got my wrist band. There was no goody bag or any redundant material.

Race Day - The conditions for the race were to be sub-optimal. Warmer than average and humid. I knew I needed to run conservatively with a goal to not have to walk for as long as possible. At the race start there was a marked improvement in the porta potties - there were a lot more (abet some locked), they had toilet paper, separated for men and women, and short lines. I had a C corral bib and almost felt like an imposter. I stood towards the back of the corral and had a lot of space!

Race - I started off at a very easy pace. My avg HR for the first mile was only 144. It did feel warm. I did appreciate the amount of shade on the course - it definitely help shield from the sun. I was very careful about following the blue line so as to avoid running extra distance. As expected I was passed by a lot of runners. However, given the gap between waves, the field soon became very sparse. The crowd support while not dense was very passionate and loud - the music and cheering. There were kids out to high-five the runners, bands and music. It was definitely a boost for me. The nutrition this year was a major improvement and game changer with the high end Maurten gels and sports drinks. I held steady with pace through mile 19, before things got a little difficult. I noted the minor inclines and declines on course. I finally started walking at mile 24. From that point it was a mix of running and walking.

Results

Finishing a marathon always feels like an achievement. I hung around after finishing for a bit because I could not imagine putting a mask on right after finishing a marathon! I skipped the massage because I didn't want to stand in a line but I did pick up my poncho. All in all, another great Berlin experience. I hope to be back in 3 years for the 50th anniversary race!

2020 in 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Tue, 28 Jul 2020 06:30:00 +0000

That's 2020 miles for the year - a little later than scheduled but better late than never! A lovely night with the moonlight glistening in the water. I reflected on how lucky I am to get to run on this trail by the waterfront everyday!

Productive June 2020

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 06:22:00 +0000

431.1 miles/month

100.59 miles/week

14.37 miles/day

Total Distance (run + walk) = 587.9 miles

The best day of your life

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Tue, 23 Jun 2020 07:32:00 +0000

I had to save this post by the great Lazarus Lake on the "The Great Virtual Race Across Tennessee" page. So profound!!

During my transcon there were a couple of questions that seemed to come up all the time:

The first one was; "What is the strangest thing you have seen?" I always answered; "You." That seemed to leave people somewhat speechless.

The other one was a more serious question, and deserved a more serious answer; "What is the best day you have had on your journey?" And the answer was always the same; "Today!"

And it was the truth. It was the truth every day... Yesterday was done. It could never be changed. Tomorrow was not promised. Out there on the road, there was no way to know what tomorrow would bring. There was only one day that I could determine. I could make it the best day of my life. Or not. It was entirely up to me.

There was never a thought of quitting. How could I quit on the best day of my life. There was never a thought of taking a day off... How could I miss the best day of my life?

It really is not any different any day. Every day when we wake up, there is only one day we have the power to control. Today. The best day of our life.

We have an advantage over the dog runners. We can learn from the past, and we can plan for the future. But we turn it into a disadvantage. We regret the past and live for the future. The dog runner lives in a state of unmitigated joy., Every time you pick up their leash they are almost insane with joy. Why? because every day is the best day of their life.

I see a lot of people on here looking for motivation. When, really, they have all the motivation they need, Woody the dog finished yesterday. And that run was the best run of his race... just like the 50 runs that came before it. Just like the next run he will do tomorrow. That should be our runs, too. I know it will be great when I do that last run to reach 1000 km. The last run to reach 1000 miles. The last run on August 31, to get everything I can get and beat anyone left I can beat.

But, how can any of those be better than the run I will do today? When I woke up this morning, this was the only run I could control. When I go out the door, it will be the only run I can experience.

How would you run the last run you ever ran? Would you breathe deeper the air. Would you look at everything a little more closely. Would you drink in the sights and sounds and smells of the world around you? Would you look for animals in the clouds and stop to look at wildflowers in the ditch?

Would the aches and pains really just be a reminder that you are alive. Would the heat really just make your drink more satisfying, and the hunger make your meal taste better.

How could you need motivating to run the best run of your life? Try it today.

Wake up and hop out of bed. This is the best day of your life, and you don't want to waste a minute. Approach the whole day the same way. Yesterday is over. Tomorrow is not guaranteed. Today, though, today has infinite promise.

When you go out to put in your miles, look at them like the last miles you will ever run. It does not matter if it is a route you have run a thousand times. Today is different. Today is the best day of your life. Do you really want to sit on your ass, and miss the best run of your life? Do you really want to slog through it like an automaton? Do you really want to waste the once in a lifetime opportunity that is today?

We let ourselves get old. And we let ourselves forget. We become trapped by inertia and dulled by repetition. We lose the wonder at the world that we had as children.

But, why? We can't help growing older. But there is no law that says we have to grow up. Go out there today with your eyes open. Suck all the living out of the day that it has to offer. This is the best day of your life. And you don't get another chance at it.

Weekly mileage PR?

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Mon, 15 Jun 2020 06:38:00 +0000

I can't remember if I have ever run more in a 7 day period but this week's tally for the 7 days on Saturday (108.2 miles) and Sunday (108.3) was certainly right up there!!

COVID-19: The future of road racing and marathons

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 17 May 2020 22:23:00 +0000

CNBC has an interesting article today titled - "Marathon racing brings big money to cities across America. Some events may not survive the pandemic"

They outline some interesting economic impact numbers of running and endurance events in the US and beyond:

An average runner spends $1800 on running related items - I spend more!
The economic impact of the New York City marathon is as much as $415 million $ - I sure will be contributing to this number when I run the 50th NYCM this year or whenever it's rescheduled!!

They outline the future of racing (at least until a vaccine is available):

Density reduction, such as fewer race participants
Minimizing touch points with athletes throughout the race
Education and training to make sure people understand best practices
Promoting self-reliance, such as having athletes carry their own nutrition
Increasing pre-race screening

At this point I am sure all runner will agree to anything just to be back to racing our favorite marathons! I'm signed up for Chicago, London and New York this year. I don't hold much hope for either of them to take place this year.

COVID 19 Mile Social Distance Run: The Quaranteen Challenge!

noreply@blogger.com (Sub) — Sun, 10 May 2020 13:04:00 +0000

With all races on hold in this COVID-19 era, there have been a number of virtual challenges to keep us motivated. One of them is "The Quaranteen Challenge".

What are the rules?

Appropriate social distancing is absolutely mandatory
Run/walk/crawl
You can submit a result for any, or some, or all of the 7 distances (13,14,15,16,17,18 and/or 19 miles)
Multiple runs completed in a single day that add up to one of the 7 distances qualifies! If you break it up, please total it as a SINGLE result when you submit. (For example, if you run 7 miles in the morning, and another 7 in the evening, that should be submitted as one 14 mile run for that day.)
You cannot claim more than one 'teen' run per day. (For example, if you run a marathon, you cannot claim two 13 mile runs. Totally fine to claim that as a 19 miler though.)
Fractions of a mile should round DOWN to the nearest mile
The course will be open from 12:01am ET on 4/11/2020 through 11:59pm ET on 5/11/2020
Cough into your elbow
Honor system is in effect. If you are mature enough to handle working from home, you can handle this.
Read this: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html

How does it work?

Simple... Find a treadmill or course that complies with your local social distancing guidelines. Run any of the whole-mile distances in the 'teens' (from 13 through 19 miles) as often as you would like in the 30 days that the race is on. Record the details and send it in! The more you run, the more points you earn! If you complete each of the 7 distances, you earn The Quaranteen Challenge bonus. Results are based on points, not speed. Times will be used to break ties.

What's up with the points?

Each 13 mile run earns you 13 points
Each 14 mile run earns you 14 points
Each 15 mile run earns you 15 points
Each 16 mile run earns you 16 points
Each 17 mile run earns you 17 points
Each 18 mile run earns you 18 points
Each 19 mile run earns you 19 points

If you run ALL of the 7 distances at least once, you will also earn The Quaranteen Challenge Bonus: an additional 20 points