In My Last Year of JV Baseball, My Only Role Was Pinch-Runner…Then the Slowest Guy on the Team Beat Me

20 years later, I qualified for the Boston Marathon. I’ve run 30+ marathons and BQ’ed 4x. Here’s How I Did It.

Even if running is not for you, this list provides principles that allow you to achieve something your teenage self believed would be impossible

1. I was motivated by fear.

Already on medication, my physical indicated my BP was way above normal. I needed to do something and running was easy for me to try.

Use your fears to propel you forward in a healthy way.

2. I ran my first race.

The New York Road Runners hold races nearly every week. I signed up, raced, and did ok in my first 4-miler. I was hooked!

Sign up for a personal challenge!

3. I documented my training.

I started doing this with a paper calendar. But on Christmas 2009 my family gave my my first Garmin watch. Every run since then has been recorded — nearly 15,000 miles!

Document the effort you invest!

4. I used running to spice up my travel.

I’ve run in over 20 states and Japan, Italy, Belgium, Canada, the Czech Republic, Korea, Ireland, France, Bermuda, Aruba. I’ve run a half-marathon in India!

Use your quest to add fun to other aspects of your life!

5. I run in different locations depending on the weather and my schedule

Here in NY I run in Central and Riverside Parks, under the West Side Highway (rain), and on a treadmill (hot or for speedwork).

Build optionality to eliminate excuses for yourself!

6. I solicited expert advice.

Pacing, speed/distance training, reducing pain and injury risk. Books by Bob Glover, Luke Humphrey / Keith & Kevin Hanson, Matt Fitzgerald. Virtual classes by Coach Parry from South Africa. Stretching from Lucas Rockwood.

Don’t go at it alone!

7. I planned my race days.

I created a list to avoid forgetting things for local race days and a different one for marathons. Laying out everything to wear and packing for the unexpected has saved me stress.

Eliminate the likelihood of “user error” on game day!

8. I researched marathons that I can “BQ” in.

MarathonGuide provides basics. FindMyMarathon provides analytics — size, course type, % who BQ, relative race difficulty. With only 1–2 opportunities to run a marathon a year, this is key.

Perform where you’re likely to succeed!

9. Everyone knows I am a runner.

This holds me accountable if friends ask if I am still running. I post something occasionally on Facebook or LinkedIn. Even if I perform poorly. The fear of these posts push me forward at the end of races!

Use your ego to push yourself!

10. I look forward to aging!

Each 5-year milestone gives me additional BQ time! I last qualified when I turned 50. I need to train better to BQ during my new “55 to 59” age group.

Use age to your advantage!

I will be sharing a few more aspects of my life in the coming weeks. If I have not heard from you recently, please don’t hesitate to DM me. Happy running or happy (insert vour personal quest)! Have a great summer!