I'm not built different. I'm just consistent. For over a year, I've shown up every single day, and that's what has brought me here. Consistency can take you farther than you imagine. Keep pushing! 🫡

How It Started: From Ironman to Marathons

When the pandemic hit in 2020, I needed an outlet to stay active and sane. I started training for triathlons, which led me to complete an Ironman in 2023. That experience—13 hours of the hardest physical effort I'd ever endured—taught me the value of pushing limits. But Ironman training is incredibly time-consuming, and I realized I needed a more efficient way to challenge myself.

That's when I turned to marathons. My first marathon during the Ironman took over 4 hours, and it was humbling. I walked the last few miles and thought, "This is rough. How do people do this faster?" But I also felt a spark—a challenge I couldn't ignore. What if I could run a sub-3-hour marathon? How hard could it be?...

My Progression Over Time

Date	Event	Time	Strava
April 2023	Ironman Marathon	4:36:00	View →
December 2023	CIM	3:14:00	View →
February 2024	Phoenix	3:19:00	View →
April 2024	Big Sur	3:12:00	View →
August 2024	Tunnel Vision	2:53:00	View →
October 2024	Chicago	2:50:00	View →
December 2024	Honolulu	3:06:00	View →

Lessons From Each Race

Every marathon taught me something valuable:

Phoenix (3:19): Don't start too fast, even if the adrenaline is high.
Big Sur (3:12): Fuel properly and respect the course's challenges.
Tunnel Vision (2:53): Running with friends and trusting the process can make all the difference.
Chicago (2:50): Perfect preparation and execution lead to peak performance.
Honolulu (3:06): Even in tough conditions, the experience can be unforgettable.

Each race had its highs and lows, but they all brought me closer to my goal.

No Coach, Just Grit

From the start, I decided to train without a coach. I wanted to prove to myself—and to others—that you don't need expensive resources to achieve great things. Everything I learned about running came from YouTube, books, friends, and trial and error. I believe that with consistency, curiosity, and dedication, anyone can achieve their goals.

Coaches are great for accountability and expertise, but for me, running was about self-discovery. I wanted to experiment, fail, and find my own way. That approach made the victories even sweeter.

How to Start Running

Start Small

Choose a comfortable distance—1km, for example—that you can run without stopping. Run that distance consistently, and when it feels easy, increase it.

Focus on Volume

Gradually increase your weekly mileage by 5%. Over time, you'll find yourself running distances you never thought possible.

Listen to Your Body

Learn to differentiate between muscle fatigue and injury pain. Rest when needed, and prioritize recovery with yoga, foam rolling, and massages.

Be Consistent

Aim to run daily or as often as possible. Think of running as essential as eating or sleeping—it's part of your routine.

Staying Injury-Free

Here's what worked for me:

Yoga: Strengthens the core, releases lactic acid, and prepares the body for daily runs.
Foam Rolling: Helps prevent stiffness and aids recovery.
Massages: Deep-tissue massages before and after marathons have been game-changers.
Listening to My Body: Rest when something doesn't feel right.

Why I Run

Running is more than a physical challenge—it's a mental escape. It's where I process my thoughts, deal with emotions, and find clarity. Each mile has taught me that limits are mostly in your mind. With consistency and resilience, you can achieve things you never thought possible.

To me, marathons are a metaphor for life. They're full of challenges: hills to climb, moments of self-doubt, and the thrill of reaching the finish line. And just like in life, the key is to show up every day and trust the process.

Looking Ahead: The Journey and the Blog

I’ve achieved my sub-3-hour marathon goal, but the journey doesn’t stop here. There’s still so much room to grow, and my next goal is to shave 20 more minutes off my marathon time. I’ll continue to experiment, learn, and push my limits, all while sharing what I discover along the way.

This blog is just the beginning of another exciting adventure. Running has taught me that consistency and effort can take you farther than you ever imagined, and I want to pass that inspiration on to you. Whether you’re just starting out or aiming for a personal best, I hope my journey motivates you to lace up your shoes and take that first step.

Here are some topics I’m excited to explore in future posts:

What was my Ironman experience like, and how did it shape my approach to marathons?
How did I prepare for each marathon, and what lessons did I learn from every race?
What does my weekly routine look like? From what I eat to how much I sleep and what I do outside of running.
How do I stay motivated, and what strategies help me overcome mental and physical plateaus?
What role does recovery play in my training, and how do yoga, foam rolling, and massages keep me injury-free?

Thank you for taking the time to read my story. Writing this post feels like crossing another finish line—rewarding and humbling. I can’t wait to share more about my experiences and hear your thoughts. If there’s a topic you’d love to see me write about, let me know in the comments!

Here’s to doing hard things, staying consistent, and proving that with enough determination, anything is possible. 🫡