Author: kevin_rader
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Texas Big Star Half Marathon: Nailing My Goal
On April 12, 2025, I toed the line at the Texas Big Star Half Marathon in Frisco, TX. This annual event, now in its 10th year, is organized by the Frisco Chamber Foundation and benefits local charities, including the Collin College Foundation. The race starts and finishes at Collin College’s Preston Ridge Campus and features…
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My Experience with Project Lean Nation
Over the last couple of months, Lynn and I have been experimenting with Project Lean Nation (PLN), and it’s quickly become a convenient and effective part of our fitness and nutrition routine. For a little background, Project Lean Nation is headquartered in Rochester, New York, where they prepare meals made from whole food ingredients—no preservatives,…
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Don’t Stop Moving: How Running Helps Me Manage Stress
In November 2006, I crossed the finish line of my very first marathon. It was a huge milestone. I had trained hard, hit my goal, and after the race, I did what a lot of first-time marathoners are told to do: I took it easy. In fact, I took it really easy. The Year I…
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My First Marathon: The Space Coast 26.2
After recovering from the back injury that sidelined me from my second half marathon, I took an extended break from racing. I didn’t run another half for a couple of years after 2004, but instead, I set my sights on something bigger: my first full marathon. The Decision to Go All In The year was…
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Learning the Hard Way: Running with Back Pain
Back in 2004, after running my first half marathon on a whim and surprising myself with how well it went, I decided I wanted to see what I could really do with a structured training plan. That summer, I signed up for the Crystal Lake Half Marathon and got serious about training. I had 14-mile…
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Why MyFitnessPal is My Go To for Nutrition Tracking
One of the most powerful tools in my nutrition and fitness journey is MyFitnessPal, and I’ve been using it for over a decade. Whether I’m trying to lose weight, maintain it, or—like now—put on muscle, this app has been a game-changer for keeping my nutrition on track. If you’re serious about fitness and want to…
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My First Half Marathon Experience
Four weeks after achieving a major milestone—running my first sub-20-minute 5K and beating my younger brother in the process—I found myself making an impulsive decision. On a whim, I decided to run my first half marathon. At the time, I didn’t have a training plan, and the longest run I had ever completed was just…
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Running as a Family Legacy
Leaving a legacy of running has always been important to me. I started running over two decades ago, in my early 30s, and from the beginning, my family was part of the experience. My wife, Lynn, and I built running into our lives, not just as a way to stay fit but as something that…
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The Power of Nutrition: What I’ve Learned Over the Years
I’ve read a lot of books on the power of nutrition over the years. In fact, if you ever need a gift idea for me, the latest research-backed book on proper nutrition is always a solid choice. I love digging into what the science says—how food impacts the body, and more importantly, how it can…
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Running Smart: The Importance of Moderation and Balance
Running has been a cornerstone of my health journey, helping me stay active and push my limits. But I’ve also learned firsthand that there’s a fine line between running smart and overdoing it. This lesson was reinforced by the tragic stories of two colleagues who embraced running—only to pay the ultimate price. A Shared Passion…
