Category: Running
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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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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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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…
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Running from the Shadow of My Grandfather: How I Started Running
For those who have followed my blog, you know I’ve shared my struggles with weight during college. I dabbled in running back then, but at a heavier weight, it led to knee swelling and pain. So, I turned to low-impact activities—rollerblading and calorie restriction—following Weight Watchers until I reached a more manageable weight. By the…
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Breaking 20: How I Took My 5K to the Next Level
Back in early 2004, after I had about a year of running under my belt, I set my sights on a bold running goal: breaking 20 minutes in the 5K. But there was another motivation fueling me—beating my younger brother in the process. I circled May 8th on the calendar, the date of the Apple…
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Celebrating 5 Years of the Prosper Running Club
Five years ago, on February 14, 2020, just before the world changed with COVID-19, we officially launched the Prosper Running Club. What started as an idea among a few friends has grown into a thriving community of runners who support, motivate, and challenge each other every step of the way. How The Prosper Running Club…
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Chasing Boston: My Journey to Qualifying for the Boston Marathon
Back in 2009, at 38 years old, I was in the fastest running shape of my life. That year, I set personal records (PRs) in the 5K, 10K, half marathon, and marathon. The highlight? Running the Chicago Marathon in 3 hours, 15 minutes, and 52 seconds—a time that, by sheer luck, was fast enough to…
