One foot in front of the other.
Racers Against Childhood Cancer
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Racers Against Childhood Cancer
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Black Diamond Sprinter Headlamp
Racers Against Childhood Cancer (RACC)
Carved by God, Cursed by the Devil by Ted Archer
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Newton Running Clinic on The Running Front
2009 ING New York City Marathon
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Join the forum discussion on this post - (2) Posts
Hitting “The Wall” (Hat tip: Laminator)
Running: Physiologically Speaking Marathon Deaths – Why Men?
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Sir Isaac and Lady Isaac Guidance Trainers
10 Ways to Succeed at Ironman Wisconsin
Seven Weeks to One-Hundred Push-Ups
Simply Stu’s Ironman Wisconsin Course Videos
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Garmin Forerunner 305 versus 405
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Heart Transplant Patient to Run Kona!!
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Forgot to put this on the show, but a HUGE shout out to Kate and all the luck and ass kicking in the world this weekend in the America’s Finest City Half-Marathon this weekend in San Diego!!
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Watch Brandon’s Maraton Podcast Live!!
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Brain Surgery Frees Runner, but Raises Barriers
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This year’s New York City Half-Marathon takes place on August 16th, 2009. As of now it is far too late to enter simply by registering and paying your fee. that said, it is NOT too late to run this year! You can still be entered into the NYC Half by joining a charity team and raising money for a cause.
One such cause is the Fresh Air Fund. A bit about the Fresh Air Fund from their site:
Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend one of five Fresh Air Fund camps.
Today, the Fresh Air Fund contacted me and asked me if I would give them a shout on my site and on Brandon’s Marathon Podcast. I am more than happy to lend a hand, and I think that if you have the time and want to help NYC kids, while staying healthy, the Fresh Air Fund is a wonderful way to do it! From the FAF:
The Fresh Air Fund is looking for runners and sponsors to join our Fresh Air Fund-Racers team for the NYC Half-Marathon on August 16th… Last summer’s NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success and the Fresh Air Fund-Racers raised more than $125,000. We are also still in need of Friendly Town hosts for next month. Host families open their hearts and home to a NYC child who would not otherwise have the opportunity to escape the hot, crowded city streets.
So, if this is something you’d be at all interested in, as a sponsor or runner or Friendly Town host, please follow this link:
NYRR Achilles Hope & Possibility 5 Miler
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Running with the Pack Episode 49 (with me!!)
2009 Patriot Triathlon Official Results
Rio de Jinero Marathon (GO RAPHAEL!!!)
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Xterra Wetsuits (50% off until the end of June!!!!)
Patriot Triathlon (Go Shrekilocks!!!)
Dreamfar Triathlon Team (Thanks guys!!)
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Running Aimlessly Around the Countryside
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NYRR Half Marathon Grand Prix: Brooklyn Results
The Resurrected runner Library
The Adventures of Cowboy Hazel
Robert Downey, Jr. in Newton’s on the set of Iron Man 2
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Runner’s World: Running at Altitude
NYRRHalf-Marathon Grand-Prix: Brooklyn
Deadwood Mickelson Trail Marathon (Go Phil!!)
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NYRR Half-Marathon Grand Prix: Brooklyn
Cleveland Marathon (Go Dave, Go!!)
Geist Half-Marathon (Go Joe, Go!!)
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After a stop at a port-a-potty, I headed inside the host hotel to find Dailyrunner who picked up my bib and chip the day before. I dropped off my bag and headed outside to the start area. An announcement was made that there was going to be a 15 minute delay in the start of the race. I took the time to seek out Julie, author of the blog Raceslikeagirl, who was running the half marathon. We chatted for a bit and then I went back to find the 3:50 pacer.
The race finally started a little bit before 8:00. The NJ Marathon is a double loop course with the start and finish on the promenade adjacent to the beach. The loop is mainly through neighboring residential areas. The beginning miles went by pretty quickly. I had no problem hanging with the 3:50 pacer and, at the time, thought I’d be able to finish the race with him. I stuck to my plan, hydrating starting at mile 4 and taking a gel every 6 miles. My wife and daughter didn’t make the trip down with me so it was nice seeing EN, a friend from Nike Speed, just before the half. Hearing his words of encouragement pumped me up. We finished the first half in 1:54:17, right on pace according the my pacer. Soon after we started the second loop, which by the way did not play any Jedi mind tricks with me, the rain started to pick up. For a while it was still refreshing but around mile 20 it started to get heavier and really started to bug me. Soon after that I run through a few puddles and my shoes started to feel like a ton of bricks At mile 21, my left knee started to hurt. I think it had something to do with the uneven road surfaces and twisting in ways the human body is not meant to twist in order to avoid puddles. At first it was bearable but at mile mile 23 I had to take a 2 minute walk break. I hated taking a walk break with only 5k to go but I was really hurting. The walk break did the trick, I got a second wind when we made the final turn towards the finish. EN was there with less than a mile to give me one final push finish. I finished strong and crossed the line in 3:52:54 (8:54 pace). Unfortunately, I did not run a negative split. My second half split was 1:58:37. Considering the problems I was having with my knee and shoes, I’ll take it. I got my finishers hat, medal, and refreshments and made a beeline for the bag check where a dry and warm set of clothes awaited.
3:52:54 is a PR for me besting my 3:55:08 I set at the Marine Corps Marathon in October 2008. Every race has it’s own challenges and surprises. With the NJ Marathon it was the weather. Setting a PR in less than perfect conditions is definitely cause for celebration.
Lastly, congrats to Dailyrunner on achieving a BQ after almost 5 years of trying. Check out his race report on his blog (linked above).
Getting ready for the race was difficult for me, since I had a rehearsal until 10:00p in San Diego the night before my race. That meant that I didn’t leave San Diego until 10:30 and had to drive to my hotel in Costa Mesa (only 90 miles). So I checked in at midnight and was laying out my stuff (shoes, Wrightsocks… great investment by the way, Nike running shorts and sports bra)for the race and getting settled until like 12:20a. Luckily I had all my Hammergels and stuff packed in my belt before I went to work on Saturday. I got up 5:00 and was in the hotel lobby at 5:30a for the shuttle to the start. I was a little anxious that morning, and really tired as it was my first day off in 2 weeks, but I good and alert which is what I hoped was going to help keep me going.
Sunday morning was a little grey and overcast and in the mid 50s which was nice. I wish it would have stayed that way, but alas it warmed to the mid 60s and sunny by the end of the race which was a little warmer than I would have liked, but it’s southern California what can you do?
The race was scheduled to start at 6:30a and we officially started it almost 6:40a, I think. Those 10 minutes between when we were supposed to start and the gun were the most anxiety filled of my life! I was all ready to go and then standing and waiting in a pack of thousands of people nerves started to get to me. But after the national anthem and 2 passes of a helicopter to take pictures we were off. The full and half marathoners all started together which meant that the energy was great because there were just SO MANY people.
I placed myself right at the back of the first corral, since I thought I would be finishing in the front half of the 4th hour and when we got going excitement took over and I was going like a bat out of hell. First mistake. The first 5 felt great. It was mostly downhill (sweet) and I was booking it and feeling really solid. I ended up without even pushing just ahead of the 3:40 pace group. Then my shins decided to give me trouble. I have been working on a raked stage for the last weeks and I have shin splints so I knew that I was probably going to have trouble with them, but I was sort of hoping that it would hold off and bug me later. That was the first time I dropped my pace, but I kept going. Stopping wasn’t an option. It was keep running or keep running. As I kept running I managed to get myself through the pain and started feeling good again.
There was a large chunk of this race that was on bike trails through a nature reserve, which was beautiful, but man was it lonely. I much preferred being out on the road where there is someone at least every little bit screaming and clapping for you to keep going. These trails, which were paved (mostly, I’ll get to that) weren’t really even and were solid rolling hills. I trained in southern California and south eastern Virginia… I’m not good with hills. Right around mile 9 (I think… I was solidly in a haze by that point) there was a hill, and not a small one and I actually said out loud “You have got to be kidding me.” It was short, but steep enough for my legs to say screw you.
At mile 12 the half marathon course broke off and we marathoners were left on our own for the remainder of the race. I started feeling solid again at that point. I had dropped my pace but knew that if I didn’t then I wouldn’t cross the finish line. We ran through South Coast Plaza, yes they really took us through a mall parking lot, and it crowded with people screaming and cheering which was exactly what I needed. We then went through another set of bike trails, my least favorite of which was UNPAVED and UPHILL. I wanted to cry. This was at mile 22 ish, maybe 23. I hadn’t run on sand or dirt EVER… I mean EVER. I wasn’t prepared at all for that and my body was not a fan. By that point I think I was running almost all on heart anyway, so a shock like that was killer. But I just kept going.
As I closed in on the finish line I knew I had to just keep going but thankfully the crowds picked up again and the street was pretty well lined in people. The finish line was in the Orange County Fairgrounds so we were winding through the parking lot to scream and cheers. That was when I found what little I had left and ran with everything I had for the last straight to the finish line.
Then I teared up. I had done it. In 7 months of training I had gone from not running at all to running a marathon. A MARATHON. It still amazes me that I did it. I had never been happier or prouder of myself. My friend Christine was waiting at the finish line cheering and laughing. I think knowing she was there was what gave me the last push to get to the end.
My official time was 4:16:23. I was 484th overall 151 in women and 13th in my age group. I’m thrilled. I now have a PR for my next marathon.
Unfortunately I still don’t have a running picture where I don’t look pained, but I’ll send one anyway. Maybe the official pictures will be better
I would have never thought that I could do this. But here I am, a marathoner and hunting for my next race. Brandon you pushed me to do this when I doubted myself. Thanks man!
Megh
Popular Mechanics Article On Barefoot Running
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Brandon’s Marathon on Twitter!!
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Brandon’s Marathon on Twitter!!
Buckeye Outdoors Podcasters Contest— JOIN MY GROUP!!!
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Hey there everybody!
So, I feel that it is incumbent upon me to throw in a couple of caveats to BMP: Episode 35.
1. I do apologize for wasting time being angry with Tom.
2. I used Tom’s name over and over so much because I wanted to be sure that it was very clear that any and all ranting was directed at an individual, rather than my audience at-large.
3. When I said “I love Newtons. If you don’t, screw you!” I was not saying that to everyone, nor did I mean it with the vitriol with which it came out. I meant it to convey the message of, “Hey, I love Newtons. If you don’t like them, or have never tried them, or will never try them, that’s fine. Do what you like.”. I may not have been too clear on this point and I apologize for that.
I am sure that I will come up with one or two more things to add to this list, so please check back for updates! I treasure you all and thank you for your continued support and encouragement!
BW
Brandon’s Marathon Gear Page!!!
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I am going to try to sit down and take stock of everything, pre-race on Saturday night. However, knowing that life works the way that it does, I’m not sure if I’ll have the time. So, this could be my last post before the Shamrock on Sunday.
That said, I am so excited and thankful for every person who has ever laid eyes or ears on Brandon’s Marathon. You are all my inspiration and offer so much support and encouragement, and for that I thank you. You will all be in my mind from start to finish and please know that every step I take brings me closer to my first marathon and I couldn’t have taken step one without the support of perfect strangers.
Yours,
Brandon
Please take a minute to leave Brandon and Danielle some words of encouragement as they are running the Shamrock Marathon on Sunday. As Steve Runner says “run strong!” but most importantly, HAVE FUN!
Enjoy the Yuengling at the end! I’m looking forward to the race report.
You Bars! (use discount code: Bmarathon)
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Hi Brandon,
I just wanted to let you know that I officially ran my first 10K Saturday
morning and lived to tell about it. As you know, I am a very inexperienced
runner. Looking back five months ago, I would have been thrilled jogging for
five minutes in Central Park. After living in New York City off and on for
the past three years, I knew my “upper west side” lifestyle was a fun and
costly illusion that had to end. I packed up and moved back home to
Tennessee. Luckily, my friend Amy also moved home before she began school
in January. We were both sulking and frustrated to be back in our small
hometown of Maryville, TN. We knew we needed a hobby or an activity to get
us out of our slump, and because of all of your encouragement, Brandon, we
decided to start running. We ran our first 5K in October and I can finally
say I ran a 10K on Valentines Day! The only thing missing was my friend
Amy, who is now back at school in Iowa, but we talk on the phone throughout
the week and remind each other to keep running. While singing with you in
Virginia, I remember hearing about your training for triathlons and
marathons, thinking how amazing it would be to complete a race. I just
wanted you to know that you were the first person who ever looked at me and
said, you can do that. I was shocked. Of course, I was your girl who could
sing a song, drink my weight in Guiness, have the biggest hair in the
room…but RUN? I thought, if this guy thinks I can do it, maybe I can. A
week before my 10K, my own father said there was no way I could run 6.2
miles without stopping. He bet $100 against me. Well, guess who has $100
in her wallet? 
I just wanted to say thank you for all of your help, and
keep up the good work. I wish you and your wife luck at the Shamrock
Marathon, and maybe one day we can run one together.
Josh Cox breaks American 50K record
Brandon’s Marathon Youtube Page
Brandon’s Marathon on Facebook
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Brandon’s Marathon on YouTube!
Sentara New Year’s Day 5K Results
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I would be remiss if I didnt’ mention a comment that I received today from Jay (this may be the Jay I know??):
In the “Where are you from?” poll, you might have missed a bit of the country we call “The South”?
As a TRUE Southerner myself and one who often rails against the War of northern aggression, I am ashamed that I neglected to include this vital part of the U.S.A.. So to Jay and all my Southern brothers and Sisters, I am sorry, check the poll to the left and answer as you need to!
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Some Audio (disclaimer: not my best work!!)
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Richmond Sprint Tiathlon (Link to stats is on the page)
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You may remember our friend Trea from Australia and her trials with forefoot running. Well, I got this email a few days ago:
Hi Brandon it’s Trea from Australia …. sorry for not letting you know that I am a female but your guess was right anyway..
Hey I just have to tell you how I am going with the toe running.
It’s great news I have just this min got off the treadmill and I completed my 1st 10klm run in 6 months pain free. I ran it in 1hour 6min 22sec. Thank you Thank you “your a champion”…
I had planned to run 5klm but when I got to the 5klm mark I felt no pain in my knee so I just kept on going…At the 8klm mark I had a slight twinge in the knee so I put the speed up from 9 to 10 which made my body move more forward and run more on my toes and problem solved. I can’t wait for my next run I have a pair of Nike Air Vomero on order and should be in store before the end of this week. To compare the price they will cost me $220 Australian not cheep but from all report’s they are great. I would love one day to change to the Newton’s so when it’s time to buy my next pair I will give them a go. By that time I should be able to run with no calf pain so I should be able to enjoy the ride…
Thank You once again ….. look’s like my ongoing pain has now been conquered.
Keep podcasting your fan’s need you….
Regards
Trea
Thanks so much for visiting my site! My name is Brandon Wood and I am an opera singer living and trying to make it in New York City. This site and podcast follow my adventures on the way to competing in and training for all kinds of endurance events, especially triathlon and running. Click the "About Me" tab for more info!
