Only about 2% of runners will finish a marathon in less than 180 minutes (3 hours)

Six years ago, I couldn't even imagine running the distance (26.2 miles). But after working up to 3-4 mile jogs a few times a week, I set the incredible goal of running a half marathon.

After four months of intense training, well at that time (20-25 miles/wk), I ran the Houston half-marathon on January 16th, 2005. It was so grueling, I swore that was it. I'll never do another half, let alone a full.

Fortunately a running comrade pushed me to do a full marathon. Rededicated, I set a sub 4:00 hour goal for the full Houston marathon the following year. I trained harder than ever and crossed the finish in 3:59; I was hooked.

I've now run 21 marathons and this site is my journal to join that exclusive club of those who finish a marathon in under 180 minutes (3 hours).

CONTACT ME

Saturday, December 10, 2011

"One, Two, Three, CLEAR"

After the American Bank Half Marathon a running friend handed me his camera and requested a picture.  I said that I couldn't; I had no feeling in my fingers.  I stretched out my hand to show him.

The tips of my fingers were blueish-purple dark.  I explained that with all the training I've done that my resting heart-rate was down to the low 40s, and my blood pressure was on the low side also.  Post hard / long runs, it gets worse as my circulation is further reduced by dehydration.

The friend said, "You better put that information on the back of your bib as race instructions recommended."  I replied that it was no big deal and I didn't worry about it.

The friend explained, "My brother is the one who actually told me to do it; he's a Doctor and marathoner.  My brother told me that when a runner goes down, for any reason, the paramedics are usually called.  The medics, not knowing that runners have naturally low heart-rates / blood-pressure, freak-out.  On more than one occasion, they've whipped-out the defibrillator and shocked the runner."  

I guess I better fill out the reverse-side of the bib with some notes on my other extraordinary physical attribute, or the medics might think I'm suffering from a head-injury induced priapism and rush me in for a $ 5,000 MRI brain scan.

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