I “technically” just qualified for the oldest, most prestigious marathon in the world with a 3:02:45 at the Buckeye Marathon west of Phoenix, Arizona. This was my 51st marathon across the distance from marathon, Ultras, and Ironmans since 2009 when I ran Boston for charity in 3:38 as my first ever marathon. I was 11
seconds off my PB as a 31year old in Alice Springs, Australia. 9 1/2 years later… I am doing this right. Fiona attempted it and finished with a 3:38. Her next shot for sub 3:35 is in Mesa, Arizona in 4 weeks.

I had no idea what I was capable of. 4 weeks ago I ran a 1:38 half after a 1.2m swim, and 56m ride in Taupo, New Zealand running the best in 6 years. I knew I was in shape with mostly 30-40mile weeks over the last year and 1,776miles. After NZ, I put together my 2 biggest weeks of the year at 44miles the week after the 70.3 World Championship. My longest long run was only 14 miles and the most in 1 day was 70.3 race day with 10miles after the half. Fiona said I hadn’t the base to go 26.2miles. I said I had 15 years of base and we would see tomorrow 🙂

Friday was a 9/80 off day and i took off all training. I ate 2 muffins, 2 bagels, a package of candy, monster, coke, 2 Gatorade, 2 cup of noodles for dinner, hostess coffee cakes; around 3,000-4,000 calories. I sat in Normatecs for almost 90 minutes. This after the training week of:
M – 1hr easy bike
T – 3m run with 4×400 at 7:14 to 6:40, 40min 2km swim
W – 3m run with 4×400 at 7:14 to 6:40
T – 5m run with 4×400 at 7:14 to 6:40, 40min 2km swim

Race Day
We stayed at our friend’s place, Matt who we met through Ironman and Strava and let us stay at his place in Goodyear, THANK YOU MATT!!! Mt Lemmon in June 😉

Up at 5:30am. 3 pieces of white toast with jam, banana, 2 medium Red Bulls, around 600 calories 160mg Caf. We left at 6:15 for the 40min drive and 8am start. We stayed in the car and hit the loo with only 2 bathrooms, not good. It was nice and cold which is where I run my best. I had a long sleeve over me (Manchester Marathon, NH 3:21 from 2009, thanks shirt). I had gloves from a 50k ultra, and arm sleeves from Mesa Marathon. I was wearing Zoot Sam Long tri shorts, pockets filled with 2 Maureten Gels and 2 PH 100 Caf gels, Sam Long singlet, 70.3 WC visor, run belt with 3 Maurten Gels and a Camelpak run belt with 1G LMNT Salt and Maurten 320 CAF. I had 2 other salt from Immortal that I didn’t use because I didn’t want to stop and lose precious seconds. I also had phone in pocket playing music through Beats Solo3 headphones to my Playlist through Amazon. I would eat 1,000+ calories on the run.

I wished Fi best of luck who was shooting for 3:25. I started just a little back, walked across the start at 8am and took off.

I swirved around the 50 people in front of me and curved up the road unsure of pace at the start. I then looked on pace of 6:40’s and said yesterday this is where I want to be. In order to go sub 3:05, I HAD  to run a 1:30 first half, giving me 5min slowdown on the back half which is ideally the normal and expected degradation through analysis I have done. I counted myself in 7th at the 2.5mile u turn. I also got a side five from Fiona heading out. And stations were every 2 miles with water and Gatorade, I was drinking there but getting a very small mouthful if any; at mile 10 a runner was next to me, got in front of me, and grabbed the water. I was also drinking my salty, caffeine drink that lasted most of the race.

The most important mile of the race was 3 heading up at slight hill of 69′ to mile 4. I worked this hill to my highest HR of 148 and a 6:49mile. I knew from Strava trackers this was the peak and was critical.

The next 3 miles were my fastest at 6:34, 6:36, 6:38. My HR was on142 which is zone 4 threshold for me so I was worried and tried to bring pace to 6:40’s but also knew that I had to get sub 1:30 half, and cadence on 180 was amazing. There were 2-4 runners near me and the westerly view was awesome. I started stripping gloves, shirt, and arm sleeves with temps rising from 50F to 74F.

I realized I wasn’t drinking my drink so I started with my Gels at mile 4, 8caf 16, then I had a caf at 17, 2hrs in; 500mg of Caf in total. The quads started feeling it at mile 8 and progressed from there. I thought back to Sandia Crest Marathon with its 5,000′ descent 1:29,1:47 and thought, let’s not repeat that. I tried to have a positive mindset and constantly talked to myself. I was burping heaps, felt a little fat with the carbo loading the prior day, and went through some rough patches and couging where my throat felt a little clogged most of the run; adversity, welcome to endurance sport. I continued to think of Fiona and doing this for Boston. With a 1:27:52 half, I was faster than my PB when I went 3:02:34 and knew it was possible but I still had 13 miles to run. Anything is Possible!

Of note is this half was my 2nd fastest ever. Yes downhill, but in a marathon! The first was Tucson Half Marathon 8 seconds faster from 2017 when A mountain was closed.

I started over taking and being over taken, legs started to feel trashed and Pace faded after mile 15. HR was strong, super shoes (Hoka Cielo X1) were working, keep going. Some slight cramping with the lack of salt sitting in my pocket, it faded, I made sure to get the Gatorade. We came up on the half marathoners out and back which kept it motivating. I knew the course, the head wind faded, slight downhill, past the I10, one more hill. Can’t run fast down this hill, legs trashed, legs in vice grips. How much farther do I need to run? My GPS had me 0.1M ahead, that’s 40seconds. I got this, keep running.

Where is the finish line dammit? I missed the skydiver. I Finisher shoot. Yea Boston! Calf tightened up ready to blow, get to the fucking line! Limp and walk till Garmin records 26.23, make this short course official damn it.

Tears, swearing, coughing. I can’t believe I just did that. I am going to Boston..Now let’s get Fiona in. Clock counting up, there she is… OK 4 weeks, it is on. 3:38 no BQ. You will do this Fiona! I belive in you and It is Possible! In 2009 2 weeks after MY 3:38, I ran the NJ marathon in 3:26, 13 days later. You can do this.

Boston qualifying times for M40-44 dropped with everyone else by 5min from 3:10 to 3:05 for 2026. The buffer was 6:51.
I qualified off last year needing 3:03:09 by 25 seconds. I belive it will be less competitive with M18-34 needing sub 2:55. I will know in Oct/Nov, “Officially”.

I am incredibly proud of myself. I had no idea what I was capable of. I expected sub 3:10 and was hopeful of a sub 3:05BQ. I missed my PB by 10seconds and fought hader than I ever had in all of my now 51 marathons. That coveted sub 3:00, a life goal is within reach… 4 weeks will it happen? Stay tuned.

Just left Islands restaurant with Matt and Lani. I had a 1,600 calories burger and 2 22oz beers. Looks like I didn’t burn any weight today in my 3,300 calories run… I think I will go for a run.  Bye.