\nThe year I turned 40, I decided I wanted to do something big to commemorate my milestone birthday. I’m in the habit of running regularly and I’m in pretty good shape, so I signed up for the Hamptons Half Marathon. I thought that if I did this one race as part of a fun weekend trip, my road racing career would be over.<\/p>\n
I downloaded a beginner training program from Hal Higdon’s website and stuck it on my fridge. I didn’t know about zone 2 running, speed intervals, or tempo running. I did every workout at the same pace and I think my longest run was 10 miles. However, I ended up finishing the first race in 1 hour 37 minutes 02 seconds.<\/p>\n
I was surprised at how well it went and made me reconsider my “one-and-done” approach to competition. I started participating in other races and thinking about how I could combine my love of running and traveling.<\/p>\n
I ran the second half of the 2019 Rapa Nui Half Marathon on Chile’s Easter Island in 1 hour, 35 minutes, and 17 seconds.<\/p>\n
During my travels, I met more experienced runners who told me about all the fun races they’ve done around the world. These conversations made me feel like I might actually have a talent that I could develop if I stayed consistent.<\/p>\n
Inspired, I set a new goal to run a half marathon on every continent. I was able to accomplish 6 out of 7 in just over 4 years (flights to Antarctica are ridiculously expensive and I spent half my time in Queenstown, New Zealand and counting Australia).<\/p>\n
After that, I shifted my focus to full marathons.<\/p>\n\n\nRelated articles<\/span>my marathon journey<\/h2>\n For years, running 42.2 miles was out of the question. To be honest, I was scared of the distance and wasn’t sure if I could train for a marathon while working full time at a very demanding job. However, a friend convinced me to just enter the 2022 Berlin Marathon lottery and think about the rest later. He said there was only a 15% chance of me getting in, so I thought I was safe.<\/p>\n
When I received the notification that I had been accepted, this was what I thought. Well, I think I actually have to do this!<\/em> Once again, I went to Hal Higdon’s website and downloaded the beginner plan.<\/p>\nDuring that training cycle, I ran my first and only 20 miles (my longest ever) and I thought I was going to die. But overall, the training was effective. I finished in 3 hours 16 minutes 42 seconds. Someone pointed out that my time was BQ of the same age group. I had no idea what they were talking about.<\/p>\n
My second marathon was the 2023 London Marathon. The course is fast and flat, and the large crowds along the sidelines create a lot of energy. He crossed the finish line with a new personal record of 3 hours, 11 minutes, and 54 seconds.<\/p>\n
By that time I fully understood what BQ meant. I was also beginning to understand and appreciate the importance of the World Marathon Majors. Seeing runners from all over the world come together for these events and having the opportunity to experience firsthand the power of community made me fall in love with the sport.<\/p>\n
He completed two majors, completed his entry into Boston, and is almost halfway to earning six stars. (Eventually, I would run my last major locally at the 2024 New York City Marathon.) I decided I needed to keep moving forward. I really fell in love with marathons.<\/p>\n\n\nRelated articles<\/span>Experiencing my first Boston Marathon in 2024 was humbling. I was running the Tokyo Marathon five or six weeks ago, but Boston wasn’t a priority. It was hot, I wasn’t ready for the hills, and I started too early. I ended up overheating and couldn’t remove the gel. Although he crossed the finish line in a good time of 3 hours, 13 minutes and 14 seconds, he collapsed in the medical tent.<\/p>\n
The experience was disappointing, to say the least. Especially since I was increasing my weekly mileage, incorporating strength training and mobility, developing a fueling strategy, steadily tweaking my training, and seeing incremental improvements with each previous race.<\/p>\n
Seeking redemption, I returned to Boston in 2025. I was feeling great until the halfway point, but halfway through I started to feel cramps in my right leg. (I think my electrolytes were depleted and my legs just didn’t have enough strength.) From there it was like a death march until the end. Again, my time of 3:08:18 was respectable, but I didn’t finish strong. I knew I had a better, faster race within me.<\/p>\n\n\n
<\/p>\n
Provided by: Jesse Liu<\/span><\/figcaption><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\nI’ll be back in Boston in 2026, but before that I’ll work on another big goal: finishing sub-3 in the 2025 Valencia Marathon.<\/p>\n
The closest I came to subthree was in Berlin in 2024. I finished in 3:04:05. It was an exciting new record, but it felt like it was far from sub-three. As an average daily runner in my mid-40s, I knew I needed to push myself harder and train more strategically to shave off those five minutes.<\/p>\n\n\nRelated articles<\/span>Changes that led to faster time<\/h2>\n I started working with running coach Brendon O’Leary in May 2024. He helped me adjust my training, which proved to be a game-changer for Berlin and beyond.<\/p>\n
For the first time, I completed four runs of 20 miles or more in one training cycle. I was never a long distance runner so this helped build my endurance. And when I ran long distances, I started running at least 10 miles at marathon pace, which gave me more confidence.<\/p>\n
I also started doing strength training more consistently, lifting twice a week with a focus on single-leg exercises like glute bridges and Romanian deadlifts. I think my stronger legs have improved my running economy and endurance.<\/p>\n
Sweat analysis by Precision Hydration revealed that I wasn’t getting enough sodium and needed more hydration to prevent intestinal issues and cramps. I switched to Precision Hydration products, which my stomach tolerates better. I can lose 5-6 gels during a race. Before, I could only get four stomachs at most.<\/p>\n
I also found better race shoes for myself. I used to run in the Nike Vaporfly 3, but switched to the Puma Fast-R Nitro Elite 3.<\/p>\n
I would be lying if I said that I had no hesitations about participating in the Valencia Marathon. I couldn’t rest as much as I wanted. I sing in the Boston Symphony Orchestra choir, and we were in the middle of a very busy performance season. It was also my first marathon where my spouse wasn’t there to cheer me on, so I didn’t have the race day support I usually do. It felt as if I was there on business, as if I had a job to do.<\/p>\n
Valencia is known for its flat courses, so my strategy was to run evenly between efforts and splits. Thankfully, I felt better and was able to carry out my plan. The moment I knew I had won was when I caught a glimpse of the big blue carpet leading to the finish line at the 42K mark. It passed in 2 hours 59 minutes 08 seconds.<\/p>\n
It was the most special marathon completion I have ever experienced. I accomplished big, scary goals and learned many lessons about taking calculated risks, resilience, and believing in my athletic ability, which is far from what I’ve been praised or praised for in the past.<\/p>\n
Triumphant return aside, I still had unfinished business in Boston. At this point, I was familiar with Newton Hills and was able to actually practice running there while visiting Boston in the months leading up to the marathon. I learned that to gain strength in the last 5 miles, I had to survive the hill, not attack it.<\/p>\n
This strategy, along with stronger legs, improved fueling and hydration, and historically good weather, gave me the Boston Marathon experience I had always wanted. I felt strong throughout and actually enjoyed racing in the city of Boston, which embraces marathons like no other. He crossed the finish line in 3 hours, 2 minutes and 42 seconds, a new personal course record.<\/p>\n