Have a very happy holiday and enjoy the well deserved break! I run half marathons and no matter how much I train, the last 1/2 to 1 mile is always rough. Will keep running here in Omaha over the holidays - on Day #565 of my running streak. 👍🏻
Thanks! Bern doing it long enough now that it is just part of my daily routine and one of the very few things I’ve had total control of in the last year and a half. 😉👍🏻
Couldn’t agree more. It’s always the last mile-ish that’s the toughest, no matter if it’s a half marathon, a marathon, a 50 miler…I think because you’re “right there”, it just feels SO far away.
My goodness!!!! Ever since I read your very first newsletter I have been wanting to run the MCM. It is what inspired me to run marathons at all. It has been cancelled on me twice now, but I am hoping really hard that it will go through this year.
I am married to a (former) Marine. And not just a Marine, but a former D.I., so I know their love of adding that toughest bit at the end. And, their particular love of running up hills! In fact, we live at the top of a hill.
After reading your wonderfully inspiring description of the end of the MCM, I have decided to end all my training runs by going past my house and ending going up my VERY steep hill.
What a motivating column. Pause. Another pause. Jokester that I am, I had just started the A1A half marathon in Fort Lauderdale FL when we crossed the FEC railroad tracks. This particular RR crossing is slightly raised so as I was crossing the tracks, I said to know one in particular, “Nobody said anything about this race being hilly,”
Beautifully written, Terrell. And, so impressed that "Are you kidding me?" was all that that was running through your head. I met a similar hill at the end of a half marathon, it was only about 20 yards long, but very steep and I had one extra word inserted to that same question.
Now that someone finally explained the proverbial hill at the end of the Marine Corps Marathon, I can finally understand it and get a good chuckle. As the daughter of a WWII Marine Corps Captain,(Guadalcanal), I well-know their perverse sense of humor in making things hard--especially toward the end! With my Dad, if you could make it through the hard part, you were lucky to get a sort of smile, grunt, and a grudging "good start"! :)
Enjoy the holidays,Terrell. Take good care of that knee! Looking forward to an even better 2022!
Thank you, Nilima! I will for sure. One of the wonderful things about writing this newsletter has been getting to know you and everyone here in the comments -- it feels like we're all old friends now, you know? Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday 😀
Doesn't it though! I look forward to it every week!
April is looking better now for running. SO much rain and the forecast through March for us (PacNW) is for below average cold. GA looks like the place to be!
I know you'll have a great holiday and time off with you and yours! Small gathering with my daughter but it is always memorable! Enjoy and be grateful we have what we have!
Can't tell you how much I enjoy getting your email...while carrying some catholic guilt that I should have started subscribing a few months ago! I am taking care of that right now. Thank you, and best wishes for the Holidays. Merry Christmas
If you can think of it, plan, prepare sn do it. The experience and solitude of the one month hike are soul lifting and worth it. I wrote an essay of my first Camino in 2003. I can share it with anyone interested in reading it.
great article terrell! the last time i did baltimore they had changed the ending to an uphill so you could end more in the heart of the city. they announced it a few times but fellow runners were still surprised during the race end lol. there are a few uphills toward the end of a race that i remembered while reading your words. it just makes the finish that much sweeter! have a great xmas and some relaxing time!
It really does, doesn't it? They mix the pleasure with the pain -- yes, there's more hills, but you get to see something amazing at the end. You have a great Christmas too, Kel!
I loved that story! Thank you. What a brilliant race - What a tribute to the Marines. It perfectly alludes to the kind of effort they have to express regularly.
Great end of year post Terrell...terrific. Ending the year, unfortunately, with what i think is a stress fracture in my left foot. Definitely dampens my racing plans for Q1...but they body's way of telling me to rest. Hoping you get the same and so glad I am a member of this flourishing community. Michelle
I absolutely love this Terrell, thank you! It is my goal to run MCM as my first marathon next October if I can get in (any insider advice welcome). I lived in Washington D.C. post-college till having babies—it’s a beautiful city filled with amazing memories for me. I also appreciated your recent piece about running with others. I run alone, even when I run half marathons with others (different paces) but I’m going to push myself to try a running club recently recommended to me as part of my marathon training. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration you provide, I’m truly grateful. Happy holidays to you and every amazing person in this incredible community you’ve created!! Kara
Terrell, along with all of "us" others, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I wish for all of us the ability to run where/when we want with the knowledge of how to slow down when needed in order to enjoy the runs we do! Be well all...
No races planned at the moment. I’m still in the “never doing that again” phase but I know that will fade soon.
Recovery is going better than expected. Monday I could barely move and Tuesday I couldn’t go down steps lol. Today I went for a light jog around the neighborhood and it felt really good. Hopefully it stays warm for you up there in ATL
Have a very happy holiday and enjoy the well deserved break! I run half marathons and no matter how much I train, the last 1/2 to 1 mile is always rough. Will keep running here in Omaha over the holidays - on Day #565 of my running streak. 👍🏻
Wow, Patty! I’m seriously in awe 🙇♂️
Thanks! Bern doing it long enough now that it is just part of my daily routine and one of the very few things I’ve had total control of in the last year and a half. 😉👍🏻
Couldn’t agree more. It’s always the last mile-ish that’s the toughest, no matter if it’s a half marathon, a marathon, a 50 miler…I think because you’re “right there”, it just feels SO far away.
My goodness!!!! Ever since I read your very first newsletter I have been wanting to run the MCM. It is what inspired me to run marathons at all. It has been cancelled on me twice now, but I am hoping really hard that it will go through this year.
I am married to a (former) Marine. And not just a Marine, but a former D.I., so I know their love of adding that toughest bit at the end. And, their particular love of running up hills! In fact, we live at the top of a hill.
After reading your wonderfully inspiring description of the end of the MCM, I have decided to end all my training runs by going past my house and ending going up my VERY steep hill.
OH! And also, enjoy your holiday time off!
What a motivating column. Pause. Another pause. Jokester that I am, I had just started the A1A half marathon in Fort Lauderdale FL when we crossed the FEC railroad tracks. This particular RR crossing is slightly raised so as I was crossing the tracks, I said to know one in particular, “Nobody said anything about this race being hilly,”
lol - the things that are said during a race 😆😂
Ha!
Beautifully written, Terrell. And, so impressed that "Are you kidding me?" was all that that was running through your head. I met a similar hill at the end of a half marathon, it was only about 20 yards long, but very steep and I had one extra word inserted to that same question.
Thank you, my friend! (And I think I can imagine what that word might have been... 😉 )
Now that someone finally explained the proverbial hill at the end of the Marine Corps Marathon, I can finally understand it and get a good chuckle. As the daughter of a WWII Marine Corps Captain,(Guadalcanal), I well-know their perverse sense of humor in making things hard--especially toward the end! With my Dad, if you could make it through the hard part, you were lucky to get a sort of smile, grunt, and a grudging "good start"! :)
Enjoy the holidays,Terrell. Take good care of that knee! Looking forward to an even better 2022!
Thank you, Nilima! I will for sure. One of the wonderful things about writing this newsletter has been getting to know you and everyone here in the comments -- it feels like we're all old friends now, you know? Have a wonderful, wonderful holiday 😀
Doesn't it though! I look forward to it every week!
April is looking better now for running. SO much rain and the forecast through March for us (PacNW) is for below average cold. GA looks like the place to be!
I know you'll have a great holiday and time off with you and yours! Small gathering with my daughter but it is always memorable! Enjoy and be grateful we have what we have!
Take care! See you soon. . . :)
Can't tell you how much I enjoy getting your email...while carrying some catholic guilt that I should have started subscribing a few months ago! I am taking care of that right now. Thank you, and best wishes for the Holidays. Merry Christmas
Mike! You are the man! 🙌 Thank you my brother 🙏
No, thank you!
What a great article to read just before the end of the year.
Thanks.
If you can think of it, plan, prepare sn do it. The experience and solitude of the one month hike are soul lifting and worth it. I wrote an essay of my first Camino in 2003. I can share it with anyone interested in reading it.
I've actually done more walking this year, too, and have fallen in love with it. I would love to read your essay about the Camino!
I can mail you a copy which you can keep or share with others, specifically if doing the Camino is in their ‘things-to do’ list.
Great! My email address is terrell@halfmarathons.net -- you can email it there, or send me an email and I'll send you my mailing address. Thanks!
Please send a mailing address I can send a copy to. That would be easier and better for me.
Thank you!
great article terrell! the last time i did baltimore they had changed the ending to an uphill so you could end more in the heart of the city. they announced it a few times but fellow runners were still surprised during the race end lol. there are a few uphills toward the end of a race that i remembered while reading your words. it just makes the finish that much sweeter! have a great xmas and some relaxing time!
It really does, doesn't it? They mix the pleasure with the pain -- yes, there's more hills, but you get to see something amazing at the end. You have a great Christmas too, Kel!
I loved that story! Thank you. What a brilliant race - What a tribute to the Marines. It perfectly alludes to the kind of effort they have to express regularly.
Great end of year post Terrell...terrific. Ending the year, unfortunately, with what i think is a stress fracture in my left foot. Definitely dampens my racing plans for Q1...but they body's way of telling me to rest. Hoping you get the same and so glad I am a member of this flourishing community. Michelle
Thank you, Michelle! So glad you're a member of it too!
Hoping your left foot is nothing that requires a long recovery !!!!
I absolutely love this Terrell, thank you! It is my goal to run MCM as my first marathon next October if I can get in (any insider advice welcome). I lived in Washington D.C. post-college till having babies—it’s a beautiful city filled with amazing memories for me. I also appreciated your recent piece about running with others. I run alone, even when I run half marathons with others (different paces) but I’m going to push myself to try a running club recently recommended to me as part of my marathon training. Thanks for the encouragement and inspiration you provide, I’m truly grateful. Happy holidays to you and every amazing person in this incredible community you’ve created!! Kara
Right back at you, Kara! Have a wonderful holiday -- and please know, you (and everyone here) inspire me too!
Thank you!!! Merry Christmas & Happy New Year! Enjoy your rest. 😊🎄😊🎄
Thank you so much, Corrina! You too!
Terrell, along with all of "us" others, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I wish for all of us the ability to run where/when we want with the knowledge of how to slow down when needed in order to enjoy the runs we do! Be well all...
Right back at you, Stan!
Powerful inspirational and timely. Thanks for keeping us going.
Enjoy the time off Merry Christmas.
And, how is the marathon recovery going?
No races planned at the moment. I’m still in the “never doing that again” phase but I know that will fade soon.
Recovery is going better than expected. Monday I could barely move and Tuesday I couldn’t go down steps lol. Today I went for a light jog around the neighborhood and it felt really good. Hopefully it stays warm for you up there in ATL
Thank you, my friend! You have a wonderful, restful break as well. Have any races planned for the new year?
What a great article!! hope you have a wonderful holiday season!!!
Thank you, Sheila! You too!
Feliz Navidad y prospero el ano nuevo