Dropping 49 Minutes: My Marathon PR Journey

When I crossed the finish line at the Twin Cities Marathon in October 2024 with a time of 3:23, it felt like a dream come true - all of my hard work had paid off. Not only had I qualified for the Boston Marathon by the newly lowered standards, but I had also shaved an astonishing 49 minutes off my time since my first marathon on the same course three years earlier. This journey was more than just a physical transformation; it was one of personal growth, overcoming challenges, and rediscovering my love for running.

The Starting Point: Twin Cities Marathon 2021

My first marathon in October 2021 was a very humbling experience. I finished in a time of 4:11, grateful to have completed the race but knowing I had A LOT to learn. At the time, I was battling disordered eating habits and had been missing my period for about 6 months after going off the hormonal birth control that I had been taking for over a decade, which had a big impact on my overall health. I also had no fueling or hydrating strategy, which only got me through the first 14 miles on pace and then... I started to hit the wall and then I completely fell apart and felt like the wall actually crashed into me at mile 22-23. Many people thought that I should stop and not finish the race, but I was determined. I had to walk for about 3 miles and then was able to "jog" the final mile of the race to the finish line. My watch recorded one of my miles to be over 31 minutes - that is crazy slow even for walking - a very humbling experience. I'm still so grateful that I finished!

Shortly after that race, I made the tough decision to take a break from running—a full 14 months—to focus on healing my body, recovering my period naturally, and mending my relationship with food. It was a humbling process to let go of running for a while, but it was necessary to rebuild a stronger foundation.

Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 2021

Starting Fresh: Fargo Marathon 2024

In December 2023, just before New Year’s, I decided to register and commit to training for my second marathon: the Fargo Marathon in June 2024. This time, I approached training with a new perspective. I joined a local running group, which made training much more enjoyable and motivating. The camaraderie, support, and shared miles brought back the joy I had once felt for running. A mild winter allowed me to train outdoors consistently, and I loosely followed an online training plan that worked well for me.

Race day at Fargo was incredible. I ran strong from start to finish, crossing the line in 3:31:53—a massive 40-minute improvement! While I narrowly missed the Boston Marathon qualifying time of 3:30, I knew I was capable of more, but I was ecstatic that I had broken through the mental barrier. This race reignited my determination and set me up for the next big goal: another PR at the Twin Cities Marathon in October 2024.

Fargo Marathon - June 2024

Leveling Up: Twin Cities Marathon 2024

For my third marathon, I enlisted the help of my good friend and professional runner, Nadir, who had competed in the Olympic Trials Marathon earlier that year. Nadir designed a challenging training plan for me each week that pushed me to new levels. With higher mileage and endurance-focused workouts, I found myself in the best shape of my life.

A few weeks before race day, the Boston Marathon announced they were lowering the qualifying times by five minutes for each age group, meaning I now needed a 3:25 to qualify. This added challenge only fueled my determination. I trusted my training and felt confident heading into race day.

Race day was perfect—cooler weather, incredible crowd support, and I had a well-executed fueling strategy that I had practiced for most of 2024. I felt strong and focused throughout the race, conquering the infamous Summit Avenue with newfound confidence. Crossing the finish line in 3:23, I had achieved my goal, dropping nearly 49 minutes from my time three years earlier on the same course. The journey had come full circle.

Twin Cities Marathon - Oct 2024

Overcoming Challenges Along the Way

The path to the 2024 Twin Cities Marathon wasn’t without its challenges. Just two nights before the race, I tripped over a suitcase in the dark, bruising and scraping my left knee. Panic set in as I worried I might have jeopardized months of hard work. Thankfully, I was able to manage the swelling and pain, and I refused to let the mishap derail my race. “No excuses” became my mantra, and it carried me through the starting line and beyond.

Key Takeaways

1. Healing and Rebuilding: Taking time off after my first marathon was essential to heal my body, recover my period, and repair my relationship with food. This foundation allowed me to come back stronger.

2. The Power of Community: Training with a group made a significant difference in my motivation and enjoyment of the process. Running is better together!

3. Expert Guidance: Working with a professional coach pushed me beyond what I thought was possible and helped me reach new levels of performance.

4. Trust Your Training: On race day, I relied on the work I had put in and executed my plan. Proper fueling, hydration, and pacing were key to my success.

5. Adapt and Overcome: Even when faced with unexpected challenges, like my pre-race injury, staying positive and focused helped me achieve my goals.

What’s Next?

The journey doesn’t stop here. I’m already looking ahead to running a flat marathon course in May 2025 as I continue to chase my running dreams and prepare to drop more time so I can secure a spot at the 2026 Boston Marathon.

This experience has taught me that growth happens when you embrace the process, overcome challenges, and believe in yourself. To anyone out there working toward a big goal, remember: Progress takes time, patience, and persistence. Keep showing up for yourself, and you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve!