If at first you don't succeed, try, try again

On October 8th 2023, I accomplished something amazing! — breaking 4 hours on a marathon but it wasn’t about what I did on October 8th, it was about what happened a year before when I failed by less than a minute to break 4 hours in the marathon.

Success happened before I flew across the finish line 3:38:22!

Success happened at every Pitch and Run for the last year, since my 4:01 finish at the NYC Marathon, The year after I ran a 4:12 Marathon — but I kept trying!

Success happened when I signed up for the NYC 1/2 Marathon right after failing to hour sub 4.

Success happened at every Tracksmith Wed Track night and every Saturday long run.

Success happened when I started working again with Coach Kara on a plan to beat 4 hours, target 3:45.

Success happened every lifting Sunday and every rest day.

Success happened when I paced (too fast) the first 5k for Kayla’s half marathon in London.

Success happened running the Brooklyn Mile, the Bronx 10 miler, The BK half, and all the races in the last 12 months

Success happened on the long run to Rockaway Beach.

Success happened on every fun run while on vacation.

But a reminder, we don’t always succeed, last year I did not succeed in breaking 4.

But I tried, tried again.

Success has its setbacks along the way, showing up is how we power through. This applies to running, weight loss, careers, and relationships.

We don’t always succeed on our first try or even our second try, but if we try, try again eventually we succeed.

The most important part of my success in breaking 4 was who helped me accomplish this. We all need help along the way!

Thank you so much @pitchandrunnyc @estanleydott @karagracedudley and especially @kayweathermannyc