Don Craig didn't even start running until he was in his late 30s, and ran his first marathon when he was 45. In just five years, he's finished four marathons and qualified for Boston twice, including at the 2017 Houston Marathon. Now, he's headed for the 2018 Boston Marathon, which falls on his 50th birthday. He's also aiming for a sub-3:20 finish at the New York City Marathon in December.
"There have been times I've looked at my Runcoach plan for the week, especially in the last third of the marathon training, and told my family 'I have no idea how I will do that,'" he says. "But when I do, it is an amazing feeling of validation of the work put in to that point."
Don Craig
Sport: Running
What is the secret to your success? The most important has been finding a plan and sticking to it, almost religiously. The Runcoach program has given me the variety and challenge needed to get me to not be stagnant. But also, there is not enough said about visualizing your success on race day. For my first BQ in Fargo (my 2nd full marathon) I had visualized the clock reading 3:22 as I came down the last block. I thought of that for weeks. Sure enough, I turned the corner that day and saw the clock ahead and it said 3:22.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? Life is the biggest obstacle. With a family, a demanding job, travel, and spouse, just like all of us, getting in the hours is tough. I've learned I do best if I get up at crazy hours (like 4:30 am) so I can get 'er done before the rest of my life has to begin. When I travel, the first thing I check is what running gear I will need, even before the work clothes. And I hold myself accountable. If I decide to sleep in when I was supposed to run, then I fit it in later that day. Sometimes that means I am now running in hot humid conditions or it’s snowing (it's Boston), but that is my self-imposed punishment.
What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? Set high goals. Everyone thought I was nuts setting a goal to qualify for the Boston Marathon, since I was 45 years old, and had only run one full marathon. Now my goal is a sub 3:20 marathon in NYC in November and to BQ in Boston on my 50th birthday. Set the goal, set the plan and execute. Anything is possible.
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Bryan Veal
Sport: Marathons
Major milestone: I have completed 40 marathons over the past 18 years.
What is the secret to your success? Finding something I enjoy, and having dear friends to run with.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? About 1.5 years ago, after dramatic energy loss in marathon about 1.5 years ago, I was diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. It's been very hard since to find strength after around 15 miles and my times have dramatically slowed. But I still fully train and have finished 6 marathons since then.
What is the most rewarding part of training? Being with friends of 13 to 14 years. Almost 1 year training with Runcoach and it has been my best resource in 18 years of marathons. It's consistent, fit to my goals, balanced, well rounded, well supported. Mostly it's always there.
What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? Find the joy and accept yourself.
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Cassandra Wilson knows that the rewards of moving more transcend any single workout.
“I am stronger, I have greater endurance, and I’m proud of all that I’m investing into my fitness while still feeling like I’m being a good mom, wife, and employee,” she says.
In the Spotlight: LinkedIn
Cassandra Wilson
Sr. Program Manager, GTO (HR)
Favorite Fitness Activity: TRX classes and walking in the park with my family
What is the secret to your success? Signing up for workout classes and blocking the time on my calendar. It reduces the number of excuses I have and the classes keep me motivated.
What is the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you overcome it? My biggest obstacle to moving more is a shortage of time. I set a goal to attend one workout class a day, Monday through Friday, and I sign up for the classes by Sunday night so that the time is blocked on my calendar. I try to do mornings so that I keep evenings for my family and unwinding after work. As long as I don't have to take early meetings, it works well!
What is the most rewarding part of this challenge? The most rewarding part of this challenge is seeing myself make progress and stick with it! I can go up more flights of stairs, take longer walks with my family, carry my son around for longer, recover much more quickly from my workouts, clock the best time in my TRX-Circuit class, and, most notably, run the Bay to Breakers race this year with my best time ever—even after 3 weeks of not working out. I feel so much better and see results in my workouts as I add weight and improve my form and bounce back by lunchtime after working out really intensely in the morning.
What advice would you give to your fellow challengers? My advice is to keep trying and don't be afraid to adjust your goals if you need to.
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In the spotlight: Shea Companies
Catherine Tinerino Moore
IronOaks Fitness Center/Front Desk
Shea Homes
Favorite Fitness Activities: Walking, Golfing, swimming, yoga
How did you start? I completed a marathon when I turned 50. I did it as a walk/run and completed it in six hours. I now exercise about 6 days a week, and I work with a Personal trainer for an 1 hour once a week. I now practice yoga 2 to 3 times a week, and golf 2 days a week. I'll do intervals, alternating between running and walking. I had a fear of water, so about four years ago I learned to swim and now I swim laps 3 to 4 times each week. Swimming, has really help me with my golf. Yoga has helped me focus and relax.
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle is time. So, I just get up earlier, and fit it in.
What is your feedback on the Movecoach experience? Movecoach pushes me to do more. I now swim some extra laps, now I jog a little longer, just to get to my milestone.
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Jorge Cortes
Major milestone: I qualified for the Boston Marathon with a 3:27:12. (The qualifying standard for my age is 3:40).
What is the secret to your success? Set goals that are realistic, but aggressive. You have to push yourself.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? Time commitment. I always found excuses why I could not do it, and thought I did not have the time. I made the commitment to myself I would find the time, and I do. It’s up to me if I want to waste my time in other things. We always do, so it is a matter of priorities.
What is the most rewarding part of training? Overcoming difficulties. The success (beating your time, runs in perfect conditions, etc) are easy. I like it when it is hard, when I am tired, when you go against the wind or the heat or the humidity, and you still complete your training.
What advice would you give to other members of the runcoach community? Invite others who are not doing it!
What feedback would you offer on Runcoach? I love it. I started running in 2014 and Runcoach, which I found when I registered for the Houston Half Marathon. I went from being in no shape, and having zero experience, to running marathons the next year, then qualifying for Boston. Thank you!
We're proud to be the Official Training Partner of the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon and Aramco Houston Half Marathon! To learn more, click here.
Stacey Bain quit smoking and picked up running four years ago at the age of 48. She was hooked on the sport with her first 5K. She now has 12 half marathons under her belt, and is training for The 2018 Houston Marathon, which will be her first. Along the way, she’s learned that running is a powerful happiness potion. “You’re only one run away from a good mood,” she says. “Running is cheaper than therapy!”
Stacey Bain
Major milestone: I quit smoking 4 years ago and started running at the age of 48. I ran my first 5K and I was hooked. I decided to run a race every month leading up to my first half marathon before I turned 50. Thinking it would be my only half, (yeah right!). I've completed 12 half marathons and am training for my first full marathon—the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon.
What is the secret to your success? I’ve also learned that quality miles—like interval workouts— are better than quantity.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? Tibalius Posterior Tendonitis/Tendonosis, an inflammation in the tendon that supports the arch of the foot when walking. I have learned that quality miles are better than quantity. I’m learning to rest on rest days! I've also struggled with a new tendency to eat more sweets. Runners often develop an entitlement attitude about eating, reasoning, "I can eat that, since I ran 8 miles, etc". My sweet consumption has gotten out of control and I've really had to focus more and fueling and healthy foods!
What is the most rewarding part of training? When I've completed my long runs and races! I train alone and usually run races alone, but I love the running community.
What advice would you give to other members of the Runcoach community? When you’re thinking about your progress, remember: you might not be where you want to be, but you're not where you used to be!
We're proud to be the Official Training Partner of the 2018 Chevron Houston Marathon! To learn more, click here.
Wes Bigelow may be a relatively new runner, but he’s already learned one of the most important rules about running.
“Push yourself, but don't forget to enjoy yourself too,” he said. “If you never have any fun you probably won’t stick with it.”
Luckily, he’s having a great time. Bigelow has already logged more than 800 miles while training for his third marathon, and recently got a half-marathon PR of 2:03.
“I'm feeling great and looking forward to a little taper time,” he says. “Runcoach has been a great training plan that pushed me harder than I would have thought I could go on my own.”
Name: Wes Bigelow
Favorite sport: running
Major milestone: training for marathon number 3!
What’s the secret to your success? There is no secret. I’m a firm believer that if I can run a marathon, anybody can. It’s just a matter of commitment and desire. And maybe being a little crazy.
What is the biggest obstacle to reaching your goals and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle to marathon training is putting in the miles. There are many days where the weather is bad or your legs are sore or you just plain don't feel like running. The only way to get over it is just lace up the shoes and go. No matter how miserable the run is, you never regret it when you finish.
What is the most rewarding part of training? Seeing your hard work pay off when you reach new milestones and set new personal records.
What advice would you give to others? There is always somebody faster and somebody slower. Run your own pace and do it for yourself, nobody else matters.
What advice would have for other runners? If you are training for a longer race like a half or full marathon, a good training program is invaluable. It keeps you on track and makes you accountable for your training. Push yourself, but don't forget to enjoy yourself too. If you never have any fun you probably won’t stick with it. Don’t be afraid to take a short break. Runcoach has worked great for me so far. I try to follow as close as I can but it doesn't feel like I'm getting penalized if a week doesn't go as well as planned.
UPDATE: After his story was published, Wes ran a 17-minute PR at the 2017 Grandma's Marathon— that's 37 minutes faster than last year. Congrats Wes! You rock!
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Tuseet Jha
Human Resources
Favorite fitness activity: Running
What’s the biggest obstacle to moving more, and how do you get over it? The biggest obstacle is my mind! I now am able to recognize the feelings and thoughts that hold me back and it has become easier to overcome those because I am aware what they are or where they are coming from.
What’s the most rewarding part of moving more? The confidence I get once I complete the challenge. I feel like anything is possible!
What advice do you have for other members of the LinkedIn Challenge to Move 1 Million Miles? Recognize how to overcome the mental triggers. For example, in my case, I know that no matter how lazy I feel, the moment i put my shoes on, the mind automatically gets ready to run .
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