#justdidthedamnthing

330 miles + 12 weeks of training = 4:13:27, an 8.5 minute PR, and an absolute euphoric feeling of accomplishment. This one is for the hard, hard work of training in the dead of winter - for not skipping a day, despite the below-zero temps. For adding strength training back to not only get past the wall, but to knock it down completely. It’s for the early mornings and late nights, for that Friday night 18-miler alone in Central Park - and for knowing there was a reason for it. Change happens when no one’s looking. This one is for (still, and always) controlling only what I can control - for knowing beyond any doubt that no race conditions can stop me. But as always - endless gratitude for the whole squad, sending me encouragement from the other side of the planet, 14 time zones away - and especially for my brother-from-another-mother, @epstein_m, for being there to hand me the all the gels and take all the photos (and eat all the ramen). 3 down, 3 to go. See you in Berlin this September. #tokyGO #tokyomarathon2019 #tokyomarathon #letsdothedamnthing #justdidthedamnthing #whatwall #sweatequity #HWPO #WWBD #DSDQ #PRSunday #strava #stravarun #NYRR #LFG #AbbottWMM #chooseyourownadventure #26andchange (at Tokyo Marathon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuikOLVHkjYlkOtRQ16Bjf1qgxxf19C_JsVRK00/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=164oyj7aqjn2y

Four weeks later - 4:24:18. Course PR by 3:24! Ended marathon season on a perfect day to cruise through the boroughs. I paced poorly today, but knew the course, knew my limits, and knew how to push them. If I’ve learned anything during these two races a month apart, it’s that I’m mentally stronger than I ever thought I could be, I can narrow my focus when faced with a challenge, and I’m determined as all hell. And that this crazy crew around me is the strongest tailwind anyone could ask for. Today - more than ever - I’m gonna do what you won’t, so tomorrow I can do what you can’t. Third marathon in the tank, and just getting started. See you in 2020 for your 50th, @nycmarathon. #letsdothedamnthing #justdidthedamnthing #sweatequity #hardworkpaysoff #HWPO #WWBD #PRSunday #strava #stravarun #NYRR #LFG #whatwall #TCSNYCMarathon #MovedMe #AbbottWMM #chooseyourownadventure #26andchange #52in28 (at TCS New York City Marathon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BpyL9VvnT_pYhcPwtNT52DdwYs2K4f0sK022hY0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=4d0eiwnpy609

380 miles + 112 days = 4:21:53. To setting a PR by nearly six full minutes! To negative splitting by over three and a half minutes! To exceeding my own expectations, and to rising to the moment. To feeling inspired by runners overcoming challenges far more difficult than mine - and drawing energy from them. To controlling only what I can control. To perseverance through all the elements. To managing my reps. To (many) long runs in the rain. To flat courses. To succumbing to the emotions. To approaching the wall, to seeing the wall, to passing the wall, and to conquering the wall. To the final kick, and having trained specifically for it. To being the man in the arena. And as always, most of all, to the people in my life who fill my tanks, keep me afloat, offer perspective, lift me up, and keep me moving forward. Two down - four to go. See you in Tokyo. #letsdothedamnthing #justdidthedamnthing #sweatequity #HWPO #WWBD #PRSunday #strava #stravarun #NYRR #LFG #roadtochicago #52in28 #ChicagoMarathon #AbbottWMM #chooseyourownadventure #26andchange (at 2018 Bank of America Chicago Marathon) https://www.instagram.com/p/BosNp4entKYlPdfIuh3SAFDptS0ojZj9AuiFCQ0/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=bxuhhch6hf4s