I have never been a distance runner. My body used to ache at the simple sight of the word “distance.” My first real exposure to distance running came in sixth grade when my best friend Henry joined the cross country team. He was a naturally gifted athlete, smaller in frame but tall, and he seemed built for cross country. The next friend to join cross country, or what I will call XC running, was Christopher, another tall guy with a lean build. XC running never felt like something meant for someone like me, a smaller and wider framed kid who could barely run a mile without feeling like I would explode into a million pieces.
Years later, I was an ambitious college senior searching for a new challenge. I was tired of constant weight lifting, protein loading, and the intense sports that shaped most of my life. I wanted to get skinny, like many of us eventually do. I tried everything, healthy snacks, substituting protein shakes for meals, which I quickly learned is terrible for you, and ridiculous core workouts. Nothing worked, but I was determined.
What I did not realize was that I had broken something inside me that allowed the hooplah in my life to control my mentality. All those moments in sixth grade when I looked at my friends and felt I was not enough, that was hooplah. My lack of motivation to even consider running more than one mile, that was hooplah. These small barriers were starting to crack without me noticing.
The Half Mile
After graduating college, I finally committed to creating a real plan to get lean. I had always wanted to run, and I had tried during college, but I never pushed past the boundary that existed only in my mind, the mile. Whenever I ran at the track or on a treadmill, my goal was always the same: complete one mile. Even then, it was broken up with walk breaks.
So when I began my true running journey on a path near my childhood home, I bolted out of the gate. I ran wildly, without form, without pacing, without caring about anything except speed. I finished that first half mile in seven minutes and thirty seconds, but the mile took fourteen minutes. Even with my limited knowledge, I knew I was doing something wrong. Was I supposed to be wheezing this badly? Do runner’s lungs burn this much?
I threw that approach away and tried something new. This was the first real step in my distance running journey. I walked a quarter mile. It felt boring at the time because I wanted the run to be over quickly, but I walked anyway. I felt the wind and the sunlight, and when I reached the quarter mark, I began running my very first intentional half mile. After that half mile, I walked the half mile back.
This approach turned running into a game. To run one mile without stopping, I needed to unlock the next level. And I did. After several days and maybe even weeks of practicing my half mile, I built the confidence to run three quarters of a mile. Eventually, I gathered the courage to run one full mile at a consistent pace.
At that point, I began to understand that distance running is not about chasing the finish line. It is about everything you experience on the way there. My end goal slowly grew into something enormous, something that felt impossible at the time, the New York City Marathon. Could I actually do it? I had never run more than two miles in my life.
I did my research and learned that world major marathons often take years of preparation and planning. But I wanted this. When I told my parents, they supported the idea and believed the journey would be worth it.
After more research, I discovered the 9 plus 1 program, the path that would allow me to earn guaranteed entry into the New York City Marathon. I knew it would not be easy, but I underestimated the sacrifices it would require. I will share that experience in a future blog post, which will be available here
Two Years Later
Fast forward two years and I am in the best physical shape of my life. Like my sixth grade friends, I finally feel like I have the frame of a runner, tall in spirit and lean in form. I achieved what I worked so hard for, and I am incredibly grateful for the support of my family, friends, loved ones, and my wonderful girlfriend who helped me through every step.
It brings me tremendous joy to share my journey and, hopefully, inspire you to begin your own.
The Journey Continues
In 2026, I will be running the Chicago Marathon and raising funds for the American Cancer Society, an organization dedicated to improving the lives of people affected by cancer through research, advocacy, and patient support.
If you would like to support my fundraising goal, you can donate here:
👉 Donate to the American Cancer Society through my marathon page
Every dollar brings us one step closer to a world without cancer.
If you are inspired to run for a cause, you can explore ACS charity teams and other remarkable organizations here:
👉 Chicago Marathon Charity Teams
Thank you for your time.
BC
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