When I started running over four decades ago, there was very little literature on the sport. A new book here or there, mostly from runners sharing their own experience; or a subscription to Runner’s World or The Runner magazine, was it for sources of knowledge and inspiration?
Well into the second running boom, with the internet in play and billions of Dollars to be made, companies started investing in science, research, and development. Colleges and Universities began promoting their exercise physiology departments, and suddenly, we have more information than we can digest.
Many bad habits and myths remain from those prehistoric running days. There are still runners who believe that consuming the 7th serving of pasta the night before the marathon will give them an edge. We still have those who prefer collapsing rather than chop a mile from their long run on a mid-summer day.
Below you will find six basic strategies to unlock your training, especially now that racing season is almost here.
1 – It is about consistency: Hitting all those splits is awesome, but it is not what’s going to make you better. You hit the splits because you are better. There is no magic workout that will take you over the top. Good and bad workouts are part of the mix, and if you have more good ones than bad ones, you are on the right track. Every time you perform, you get a little bit better. All those little bits eventually fill the bucket. That’s where your PR lies. Not on that PR 400-meter repeat in training. Focus on the long game as you train as often as your body allows. You will see the difference.
2 – Progress smartly: There are no shortcuts in running. Sure, you can run a marathon while untrained, but at what price? Is getting injured through a sufferfest worth a medal? What got you to the marathon will not get you to the 100-miler. What got you to the 5K PR won’t get you to the marathon PR. You must have a plan to get from Point A to Point B and then to Point C. If you plan to keep running for a long time, you must play the long game, and that requires smart progress.
3 – Accept the runner you are and train for it: You are not Eliud Kipchoge, and most likely you won’t be in the leading peloton at the Boston Marathon. Regardless of whether you are a local semi-elite or a back-of-the-pack runner, accept it so you can become the best runner you can be. If you are a 5-hour marathoner, it doesn’t matter how much you train; you will not make it to the Olympics. But you can go sub-5. Focus on what will help you improve your journey, not through the pressure of Instagram make-believe lives. Eliminate external, unnecessary pressures and pursue the big goal that aligns with your reality.
Technology can be great and can be detrimental to your training. It is up to you to use it properly (Photo: Pexels).
4 – Variety is the key: Long-slow running is good. Zone 2 is good. Intervals are good. Cross-training is good. Goal pace runs are good. But you need to mix them up the right way to give your body enough recovery time to adapt to the work. In a recent article I read, Will Lennox wrote in GQ Australia: “Taking a leaf from the Bible and training for 40 days and 40 nights in a row in the hope some biblical-level miracle will happen to you is not going to get you into running heaven.” Rest. Give your body the chance to recover so it can do it again and guarantee your progress.
5 – It is not about gear and technology: While running on the wrong shoe can certainly be detrimental and even harmful to a runner, it is never the shoe that makes you faster. It is all in your preparation. A pair of super-shoes will give you an edge to shave those last few seconds from a 5K, but it’s not what will get you from a 3:30 to a Sub-3 marathoner. The same applies to the GPS watch. Don’t let it rule your life. Turn off all the indicators of parameters you don’t understand and/or distract you. Let them be tools, not the beacon that guides your running.
6 – Don’t forget to have fun: Nothing kills the joy of running more than comparing yourself with friends and influencers. While the reasons for running vary for every athlete, running because you like it makes it easier to stick with it. Rebounding from a bad race or an injury will be easier. Accepting your limits instead of quitting will be a given.
In conclusion, we should simplify our running. This doesn’t mean taking it easy, nor working hard, nor forgoing progress. It means unlocking the running potential you have today, smartly. This is what will keep you running for years to come.
Share your favorite running training strategy in the comments. Which one works best for you?
It took me a while to understand it, but with maturity, I finally did. Training consists of two separate and different elements: Work and recovery. They are equally important, and they complement each other. Their symbiosis confirms the Aristotelian saying that the whole is more than the sum of the parts.
Recently, I heard that the second element is labeled as The Invisible Training.
It got me thinking about a classic Emil Zatopek quote where he states: “What you do when the stadium is full is important, but what you do when the stadium is empty is a thousand times more important.”
For us amateur weekend warriors, a standing ovation at an Olympic stadium is no more than a pleasant dream. Yet, well into the XXI Century, each one of us has the equivalent of our own Olympic stadium, and we have become addicted to that standing ovation of kudos Strava, followers on Facebook, and likes on Instagram. These may be cool for many, but they won’t get you any better.
As Zatopek (a 4-time Olympic gold medalist and multi-world record breaker) said, that is not the key to success. It is what we do outside the limelight that counts. A thousand times more.
► It is the strength training that will help you get stronger, more resilient, have a better form, and make you injury resistant.
► it is the physical therapy you do to take care of your bones, muscles, and soft tissues. Not just face-to-face with a professional, but as a prehab to avoid a recurring injury.
► It is your daily nutrition that allows your body enough of the good stuff to repair itself and be appropriately fueled for your activity.
► It is the hydration throughout the day that will allow you to sustain a hard run even in the harshest of weather conditions.
► It is the scheduled recovery for your body to adapt to the stress we have put it through and accepting that sometimes it will require more time.
► It is understanding that sleep is the champion of recovery tools in your arsenal and that lack of sleep is not a badge of honor.
► It is accumulating knowledge about the sport and the function of your body, which will allow you to understand what’s happening and why.
► It is the evaluation of your training, especially when you have bonked or screwed up, and accepting it as an opportunity to learn and build experience.
► It is living a balanced life, one where your job, your family, and your friends won’t be neglected, and end up resenting you and your running.
► It is allowing yourself to have fun outside your running life. Keeping it all in perspective and always remembering why you are doing this.
These are just ten of hundreds of parameters of what is encompassed within the realm of invisible training.
In summary, everything you do while you are not running is equally essential to the running time.
Yes, it all sounds intuitive, simple, even obvious. But we’ve all fallen into the trap of only accepting hard work as worthwhile training. And to many, an injury has taught us how wrong we were. My wish is that this brief writing will help avoid the injury part for you, dear reader.
Share your thoughts in the box below so other runners may benefit from your experience.
No sugar coating it: Running in the heat and humidity of the summer sucks. It does. However, if we want to remain active during these challenging summer months of running and have any chance of having a solid racing season come fall, we must continue training. And to make hot weather running enjoyable and safe, the only way is by making substantial adjustments.
I’ve shared summer running tips every year since I began blogging, but this time I decided to do something different. I have gone through my previous writings on the issue and consolidated the tips. These, plus a handful of new ones I’ve added, bring the final count of summer running tips to 39.
To be clear, nobody expects you to apply all 39 of these hot weather running tips on every run. These are just guidelines and suggestions with very short explanations to get your thoughts started. I have included links to posts where I have explored the issues in more depth. And if you’re looking for more background or science behind these summer running safety tips, a quick Google search will point you in the right direction.
So, without further ado, here they are:
1 – Listen to your body – If you feel dizzy, nauseated, or overheated, don’t hesitate to stop, cut the run short, seek shade, ask for help, or just call it a day.
2 – Recognize heat stroke symptoms – Know the difference between exhaustion and heat stroke and familiarize yourself with warning signs like confusion, rapid pulse, or clammy skin.
3 – Hydrate all day – Hydration should be a 24/7 habit that keeps you close to fully hydrated by the time you start your GPS watch.
4 –Don’t overhydrate– Overindulging in water or sports drinks can cause hyponatremia, a condition in which diluted sodium levels may lead to seizures, coma, or worse.
5 – Use electrolytes– Supplementing with sodium, potassium, and magnesium helps your body retain and use the fluids you’re drinking more effectively.
6 – Run early or late – Run before sunrise or after sunset to avoid the most extreme heat and protect your body from overexertion.
7 – Monitor the heat index– Skip your outdoor workout if it’s over 98°F with more than 70–80% humidity, as your risk of overheating skyrockets.
8 – Slow down your pace – Running in the heat is harder, so let go of your pace goals and focus on effort instead of speed.
9 – Accept higher perceived effort – A rise in core temperature, not lactate or heart rate, becomes the main fatigue limiter in hot conditions.
10 – Use effort and time, not pace – In summer, pace and heart rate can be unreliable, so go by effort and run by minutes instead of distance.
11 – Recognize the signs of dehydration – Watch for fatigue, brain fog, darker urine, dizziness, or a dry mouth—these may all signal fluid imbalance.
12 – Prehydrate before long runs – Do not cram your hydration; it doesn’t work that way. Hydrate throughout the day and days, not just before your run.
13 – Rehydrate after running – After a sweaty session, replace fluids with water or an electrolyte drink. Not only as soon as you’re done but throughout the day.
14 – Dress light and bright – Light-colored, loose, and moisture-wicking clothing helps reflect sunlight and allow sweat to evaporate more easily.
15 – Train in the shade – Routes with trees or buildings that block direct sun can be 10–15°F cooler and far more comfortable, and safer.
16 – Freeze your gear – Put your shirt and hat in the freezer before a run to delay overheating and make the first few miles more tolerable.
17 – Take short breaks – Stop for 1–3 minutes during a hot run to drink, throw water on your head, or reset your effort perception.
18 – Use water for recovery – Jumping into a pool, cold bath, or even running through sprinklers post-run can drop your core temp and revive you.
19 – Know where the water is – If you don’t know where the reliable water sources are, run with a handheld bottle or hydration pack.
20 – Run indoors if needed – If conditions are extreme, choose a treadmill or indoor track to get your miles without the heat risk.
21 – Build heat tolerance gradually – It takes a few weeks to acclimate, so ease into hot-weather running instead of diving into hard efforts.
22 – Move workouts around when necessary – Move long or intense workouts to cooler days and use weather apps to plan smarter each week.
23 – Use a heart rate monitor – Heat elevates heart rate, so monitor it to avoid overexertion while running.
24 – Expect it to suck – The first few weeks of heat running will feel awful, but your body will adjust and it will suck less. Proceed with caution.
25 – Adjust your training plan – In very hot climates, push harder workouts like long tempos to the fall and focus on base-building instead.
26 – Exploit cooler days – When temperatures drop, use the opportunity for a strong tempo or threshold session to boost confidence.
27 – Don’t obsess over metrics – During summer training, forget about pace, Strava comparisons, or even distance—survival and consistency are the priority.
28 – Take advantage of trails – Shaded trails provide natural cooling, softer surfaces, and often more enjoyable running when it’s hot out.
29 – Eat hydrating foods – Boost your fluid intake by eating fruits and veggies like watermelon, cucumber, and oranges, which are 80–90% water.
30 – Beware of diuretics – Limit high doses of caffeine or alcohol around runs, as they increase urination and risk of dehydration.
Learn how to gauge your level of exhaustion (Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko, Pexels)
31 – Set hydration reminders – Pair water intake with daily habits like brushing your teeth, meals, or use phone alerts to stay on track.
32 – Sip, don’t guzzle – Drink water steadily throughout the day and during your run to avoid bloating and improve absorption.
33 – Internalize year-round hydration strategies – Treat hydration like a year-round discipline, not just something to focus on when it’s hot.
34 – Know your sweat rate – If you’re a heavy sweater, you may need more fluids and sodium than the average runner.
35 – Pair hydration with daily habits – Combine drinking water with routines like meals, workouts, or bedtime to form easy-to-remember habits.
36 – Double instead of going long – On non-long run days, two shorter sessions may be safer than a longer push under the brutal heat. Consider it if needed.
37 – Use treadmill for quality work – Use a treadmill to maintain pace accuracy or intensity when outdoor heat makes it unsafe.
38 – Keep someone informed – Always tell a friend or loved one your planned route and expected return time, or use live tracking apps.
39 – Know the line between tough and dumb – Being smart and cautious during summer training keeps you healthy and able to run tomorrow.
Did I miss anything, or would you like to contribute to the list? Please do so in the comment box below.
Running works just like your day job: push too hard for too long without proper rest, and burnout is inevitable. The fact running provides great health benefits doesn’t preclude you from getting there if you overdo it.
The most successful professionals aren’t the ones working the most hours—they’re the ones who work smart, stay focused, complete their tasks, and maintain a well-rounded life. The same mindset applies to our running journey. To thrive as runners, we must balance training, recovery, and personal life to stay healthy, motivated, and injury-free.
Here’s a list of areas where opposite forces must balance out so we can have a healthy life where running is an important component of it:
Tread carefully around the fine line between growth and burnout:
Working hard is awesome. The feeling of a runner’s high after a solid workout is exhilarating. Setting up that PR and/or climbing the podium in front of all your friends validates your sacrifices. However, the human body can only be at its peak for a limited time. It requires rest and recovery to keep itself functioning properly. Don’t overdo it.
Pay attention to detail without overthinking everything: Unless your livelihood depends on your running performance, it is important to keep the reason you are a runner present. Enjoy the journey and have fun with it. These days, our watches and wearables measure everything. Vertical oscillation, VO2Max, and critical power won’t help you if you don’t know what they are. Don’t let the mumbo-jumbo take away your enjoyment. Once it’s gone, you will start looking into golf or checkers.
Invest emotionally while still knowing when to let go: Bad runs are part of the equation. Failure, injuries, lack of motivation, and others are also factors. Once we know and accept this, we can use these peaks and valleys as growth opportunities instead of measuring our value as a runner or a person. If your spouse/friend won’t love you because you are not a Sub-3 marathoner, maybe it’s time to reevaluate that relationship, not your running.
“Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional.” – Haruki Murakami
Pushing with intensity without causing harm: Training consists of two equally important elements: work and rest. It is impossible to perform at your best if you skip or skimp on one of those elements. Working hard is essential. It feels great to nail that workout and start dreaming about what’s possible. But if you do it again tomorrow and the next day and refuse to take a day off when your body screams for it, you will harm yourself physically. Then you won’t be able to run, which is what you originally wanted anyway.
Running is important but there are more important things in life: We have all sacrificed something at one point so we can run long tomorrow. But one thing is skipping happy hour on Friday; another is missing your son’s wedding because he chose to marry on Friday night, and you have 20 miles to tackle the next morning. Keep your running and your competitive schedule in perspective, and always know what’s most important. Allow a friend/spouse to keep you in check and be able to have uncomfortable conversations if necessary.
Believing in yourself without becoming arrogant: You must be confident to perform at the level you have trained for. But your next race is not a dog fight. You earn bragging rights if you beat your training buddy or if you win a friendly wager. Enjoy that PR. Share it on Instagram and get tons of likes. But don’t become a jerk because of it. No need to belittle your friends or opponents. Don’t become “that runner” we all know.
In Conclusion
Running is awesome. It can add so much to our lives. It provides health, social interaction, distraction, me-time, and more. So, if you want to be like Japanese novelist Haruki Murakami, who says: “I’ll be happy if running and I can grow old together”, make sure you keep opposing forces well balanced. It does require work and even the occasional intervention. But it is worth every step and sweat drop.
How do you balance opposing forces to avoid burnout? Share your tips or stories in the comments below—your experience might be exactly what another runner needs to hear.
A few of my running buddies have asked me through the years how it is possible that I always look good in the finishing pictures of my races. Even if I don’t have a good race. I don’t “always” look good in my finishing pictures, but do I have many outstanding ones.
Is this a frivolous topic? Sure, it is. But let’s be honest: Do you rather look good in your finishing pictures? Or do you not care if you look like crap?
Yep… I thought so, too.
There is an art to this, and a story behind it, too.
As I have stated in previous writings, my dad was the first person I knew to run a marathon. He ran NYC in 1982. NYC was famous for many things; one of them was that they offered for purchase an image (meaning only one) of your finish. As my dad told me about his marathon experience, I couldn’t wait to see his finishing picture, which came weeks later.
The picture was so underwhelming. Check the image below, and you will think my dad is the runner number C328. But no, he is the guy behind him, looking down at his watch. In those days, you only had one shot per race for a picture. And he screwed it up in his first marathon. Lesson learned for me, as I was certain I would someday run one myself. I wanted to make sure my finishing picture would reflect not just a finish, but that it would be epic. That it would reflect my true emotions.
As you can see, it took many failed attempts for my dad to get a great finishing picture.
Through my years of racing I have learned how to maximize the opportunities of a good picture, which is not always guaranteed. It is an art, not a science. Sometimes, you finish so happy and exhilarated, but when you look at the race pictures, you don’t feel that they reflect what you were feeling, or you are not even in them. But in general, I have realized that if you let your emotions out and you are aware of the situation, not only will you enhance your chance of amazing images to reminisce your races, sometimes you will even make it to the local paper. Yep, it did happen.
To improve your chances of a great picture at the finish line, I follow these easy guidelines:
1 – Be aware that even in the smallest runs, most likely there is a photographer at the finish line. Big races will have multiple.
2 – Understand that photographers don’t have time to frame you up. They shoot at everything, hoping to catch that great shot. If you help them out, there is a better chance you could be that great shot. How do you help them:
Spot the photographer as you approach the finish line and position yourself in a prime spot.
Find an opening in the crowd (if there is one) so you can enhance the chances of being seen.
If you are not pushing for a PR or have already secured it, look behind and make sure no runner behind you will sprint and block you.
3 – Express your genuine emotions freely. Show your happiness, disappointment, pain, thankfulness, or whatever you are feeling openly and honestly. Don’t fake it, as it will be captured.
4 – Don’t just crash the first inch after the finishing line. Photographers shoot multiple times, and your best image may be a second or two after you are done.
These are three of my marathon finishes. Solid images to celebrate the accomplishments.
As for my dad’s finishing pictures, they got better with time, but it took a few failed attempts. In the 1985 Madrid Marathon, he finished with a PR and raised his arms, but he was right behind another guy. You can only see his head and arms raised. My brother and I kept coaching him, hoping for a good one. In 1995, he ran his last marathon, and he finally got the finishing picture he deserved after a long and inspiring marathoning career. It only took 13 years and 8 marathons.
In the meantime, I learned so much about how not to do it that I’ve accumulated many awesome finishing images. Enough that my friends ask me how I do it. And if that wasn’t enough, I get to write about it.
What is your experience with race-finishing pictures? Let me know in the comment box below.
For those who have only run one marathon, it is an adventure. For those who have completed the distance more than once, the only thing in common between one and another finish is the 26.2-mile distance. Each one brings a new challenge, a new experience, a new obstacle to overcome, and a new journey.
On January 19, I completed my 12th-lifetime marathon. At 59, I am unsure if I have another one in me, but I am not ruling it out. What I do know is that from each one I can take a life and/or a running lesson. Looking back on 42 years of marathoning, these are my takeaways from each one of them:
Running a marathon is a magnificent experience. Lifechanging. But it is not an easy task. It requires effort, sweat, suffering, and wondering why in the world you chose to impose this on yourself and on purpose. Once you cross the finish line, something wonderful happens. A transformation to last a lifetime. And for some weird and masochistic reason, you start thinking of the next one.
2 – New York 1983 – Age 18 – Time: 4:51:36
I thought I could go sub-4 just because I was close to my previous one. But the stupidity of youth got in the way. Having run one before is no substitute for decent training. Had I trained better, with consistency and dedication, I could have avoided the suffer-fest I endured on this cold and rainy NY morning. I learned the hard way that there is no substitution for preparation. It doesn’t have to be perfect, but it has to be worth the “training” label, at least.
3 – Caracas 1984 – Age 19 – Time 3:32:08
My all-time PR thanks to the guidance of an experienced runner who knew what he was doing and coached me. The difference between this result and the previous one is that I put in the work. At 19 years of age, I sacrificed the partying, the drinking, and the late nights with my friends so I could put forth my best effort. I hit the wall at the 32nd Km (Mile 20) yet still set a solid PR. Looking back, if we knew then what we know now about in-race calorie intake and electrolyte replenishment, I may have a better PR. But that doesn’t matter now. Hard work paid off, even if hitting the wall.
4 – Caracas 1985 – Age 20 – Time 3:35:04
Even with my responsibilities at work, school and trying to fit in some of the fun I sacrificed the previous year, I had a successful race despite missing my PR by 2:56. The experience from the previous year allowed me to manage the race better and even though the last 5 miles were still tough, I did not walk. The years of accumulated effort compounded so a successful race could be achieved despite the hot weather I confronted.
5 – Philadelphia 2012 – Age 47 – Time: 5:41:40
Eight years after my 2nd knee operation and having accepted the doctor told me I could not run anymore, I discovered racewalking and came back to long distances, regimented training and rediscovered the lure of footraces, long distances and runner’s highs. I accepted the days of running at 3:30 were over and trained for what my older body would allow me. So, 26 years after my previous marathon, I racewalked through the City of Brotherly Love and cried while crossing the finish line while F-U-ing the doctor who told me I couldn’t do it. You can do more than you think possible if you adjust to your circumstances.
6 – Chicago 2013 – Age 48 – Time: 5:44:56
Your body can do way more than you expect from it if you train it, fuel it, and take care of it, not just during the 3 or 4 months prior to your marathon, but for many years or for a lifetime. I endured three visits to the emergency room 3 times during my training, and I participated with the prospect of passing a kidney stone at any time. My training was not ideal (but unlike my NYC 1983 experience, I did train some), yet I finished and did so with a grateful smile despite being my personal worst. I did the best I could with what was available for me that day. It is not always about a PR for a marathon to be a success.
7 – Marine Corps 2014 – Age 49 – Time: 5:33:31
With three years of racewalking and two marathons under my soles, I was ready to go for a PR. I got a racewalking expert to write me a training plan; I followed it to the tee; I sacrificed late nights, ate clean, put in the work, and traveled to DC feeling very strong. The work paid off, and an 8-minute racewalking PR was the result. It was a bit hard at the end and I lost my sub 5:30 in the last 6 miles, but there is nothing to regret. Another successful marathon when focusing on the task.
8 – New York 2017 – Age 52 – Time: 4:51:48
In 2015 I realized I was racewalking because the doctor told me not to run, not because I had tried and failed. So, I tried and did not fail and two years later, I was at the Verrazano Narrows bridge, 34 years after my first participation. I trained diligently, and the results reflect my efforts. I was at my desired 4:30 pace until we got back to Manhattan, when my left knee started acting up. As soon as we entered Central Park at mile 23 I realized it was not worth permanent injury, so I mostly walked the last 5K and still finished 12 seconds off my NYC when I was 18. Hard work pays off even if your race gets derailed at the end.
9 – Berlin 2018 – Age 53 – Time: 5:09:03
Sometimes you may be fully prepared; you did everything right, you worked hard, you are at the right weight, and you are mentally there, yet your race totally sucks. So much that you lose the joy of what you are doing, you finish 40 minutes above the time you trained for and then swear you’ll never do this again. Good training is no guarantee of a good race. Sometimes the stars are just not aligned for you.
10 – New York 2020 – Age 55 – Time 5:28:14
Didn’t I swear I wasn’t going to do this anymore? In the middle of the pandemic, I had been dealing with a congenital heart issue for the last 18 months or so. I was told not to raise my heart rate over a certain threshold. I kept running super easy through the lockdown. So I could keep focused, I took the NYC Marathon virtual challenge. I set up a race/walk protocol; I trained diligently, set up a route and support system, and I completed the distance. As with my knee and racewalking a few years ago, I realized I could adjust to my circumstances and still conquer another marathon.
11 – Houston 2022 – Age 56 – Time 5:16:45
I registered for this marathon two weeks before my June open-heart surgery because I wanted to make sure I had something pressing me to get back to work. I was cleared to run in September, and 4 months later, I ran/walked the marathon. This marathon told me that in certain circumstances, time goals are irrelevant because the fact that you can bring your body back to perform the task overshadows any clock. This finish allowed me to, in just 7 months, to pass the page and move on to the rest of my life.
12 – Houston Marathon 2025 – Age 59 – Time 5:16:52
After two difficult years of running, when little went right, when I wondered if my best running days were behind me, and when I had to accept that after my open-heart surgery, I may have lost a step or two, training finally clicked, and I was ready for another marathon. I had the privilege of running side-by-side for 20 miles with two good friends. Then we parted ways and at Mile 23, my left IT band started killing me and forced me to suffer/walk the last 5K. I was happy to finish but unhappy with the result. It happens. Good training never guarantees a good result.
The leitmotif of my marathoning has been overcoming obstacles and learning lessons on the way. Even though my lifetime PR is decent at 3:32, I accept that after 40+ years in action, my best running years are behind me. That doesn’t diminish any accomplishments I may add to my medal rack between now and the day the Lord calls me.
Sharing what I’ve learned with the marathoners I train is what keeps me focused and thankful for the struggles and successes along the way. Even though I crossed the marathon finish line only 12 times, through my athletes, I have crossed it over 100 times.
Tread carefully around the fine line between growth and burnout:
Working hard is awesome. The feeling of a runner’s high after a solid workout is exhilarating. Setting up that PR and/or climbing the podium in front of all your friends validates your sacrifices. However, the human body can only be at its peak for a limited time. It requires rest and recovery to keep itself functioning properly. Don’t overdo it.
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3 – Caracas 1984 – Age 19 – Time 3:32:08![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/a81b8d1b-96da-49ec-8214-8e8b2f785825/03+-+Maraton+de+CCS+1984+-+Llegada+%283-32-08%29.jpg")
4 – Caracas 1985 – Age 20 – Time 3:35:04![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/ba85d8d0-9b3d-44f0-af13-4829a139530c/04+-+Maraton+de+Caracas+1985+%283+35+04%29.jpg")
5 – Philadelphia 2012 – Age 47 – Time: 5:41:40![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/c9a059be-ecb8-4976-9108-324836269e9d/05+-+Philadelphia+Marathon+%28Nov+18+12%29.JPG")
6 – Chicago 2013 – Age 48 – Time: 5:44:56![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/be26c416-5d28-44da-86e9-f5691ddc3cd3/06+-+Chicago+Marathon+%28Oct+13%2C+2013%29.JPG")
7 – Marine Corps 2014 – Age 49 – Time: 5:33:31![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/b97444c1-a4cc-4820-9148-1ce33d8442f8/07+-+Marine+Corps+Marathon+%28Oct+26+2014%29.jpg")
8 – New York 2017 – Age 52 – Time: 4:51:48![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/5a383ed7-9f06-42e9-a630-2641b39f16b5/08+-+NYC+Marathon+%28Nov+5+2017%29.jpg")
9 – Berlin 2018 – Age 53 – Time: 5:09:03![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/c31e7c9a-5532-40fc-af7e-b1b791d8f609/09+-+Berlin+%28Sep+16+2018%29%29.jpg")
![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/030e789c-d237-4972-b716-b9547f825260/10+-+NYC+Virtual+2020.jpeg")
11 – Houston 2022 – Age 56 – Time 5:16:45![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/bc6dda0e-1e69-4c76-ab5f-26180ef8c131/11+-+Houston+%28Jan+16+2021%29.jpg")
12 – Houston Marathon 2025 – Age 59 – Time 5:16:52 ![""]("https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5c2e49f525bf02ce9657df92/95d8ae67-1839-47ec-846a-ccde1b9e7a6c/12+-+Houston+%28Jan+19+2025%29.JPEG")