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.
These are three of my marathon finishes. Solid images to celebrate the accomplishments.
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.
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.
As you can see, it took many failed attempts for my dad to get a great finishing picture.
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.
If you know me in person, have read my blog posts, or checked my website, you know I have been running for quite a while. Physical activity, running in particular, has been an intrinsic part of my life for over four decades (I am 59). Yet, I am still learning.
And I am doing so because running is a journey, not a destination. You don’t stop doing martial arts when you reach the black belt. You don’t stop practicing piano once you have mastered Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2. You don’t stop riding a bike the day you take the training wheels off. You get the point. This is a process with no end target.
The journey of running has no destination (Image by Windows Copilot)
While racing and accomplishments are important stepping stones, as they should be, becoming a runner for life requires more than a new PR in your next 10K, running your 100th half marathon, beating your buddy in the next marathon, or reaching for a new ultra distance. While all those are worthy goals, they should be there for you to remain focused and avoid unnecessary detours in the journey.
So, as there is no finish line, focusing on the journey is a must if we want to become lifetime runners. There are worthwhile stops on the way, sure. That marathon you always wanted to run, that time you always wanted to beat, or that trash-talking runner you want to leave in the dust at the next race. But if you miss the big picture, once that temporary goal has been achieved, you will look outside of running to provide your endorphin fix.
All this sounds interesting and philosophically sound, but what does it mean?
To me, the journey is what I learn about myself along the way. It is testing my physical and mental limits and my will to do the hard work so I can reach the goals I seek. It is the lifetime and temporary friendships I build through the miles. It is my medal display that reminds me when I am down or injured, of what is possible. And so much more. And if this wasn\’t enough, I have the health benefits of the exercise.
The journey is individual and should have its own meaning for each runner/reader. I encourage you to find yours so you can keep moving forward.
My brother, a three-time marathoner, has a great saying that summarizes the idea that it is not about one specific accomplishment: \”On marathon day, you are just going to pick up the medal. The marathon is already behind you.\”
I would love to hear about your running journey. Please share in the comment box below.
As you prepare to reap the benefits of your hard weeks of training. Or you may be wondering if you have done enough to hit the starting line in PR shape. Or as you realize you have screwed up your training and will have to wing it. If you plan to race hard, or long, you will need to taper.
Taper (or tapering) is the label commonly used to identify the short training cycle between the end of our race-focused training cycle and race day. The word taper is an intransitive verb. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, it means \”to become progressively smaller toward one end. To diminish gradually.\” In running, that\’s exactly what we are referring to. We start reducing our workload as race day approaches. But why?
Our bodies usually take 14-20 days to adapt to whatever we do in training. If we ran 20 miles today, we are not better for it tomorrow. As our body recovers, it adapts to the benefits of such stressful events and thus becomes stronger. This is why whatever we do in the last two, maybe three weeks before race day, will be of little or no benefit.
There is nothing to gain during taper, but everything to lose. Many races have been ruined by not taking the taper seriously. Don\’t become a victim.
Meb Keflezighi has a great quote that epitomizes the last few paragraphs: \”It is better to be 90% ready and make it to the starting line than panic and become overtrained or be unable to start the race.\”
According to Jess Movold, in a 2024 article in Runner\’s World magazine: \”Tapering is one of the most critical parts of any marathon training plan, but in many cases, it\’s also one of the hardest to implement. Ever heard of the taper tantrums? \”
In my personal experience, I\’ve felt better with a 2-week taper. But if the fatigue accumulation really beats you up and feel like another long run will destroy you more than help you, an additional week is beneficial.
Theories abound about how to handle the taper, but the scope of this blog post does not include analyzing any models. It wants to point out a handful of errors and misconceptions you may incur that will eventually negate your training gains.
While on taper, be on the lookout for the following so you don\’t ruin your race:
I know I picked this up from Instagram, but I don’t know the source I should credit.
1. Follow the original plan: If you got here with your plan, then this is not the time to improvise, regardless of how confident you are or not about attaining your goal.
2. Don\’t try one more long run: There is no place for it. It will add to the fatigue, hinder your recovery and won\’t produce adaptations in time for race day.
3. Focus on nutrition: Avoid detoxes, new supplements, weight-shedding schemes, carb unloading/loading protocols, and indulgent eating. Eat clean and enough.
4. Tapering means you are still training: You shouldn\’t think you can stop because it\’s tapering. It is still part of the training program, and it requires work.
5. Manage your excess energy: With the decrease in activity, as your body rests and recovers, you will bounce off the walls. Expect it and control it.
6. Take the extra sleep: Your body is repairing itself, so it may ask for more sleep than usual. Don\’t skimp on sleep. It is the best recovery tool.
7. Control your training effort: Because you\’ll feel energized, compared with the last few months, it is easy to push harder and even perform your race effort before the actual race. Don\’t!
8. Focus on the main goal: Everything you do must serve your race. This is not the time to try new stretches, foods, gels, shoes, or routines. Stick to what has worked so far.
9. Strengthen your immune system: Your body is working overtime to repair itself, so your immune system is low. Be proactive. It is no time to get sick.
10. Tread carefully: Be extra cautious as you transit through life. Don\’t take unnecessary risks. Don\’t climb ladders, jump the sidewalks, text while walking, or rearrange furniture. All that can wait.
Please like this post and share any recommendations from your previous experiences in the box below. Let\’s build a community of informed and prepared runners.
As the racing season for big marathon races picks up, many runners have unique plans in sight. Many runners make it extra special, building an adventure around their race. We may drive or board trains and airplanes to make it either a weekend or a longer vacation.
There is no sense crossing the ocean to go to Berlin or Sydney just to race and come back home. Or you can always make it a nice long weekend if you just need to hit the road for a few hours. The key to a successful out-of-town race is to understand why you are there in the first place: to run a marathon. The fact that it is in Chicago or New York is what makes it a getaway. Most likely, there would have been no trip if you had not been running the marathon. Remember, the running portion of your trip is the priority. Don\’t let the allure of tourist activities distract you from your main goal.
Sure, you can visit the Eiffel Tower… after the race (Photo: Rafaelf1, Pexels)
This is an important concept to grasp. I know way too many stories of runners sightseeing too hard, so they reach the starting line tired. On more than one occasion, I\’ve met runners (usually younger) who were hungover because they couldn\’t resist partying while away from home. A friend shared a story about his family resenting him because they had to wait to visit the Eiffel Tower until after the marathon, which added unnecessary stress to his pre-race routine.
Exploring the world\’s great cities, celebrating for a few days, sipping margaritas at the beach, and discovering the less traveled paths in lesser-known parts of the world is always a bonus for our efforts. But traveling to a race, especially your goal race, doesn\’t come without its challenges. It requires additional planning. If you don\’t prepare ahead, the chances of fixing a hiccup on the fly diminish considerably.
So, if you worked hard on your marathon training and are setting out on a running/travel adventure, these tips will hopefully help you get to the starting line mentally and physically sharp:
1. Do not check your running gear: If traveling by plane, whatever you are wearing on race day, goes in your carry-on. The last thing you need is lost luggage derailing your race plans. You don\’t want to run in brand-new shoes you purchased at the expo or with borrowed shorts.
2. Run first, tourist later: The running portion of your trip is the priority. Don\’t arrive too much in advance before the race. Save the touristy plans for after. You want to get to the starting line focused, well rested, mentally and physically ready. Afterward, you may walk all you want or enjoy as much alcohol and crappy food as you can tolerate.
3. Know where your pre-race meals are coming from: Never take your food intake for granted. Make sure you know that what you need to eat is available nearby. It happened to me once. After identifying the restaurant I wanted in Philadelphia, I went on pre-race night only to find I needed a reservation. If you are staying with relatives, make sure you let them know exactly what you must eat and at what time.
4.Know how to get to the starting line: Do not improvise. Plan for the worst-case scenario. If you are taking a cab, have the phone number and confirm they provide the service at the time you need it. Have a B plan in case there are no Ubers available. If you are taking public transportation, purchase tickets in advance. If a relative is driving you, be aware of road closures and alternative routes.
All the gear you will need during the race, goes inside the cabin with you (Photo: Guiirossi, Pexels)
5. Have family and companions understand why you are there: If you are traveling with family or friends, it is imperative they understand that the first few days are all about you and your race. Runners are the protagonists. Everything else can wait. Remind them they wouldn\’t be in Amsterdam, or Buenos Aires or DC if it weren\’t for the marathon.
6. Adjust for time changes: Never underestimate jet lag and time zone differences, as they can screw your sleep and derail your race. Find out in advance how to adjust to the time zone in which you will be competing. There are plenty of online resources for this. You don\’t want to be falling asleep at Mile 10 because it feels like 4AM for you.
7. Pack for any weather: Remember you are not home, so you can\’t just go back to your closet to pick up something else. Pack for any possible weather change, and don\’t rely 100% on your weather app. It is always better to bring back something unused than to need that pair of gloves you left at home.
8. Don\’t do anything you wouldn\’t do at home: Pre-race is not the time to be adventurous. Trying new, exotic foods, white water rafting, Segway tours, or running a beautiful trail when all you know is the asphalt is for after the race. These could be recipes to guarantee a bad race. Hold the fun stuff for after the finish line.
Please like this post, share any other recommendations from your previous experiences, and let\’s build a community of informed and prepared runners.
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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")
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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")
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Our bodies usually take 14-20 days to adapt to whatever we do in training. If we ran 20 miles today, we are not better for it tomorrow. As our body recovers, it adapts to the benefits of such stressful events and thus becomes stronger. This is why whatever we do in the last two, maybe three weeks before race day, will be of little or no benefit.
