My final thoughts before the NYC Marathon . . .
Since moving to New York in 2007, I’ve been inspired each year by the tens of thousands who run our streets on marathon Sunday and by the millions who line the course to cheer them on. It’s an event that changed me long before I ever trained for it.
You see, long distance running was never my thing. As a kid growing up with asthma, I avoided it. And as time went on and my body trended for the worse, I figured I wasn’t made to run. When I tried doing it, I certainly felt that way. I was slow; I was in pain; and I couldn’t breathe.
But being in the crowds on marathon Sunday, made me realize that we are all capable of more. There are those who brave the hilly course in wheelchairs; those with impaired vision who run to their guides’ instructions; and many others with disabilities who remind us not to be limited by whatever shortcomings we have. And they dare us to dream to have even a fraction of their courage someday.
Photos courtesy of @nh_photogenic
And then there’s the tens of thousands of runners of all levels – from professional to novice. Over my years in this city, I’m proud to know many who have finished this race. I’m grateful to have witnessed the dedication it took for them to achieve it. You all inspired me to do this!
This is winning the day — for both runners and spectators!
So, whether I was born to be a marathon runner or not, I made myself one!
As I sit here just days before the race with my training complete, I truly appreciate what it means to have made myself a marathon runner. It means following a plan for the past 19+ weeks that took me far out of my comfort zone. It means giving up some of my favorite summer activities like climbing and skydiving to prioritize training. It means going to bed early whenever possible. It means leaving parties early – and sober. It means taking care of my body – both when healthy and injured. It means not letting my injury become an excuse but having the patience to give it the time it needed to heal. It means having this race consume my every thought at times. It means having this ambition dictate what I eat, when I sleep, how I work out, and what I am willing to do outside of that and work.
It means, I’m ready to run Sunday’s marathon!
Good luck to the approximately 55,000 of us that are running on Sunday, and thanks to all those who have followed this journey and supported me along the way. Feel free to track my race progress on The Official NYRR App (Apple) or (Android). My bib number is 58523, and my start time is 11:30 AM. Links to my playlist are below along with the final stats from training. LFG!
Aaron
Final stats from training (June 15, 2025 – October 25, 2025)
Total workouts: 114
Total runs: 71
Total milage run: 421.9
Shortest run: 3.1 miles (5K) (multiple times)
Longest run: 20 miles (October 11)
5K pace improvement: 17 seconds – 9:23/mile (June 24) to 9:06/mile (October 7)
Earliest run: 4:22 AM (June 19)
Latest run: 9:39 AM (June 21)
Rest days: 26
Ice baths: 62
My marathon playlist (on Apple Music and Spotify):
Total miles run per week of training:
Week before training began: 15.2 miles
Week 1: 23 miles
Week 2: 20.7 miles
Week 3: 23.2 miles
Week 4: 20.6 miles
Week 5: 25.75 miles
Week 6: 24.2 miles
Week 7: 27.8 miles
Week 8: 22.4 miles
Week 9: 29.2 miles
Week 10: 24.0 miles
Week 11: 9.95 miles
Week 12: 0 miles
Week 13: 0 miles
Week 14: 26.55 miles
Week 15: 30.0 miles
Week 16: 25.7 miles
Week 17: 29.05 miles
Week 18: 25.15 miles
Week 19: 24.75 miles
Week 20: TBD (~11-12 miles scheduled)
November 2, 2025: ready for 26.2!
See the links below for the other posts in my marathon training series:
Inside my “official” marathon training – 20 weeks to race day!
Know when to say when – a little about marathon training and a bit more about life