The fact that you're looking at this with such honest self reflection, rather than projecting, tells me that you'll absolutely hit that sub-3 time. Keep pounding!
Kofuzi, I and my boyfriend are your big fans from Bangkok. NO Need to feel sorry for anything. We're with you for your next challenge and we thank you so much for being our big inspiration.
Dude you are the reason I even applied and kept on running. I didn’t reach my goal either. I was hoping for 4:30 but I got 5:20. IT band struck me again! But I love your city, I feel like an honorary citizen now. Thanks for all you do!!
Even though you may be disappointed with your results learn from the disappointment and don’t let it stop you. You did great! We all have off days exited for next time 😄#kofuzibreaking3
kofuzi exactly. Also if you come down here to Houston for the marathon you won’t have to worry about the cold we just dropped down into the high 60’s 😂
Dear Ko 夫子，no need to feel bad nor apologize. 你绝对对得起自己。And you will always have our support. At a more personal level, I also want to thank you for representing us Asian Americans in the running community. You are a truly great inspiration.
Chicago 2019 was my first marathon. I did 3:29:29 but felt I could have done better. Anyway, you are one of my inspiration and I love watching your videos. Thank you for what you do!
My tip is to work on your speed rather than strength (running hills will do enough for the latter). Get your 5k down to 18:45, 10k 38:30, half 1:25. At the moment you're running too close to your top speed during the marathon. Race more at short distances. With a 1:25 half, marathon pace will feel so much easier and you really will be cruising to the 32k point where the racing starts.
Great advice, Ill follow it myself for my next attempt at the marathon. (But for now, just durability and aerobic development, training for my first 50 miler.)
Kofuzi: You are a true inspiration. More so than a certain Kipchoge. Yes, he broke 2 hours, but that's a barrier no one else here will come close to or even begin to imagine. You are the one that inspires all of us here. Watching you strive to break 3 is much more relatable to those of us striving to break 3 or 4 or 5! Watching Kipchoge is entertaining but it doesn't drive me. Watching you, however, had made me realize maybe I can run 3:30 later this year. Keep running, keep working you'll break 3! And we'll all be right here supporting you.
Thanks so much for your videos and work. I find them very inspiring as mentioned by several viewers. I am a 72 year old runner, and have run 25 marathons, and six Bostons, and I want to assure you, you had a great day Sunday and you did just fine. Every run, every marathon is not a PR! Bill Rogers once said, " A Marathon is Very Humbling"...and that it is. I know the marathons where I finished at goal pace how satisfying that was. And yes those long days when things don't go so well, are REALLY long. So a 3:15 is still quite good and I know you will learn from this and will attain the 2:59:59 goal! My advice for now, is to relax a little, take a little more time to enjoy life and the family and give your mind and body a chance to recover. Then after some well deserved rest, start thinking about what is next. But for now, congratulations on a really great effort, and remember when you get my age, where PR's, Boston Qualifiers and marathons are out of reach, learn to enjoy the moment and be grateful for the accomplishments you have experienced. You are a very very good marathoner!
KENT comment contains a lot of knowledge and wisdom from a very experience runner...I can see it, I agree with with KENT is time to enjoy family, life and time for recovery....👍👏👏👏
Keep showing up, bro! I followed a similar trajectory when I decided I was going to go for sub-3 last year. I started with a PB of 3:15, which I ran on a hilly San Francisco course. Then, I went for it at 2018 CIM but crash-and-burned there running a 3:19. Six weeks ago, I ran another marathon but due to life/work stressors leading up and not having my planned fuel for the race, I fell short again running a 3:05. At Chicago on Sunday, I was able to secure the sub-3, running a 2:58. The past is a memory...just keep moving the needle little by little by doing the right things consistently. Stay hard!
It’s about the journey not the outcome. If the outcome was guaranteed we would probably lose interest. You did the work, picked a bold goal and fought to the end. You didn’t hit the time you wanted but still got a PR. Awesome effort!
Thanks so much for sharing. As someone the same age and have been showing very similar progression to you, Ive found these videos to be very inspiring. It takes a lot of guts to publicly share your journey.
We usually learn more when we fail than when we succeed. And giving the fact that you are so straightforward and share your thoughts and learnings with us, you help us grow along with you in the sport. Thank you for sharing and this video inspired me!!! I am too leaving aside my strength training and maybe thanks to you I won’t make that mistake...I’ll make another one 😜 My best wishes from Argentina 🇦🇷
Hello from Arizona. Chicago 2019 was my first full marathon ever, it landed on my birthday and I work for B of A, I figured it was meant to be 🤗. I trained for it in the AZ summer and flew out to Chicago- my mantra was "Train Hot and Run Cool". What I want to say is please do not apologize. Your channel inspired me daily to keep pushing even on days I didn't want to run. I am nowhere near your level but I will continue to build speed and endurance just like you are. Even your recap is positive! You are such an inspiration to all of us runners and I am cheering for you to reach your goal all the way from AZ. I have no social media and have never commented on youtube before but I couldn't resist. Running is a blessing in many forms to many people. Thank you for inspiring your fellow runners! Keep kicking asphalt!
We all have tough races, but I think those are the ones we learn the most from! Of course it is ok to feel disappointed, but I think it's great to normalize that experience because it happens to all of us! At the end of the day, it's a roll of the dice. All our training can help us better the odds of having a 'good' race - but we can only control so much! I feel grateful for all the time and effort you put into your videos. I'm doing NYC in a few weeks, and the videos have definitely helped inspire me get out to do my long runs, I don't feel let down!
Tough race and a strong performance. I appreciate your self analysis, and I'm definitely looking forward to your sub 3 hour marathon video that you will undoubtedly post soon.
The leg issues you described, happened to me in my first marathon. It’s such a painful feeling, I have no idea how I finished the race. I’m so proud of your mental toughness, and the constant inspiration you give out! Well done!
My 1st marathon is in 5days, and I've been on a similar target (4hrs instead of 3hrs). Watching your story over the summer has given me the insight and drive (I train solo) to make my goal a real possibility. But also be willing to accept the result if I miss my goal. Thank you for keeping the experience "real".
Good luck on your run. Hope you feel relaxed on race day and try to enjoy the process. I did beat my under 4hrs in my first and only so far marathon back in 2016, it was not easy with a bit of suffering but worth to reach the finish line with a smile.
@@kofuzi 4:06:29. Course was much more difficult than I expected, and once I realized my 4hr target was blown, I stopped to help carry someone up the last hill. Think I'm done with marathons for a few years. Going to focus on the Half Marathon, my IT bands love that distance. ;)
You will break 3. Your training and fitness doesn’t lie. You’re right there. Daniels’ VDOT projects you around 2:59. That’s where you are. You just had an off day. It sucks it happened on race day. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it’s still just one day. Lots of successes for you in 2019, too. Don’t forget that. Keep up the great work. Love the channel.
Keep your head up, we're all extremely proud of you, and you're a great inspiration for me personally. I too is a family man with small kids just like you. You inspired me to get out and run more. No doubt u gonna hit your 3hr goal soon.
Most people don't finish a single marathon in their life. Keep perspective. I really admire your analytical perspective on improving your peak performance. This is what draws me to running. All your running videos inspire me to continue running.
Dude, one of the reasons people like you is because you're real. We are you, you are us. We've been in your shoes and know what it's like to miss that hard-fought goal. It's tough, but through adversity we grow. You learn a few things along the way and become better than before. Isn't that a beautiful thing? I think so. Can't wait to see where you and the rest of us go next. Whatever you do, just keep going. Luv ya man!
Love your honest words! You can be proud of everything you’ve done. It makes you stronger (and a great person 😉). I’m sure you will get your sub 3 sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work 👍
You are a true inspiration and shouldn't apologize for anything. You certainly haven't let me down and I'm super proud of you. I just started running in August 2018 from zero. I ran the BMO Vancouver marathon in May 2019 and ran a 4:17. I'm running the NYC Marathon on November 3 and my goal is to break 4 hours. Your honesty about your experience is an inspiration that I will use to try to get me there.
Good luck at Boston! I have only been able to BQ twice and will most likely never make it back but it is by far my favorite marathon. Turning right on to Hereford and left onto Boylston is the closest thing to a religious experience I have ever had. I will never forget the sight of that finish line.
Love it! You didn't let anyone down and thank you for sharing and taking us on this journey with you. Love the fact that you are going to channel this energy and focus on taking it to the next level. Personally, I feel like strength training really helps the older we get and something we can use later in the race. So, I try to incorporate at-least 1 strength session per week (@ the gym), no matter how beautiful the weather is outside. Keep at it, rest and unplug!
Absolute legend! Brilliant run by anyone’s standards and never let the expectation of achievement for sub 3 hours cloud what was a great run! It just wasn’t meant to be for that day... but don’t kick yourself, Kipchoge didn’t worry when he didn’t break 2 hours - and look what happened next! ❤️
Also on Houston. I live there and it’s awesome weather - super flat too. There is a marathon in The Woodlands down here that is awesome as well. Early March for that one.
Dude. I run two miles a day. I could never be what you are. You are an inspiration. It’s just a race, there will be more. The most important part is to enjoy the journey.
You are not trying to hide behind any excuses, you show up and give a very important analysis of what may improve all of us. The way I see it, you should be proud of yourself.
Hey man, I just ran my peak race on sunday aswell (half-mara). I missed my goal by 2 mins in the same way as you, I paced it perfectly for where I wanted to be, but I just wasn't fit enough to do it and the legs just suddenly felt super heavy. Just keep your head up and assess what you need to do to get to where you want to be, it's all a learning curve Also for what it's worth, excuses are fine as long as theyre valid (illness will affect you). Don't discount them, but also don't use it to ignore any downfalls in preparation or whatever else
Kofuzi, you absolutely did not let anyone down. Your attitude in this video demonstrates incredible resilience and will inspire others who havent got the result they want yet! 👊🏽
Same thing happened with my quads around mile 22 of my last marathon. I have a half coming up this weekend and hopefully it restores my confidence in distance running! Great job staying positive!
Hey man, I totally know how you felt. I ran in the marathon this weekend and the same thing happened to me at mile 21. I came through the half at 1:14, came through 19 miles on pace for 2:28, and on mile 21 out of nowhere my quads locked up and I had nothing left to give. I wasn’t tired my legs just didn’t have it. 🤷🏽♂️ you’re a great runner, you do all the necessary work, and you’ll be stronger!
kofuzi After I take some time off, I’m going to begin training for the Rock N Roll music city marathon in Nashville,TN in April. I’ll also do the Publix Half marathon in Atlanta on March 1st!
Well done for getting it finished, I've been there and it's no fun when the wheels come off. I think you should focus on getting your half time down to sub 1.23.30, do that whilst keep your volume high and you'll crack 3. I think a 1.26 half PB isn't enough, some will do it of course, but those are in the minority. The very best of luck, you'll get there.
@@dominic.fielding True, I should have been more specific, run a 1.23 whilst in a marathon block. Anyway, as I said, he will get there, just needs to keep showing up as he says himself.
Seriously, you don't need to apologize. You performed very well through the majority of the race. I think you already have it within you to break 3. Take the rest you need, and when you are ready to, give it another go.
You didnt let anyone down. You've done quite the opposite. You've inspired so many of us. Don't give yesterdays race too much thought. Chicago 2020!!!!
Awesome effort! After following you for a long time I felt you just werent ready to run at that pace. I agree muscle strength is the key and higher mileage. After seeing your half time in the lead up 1:29 I new that your sub 3 was not going to happen. I am of similar range I went for a sub3 this year after doing a 1:24 half in the lead up but ended up running a 3:10. Was on the mar up to 30k when I believe my muscle strength gave out. Sometimes going with the pacer isnt the best as often they go out even pace or over pace when sometimes it is best to go under pace and then come back stronger. Just my thoughts another year of mileage may be the key. Again awesome effort!
Oh man. I’m sorry it wasn’t what you expected. I do think you’ll come out stronger from this. Reminds me of your 2017 race and how you bounced back monumentally in 2018. It’s amazing how the marathon has a funny way of either showing your best strengths and more often your biggest weaknesses. I look forward to an amazing 2020! Thank you for constantly sharing your running journey with us - what an inspiration!
Hey Mike, you finished the race and PR’d - great job! We have a marathon here in St Petersburg FL in February. The course is mostly flat and at sea level. It’s very fast.
Massive respect! And like you what said, finishing the race itself is such an accomplishment worth being proud of already. And it's inspiring a lot of others like us not just on running, but more so to possess that mentality!
Most of us agree that you didn't disappoint at all. Just finishing a Marathon is a great accomplishment and hey, you did a PB at Chicago! It took me 12 attempts to break the 3 hour mark. Experienced many situations similar to yours with the most memorable being the time when my hamstrings cramped up 50 feet from the finish line and I hit the ground. I hobbled across the finish line in 3 hours and 1 second. Like you said; "keep going" and never give up. You will do it! I enjoy watching your journey and learning from you even after 41 years of running. Here's to a great running future. Best of luck!
You've run a 3.01 and since then (in my opinion, based on all you share here and on Strava) have trained better and become a stronger runner - as evidenced by your half PB. Your finish time on Sunday is not reflective of your current fitness, it's reflective of the fact that you attacked the sub 3 and this time it didn't come off (possibly went out a little too fast). There's just so many variables when it comes to race day for a big city road marathon, a combination of these small things can really hamper things. Apologies for the long comment, just wanted to share my thoughts as I've been exactly where you are right now on 4 occassions and did become pretty disheartened. However, I cracked it on the 5th go! You are on the right path and it's going to drop soon. Take some time, regather and when it feels right, go again.
You didn’t let anyone down, don’t apologize. We’ve all been in your place not meeting our goals. When you try to do something really hard you might fail, that’s part of it, but it’s still worth trying.
You haven't let anyone down Michael, your honesty shines through in what is a brutal event. A lot of elites had a bad day at the office and we can't pb every time. I pbd in 3:15 but like you I felt it could have been so much better on another day. You aspire all of us, you'll be back💪👍
@kofuzi Check out a book called Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running by Richard Blagrove...it's excellent on strength training for distance runners. Also, bear in mind that the quad troubles could be because your quads are working too hard to compensate for a relatively weak posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes etc). Working the quads without establishing if you have a front-to-back imbalance might make the situation worse in the long run. Finally...great to see a thoughtful and positive analysis after what was clearly a tough day at the office. Onwards and upwards :)
Also before you feel bad remember what you did accomplish!!! 4099 out of 45,786 Overall, 751/4110 top 1000 in your age group. That is a solid showing. It always what you do next that matters anyway! That's what truly inspires!
Looking at your Strava data, you have hardly run above over 50 miles a week for the past several months. According to Sage Canady, most runners will need to put in well over 60 miles a week for a year in order to break 3 hours. Are you able to do that?
You didn’t let anyone down, you tried your best and that’s all we ask for, not that we are entitled to ask for anything. There will be more races in the future and time to train.
Honestly, I think you overcomplicate what happened. Forgive me for being blunt. Your goal was on the razor's edge of what you are capable of today. You first 5K segment was 20 seconds per mile too fast, your third 5K segment was also too fast. It may seem like nothing, but going too fast early in the marathon is what ruins it. Second, I think your taper was insufficient, you should have taken a full 2 weeks of easy running. So, you may think you have a leg strength issue, but I am not convinced.
I agree, it was always a stretch goal considering his Tunnel Marathon 3:01 time translates to about a 3:06 at Chicago. Improving by >6 minutes in a few months is really tough at that level. Maybe that Tunnel Marathon performance was just about perfect as well.
@@kofuzi And I think you very nearly had it. But, when your razor's edge is at 6:51-6:55 per mile over the marathon distance, starting with a 6:41 per mile 5K is...creating too much debt. I know people compare 6:41 and 6:51 and think "10 seconds, no big deal", but 10 seconds near the razor's edge is a huge deal. Anyhow, don't beat yourself over it, you learned something and you came out stronger on the other side. Also, the marathon has a way to undo anyone who believes they got it all figured out. It happens to elite runners, and those who run their first marathon, and everyone else in between. I have been there many, many times.
In the short time I have followed your channel, you have inspired me to do better during my runs! I don't often see too many Asian American runners so it is nice to have a role model to look up to. I completed the 2019 Chicago Marathon (my first marathon) this past weekend too and I was aiming for 4 hours. I knew that with the training I compressed to 12 weeks and didn't follow completely, I wasn't going to meet it but I wanted to at least get close to 4 hours. Instead, I got 4:51 for my final time. I finished and was happy that I finished but was disappointed that I was the slowest one in my running group. I don't think I could've given more than I had that day. So, don't feel bad about not meeting your goal this year. You did great for your marathon! You will achieve sub-3 next time!
As a relative newcomer to your channel, I just want to say thank you! While its tough to hear your thoughts on the results, your self-reflection, drive and approach has been such an inspiration. The way you keep looking forward and how you point out the next steps to reach your goal is truly an inspiration and helps me reach for my own running goals. Thank you so very much again!!
I’m surprised no one here mentioned the load of Advil that he was taking a few days leading up to the marathon. It could potentially shut down his kidneys and therefore temporarily shutdown the blood flow to his leg muscles. Next time take Tylenol or don’t take anything at all for pain.
You didn't let us down! Like you said, finishing a marathon is not given! Super proud of your effort... you literally left it all on the course. Everyone has a bad day. You had a great mentality of using this as a learning experience, so keep that outlook. We'll only be disappointed if you stay bummed. We have your back! :-)
Started running this March and wanted to do my first marathon this October 27th. Got the flu and bronchitis for 3 weeks and was heartbroken so this video really resonated with me. Want to let you know your one of my running heroes with SJDM and really hope to run Chicago with you one year. Truly inspiring how your taking this and thanks again for ever single video.
You haven’t let down anyone. You are an inspiration to all us runners following your journey. In these days specially, I am proud of your effort, your energy and your competitive spirit, that same one that unite us all, none professional runners from around the world. Thank you Mike
As anyone that runs knows, the marathon is a humbling experience. You gave it your all, and you crossed the line. You challenged yourself and learned from it. The results are what they are, you may not have achieved your goal, but that's ok. I am sure there will be a next time. I hear the sadness in your voice of not reaching your goal. DO NOT apologize, you run for you, as I run for myself. You are an inspiration to many, keep on doing what you are doing and good things will continue to happen.
I’ve been watching your videos for about 18 months now and I love how honest you’ve always been. I know you’re disappointed in your result but you’ve come so far and have learned so much. I was supposed to run Chicago but after running my first Marathon in June limped away with ITBand Syndrome and wasn’t able to make the trip. I had a lot of those same feelings about what I need to change to get stronger and be a healthier runner. Watching your videos helped me to visualize your city, being there, running there and fulfilling a dream. Thank you for that. We really are all in this together!!!
Don't apologize. You ran a 3:15 and PR'ed. PR'ing alone is hard. After 3 consecutive PRs, my NY Marathon time last year reminded me how important it is to brace PR's because they are not a guarantee. I PR'ed Chicago with a 4:39, chipping a couple more mins off my time. You are inspiring and you still managed to beat 41,000 other runners on the Chicago field!!!
No need to apologize to anyone. You showed up and put yourself out there to see what would happen. And you would have never known had you not. It's the journey and not the destination so enjoy the process. I BQ at Chicago last year for 2020 and thought I'd come back this year and do as well. Persistent nagging high hamstrings during the training block prevented me from doing as such and I ran an hour slower than last year! Having had no runs longer than 12 miles during this training segment left me with a feeling of "could I even cover the distance?" I did and that in and of itself is a lesson learned. Time to rest, enjoy your family and take a mental break. Your day will come.
You're showing us a very realistic portrayal of what is required to get to your goal. This channel just got a lot more interesting because we're going see what kind of training will help you achieve that goal. Your run club is gonna be huuuuuge next year.
Through thick and thin, whatever comes, good or bad, is part of the journey. We are an invisible family that holds together by sweat and tears, both of sadness or joy. That’s running in a nutshell. I also had a similar experience in a half marathon and it took me a lot of time to past it. Cheer up mate!
Wow! I just want to reach through the screen and give you a massive hug!! Don’t beat yourself up, your body gave up on you that’s all. There’ll be other races, you’ll get stronger. It’s only time, to complete a marathon in any time is a massive achievement!!!
You ran the race and crossed the finish line. That’s the best result for the day. Thanks for all you do and sharing. He’s to you growing and developing for the run. Have an awesome day.
You are human. You did not let us down. I understand your feeling of disappointment and let down. But we are all in your corner regardless. I'm so happy to follow along with your journey. You are a runner that alot of us can relate too. The struggles, the highs and the lows are all apart of the journey. You will have your time. Keep pushing forward. 👊
Dude, thanks for sharing. It goes without saying you haven't let any of us down but I know the feeling. I missed my goal time by 15 mins in Chicago this weekend. I had friends and family from all of the world come to see me perform and support me (NYC, upstate NY, Jamaica - the island, Wisconsin and Stockholm Sweden) I just didn't have it Sunday morning. Just didn't have the legs I normally have. I've only had a day or so to reflect. I'm still analyzing to try to get to the bottom of it. But like you said, there will be highs and lows. This video has helped to bring further understanding to my personal running journey. So thank you again for sharing and thank you for being an inspiration. You'll get the next one. We both will
Props man! You gave it all and you never gave up! I had a near identical thing happen through my last marathon and didn’t reach my goal. Two things, I still improved my PR and I never gave up! Neither did you! I knew what I had to work on, and so do you! You learned from this experience and now you will grow from it. You got this. All the best.
I appreciate your honesty. I can’t ask for anything more than you show up and share out! I haven’t run a Marathon yet. Your upset helps me better prepare and work on those strengthening excercises that I’ve been putting off.
Dude, that was tough to watch at the end. You give us far more than we could ever give you. Just keep up the work and another year of accumulated mileage will make you a far stronger athlete than you are today. Looking forward to watching the progress
You’ll get that sub 3. I know you’re bummed but you have the drive and determination to get there. Congratulations on a fantastic race regardless. Looking forward to what you do next
Mike, you did great. You have not disappoint any one. You are growing and learning. Like Coach Worm said, there will be good days and bad days. All we can do is learn from the bad days, and try again.
Your assessment of the strength building issue is wise. I would imagine it takes 2-3 months of solid gym time to reap the benefits in running. After all of the improvements you have made since last year, 6 months to meditate on this might be the right thing to do here. Boston is a great challenge, and I hope you use that opportunity to breakthrough and run the sub 3:10 you’ve been looking for. Thank you for being so vulnerable with us. Your victories are our victories, your journey is our journey.
My friend , it is humbling to see a pro have doubts and feel underacheiving . i did new york in 22 and took 5 hours , it was so hot , i have chicago this year and look for inspiration and tips , some races are just a pig . no matter what you do . and fair play to you , you are the most upbeat ,perfect runner i watch. well done kofuzi , keep on keeping on . hope to see you in 2023
Nothing but admiration for your strength and honesty. You're too hard on yourself. You're inspiring all runners and ran an amazing race by all accounts. Huge congratulations, zero disappointment!
Great effort dude! Tbh I think sub 3 was always going to be a long shot looking at your Strava... I don't really think it's a strength thing. Think you need to get into 1.22/1.23 shape then you will have a far better shot. More long runs at sub 3 pace is where you will get the strength you need.
When we set goals on what we want to accomplish, feeling disappointed when things don’t end up how we expected them is natural. But you did not let us down. The fact that you ran is more than many can say. I started running again in June and your channel has inspired me to sign up for the 2020 Chicago. Thank you always
Pretty much the same thing happened to me at Chicago last year. I was on pace and feeling good until 18-20 and suddenly I wasn't on pace and wasn't feeling good. You're able to look at your performance with such honestly and take what didn't go your way and be driven to turn them into your strengths which is one of the most admiral qualities of a runner. I know I don't have to tell you this but running Chicago is such a treat in it's own and I hope you were able to take it all in again and enjoy the experience despite the performance not being what you wanted. You will be back and you will be stronger. You gotta have these types of days to know how to grow and what to strive for.
You did not let us down. You showed us reality. After you recover, maybe try track sessions for a compiled 4-8km of 1km/1min test or 400m/1.5min rest. Thank you so much Michael for your struggles! I will run my race too end November. My first race and marathon. Aiming for sub 4.
I enjoy this channel because you're the same kind of runner with the same kinds of goals as I have. You're an inspiration to me, and you definitely don't need to apologize.
Man, you hit a wall and still PR'd for Chicago M...that is amazing! Your honesty and transparency are a huge encouragement and provide inspiration for this 50 year old newbie (started building up for distance running Sept 2018 after losing initial 50 lbs). I know it doesn't feel great, but I think you have some great takeaways and learning experiences. Did the same in my first Half Marathon in Boston last weekend. The hills (at least for this flat lander from Houston) crushed me at the end and missed getting under 2 hours by 42 seconds. Definitely a little disappointed, but had several great learning moments and happy to finish my first large event (6200+ runners). Seriously thinking about Houston Marathon to carry over my training for the HM and knowing it doesn't have to be perfect is actually encouraging for me.
Please don’t apologize you have done so much for the running community keep inspiring us with your great work!!
We all make it awesome together!
Agree %100
One is right don’t apologize if you didn’t do anything wrong
exactly, Juan you couldn't have said it better. keep going forward
The fact that you're looking at this with such honest self reflection, rather than projecting, tells me that you'll absolutely hit that sub-3 time. Keep pounding!
i will keep chasing. we will get there together
Kofuzi, I and my boyfriend are your big fans from Bangkok. NO Need to feel sorry for anything. We're with you for your next challenge and we thank you so much for being our big inspiration.
Love it when people watch together! Thank you so much!
Dude you are the reason I even applied and kept on running. I didn’t reach my goal either. I was hoping for 4:30 but I got 5:20. IT band struck me again! But I love your city, I feel like an honorary citizen now. Thanks for all you do!!
Even though you may be disappointed with your results learn from the disappointment and don’t let it stop you. You did great! We all have off days exited for next time 😄#kofuzibreaking3
Even Kipchoge took a couple of tries for his latest goal.
kofuzi exactly. Also if you come down here to Houston for the marathon you won’t have to worry about the cold we just dropped down into the high 60’s 😂
@@Chrisp_E I like your hashtag #kofuzibreaking3
Worakitti Lapisatepun thanks! I figured it was encouraging for future marathons
Dear Ko 夫子，no need to feel bad nor apologize. 你绝对对得起自己。And you will always have our support. At a more personal level, I also want to thank you for representing us Asian Americans in the running community. You are a truly great inspiration.
Chicago 2019 was my first marathon. I did 3:29:29 but felt I could have done better. Anyway, you are one of my inspiration and I love watching your videos. Thank you for what you do!
No apology necessary. I love this channel and appreciate your dedication to this and the sport.
thank you for watching!
My tip is to work on your speed rather than strength (running hills will do enough for the latter). Get your 5k down to 18:45, 10k 38:30, half 1:25. At the moment you're running too close to your top speed during the marathon. Race more at short distances. With a 1:25 half, marathon pace will feel so much easier and you really will be cruising to the 32k point where the racing starts.
Great advice, Ill follow it myself for my next attempt at the marathon. (But for now, just durability and aerobic development, training for my first 50 miler.)
🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾 great advice
Good tip..😉💪💪💪💪
Kofuzi: You are a true inspiration. More so than a certain Kipchoge. Yes, he broke 2 hours, but that's a barrier no one else here will come close to or even begin to imagine. You are the one that inspires all of us here. Watching you strive to break 3 is much more relatable to those of us striving to break 3 or 4 or 5! Watching Kipchoge is entertaining but it doesn't drive me. Watching you, however, had made me realize maybe I can run 3:30 later this year. Keep running, keep working you'll break 3! And we'll all be right here supporting you.
We can accomplish our goals!
Thanks so much for your videos and work. I find them very inspiring as mentioned by several viewers. I am a 72 year old runner, and have run 25 marathons, and six Bostons, and I want to assure you, you had a great day Sunday and you did just fine. Every run, every marathon is not a PR! Bill Rogers once said, " A Marathon is Very Humbling"...and that it is. I know the marathons where I finished at goal pace how satisfying that was. And yes those long days when things don't go so well, are REALLY long. So a 3:15 is still quite good and I know you will learn from this and will attain the 2:59:59 goal! My advice for now, is to relax a little, take a little more time to enjoy life and the family and give your mind and body a chance to recover. Then after some well deserved rest, start thinking about what is next. But for now, congratulations on a really great effort, and remember when you get my age, where PR's, Boston Qualifiers and marathons are out of reach, learn to enjoy the moment and be grateful for the accomplishments you have experienced. You are a very very good marathoner!
KENT comment contains a lot of knowledge and wisdom from a very experience runner...I can see it, I agree with with KENT is time to enjoy family, life and time for recovery....👍👏👏👏
thanks so much, Kent. it really was a beautiful day and a beautiful race. thanks for again helping me with perspective and mindset.
Well said 👍
Keep showing up, bro! I followed a similar trajectory when I decided I was going to go for sub-3 last year. I started with a PB of 3:15, which I ran on a hilly San Francisco course. Then, I went for it at 2018 CIM but crash-and-burned there running a 3:19. Six weeks ago, I ran another marathon but due to life/work stressors leading up and not having my planned fuel for the race, I fell short again running a 3:05. At Chicago on Sunday, I was able to secure the sub-3, running a 2:58. The past is a memory...just keep moving the needle little by little by doing the right things consistently. Stay hard!
Hey man, congratulations on sub 3.
Thank you so much for your honesty. It was a little gut wrenching to watch and hear this. You’ve inspired me no matter what the outcome was.
It’s about the journey not the outcome. If the outcome was guaranteed we would probably lose interest. You did the work, picked a bold goal and fought to the end. You didn’t hit the time you wanted but still got a PR. Awesome effort!
that's a great way to look at it. i like that.
Thanks so much for sharing. As someone the same age and have been showing very similar progression to you, Ive found these videos to be very inspiring. It takes a lot of guts to publicly share your journey.
i have nothing if not transparency
We usually learn more when we fail than when we succeed. And giving the fact that you are so straightforward and share your thoughts and learnings with us, you help us grow along with you in the sport. Thank you for sharing and this video inspired me!!!
I am too leaving aside my strength training and maybe thanks to you I won’t make that mistake...I’ll make another one 😜
My best wishes from Argentina 🇦🇷
a very good insight. i'm definitely learning a lot about myself.
Hello from Arizona. Chicago 2019 was my first full marathon ever, it landed on my birthday and I work for B of A, I figured it was meant to be 🤗. I trained for it in the AZ summer and flew out to Chicago- my mantra was "Train Hot and Run Cool". What I want to say is please do not apologize. Your channel inspired me daily to keep pushing even on days I didn't want to run. I am nowhere near your level but I will continue to build speed and endurance just like you are. Even your recap is positive! You are such an inspiration to all of us runners and I am cheering for you to reach your goal all the way from AZ. I have no social media and have never commented on youtube before but I couldn't resist. Running is a blessing in many forms to many people. Thank you for inspiring your fellow runners! Keep kicking asphalt!
We all have tough races, but I think those are the ones we learn the most from! Of course it is ok to feel disappointed, but I think it's great to normalize that experience because it happens to all of us! At the end of the day, it's a roll of the dice. All our training can help us better the odds of having a 'good' race - but we can only control so much! I feel grateful for all the time and effort you put into your videos. I'm doing NYC in a few weeks, and the videos have definitely helped inspire me get out to do my long runs, I don't feel let down!
Tough race and a strong performance. I appreciate your self analysis, and I'm definitely looking forward to your sub 3 hour marathon video that you will undoubtedly post soon.
it's gonna feel good. real good.
The leg issues you described, happened to me in my first marathon. It’s such a painful feeling, I have no idea how I finished the race. I’m so proud of your mental toughness, and the constant inspiration you give out! Well done!
it was a day for building toughness
kofuzi So proud of you, bro
My 1st marathon is in 5days, and I've been on a similar target (4hrs instead of 3hrs). Watching your story over the summer has given me the insight and drive (I train solo) to make my goal a real possibility. But also be willing to accept the result if I miss my goal. Thank you for keeping the experience "real".
Good luck on your run. Hope you feel relaxed on race day and try to enjoy the process. I did beat my under 4hrs in my first and only so far marathon back in 2016, it was not easy with a bit of suffering but worth to reach the finish line with a smile.
good luck this weekend! let me know how it goes!
Good luck buddy
@@kofuzi 4:06:29. Course was much more difficult than I expected, and once I realized my 4hr target was blown, I stopped to help carry someone up the last hill. Think I'm done with marathons for a few years. Going to focus on the Half Marathon, my IT bands love that distance. ;)
You will break 3. Your training and fitness doesn’t lie. You’re right there. Daniels’ VDOT projects you around 2:59. That’s where you are. You just had an off day. It sucks it happened on race day. Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it’s still just one day. Lots of successes for you in 2019, too. Don’t forget that. Keep up the great work. Love the channel.
Keep your head up, we're all extremely proud of you, and you're a great inspiration for me personally. I too is a family man with small kids just like you. You inspired me to get out and run more. No doubt u gonna hit your 3hr goal soon.
We can do it!
@@kofuzi 100%
Mike, you have always been an inspiration. Times like these are part of feedback loop. All the best!
Learn, grow, execute, repeat.
Loads of positives to take away from this race 👏🏻 can’t wait to see you come back and smash 3 hours 💪🏻
agreed!
Most people don't finish a single marathon in their life. Keep perspective. I really admire your analytical perspective on improving your peak performance. This is what draws me to running. All your running videos inspire me to continue running.
Incredible person.
Inspiring channel.
Keep rocking my friend!
Dude, one of the reasons people like you is because you're real. We are you, you are us. We've been in your shoes and know what it's like to miss that hard-fought goal. It's tough, but through adversity we grow. You learn a few things along the way and become better than before. Isn't that a beautiful thing? I think so. Can't wait to see where you and the rest of us go next. Whatever you do, just keep going. Luv ya man!
Love your honest words! You can be proud of everything you’ve done. It makes you stronger (and a great person 😉). I’m sure you will get your sub 3 sooner rather than later. Keep up the good work 👍
i proud of the day. it wasn't perfect. but that doesn't mean it wasn't good.
You are a true inspiration and shouldn't apologize for anything. You certainly haven't let me down and I'm super proud of you. I just started running in August 2018 from zero. I ran the BMO Vancouver marathon in May 2019 and ran a 4:17. I'm running the NYC Marathon on November 3 and my goal is to break 4 hours. Your honesty about your experience is an inspiration that I will use to try to get me there.
A 3:15 and you walked for parts, dude! That is an awesome time and a PR as well. 👍🏻 well done no matter how you look at it.
Kofuzi, you are a beast! You didn't quit, and you finished the race! Many would have given up under those circumstances. Bravo to you!
Keep Going On. There’s nothing could stop you. Always inspiring for me to be a better version of yourself every tomorrow.
we will come back stronger
Good luck at Boston! I have only been able to BQ twice and will most likely never make it back but it is by far my favorite marathon. Turning right on to Hereford and left onto Boylston is the closest thing to a religious experience I have ever had. I will never forget the sight of that finish line.
Love it! You didn't let anyone down and thank you for sharing and taking us on this journey with you. Love the fact that you are going to channel this energy and focus on taking it to the next level. Personally, I feel like strength training really helps the older we get and something we can use later in the race. So, I try to incorporate at-least 1 strength session per week (@ the gym), no matter how beautiful the weather is outside. Keep at it, rest and unplug!
i really hate going to the gym these days. so it'll be tough medicine but if that's what it takes, so be it.
Absolute legend! Brilliant run by anyone’s standards and never let the expectation of achievement for sub 3 hours cloud what was a great run! It just wasn’t meant to be for that day... but don’t kick yourself, Kipchoge didn’t worry when he didn’t break 2 hours - and look what happened next! ❤️
Also on Houston. I live there and it’s awesome weather - super flat too. There is a marathon in The Woodlands down here that is awesome as well. Early March for that one.
Dude. I run two miles a day. I could never be what you are. You are an inspiration. It’s just a race, there will be more. The most important part is to enjoy the journey.
I watched all commercials today to support :) Cheers!
You are not trying to hide behind any excuses, you show up and give a very important analysis of what may improve all of us. The way I see it, you should be proud of yourself.
GO KOFUZI 2020! We’ll still be behind you! ✊🏼
thanks Jules!
I don't follow you for the wins, I follow you for the attempt. Documenting that journey and showing up is why I'm here
i thank you for the follow
Hey man, I just ran my peak race on sunday aswell (half-mara). I missed my goal by 2 mins in the same way as you, I paced it perfectly for where I wanted to be, but I just wasn't fit enough to do it and the legs just suddenly felt super heavy. Just keep your head up and assess what you need to do to get to where you want to be, it's all a learning curve
Also for what it's worth, excuses are fine as long as theyre valid (illness will affect you). Don't discount them, but also don't use it to ignore any downfalls in preparation or whatever else
Kofuzi, you absolutely did not let anyone down. Your attitude in this video demonstrates incredible resilience and will inspire others who havent got the result they want yet! 👊🏽
Same thing happened with my quads around mile 22 of my last marathon. I have a half coming up this weekend and hopefully it restores my confidence in distance running! Great job staying positive!
good luck on your half! go get it!
Hey man, I totally know how you felt. I ran in the marathon this weekend and the same thing happened to me at mile 21. I came through the half at 1:14, came through 19 miles on pace for 2:28, and on mile 21 out of nowhere my quads locked up and I had nothing left to give. I wasn’t tired my legs just didn’t have it. 🤷🏽♂️ you’re a great runner, you do all the necessary work, and you’ll be stronger!
that's a solid race. what are you thinking for your next marathon?
kofuzi After I take some time off, I’m going to begin training for the Rock N Roll music city marathon in Nashville,TN in April. I’ll also do the Publix Half marathon in Atlanta on March 1st!
Well done for getting it finished, I've been there and it's no fun when the wheels come off.
I think you should focus on getting your half time down to sub 1.23.30, do that whilst keep your volume high and you'll crack 3.
I think a 1.26 half PB isn't enough, some will do it of course, but those are in the minority.
The very best of luck, you'll get there.
To be fair his half pb is untapered, who knows what he could hit if he was racing it properly rested.
@@dominic.fielding True, I should have been more specific, run a 1.23 whilst in a marathon block.
Anyway, as I said, he will get there, just needs to keep showing up as he says himself.
Seriously, you don't need to apologize. You performed very well through the majority of the race. I think you already have it within you to break 3. Take the rest you need, and when you are ready to, give it another go.
You dont need to apologize and Thank you for inspiring me.
Thank you so much!
You didnt let anyone down. You've done quite the opposite. You've inspired so many of us. Don't give yesterdays race too much thought. Chicago 2020!!!!
Awesome effort! After following you for a long time I felt you just werent ready to run at that pace. I agree muscle strength is the key and higher mileage. After seeing your half time in the lead up 1:29 I new that your sub 3 was not going to happen. I am of similar range I went for a sub3 this year after doing a 1:24 half in the lead up but ended up running a 3:10. Was on the mar up to 30k when I believe my muscle strength gave out. Sometimes going with the pacer isnt the best as often they go out even pace or over pace when sometimes it is best to go under pace and then come back stronger. Just my thoughts another year of mileage may be the key. Again awesome effort!
Oh man. I’m sorry it wasn’t what you expected. I do think you’ll come out stronger from this. Reminds me of your 2017 race and how you bounced back monumentally in 2018. It’s amazing how the marathon has a funny way of either showing your best strengths and more often your biggest weaknesses. I look forward to an amazing 2020! Thank you for constantly sharing your running journey with us - what an inspiration!
2020 is going to be insane!
Hey Mike, you finished the race and PR’d - great job!
We have a marathon here in St Petersburg FL in February. The course is mostly flat and at sea level. It’s very fast.
Couldn't agree more. Your marathon sounds tempting. How's the weather in Feb on that side of FL?
Temp is usually mid 60’s with low humidity and rain is almost nonexistent.
Massive respect! And like you what said, finishing the race itself is such an accomplishment worth being proud of already. And it's inspiring a lot of others like us not just on running, but more so to possess that mentality!
You did amazing! Hoping I can get up to you’re level when I get older
Just keep showing up!
Most of us agree that you didn't disappoint at all. Just finishing a Marathon is a great accomplishment and hey, you did a PB at Chicago! It took me 12 attempts to break the 3 hour mark. Experienced many situations similar to yours with the most memorable being the time when my hamstrings cramped up 50 feet from the finish line and I hit the ground. I hobbled across the finish line in 3 hours and 1 second. Like you said; "keep going" and never give up. You will do it! I enjoy watching your journey and learning from you even after 41 years of running. Here's to a great running future. Best of luck!
You've run a 3.01 and since then (in my opinion, based on all you share here and on Strava) have trained better and become a stronger runner - as evidenced by your half PB.
Your finish time on Sunday is not reflective of your current fitness, it's reflective of the fact that you attacked the sub 3 and this time it didn't come off (possibly went out a little too fast).
There's just so many variables when it comes to race day for a big city road marathon, a combination of these small things can really hamper things.
Apologies for the long comment, just wanted to share my thoughts as I've been exactly where you are right now on 4 occassions and did become pretty disheartened.
However, I cracked it on the 5th go!
You are on the right path and it's going to drop soon. Take some time, regather and when it feels right, go again.
You didn’t let anyone down, don’t apologize. We’ve all been in your place not meeting our goals. When you try to do something really hard you might fail, that’s part of it, but it’s still worth trying.
Your end of race pace is my start pace.......you'll boss it next time.
You haven't let anyone down Michael, your honesty shines through in what is a brutal event. A lot of elites had a bad day at the office and we can't pb every time. I pbd in 3:15 but like you I felt it could have been so much better on another day. You aspire all of us, you'll be back💪👍
@kofuzi
Check out a book called Strength and Conditioning for Endurance Running by Richard Blagrove...it's excellent on strength training for distance runners. Also, bear in mind that the quad troubles could be because your quads are working too hard to compensate for a relatively weak posterior chain (hamstrings, glutes etc). Working the quads without establishing if you have a front-to-back imbalance might make the situation worse in the long run. Finally...great to see a thoughtful and positive analysis after what was clearly a tough day at the office. Onwards and upwards :)
Also before you feel bad remember what you did accomplish!!! 4099 out of 45,786 Overall, 751/4110 top 1000 in your age group. That is a solid showing. It always what you do next that matters anyway! That's what truly inspires!
Looking at your Strava data, you have hardly run above over 50 miles a week for the past several months. According to Sage Canady, most runners will need to put in well over 60 miles a week for a year in order to break 3 hours. Are you able to do that?
You didn’t let anyone down, you tried your best and that’s all we ask for, not that we are entitled to ask for anything. There will be more races in the future and time to train.
Honestly, I think you overcomplicate what happened. Forgive me for being blunt. Your goal was on the razor's edge of what you are capable of today. You first 5K segment was 20 seconds per mile too fast, your third 5K segment was also too fast. It may seem like nothing, but going too fast early in the marathon is what ruins it. Second, I think your taper was insufficient, you should have taken a full 2 weeks of easy running. So, you may think you have a leg strength issue, but I am not convinced.
I agree, it was always a stretch goal considering his Tunnel Marathon 3:01 time translates to about a 3:06 at Chicago. Improving by >6 minutes in a few months is really tough at that level. Maybe that Tunnel Marathon performance was just about perfect as well.
that tunnel marathon was a perfect day for me. and i was going for something impossible. but i thought i had it.
@@kofuzi And I think you very nearly had it. But, when your razor's edge is at 6:51-6:55 per mile over the marathon distance, starting with a 6:41 per mile 5K is...creating too much debt. I know people compare 6:41 and 6:51 and think "10 seconds, no big deal", but 10 seconds near the razor's edge is a huge deal. Anyhow, don't beat yourself over it, you learned something and you came out stronger on the other side. Also, the marathon has a way to undo anyone who believes they got it all figured out. It happens to elite runners, and those who run their first marathon, and everyone else in between. I have been there many, many times.
In the short time I have followed your channel, you have inspired me to do better during my runs! I don't often see too many Asian American runners so it is nice to have a role model to look up to. I completed the 2019 Chicago Marathon (my first marathon) this past weekend too and I was aiming for 4 hours. I knew that with the training I compressed to 12 weeks and didn't follow completely, I wasn't going to meet it but I wanted to at least get close to 4 hours. Instead, I got 4:51 for my final time. I finished and was happy that I finished but was disappointed that I was the slowest one in my running group. I don't think I could've given more than I had that day. So, don't feel bad about not meeting your goal this year. You did great for your marathon! You will achieve sub-3 next time!
Come to Houston
thinking about it
As a relative newcomer to your channel, I just want to say thank you! While its tough to hear your thoughts on the results, your self-reflection, drive and approach has been such an inspiration. The way you keep looking forward and how you point out the next steps to reach your goal is truly an inspiration and helps me reach for my own running goals. Thank you so very much again!!
I’m surprised no one here mentioned the load of Advil that he was taking a few days leading up to the marathon. It could potentially shut down his kidneys and therefore temporarily shutdown the blood flow to his leg muscles. Next time take Tylenol or don’t take anything at all for pain.
Oh wow. Why was he taking Advil at all?
KikayRunner - 10:38
You didn't let us down! Like you said, finishing a marathon is not given! Super proud of your effort... you literally left it all on the course. Everyone has a bad day. You had a great mentality of using this as a learning experience, so keep that outlook. We'll only be disappointed if you stay bummed. We have your back! :-)
Started running this March and wanted to do my first marathon this October 27th. Got the flu and bronchitis for 3 weeks and was heartbroken so this video really resonated with me. Want to let you know your one of my running heroes with SJDM and really hope to run Chicago with you one year. Truly inspiring how your taking this and thanks again for ever single video.
thank you so much!
i wish you the best for when you can get out there for your first marathon!
You haven’t let down anyone. You are an inspiration to all us runners following your journey. In these days specially, I am proud of your effort, your energy and your competitive spirit, that same one that unite us all, none professional runners from around the world. Thank you Mike
As anyone that runs knows, the marathon is a humbling experience. You gave it your all, and you crossed the line. You challenged yourself and learned from it. The results are what they are, you may not have achieved your goal, but that's ok. I am sure there will be a next time. I hear the sadness in your voice of not reaching your goal. DO NOT apologize, you run for you, as I run for myself. You are an inspiration to many, keep on doing what you are doing and good things will continue to happen.
I’ve been watching your videos for about 18 months now and I love how honest you’ve always been. I know you’re disappointed in your result but you’ve come so far and have learned so much. I was supposed to run Chicago but after running my first Marathon in June limped away with ITBand Syndrome and wasn’t able to make the trip. I had a lot of those same feelings about what I need to change to get stronger and be a healthier runner. Watching your videos helped me to visualize your city, being there, running there and fulfilling a dream. Thank you for that. We really are all in this together!!!
I hope we can meet up when you run it next year?
That would be great. Thanks 🙏
Don't apologize. You ran a 3:15 and PR'ed. PR'ing alone is hard. After 3 consecutive PRs, my NY Marathon time last year reminded me how important it is to brace PR's because they are not a guarantee. I PR'ed Chicago with a 4:39, chipping a couple more mins off my time. You are inspiring and you still managed to beat 41,000 other runners on the Chicago field!!!
No need to apologize to anyone. You showed up and put yourself out there to see what would happen. And you would have never known had you not. It's the journey and not the destination so enjoy the process. I BQ at Chicago last year for 2020 and thought I'd come back this year and do as well. Persistent nagging high hamstrings during the training block prevented me from doing as such and I ran an hour slower than last year! Having had no runs longer than 12 miles during this training segment left me with a feeling of "could I even cover the distance?" I did and that in and of itself is a lesson learned. Time to rest, enjoy your family and take a mental break. Your day will come.
You're showing us a very realistic portrayal of what is required to get to your goal. This channel just got a lot more interesting because we're going see what kind of training will help you achieve that goal. Your run club is gonna be huuuuuge next year.
Through thick and thin, whatever comes, good or bad, is part of the journey. We are an invisible family that holds together by sweat and tears, both of sadness or joy. That’s running in a nutshell. I also had a similar experience in a half marathon and it took me a lot of time to past it. Cheer up mate!
You saying you are just going to keep showing up is spot on. That’s all some of us can do, but it how we get better.
Far out. That was a hard watch. You don't have to apologise mate. You're an inspiration.
Wow! I just want to reach through the screen and give you a massive hug!! Don’t beat yourself up, your body gave up on you that’s all. There’ll be other races, you’ll get stronger. It’s only time, to complete a marathon in any time is a massive achievement!!!
thanks for the hug. i appreciate it. i feel the love in the comment.
Don’t apologize! Great run we will keep following you and look forward to your next race! You know what to do next time.
You ran the race and crossed the finish line. That’s the best result for the day. Thanks for all you do and sharing. He’s to you growing and developing for the run. Have an awesome day.
You are human. You did not let us down. I understand your feeling of disappointment and let down. But we are all in your corner regardless. I'm so happy to follow along with your journey. You are a runner that alot of us can relate too. The struggles, the highs and the lows are all apart of the journey. You will have your time. Keep pushing forward. 👊
Dude, thanks for sharing. It goes without saying you haven't let any of us down but I know the feeling. I missed my goal time by 15 mins in Chicago this weekend. I had friends and family from all of the world come to see me perform and support me (NYC, upstate NY, Jamaica - the island, Wisconsin and Stockholm Sweden) I just didn't have it Sunday morning. Just didn't have the legs I normally have. I've only had a day or so to reflect. I'm still analyzing to try to get to the bottom of it. But like you said, there will be highs and lows. This video has helped to bring further understanding to my personal running journey. So thank you again for sharing and thank you for being an inspiration. You'll get the next one. We both will
Props man! You gave it all and you never gave up! I had a near identical thing happen through my last marathon and didn’t reach my goal. Two things, I still improved my PR and I never gave up! Neither did you! I knew what I had to work on, and so do you! You learned from this experience and now you will grow from it. You got this. All the best.
I appreciate your honesty. I can’t ask for anything more than you show up and share out! I haven’t run a Marathon yet. Your upset helps me better prepare and work on those strengthening excercises that I’ve been putting off.
Inspiring bruv! Keep up the passion and good luck for next time
thank you!
Dude, that was tough to watch at the end. You give us far more than we could ever give you. Just keep up the work and another year of accumulated mileage will make you a far stronger athlete than you are today. Looking forward to watching the progress
You’ll get that sub 3. I know you’re bummed but you have the drive and determination to get there. Congratulations on a fantastic race regardless. Looking forward to what you do next
Mike, you did great. You have not disappoint any one. You are growing and learning. Like Coach Worm said, there will be good days and bad days. All we can do is learn from the bad days, and try again.
Your assessment of the strength building issue is wise. I would imagine it takes 2-3 months of solid gym time to reap the benefits in running.
After all of the improvements you have made since last year, 6 months to meditate on this might be the right thing to do here.
Boston is a great challenge, and I hope you use that opportunity to breakthrough and run the sub 3:10 you’ve been looking for.
Thank you for being so vulnerable with us. Your victories are our victories, your journey is our journey.
My friend , it is humbling to see a pro have doubts and feel underacheiving . i did new york in 22 and took 5 hours , it was so hot , i have chicago this year and look for inspiration and tips , some races are just a pig . no matter what you do . and fair play to you , you are the most upbeat ,perfect runner i watch. well done kofuzi , keep on keeping on . hope to see you in 2023
I’ll be there!
Nothing but admiration for your strength and honesty. You're too hard on yourself. You're inspiring all runners and ran an amazing race by all accounts. Huge congratulations, zero disappointment!
Great effort dude! Tbh I think sub 3 was always going to be a long shot looking at your Strava... I don't really think it's a strength thing. Think you need to get into 1.22/1.23 shape then you will have a far better shot. More long runs at sub 3 pace is where you will get the strength you need.
Thank you
When we set goals on what we want to accomplish, feeling disappointed when things don’t end up how we expected them is natural. But you did not let us down. The fact that you ran is more than many can say. I started running again in June and your channel has inspired me to sign up for the 2020 Chicago. Thank you always
Pretty much the same thing happened to me at Chicago last year. I was on pace and feeling good until 18-20 and suddenly I wasn't on pace and wasn't feeling good. You're able to look at your performance with such honestly and take what didn't go your way and be driven to turn them into your strengths which is one of the most admiral qualities of a runner. I know I don't have to tell you this but running Chicago is such a treat in it's own and I hope you were able to take it all in again and enjoy the experience despite the performance not being what you wanted. You will be back and you will be stronger. You gotta have these types of days to know how to grow and what to strive for.
You did not let us down. You showed us reality.
After you recover, maybe try track sessions for a compiled 4-8km of 1km/1min test or 400m/1.5min rest.
Thank you so much Michael for your struggles! I will run my race too end November. My first race and marathon. Aiming for sub 4.
I enjoy this channel because you're the same kind of runner with the same kinds of goals as I have. You're an inspiration to me, and you definitely don't need to apologize.
Man, you hit a wall and still PR'd for Chicago M...that is amazing! Your honesty and transparency are a huge encouragement and provide inspiration for this 50 year old newbie (started building up for distance running Sept 2018 after losing initial 50 lbs). I know it doesn't feel great, but I think you have some great takeaways and learning experiences.
Did the same in my first Half Marathon in Boston last weekend. The hills (at least for this flat lander from Houston) crushed me at the end and missed getting under 2 hours by 42 seconds. Definitely a little disappointed, but had several great learning moments and happy to finish my first large event (6200+ runners). Seriously thinking about Houston Marathon to carry over my training for the HM and knowing it doesn't have to be perfect is actually encouraging for me.
What a great job! My first half marathon was in 2010, and I ran a 2:05.