For those of you wondering if online training would work for you, I’d like to introduce you to Jen, an online client of mine that recently crushed the Chicago Marathon. Jen placed 1,454 out of 37,407 finishers with a time of 3:07. For more than a year, I have been providing Jen with weekly strength training workouts.

Like most things in life, Jen faced some challenges leading up to the marathon. In the summer of 2014, Jen was right on track to having a great marathon time, running 80-90 miles per week in preparation. That is, until adversity hit. Jen was injured and forced to shut down her training.

Jen is a fighter who never backs down to a challenge.

With a true runner’s spirit, she took her injury in stride and came back even more determined to run in her hometown marathon. She turned her injury into a positive experience by using it as motivation. There is no denying that Jen is made of pure grit, determination, and mental fortitude.

Way to go Jen! I can’t wait to see what your running future holds.

If you keep up with my blog, you'll know that I was invited to run the Honolulu Marathon with my client Dave. Because of his bad knee, this was to be his last marathon.

The plan was that I would meet up with him at mile 16 and then we would run the last 10 miles together; I would be acting as his personal morale booster for the last stretch. If it wasn't bad enough that a storm with high winds and heavy rain appeared out of nowhere the morning of the marathon, Dave was also battling a cold. Though nothing about Dave’s training had been easy, the weather and his cold would be two more challenges that he would have to face and conquer.

As I waited to join Dave, I began to get nervous. Though I saw many of his friends pass by, I still had yet to see Dave. Was his knee killing him? Was his cold getting the better of him? Before I knew it, I saw Dave's red hat in the distance. Not only was he smiling from ear to ear, he looked great! Big Wave Dave was determined to finish this marathon once and for all.

Off we went on my longest run in 7 years. Though his knee was giving him issues, he managed to keep going. When I first joined him, we were clicking off 11 minute miles. As we ran on however, our miles slowed to 16 and then to 20. The final 10k was going to take some tenacity, guts, and inner strength. Though his pace had slowed and his pain had increased, Dave's spirit never waned.

Thankfully the rain stopped, but the sun brought heat and humidity, both of which would add to the struggle. As we approached the last hill going over Diamond Head, Dave was doing a great job. It was coming down the hill that would prove to be the most challenging. Anyone that has ever run downhill with bad knees knows what I am talking about!

Despite the odds, Dave continued to push through the pain. As we approached the finish line, Dave thanked me and his training partner Eric (who also wasn’t feeling well) for being part of this momentous occasion. As the three of us walked/jogged the last quarter mile we all got quiet and took in the sights and sounds around us, a moment I will never forget.

Dave, it was an honor and pleasure to have been part of this experience. I look forward to seeing what’s next for you!

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Erik's Weekly Fitness Tip: An Injury Doesn't Have to Mean Misery

Jen is a fighter who never backs down to a challenge.

Congratulations Big Wave Dave!