Walk Into the Future

Tag: Fort Pierce

  • Rucking Is the Fitness Habit Leaders Shouldn’t Ignore

    “Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience.”

    (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

    The Walk into the Future blog continues to look for new adventures in this life we lead.  No huge surprise that I love to try new things.  The concept of staying physically fit is a daily part of my life.  One of my new exercise adventures is rucking. 

    Rucking is a very simple fitness program that does not need expensive equipment.  I just put weights into a backpack, put on my shoes and just walk—nothing complicated! 😊

    My first rucking adventure had me walking on the new North Hutchinson island bridge.  I’ve done multiple runs over local bridges but rucking the new bridge got me excited to test my physical conditioning in a new way.  Why rucking?   Great question, Lauren!

    I noticed the rucking trend and decided to see how it could help with my marathon training program.  Rucking is becoming one of the most practical ways to improve physical health, mental resilience, and leadership performance.  It was originally developed as military training; rucking has evolved into a powerful exercise that anyone can incorporate into a daily routine. Whether leading an organization, managing a team, or striving to become your best self, rucking offers benefits that extend far beyond physical fitness.

    Rucking is simply walking while carrying a weighted backpack (known as a rucksack). Unlike running, which places significant impact on the joints, rucking adds resistance while allowing you to maintain a natural walking pace.  There is no need for specialized skills or elite conditioning to ruck.  I simply put a 10-pound weight in an old book bag and started walking.  My first ruck covered 2.5 miles up and over the bridge.  I’ve started to add rucking to my Sunday cardio routine by walking in my neighborhood for 45 minutes.  This is an easy way to get additional cardio in without added pressure on my joints that come from running.

    The physical benefits of rucking are huge.  Rucking combines cardiovascular exercise with strength training, making it one of the most efficient workouts available.  I was surprised to discover that rucking helps with cardiovascular endurance, muscle development in the legs, core and back. Putting weights in your ruck sack (book bag) burns a lot more calories than a regular walk.  I find my posture getting better as I balance the weights in my book bag while keeping an upright walking motion. 

    So, how does rucking impact you as a leader?  Great question, Melissa! 😊

    Leadership requires more than intelligence, it requires resilience. Rucking provides uninterrupted time to think, reflect, and solve problems. I find my best ideas while moving instead of sitting behind a desk. Every mile becomes an opportunity to clear my head and refocus on things that matter most to me.  I’m able to lock in mentally while rucking and create new projects and blog ideas.

    One of the greatest leadership qualities is perseverance. There are moments during every ruck when the weight feels heavier than expected. Hills become steeper. Fatigue sets in. The easiest option is to stop.  But every step teaches an important lesson: we are capable of more than we think.  Keep moving forward!

    Leadership often requires carrying heavy responsibilities that others never see. Rucking becomes a physical reminder that strength is developed by consistently carrying difficult loads—not by avoiding them.  Great leaders don’t ask for lighter loads. They develop stronger shoulders.  The ruck becomes a lesson in endurance, preparation, adaptability, and determination.

    How did I start this new adventure?  I simply put two dumb bells in an old backpack, put on my shoes and started walking.  Sounds like something all my readers could do! 😊 I recommend you focus on consistency instead of speed.  I normally try to ruck for an hour.  The distance is not important to me, but I want to keep moving forward.

    Success in leadership, health, and life rarely comes from dramatic breakthroughs. It comes from small, consistent steps taken day after day. Rucking reminds me that growth happens when we willingly carry challenges instead of avoiding them.  Every mile strengthens the body. Think about grabbing a backpack instead of another leadership book when preparing for your next leadership challenge.  You may discover that the path to becoming a stronger leader begins with simply putting one foot in front of the other.

    Walk into your future—one step, one mile, and one challenge at a time.

    When are starting your rucking program?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • The Leadership Superpower: Gratitude

    “Some people feel the rain.  Others just get wet.”

    (Bob Marley)

    The Walk into the Future blog continues to lean into the concept of leadership and how it impacts organizational growth and staff professional development.  I will get back to some travel and running articles shortly but please indulge my leadership focus over the past few months—thanks! 😊

    Leaders often focus on strategy, performance metrics, and achieving results. While these elements are important, one of the most powerful leadership tools is often overlooked: gratitude.

    Gratitude is more than saying “thank you.” It is a mindset that recognizes the value of others, appreciates contributions, and acknowledges that success is rarely achieved alone. Leaders who intentionally practice gratitude create stronger relationships, healthier workplace cultures, and more engaged teams.

    Gratitude may be one of the most important leadership skills we can cultivate as we Walk into the Future.  How does this work?  Outstanding question, Jayla? 😊

    Leadership is fundamentally about people. No huge revelation, huh? Staff members want to feel seen, valued, and appreciated for their efforts. When leaders consistently express gratitude, they strengthen trust and deepen relationships with their team members.

    Simple acts of appreciation can have a profound impact:

    • Recognizing someone’s hard work during a meeting.
    • Sending a handwritten note of thanks.
    • Celebrating milestones and accomplishments.
    • Acknowledging contributions that often go unnoticed.

    Staff members are more likely to remain committed to leaders who genuinely appreciate them.

    Workplace culture is created by what leaders consistently model and reinforce. A grateful leader sets a positive tone that often spreads throughout the organization.  When gratitude in the workplace is present then team members are more likely to support each other, collaboration increases and workplace conflict decreases.   Team members begin focusing less on what’s missing and more on what’s possible. This shift creates an environment where people are motivated to contribute their best work.

    One of the most common reasons employees become disengaged is feeling unappreciated. People want to know that their efforts matter.  A grateful leader understands recognition fuels staff motivation.  When staff members receive sincere appreciation, they are more likely to take ownership of their work, remain committed during challenging times and contribute innovative ideas.  Workplace engagement grows when your team believes their contributions make a difference.

    Leadership comes with challenges, setbacks, and uncertainty. During difficult seasons, gratitude helps leaders maintain perspective.  Rather than focusing solely on obstacles, grateful leaders recognize:

    • Lessons learned from failures.
    • Opportunities hidden within challenges.
    • The support of colleagues and team members.
    • Wins (fun fact: this is my 2026 word for my current work environment) 😊

    Gratitude does not ignore difficulties—it helps leaders navigate them with optimism and resilience.

    Authentic leaders understand that leadership is not about personal recognition; it is about serving and developing others. Gratitude naturally aligns with authentic leadership because it requires humility and self-awareness. When leaders express genuine appreciation, they demonstrate respect for the team, emotional intelligence, humility and commitment to people building. Authentic leaders recognize that every success story includes the efforts of many individuals working together toward a common goal. Small actions, consistently practiced, can create significant cultural change.

    Years from now, people may not remember every decision you made or every goal you achieved. They will, however, remember how you treated them and whether they felt valued under your leadership. Gratitude leaves a lasting impression because it meets a fundamental human need: the desire to be appreciated.

    As leaders, we can create environments where people feel recognized, respected, and inspired. Gratitude is not a weakness; it is a leadership strength that elevates individuals, teams, and organizations.  Remember that one sincere expression of gratitude can change someone’s day, strengthen a relationship, and inspire excellence.  This is an outstanding way to continue your Walk into the Future. 😊

    Gratitude is the bridge between leadership and influence. When people feel appreciated, they become empowered to achieve more than they ever thought possible.

    Which of your current team members deserves your gratitude today, and what impact could a simple expression of appreciation have on their future success?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Gratitude is the opener of locked-up blessings.”

    (Marianne Williamson)

  • Spring break 2026

    “Some of the best memories are made in flip flops.”

    (Kellie Elmore)

    My Walk into the Future continues to allow me to find new adventures in my daily life.  Negril, Jamaica has been my spring break spot for the past 6 years.  It’s almost an automatic go to spot for me that most of my friends and family know about.

    This year, I took a different approach to spring break, and it turns out it was exactly what I needed.

    I must confess that I looked at traveling back down to Negril to stay at my favorite spot, Samsara, on the cliffs.  The thoughts of relaxing on the cliffs, drinking rum and finding new reggae spots were very appealing to me.  The idea of snorkeling, sun and escaping to Jamaica again sounded perfect.  I made a different decision this year, well to be totally honest I waited too late to book my Samsara stay and the resort was sold out for the days I wanted to visit.  I am a creature of habit and never considered staying anywhere else but Samsara.  Yes, Cathy, Samsara is my spot when I visit Negril. 😊

    So, spring break 2026 saw me put my Jamaica dreams on hold, I stayed home this year.  No flights, no passport, no getting through the customs process at the Sangster International Airport in Montego Bay.  No airport shuttle to take me to the West End of Jamaica and back home to Negril.  I was sad for a bit but viewed this as a new adventure.  There was no place to rush to, and I saw this as an opportunity to truly relax.  I’m not sure anyone has ever heard me say that phrase before. Fun fact, it can happen! 😊

    I thought about Jamaica a lot over spring break because I thought I was missing out on fun and adventure.  My new revelation during this time was I could slow down and still enjoy myself and it felt great!

    Morning routines became intentional instead of rushing to get somewhere. I woke up without an alarm, eased into the day, and allowed myself to just be. There was plenty of time to reflect, read, run and hit the gym.  There was no pressure to do it all, just the freedom to do what felt right in the moment.

    I experimented with a few new lunch spots in Fort Pierce to expand my rotation.  I’m not a foodie but this was an easy way to test out spots for a return trip in the future.  A big adventure for me was driving to Costco in Melbourne to walk around the warehouse.  It was a simple activity, but it was the highlight of my Wednesday afternoon. 😊

    My evenings were just as relaxing.  I was able to put my feet up and catch up on Amazon Prime movies.  I discovered I had access to a huge library of Kung Fu movies and watched them like a little kid.  No, I didn’t try to practice the fighting moves from the movies.  I’m a bit too old for that! 😊

    What I realized this spring break is that rest doesn’t have to be earned through travel or escape. Sometimes, the best thing you can do is stay still long enough to recharge from within.

    Jamaica will still be there. The beaches aren’t going anywhere. But this moment—this pause, this reset—that was something I needed this year.  This is a very simple concept but one that was necessary for me to live.

    Sometimes, the most powerful getaway… is staying right where you are.

    What are your thoughts?

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “Spring break is not a destination; it’s a state of mind.”

    (#ConnectEveryMoment)

  • Five Minute Thursday: Love running in cold weather

    “The cold clears your head.”

    (Anonymous)

    The Walk into the Future blog is my outlet to share my thoughts and have a creative outlet for my work.  I continue to amaze myself as I build content to share with my readers.  Who knew I had this much to say! 😊  I’m not this talkative in real life but I’m happy to have this platform to say what’s on my mind or highlight life adventures.  The Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt provides me with a new writing toy to continue to develop new levels to my writing process.

    This Five-Minute Thursday prompt is: I Love running in cold weather.

    Why do I Love Running in Cold Weather?

    There’s something special about stepping outside into crisp, cold air and starting a run. A lot of people stay indoors when cold temperatures arrive, but I head in the opposite direction—I lace up my shoes and embrace the chill. 😊

    Cold weather running feels refreshing in a way that’s hard to replicate. The air is clean and sharp, filling your lungs with every breath and waking up the senses. Unlike the heavy, humid heat, the cold keeps my body cool and this makes it easier to get into a rhythm and hit my mile markers on my daily runs.

    There’s also a mental edge to it. Running in the cold requires discipline, it’s my choice to get out and run in the cold. It’s easy to stay inside where it’s warm, but pushing past that comfort builds resilience. Every mile is a small victory, a reminder that growth often lives just outside of what feels easy.

    I also love the quiet that you get with cold weather. Cold mornings are still, with fewer people around and a sense of calm that’s hard to find at other times. It is just me, my breath, my Spotify playlist and the sound of my feet pounding the pavement—a moving meditation.

    Completing a run in cold weather is a form of celebration for me!  Finishing a cold run brings a deep sense of accomplishment. The warmth that follows, whether it’s a hot shower or a cup of coffee, feels earned in the best way.

    For me, cold weather running isn’t just about fitness, it’s about clarity, discipline, and finding energy in the elements. It’s a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding experiences come when you lean into discomfort instead of avoiding it.

    I don’t get a lot of cold weather runs in since I live in South Florida, but I enjoy the few weeks of cold running I get here.  I tend to head to northern states for my longer races with anticipation of racing in cold or cooler weather.  This works sometimes as I ran my half marathon PR in Hampton, New Hampshire in October 2025.  I ran my marathon PR in Atlantic City, New Jersey in October 2025.

    I’m heading to Louisville, Kentucky (April), Nashville, Tennessee (April), Lincoln, Nebraska (May), Indianapolis, Indiana, (May), Hampton, New Hampshire (October) and Atlantic City, New Jersey (October) to get in some cooler weather.  I’m looking forward to getting a few PRs in this race lineup this year.

    Fingers crossed! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “It’s only cold if you’re standing still.”

    (Pinterest)

  • Fargo in pictures

    My Walk into the Future allowed me to venture to Fargo, North Dakota to tackle another half marathon and live that running tourism life.

    Here are a few shots from my trip:

    Fargo Dome

    Downtown Fargo

    More of downtown Fargo

    Fargo alley art and a meal at the Jasper Hotel (I’m from Jasper, Florida) 🙂

    (Meal at the Pizza Ranch)

    (Pre-race views)

    (Victory!) 🙂

    Running season is here!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • Seaway Drive Bridge

    My Walk into the Future allows for numerous adventures I can share with my readers.

    Most of these adventures have something to do with travel for races and simply enjoying life.

    One of my newer adventures is leveraging the Seaway Drive Bridge as part of my race preparation.  I’ve written about this bridge briefly in a few blog articles.  There were days when I dreaded seeing or crossing the bridge in my training program.  My mindset saw this part of my training as a chore.  I decided to flip my mindset in 2025 and embrace the bridge as part of my regular training program.  I stopped dreading the bridge and started finding new ways to incorporate it into my race preparation.

    Most training plans call for runners to complete hill repeats to prepare for races.  There are no hills in Fort Pierce but there are several bridges. I began leveraging the Seaway Drive Bridge to complete my hill repeats last year.  The simple view is I would run from the west side of the bridge to the east side.  I take a short rest on the east side and then head back west.  Up and over, then back again—simple concept.  My goal most days is to repeat this process 10 times before I’m done.  One time over the bridge is approximately .75 miles.  I’m never concerned about time but need to get over and back to complete this workout.  I leverage the hill repeats on Sundays because Saturdays are for my long runs.

    I also incorporate the Seaway Drive Bridge as part of normal runs between 4 to 6 miles.  This is a good way to test my endurance as I start and finish these sessions with bridge incline work.  Some of my best run view photos have been taken at the top of this bridge.

    The results have been positive.  I completed the Nashville Half Marathon this year with minimal leg soreness.  I have also been faster with my race times this year.  I attribute both outcomes to added hill repeats to my training program.  No more days of avoiding the bridge—I’m excited to get my bridge repeats in now and will add more for future training sessions.

    What have you been avoiding that may help you move forward?  Time to get your hill repeats in!

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

  • Port St. Lucie (PSL) High School Leadership Awards

    “Leadership is the capacity to translate a vision into reality”.

    (Warren Bennis)

    My Walk into the Future provides outstanding opportunities for me to make a difference in the world.

    I rarely turn down a chance to speak to groups to help others move forward in life and help them prepare for career success. A work colleague recently asked me if I would be interested in speaking at the Port St. Lucie High School awards ceremony. I was honored with the request and said yes on the spot. I viewed this as an opportunity to reach back and help a group of young leaders on their journey after high school. 

    This was also a chance for me to work on new speaking material in case I’m asked to speak at graduation ceremonies in the future.  I’m always preparing for something.  There are times I should ask more questions before accepting these speaking gigs but more on that later. 😀

    My role as explained to me was to speak for 5 – 7 minutes and provide inspirational words to the award recipients and other attendees.  I was not familiar with PSL High School or the students there so I decided to focus on how they can implement a formula for success.  My plan was to use the success formula I was gifted while in the Air Force that I leverage daily.

    — Be where you’re supposed to be, doing what you’re supposed to be doing, when you’re supposed to be doing it.

    I’ve leverage this success formula for years and it’s helped me progress in my professional and personal life. My goal was to let students know it does not matter where you come from or how you start. Success is available to everyone if they have a goal and grit to strive towards it.

    I started with a little background on myself where I shared with the students my lack of success when I first started my educational journey.  I attended Lake City Community College right after high school, but I was not successful.  I shared that I’m probably the only person they will meet with a Ph. D. who flunked out of community college.  This allowed them to see failure can be a part of a successful life and professional journey. 

    My words were well received by the students, parents, staff and school administrators. I felt good about my message and how I delivered it.

    So, why should I have asked better questions prior to the speaking engagement? Great question Lynn! 😊

    Well, it turns out the high school principal was out unexpectedly, and they needed someone to fill in handing out awards and taking pictures with over 250 award recipients. Yes, I was elected to fill in for the principal and shake hands with each student that crossed the stage. I joke that it was a chore, but it was an amazing experience to greet the young people who got positive things accomplished during their time at PSL High School.

    The highlight for me was when a student with Down Syndrome won the most popular award and he hugged me when he came on stage. He was so excited, and his fellow students were thrilled for him.  He danced off stage after receiving his award and there were smiles on the face of everyone in attendance.

    My friend, Alisa, attended the event with me for support and ended up taking pictures for me to capture the great moments with the students.  We joked that she was my publicist, and several presenters asked her to take their pictures as well since they thought she did this for a living.  She enjoyed interacting with the audience and it was a great sport taking pictures for complete strangers. 😊

    This was a great experience for me and allowed me to spread Authentic Leadership to a new generation.

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way”.

    (John C. Maxwell)

  • Five-Minute Thursday: The Road to 1,500 (miles)

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    “I think goals should never be easy; they should force you to work, even if they are uncomfortable at the time”.

    (Michael Phelps)

    Maria, I agree, this Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt is here for the long run! 😊 This process continues to provide the Walk into the Future blog with additional outlets and enhances my ability to leverage topics quickly.

    Let’s give the Five-Minute Thursday prompt another run. 

    I shared that I create yearly goals for myself in early January to help guide me through the New Year.  My goals are broken up into different categories: reading, writing, travel, exercise, family, etc.  My 2024 running goal was to run 4 days a week with a target of 30 – 40 miles per week.

    The seventh prompt for Five-Minute Thursday is: 2024 Running Goals.

    My running focus was to get myself in great physical shape so I could improve my full marathon time.  I was able to train and complete multiple full marathons, but I knew there was another leverage of training I needed to reach. I didn’t just decide to increase my mileage but wanted to break down the process and ensure I could enjoy the training without injuring myself.

    The 4 day a week concept comes directly from my full marathon training program.  I ramped up my training once I entered the 18-week marathon training program in the past but decided to keep this volume for the entire year.  Seems simple but I didn’t want to leave anything to chance this year when it came to fitness and being ready for the 2024 Chicago Marathon.

    So, where does 1,500 in the article title come from?  Great question, Melissa! 😊

    I’m currently sitting at 1,548 training miles for 2024.  This is the highest amount of training miles I have completed since I started tracking my run progress.  I mixed in a few exercise bike miles in this total but 95% of my training was pounding the pavement or treadmill when the weather did not cooperate.  This additional mileage total correlates to my 2024 weight goal to get to and maintain 198 pounds.

    FYI—I did not write 1,500 down as a mileage goal but got to this number by meeting my goal to run 4 days weekly.  Incremental steps and going to bed at 8:30 pm nightly allowed me to get up and grind on my run days.

    Not sure how many miles I will log in 2025, but I have a great blueprint on the correct way to increase mileage without injuring myself.

    Let’s thrive in 25! 😊

    Irie!

    Calvin Williams

    “If you aim at nothing, you’ll hit it every time”.

    (Unknown)

  • Five-Minute Thursday: 2024 Fitness

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    “The successful warrior is the average man with laser-like focus”.

    (Bruce Lee)

    Let’s give the Five-Minute Thursday writing prompt another run.  I’m starting to love the simplicity of this writing concept and having fun generating content for the Walk into the Future blog.

    My fitness journey primarily chronicles my running program and the tourism opportunities this brings to me throughout the year.  I also write about being goals oriented but, I don’t believe I ever identified one of my 2024 goals was to get to and maintain my body weight at 198 pounds or less. 

    The sixth prompt for Five-Minute Thursday is: 2024 Fitness.

    My normal weight over the past three years was right around 205 pounds.  This was fine as I increased my running program and got a bit more serious with my marathon pursuits.  I completed marathons in 2022 and 2023 with my weight at 205 pounds.  I was able to get the training done but wondered what would happen if I trained AND got my weight down a bit.  I set my weight goal back in January 2024 and put effort to meet and/or exceed the goal this year.

    I started January 2024 at 203 pounds after taking three weeks off from running after my 2023 Garden of Life Marathon in December 2023.  I reevaluated my training program and my diet to determine the adjustments I needed to get my weight down.  Again, I was not looking to lose substantial weight, but I wanted to get down to see how it impacted my daily life and fitness levels.

    I changed my diet and decided to stay out of the drive-through lines more in 2024. Yes, I write about my running program, but my diet has never been the greatest over the years.  Also, it is so easy to hit a drive through after work instead of going home and cooking.  I didn’t eliminate this process completely, but I put a huge dent in making these stops on the way home.  I got more use out of my grill in 2024, and this helped me with better meals throughout the year.   

    I also rededicated myself to following my training programs especially with my 2024 Chicago Marathon 18-week training process.  My goal for this training block was to not miss a session to ensure that I give maximum effort to get ready for the Chicago Marathon.  I only used the exercise bike as a warmup for my runs—this was a bit different from previous cycles. I also adjusted my bedtime to 8:30 pm daily and woke up at 4:30 am to ensure I had time for morning runs before work.  Going to bed at a consistent time helped me get prepared to get up and run in the morning. 

    The 18-week marathon training plan increased my mileage weekly, and I incorporated additional mileage in my training process.  I’m on pace to finish 2024 with over 1,500 training miles which would be 300 miles over my previous maximum running year. 

    Fast forward—I got down to 192.5 pounds on 9/14/2024 and ran the 2024 Chicago Marathon at 197 on 10/13/2024. I’ve consistently met my goal to stay under 198 this year.  My fitness levels are much higher within this weight range.  Fun fact—I have started to order new pants since my old ones don’t fit as well now. 😊

    Not trying to get down more but want to maintain this new level of fitness and keep my weight right around the 195 – 198 range.  My friend Lynn calls me skinny now—not sure I agree but I have a new level of fitness and I’m happy with it. 😊

    What 2024 goal are you proud of accomplishing?

    Irie!

    “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be”.

    (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

  • 2024 Marathon Training (32 – 0)

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    “You don’t stay undefeated without being a little stubborn”.

    (Andre Ward)

    32 – 0!  Yes, I’m going to claim an undefeated marathon training record at this point of the cycle.

    You may be wondering what the heck I’m talking about—happy to explain! 😊

    I just completed Week #8 of my 2024 Chicago Marathon training cycle:  https://www.instagram.com/chimarathon/?hl=en.  The training schedule has me running multiple distances Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday.  8 weeks times 4 days per week = 32 training sessions so far.  32 – 0.

    I am showcasing the 32 – 0 record because I have not missed a training session, projected mileage or hit the snooze button once so far in this training cycle.  I’ve trained for 2 other marathons over the past few seasons but have never displayed this level of consistency and commitment to the process.  I want to see a ton of improvement in how I perform on race day in Chicago and dedicating the proper energy into my training program is my way to build towards the big day.

    Will I remain undefeated?  No idea but I plan to continue to put the effort into this training cycle to build physical and mental strength to guide me in Chicago.  Training is going well as I hit my mileage markers daily but need to incorporate more speed work into the program.  My future Wednesday morning runs are designed to run at 2024 Chicago Marathon pace so this will force me to begin to work on my stride to generate speed.  Excited to start targeting marathon goal paces to mentally prepare for the full grind of 26.2 miles.  I know I can complete the distance, but this year is all about going a bit faster than before.  I’m projecting to have a finish time with a ‘4’ in front of it (4:35, 4:41, 4:59)—I will share my goal time the week of the Chicago Marathon.  Yes, I have a projected goal time I’m targeting.  Melissa—can you guess the time? 😊

    Here’s my weekly progress so far:

    Week 541.67
    Week 633.61
    Week 734.11
    Week 850.26
    Total159.65

    The weekly mileage has gone up from the previous updates.  This will continue through Week #15 before the mileage starts to taper down.  The full marathon taper process will start in Week #17 and continue until marathon race day.  My previous marathon training cycle had me competing in the OUC Half Marathon the week prior.  Not sure if this helped or hurt my race day performance but I will not repeat this process again for the Chicago Marathon.

    Can I stay undefeated and make it to 72 – 0?  Great question!

    Thanks for joining me on this training cycle!

    Irie!

    “I don’t think being undefeated is going to determine my greatness”.

    (Mikey Garcia)