So I didn't qualify for the Boston Marathon. I didn't run terrible, but I kind of stopped caring about my time after realizing I wasn't going to make 3:10. I ended up with 3:24 which isn't bad and I did end up in 156/3148 so it actually sounds better than it is in my mind. Here's a picture from the race. I also included a post race shot so you can actually see my hair in the back.
If the photos don't work, here's a link to them.
Congratulations Garth! Just completing a marathon is quite an accomplishment let alone putting in a great time. You finished in the top 5% of the competitors! And your hair looks quite good in that last photo.
Bruce
Thanks. Since I started the segmented pony tail while running my hair has been much easier to manage after races.
Hey Garth,awesome lookin' pony in that last pic my friend:)Also your marathon time is not at all bad, however its too bad you came a little short to qualify for Boston.Well with a bit more training I'm sure you can try again and make it easily.Looks like a fun day.Cheers
Mark
Thanks. I'll see how the next one goes. Maybe try out a flatter course. Baltimore has a lot of hills.
I was wondering how you did, although you didn't make it for the Boston marathon you did run a great race. You're one of the best in the race!
Lol at the second picture, I hope it was takes after you knew you were not gonna make your goal time.
I wear my hair the same way with running so it won't tangle or bother me.
My half marathon also went great, I ran 1:47 which I very glad with. Good luck with your running, I know you will make you goals if you keep training just stay positive!
Thanks. The picture was early in the race, when I was still feeling really good and fresh. After mile 20 I didn't want to pose for pictures because I was feeling pretty lousy. Good to hear your half went well.
You might want to consider just running normal and not posing for a picture. A marathon is about conversing energy for the last and hardest part. Everything you can do to conserve energy is more energy for the last part.
When you are running for over 3 hours, a split second picture pose isn't going to make a difference, it's not like a 100m. It's not like if I didn't pose for pictures, I'd shave 10 minutes off my time. Besides isn't it supposed to be fun?
Well I take running very serious that's my way of making fun.
Every hobby I have I take serious and want the best result possible. But your right if that's what makes you have fun go ahead!
Hey Garth,
Looks like you enjoyed it! Your hair looked good segmented.
Pleasure to Kill, by the way? Hehe.
Hegg
Thanks. Yes, Pleasure to Kill. I had to represent for the metal community, since no one else was going to do it. Haha. I actually did have one guy yell out "KREATOR" as he passed me. It was cool, minus the fact I was getting passed.
Hey Garth. Congrats on placing in the top 5%! Not bad timing at all. It looks like you were having fun. Do you know how you placed in your age group?
Pictures look great. BTW, do you carry a permit for those big guns?
Take care my friend.
Thanks. I ended up 22/172 for my division. There's a lot of fast people in the 20-25 group. I couldn't wear something with sleeves, otherwise people might think I'm a girl from the back. Haha.
What are you talking about dude? You are quite buff, obviously... What are your stats? From previous pictures I assumed you were about 6' tall.
Hey, I think the beard looks really good this time around. I remember you've tried it before and share a picture with us.
I'm only 5'6" so I guess sometimes think that means I'm short enough to be a girl. So yeah, not even close to 6'. I wish I were a little taller.
Ha, ha, you are too funny. Height is not everything my friend. You look great and obviously work hard on keeping a healthy lifestyle. I just got back from running my daily 10 miles and today was a yucky rainy morning. Keep us posted on your progress.
Congrats ! It's not bad at all, in my opinion :) Hopefully, next year you'll be qualified.
Nice way to tie your hair, by the way; suits you well, so the beard does. I'm also surprised to see how muscled you are. I guess I have to do more exercise :D
Bye
Vivien
Thanks. I'm getting a lot of good feedback on the beard, which I actually think looks better when my hair is tied back. It's funny, I don't really think of my hair being that long or myself being all that muscular until I see myself in pictures. I guess the camera adds the ten pounds in the right places.
Well Done !!
I am impressed on so many levels...I did not realize your hair was that long, the facial hair works well, your running numbers are fantastic, you look great and obviously you are having fun.
Great smile !!
Thanks for Sharing
Walter
Thanks. I think my hair looks longer when tied back. The beard is nice for people to know I'm not a woman. Haha.
But next year? Prediction: you will! :-)
Your hair is so fabulous and you keep it in great order while running. ATT: Others that always complain.........look at these photos with care, for THIS is what you need to do.
Thanks for the posting Garth.
Justin~
Thanks. I'm thinking of trying again on a flatter course to try and qualify. I'll see what I decide. I agree, and I feel like I should keep this picture handy to show people how to wear long hair when you exercise. If it's good enough to run 26.2 miles with, it should be good enough for anything else someone's doing.
ATT: Others that always complain.........look at these photos with care, for THIS is what you need to do.
Hey top 5% isn't a bad achievement... I agree the tail and the beard look good on you.
Thanks. I'm thinking of keeping the beard a while longer, since I've been getting really good feedback on it.
Hey congratulations! I wouldn't be able to run a marathon at all! I would die before finishing or arrive last.
Great looking ponytail too!!!
-Andrea
Thanks. Yeah I've been running competitively for over 8 years now. It really takes your body a long time to even be able to train properly for marathons without breaking down or getting injured. It response to your picture with Corpsegrinder, who was playing with them?
Great job...at least you had enough energy to put a smile for the photo...:-)
BTW great midback hair and segmented ponytail looks sport
Thanks. There were plenty of photos were I looked like I was about to die, but I obviously didn't want to show those.
By the way, Garth, how many feet or meters did you run in that qualifying race? How did you know you were not going to finish in 3:10? I had ran cross country, but I may not be a good bet for a marathon race as well. But being in the top 156 out of 3148 (that is in the top 5% approx.) is impressive. How many people beat the race in 3:10 and made it to the marathon?
The photos worked, by the way.
Matthew
Thanks. Well it's a marathon, so it's always going to be 26.2 miles. I slipped way off pace at around mile 20 and knew there was no way I was going to be able to make up time. I knew ahead of time what my mile splits needed to be. Even though my splits were under what they needed to be for about 15 miles, I knew that my splits for the next 5 were getting progressively slower and at mile 20 I realized there was no way I'd be able to make it in time to qualify. I needed to keep a 7:15 pace, but I ended up with a 7:47 pace. Not bad, but not what I wanted and needed to qualify to run at Boston. I'm not sure how many people ended up qualifying for the Boston Marathon. The time is also a lot slower for girls.
Great job Garth! Lot of work and a great accomplishment. You don't even look to wore out in the pictures which is good! An inspiration for many I am sure. Congrats again and take care!
Thanks. I look very worn out in the pictures during the last few miles. Obviously I didn't show those to you guys though. Haha.
Quite cool!! And the beard looks good on you.
Thanks. I'm liking the beard more and more actually.
Thanks.
Just to finish a marathon is quite an accomplishment but you posted an excellent time that you should truly be proud of even if it wasn't a qualifying time for Boston.
Your hair looks awesome in the segmented tail and I'm sure that style served you well while running such a long distance.
Thanks Jason. I have to say that the segmented pony tail is so much better. It literally saves hours of time getting knots out of my hair.
Hey Garth,
I'm sure next year you will make the time.
I have to say your hair looks good in a tail and I didn't realize how ripped you are ! I'll remember not to mess with you.
P.S.also great shirt
Mike
Thanks Mike. Yeah I have to wear my hair in a tail at work too, so it's good that it looks nice that way.