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My name is Eugene S., and it's been 28 years since my last marathon. 


I'm 49 now, and I have set my sights on running the 


A lot has changed  since I ran the first TCM in 1982. Marathons have been run in the Twin Cities since 1963. The Land of Lakes Marathon became the City of Lakes Marathon in 1976 and in 1982 changed to the present-day Twin Cities Marathon.


In my day, running a marathon was a relatively new phenomenon in the general public. Until the running boom of the 1970s, marathon running was something relegated to elite world class runners or fringe endurance freaks. I don't know what changed -- maybe TV coverage of the Olympics helped to glamorize the sport? Eventually it became a quest for some average citizens to be able just to cross the finish line of the 26.2 mile run.


In the early spring of 1982 I was in my first year of sobriety, and took up running not so much because I wanted to be a good runner, or because I was seeking some sort of spiritual enlightenment, but for a more pedestrian motive. One of my counselors, an overweight, middle-aged fellow, bragged about his endurance accomplishments -- running, hiking, mountain climbing, etc. I thought: If that fat SOB can run a marathon, I can too.


There was still snow on the ground around Medicine Lake on the March morning when I set out for my first run. I did not have running shoes or clothes, so I ran in what I had: combat boots, fatigue pants, T-shirt and fatigue jacket, hat and gloves. The fatigues were leftovers from my stint in the Air Force.


On my first run I made it about 400 yards into the woods, high-stepping through the foot-deep snow. That was about my limit; I stopped and gasped for air. I was still a pack-and-a-half-a-day smoker. Running, walking, and running again, I may have covered a mile that first day.


But it felt good to have accomplished something positive before most people had started their day, and it gave my self-esteem a boost. I continued this morning ritual, on and off. Later that spring I impressed my chubby counselor by keeping up with him on a 4-mile run. 


I made the mistake of opening my big mouth and spouting off to a group of friends that I was going to run in the Twin Cities Marathon in the fall. I did not know what I was getting myself into. 


That spring and summer I continued to run on a semi-regular basis, and I even entered a couple of 10K races and one half-marathon. Then came a rainy August, the emotional ups and downs of early sobriety, a new job, a new living situation, a new roommate ...  and I was not doing much running.


Recently I reread a journal entry from 1982, a few days before the marathon, in which I lament that I did not do much running in August or September. I was feeling a bit anxious about the marathon, but I had said I was going to run it. I was committed.


I finished in 3:27:17. Impressive time? Maybe; I was 21 years old. I hit the wall at the 20-mile mark, had leg cramps, and ran-walked the last 6 miles. One of the first things I did after the race was to smoke a cigarette. (Over the next couple of years I continued running and smoking. Eventually I quit smoking.) 


In 1984 I managed to finagle my way into the College of St. Thomas. I ran on the cross country team for two years. Then came marriage, full-time work, graduate school, children -- and running was crowded out of my life. Over the years I made sporadic attempts to get back into it, but my efforts never lasted longer than a month or two. 


Every year on marathon day I would stay in my house, brooding, while throngs of runners passed by not more than a block away.


This year the running bug bit me again. My two girls are in college, the boys are in eighth grade and I have more time. So I signed up for the 2010 TCM, and once again opened my big mouth. I figured that if I was going to run another marathon, it would not be to just finish; it had to be something spectacular. I announced, "I will qualify for the 


What will it take for a 49-year-old male to qualify for Boston? A time of 3 hours and 30 minutes.  I will have to run this TCM within 2:43 of the time I ran 28 years ago. 


Again, in March, I started running. There was still snow on the ground, but now there are nicely paved public paths to run on. I have good running shoes and other gear. But as before, I was not able to go more than a quarter-mile without having to stop and walk. But I knew the drill: Run, walk, run, and in time I would be able to run continuously.


By spring I was able to run 3-5 miles continuously, but I needed a plan.


A few Google searches led to an explosion of running/marathon information, training programs, nutrition programs, hydration belts, GPS watches, special clothes, gel packs, etc. Who knew there was so much involved in just running?


While I was busy raising a family, whole industries sprouted up to promote and support runners. There are marathon-training programs, prescriptions for daily mileage, speed workouts and cross training. On my long runs I wear a Nathan Hydration belt, my water is fortified with NUUN electrolyte hydration tablets, and I have tried PowerBar and Clif Shot gel packs (not for me). To set my pace and log my miles I use a Garmin GPS watch while listening to custom-made music tracks, combining music, 90bpm cadence and a running mantra on an iPod shuffle. I have traded in my clingy cotton T-shirts for high-tech moisture-wicking shirts.


I listen to running podcasts, read running blogs and watch YouTube videos of marathons.
I read books on running, go to bed early and do stretching exercises. I follow the running formulas and prescriptions as best as I can. I have run training distances of 10, 12, 15, 18 and 20 miles. I am more prepared for this marathon than for any race I have ever run.


I just don't know what this 49 year old body will deliver on race day. 


Eugene Samuel, Minneapolis, emigrated from Trinidad in 1969. He works in information technology, specializing in health care systems. He is a source in MPR's Public Insight Network.

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Eugene Samuel

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The demands of a full life crowded running out of his schedule. Now he returns to find the sport has changed.

28 years after his first marathon, he's ready to try again

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