I started running in summer of 2012 and I ran my 1st Boston Marathon in 2022.  I plan to be back in the not too distant future!

Running is a sort of therapy for me, where I am in my own world, processing every aspect of my life—I am a better husband, father and friend because of running.  Running blended seamlessly into my love for travel; running has taken me to parts of this beautiful world that I probably would never have explored. The first thing I do whenever I am in a new city/town is to run it; try it, you will be amazed how much we miss by just driving through everywhere.

Running has broadened my social network, and has led to forming – life-long friendships and great support network of wonderful humans to draw on.  Last but not least—running has made me a stronger person—physically and mentally; I started taking high BP meds when I was as young as 16 years of old (high BP runs in my family); and I am over 40 years now, and have not taken a single high bp medication in over 11 years!

Never ignore all the basics—proper form, the right gear, proper training, proper nutrition and adequate rest/recovery.  With running, the best advice is to listen to your body; do not try to do it because someone else did it. Discover what works best for you and flow with it; that way, you will truly continue to love running and be out there doing it for a lifetime. 

That day in 2013 that I did not listen to my body: I share this story as caution to new runners—my first race was MetroPCS Dallas Half-marathon in December of 2012 which I did without much guide or mentoring from anyone. My second race was on October 26, 2013, where I decided that I would run a sub 2 hours half-marathon without training for it. I was on track to do that. It was a very hot day in Dallas with high humidity. I did not properly hydrate and my body was screaming for any liquid. At mile 13.08, right before the finish line, in full view of my wonderful wife, Amaka, and our then 2 years old son, I passed out; I literally just stopped and dropped to the ground.  After my wife shared with me the agony she went through at that particular moment believing that I had died in front of her and our son, I made a vow to her to always stop at water station, and I have kept that vow in all my races from then on. I am not telling you this story so that you stop pushing yourself, please do challenge yourself, you should always draw from what others are accomplishing and push yourself for more, I still do, however never ignore the signs from your body. Listen to your body!