Information for 2012 OTM hopefuls
Nate Pennington-from 2:40's to 2:19
I think creating a site like this is crucial to american distance running. I ran track and field in high school with PRs of 1:59 for 800m, 4:24 for 1600m and 9:46 for 3200m...running the marathon back than was something I NEVER dreamt of doing. I ran for malone college from 1995-2000 and didnt produce the greatest of times but have always believed running performance doesnt come overnight. I ran 15:19 for 5K, 24:32 for 8K and 8:41 for the indoor 3K, 4:18 for the mile in college..long distance running was not something I got into until my senior year in college running a time trial Jack Hazen set up for us. It was a half-marathon in which I ran 1:11:36. A time which would stand until I met Lisa Rainsberger(formerly weidenbach). I joined the military (Army) in 2002 and ran a than PR time of 53:12 taking 21st place. I was asked by the than army world class program sports specialist if I wanted to run the New York City Marathon as a member of the armed forces marathon team. Of course, I agreed seeing they were going to put me up in the Plaza Hotel in downtown manhattan for free for a week and even more importantly I was going to represent the armed forces and our troops. I was picked up in a limo at the airport and treated incredibly well. The catch was the race was for charity, we were to start in last place, wait until every runner had crossed the start line and I mean EVERY runner and than and only than were we permitted to start the race. It was for Lung Cancer Research and for every runner we passed Chase Manhattan Bank was donating $1 to LCR. I started in 32,189th place and finished as the top armed forces runner in a time of 2:43:36 in 253rd place.
I would not be sharing this story unless I felt it would motivate every runner who comes to this site to believe in what others think is unachievable. I still remember in that race I was 16:00 at the mile mark, yes 16minutes flat! I bobbed and weaved and rushed as fast I could to get out of the huge ocean of people to finally start running instead of saying, 'excuse me'. I have continued to run since I have been in the military. I deployed to Kuwait in 2003 when the war began and was running near a 100 miles a week in the desert. My command thought I was nutts getting up at 4am every morning to beat the extreme heat and humidity of the middle east running before work, than work a 12 hour shift, than run again after work (falling asleep a few times on the treadmill, will never forget it). I would tip toe out of the tent while everyone else was sleeping because I believed in what I wanted to do. I was supported by my chain of command and was afforded the opportunity to compete in the 2003 Army Ten Miler and despite 12 hours shifts and 7-days-a-week work weeks. I flew from Kuwait to Washington DC to run a small PR of 53:06 in 15th place. I went on to compete in the 2004 Army Ten Miler and finished in 12th place with a than PR of 51:51. Major Dan Browne of the Oregon National Guard and now my army world class athlete program teammate was broke the course record in 47:30 that day. I got humbled that day but I havent forgot!!!!
I was afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to 'conditionally' be accepted into the elite army world class athlete program in Feb of 2007. The point in me taking the time to write this is stick to your game plan, surround yourselves with 'believers' and know that running is progressive. I think it is important for runners who have shown potential to hear this. There will not be overnight success but if you keep putting in the miles, the time and sweat you put in is eventually going to pay off. I knew after running 2:43:36 at the 2002 New York City Marathon, although from a horrific starting point, the fact that I could get under 2:44 in such a place, possibly the marathon down the road may be my race. I am coached by the last american female to win the Boston Marathon (Lisa Rainsberger..formerly Weidenbach). She was the first coach who urged me to get my blood ferritin checked. I would advice any of you if your having problems in training to ensure your iron levels are in healthy status. You can be motivated all you want but if your not physiologically healthy it will be tough to get the results your looking for. I learned this the hard way at the 2007 Grandmas Marathon. I PR'd that day in 2:40:02, not much of an improvement but I was 1:10:32 through the half and by mile 18(still on 2:27 marathon pace) I was walking and jogging all the way to the finish. The cause, literally no iron stores in my body. I had a blood ferritin level of 18ng/ml..aweful!
I came to the army world class athlete program aiming for the old B standard time of 2:22:00. I was having the best workouts of my life here in colorado springs and the results began to show. I ran a huge PR for the half marathon at the 2007 Philadelphia Distance Classic in 1:07:06 as the 4th american in as well as setting a PR through 10 miles in that race in 50:01 (yes I crashed and burned but I went for it that day, live and learn). I knew after that race that becoming an Olympic Trials qualifer could happen. I aimed on nailing down the 2:22:00 time at the 2007 Chicago Marathon and was fitter than I ever had been in my life. I was doing 20 mile runs at over 6000ft at 5:39 per mile pace prior to Chicago but unfortunately we ran into the worst heat in the history of the chicago marathon in 2007 and I went from 1:11 through the half to 2:51:51 for the finish. I walked and slowly jogged from mile 15 to the finish. I had to finish the race because the wcap program payed my way. These are the things news reporters, running commentators, letsrun.com cannot possibly see. I talked things over with Lisa, we knew based on my workouts that time was bound to come. We regrouped and after taking 4 days off after Chicago I began training for the 2007 California International Marathon. Long story short. I got the damn time and I not only broke 2:22, but 2:20 finishing in 2:19:35 in 4th place and as the top american. 2:43:36 in 2002 was my start, than 2:40:02 at the 2007 Grandmas Marathon in a badly anemic state to 2:19:35. I was 51:26 through 10 miles, 1:07:09 through the half (just 3 seconds slower than my personal best for the half marathon distance), still on 2:16:15 marathon pace through 20 miles(1:44:05) (5:11 mile pace) but bombed the last 10K. I came around the corner with 2:19:12 on the clock....
..so all this being said..this story should keep you motivated even if your a 2:40's marathoner..don't place anyone on a pedestal..My last race was the 2008 25K National Championships where I placed 17th in a slowish 1:21:33(I was 1:18:54 through 25K in my 2:19 marathon) and will be completing my army officer training from 7 June through 16 September before returning back to the world class athlete program as a 'qualified' Soldier-athlete 1 October. I know great track athletes, great road runners I have lived and trained with who never ran 2:19. It took motivation, a shit load of work and belief in what I was doing and advice from a great coach and runner to get me to the next level. 2:12 Kenyan marathoner Gilbert Rutto told me while I was in college, "Nate, if you keep training one day you will be elite". I say the same to each of you visiting this site, regardless of what your marathon PR is. KEEP TRAINING! My next marathon will be the Lake Biwa Marathon in Osaka in March of 2010 with aims of breaking 2:17:00. The critics can talk all they want but I am the one who has been invited by the Japanese to race. Listen to those of us who give a shit, listen to your coach, your gut and you will get your result. My goal is not to make an olympic trials standard, its to make the damn team and if your going to aim for the Trials you might as well think "why not me" for the 2012 Olympic Team. The very best marathoners in the united states hurt and bleed red like us. Im not putting anyone on a pedestal!!!!! I believe in what all of you are trying to do cause I have lived it and I have dealt with others who feel they need to state their opinions of how fast they 'think' you should be able to run..well to hell with that, believe in your training, you have got to be nutts and truly hungry to jump to the next level.
Godspeed and Good Luck to you all. See you on the line in 2012.
2LT Nate Pennington
Army World Class Athlete Program
Colorado Springs, Colorado
www.natepennington.blogspot.com
I would not be sharing this story unless I felt it would motivate every runner who comes to this site to believe in what others think is unachievable. I still remember in that race I was 16:00 at the mile mark, yes 16minutes flat! I bobbed and weaved and rushed as fast I could to get out of the huge ocean of people to finally start running instead of saying, 'excuse me'. I have continued to run since I have been in the military. I deployed to Kuwait in 2003 when the war began and was running near a 100 miles a week in the desert. My command thought I was nutts getting up at 4am every morning to beat the extreme heat and humidity of the middle east running before work, than work a 12 hour shift, than run again after work (falling asleep a few times on the treadmill, will never forget it). I would tip toe out of the tent while everyone else was sleeping because I believed in what I wanted to do. I was supported by my chain of command and was afforded the opportunity to compete in the 2003 Army Ten Miler and despite 12 hours shifts and 7-days-a-week work weeks. I flew from Kuwait to Washington DC to run a small PR of 53:06 in 15th place. I went on to compete in the 2004 Army Ten Miler and finished in 12th place with a than PR of 51:51. Major Dan Browne of the Oregon National Guard and now my army world class athlete program teammate was broke the course record in 47:30 that day. I got humbled that day but I havent forgot!!!!
I was afforded a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to 'conditionally' be accepted into the elite army world class athlete program in Feb of 2007. The point in me taking the time to write this is stick to your game plan, surround yourselves with 'believers' and know that running is progressive. I think it is important for runners who have shown potential to hear this. There will not be overnight success but if you keep putting in the miles, the time and sweat you put in is eventually going to pay off. I knew after running 2:43:36 at the 2002 New York City Marathon, although from a horrific starting point, the fact that I could get under 2:44 in such a place, possibly the marathon down the road may be my race. I am coached by the last american female to win the Boston Marathon (Lisa Rainsberger..formerly Weidenbach). She was the first coach who urged me to get my blood ferritin checked. I would advice any of you if your having problems in training to ensure your iron levels are in healthy status. You can be motivated all you want but if your not physiologically healthy it will be tough to get the results your looking for. I learned this the hard way at the 2007 Grandmas Marathon. I PR'd that day in 2:40:02, not much of an improvement but I was 1:10:32 through the half and by mile 18(still on 2:27 marathon pace) I was walking and jogging all the way to the finish. The cause, literally no iron stores in my body. I had a blood ferritin level of 18ng/ml..aweful!
I came to the army world class athlete program aiming for the old B standard time of 2:22:00. I was having the best workouts of my life here in colorado springs and the results began to show. I ran a huge PR for the half marathon at the 2007 Philadelphia Distance Classic in 1:07:06 as the 4th american in as well as setting a PR through 10 miles in that race in 50:01 (yes I crashed and burned but I went for it that day, live and learn). I knew after that race that becoming an Olympic Trials qualifer could happen. I aimed on nailing down the 2:22:00 time at the 2007 Chicago Marathon and was fitter than I ever had been in my life. I was doing 20 mile runs at over 6000ft at 5:39 per mile pace prior to Chicago but unfortunately we ran into the worst heat in the history of the chicago marathon in 2007 and I went from 1:11 through the half to 2:51:51 for the finish. I walked and slowly jogged from mile 15 to the finish. I had to finish the race because the wcap program payed my way. These are the things news reporters, running commentators, letsrun.com cannot possibly see. I talked things over with Lisa, we knew based on my workouts that time was bound to come. We regrouped and after taking 4 days off after Chicago I began training for the 2007 California International Marathon. Long story short. I got the damn time and I not only broke 2:22, but 2:20 finishing in 2:19:35 in 4th place and as the top american. 2:43:36 in 2002 was my start, than 2:40:02 at the 2007 Grandmas Marathon in a badly anemic state to 2:19:35. I was 51:26 through 10 miles, 1:07:09 through the half (just 3 seconds slower than my personal best for the half marathon distance), still on 2:16:15 marathon pace through 20 miles(1:44:05) (5:11 mile pace) but bombed the last 10K. I came around the corner with 2:19:12 on the clock....
..so all this being said..this story should keep you motivated even if your a 2:40's marathoner..don't place anyone on a pedestal..My last race was the 2008 25K National Championships where I placed 17th in a slowish 1:21:33(I was 1:18:54 through 25K in my 2:19 marathon) and will be completing my army officer training from 7 June through 16 September before returning back to the world class athlete program as a 'qualified' Soldier-athlete 1 October. I know great track athletes, great road runners I have lived and trained with who never ran 2:19. It took motivation, a shit load of work and belief in what I was doing and advice from a great coach and runner to get me to the next level. 2:12 Kenyan marathoner Gilbert Rutto told me while I was in college, "Nate, if you keep training one day you will be elite". I say the same to each of you visiting this site, regardless of what your marathon PR is. KEEP TRAINING! My next marathon will be the Lake Biwa Marathon in Osaka in March of 2010 with aims of breaking 2:17:00. The critics can talk all they want but I am the one who has been invited by the Japanese to race. Listen to those of us who give a shit, listen to your coach, your gut and you will get your result. My goal is not to make an olympic trials standard, its to make the damn team and if your going to aim for the Trials you might as well think "why not me" for the 2012 Olympic Team. The very best marathoners in the united states hurt and bleed red like us. Im not putting anyone on a pedestal!!!!! I believe in what all of you are trying to do cause I have lived it and I have dealt with others who feel they need to state their opinions of how fast they 'think' you should be able to run..well to hell with that, believe in your training, you have got to be nutts and truly hungry to jump to the next level.
Godspeed and Good Luck to you all. See you on the line in 2012.
2LT Nate Pennington
Army World Class Athlete Program
Colorado Springs, Colorado
www.natepennington.blogspot.com
Comment
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Comment by Rocky Wing on September 1, 2009 at 12:16pm - this totally inspires me. thanks much. i'm going for. there. i've said it. now i'm going to do it. thanks for this community.
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Comment by Nate Pennington on May 31, 2009 at 11:20pm -
Jesse,
Thanks for the comment. The running public needs to realize that Ryan Hall (although I have to say he is an incredibly hard working and gifted runner) and Dathan Ritzenhein are not the only dangerous runners out there training hard. I put the Billy Mills video up on my blog for a reason. I think anyone fighting to get the Trials standard or to make the team is a warrior. I am still contemplating the 2009 CIM Marathon..hope to see you all in 2012. Nate
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Comment by Jesse Armijo on May 31, 2009 at 9:57pm -
Guys,
This is a great story, I think I've read your blogs Nate, and they have been really inspiring. I am very excited to see more guys involved on this site and motivating each other to that standard! Good luck guys.
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Comment by Nate Pennington on May 30, 2009 at 11:04pm
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Dave,
Based off your PRs you have all the tools to run a time of 2:18 or better. Im glad you enjoyed the story and hope it will motivate you to get your time. This is one of the biggest rewards of running to my potential, seeing others say, "hey if he did it why can't I"..I think that way about the very best in the world..if others have broke 2:10 (my career goal) 'why can't I'...noone is stopping us but ourselves so we have to surround ourselves with people who are a little nutts in their thinking..thats when big things happen with motivation.
Best Wishes,
Nate Pennington
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Comment by Dave Holt on May 30, 2009 at 4:53pm - I love the determination - I don't have great speed, have never been, nor will ever be talked about in papers and on the internet - but I've got the determination and I AM going to hit that 2:18! Thanks for this site and thanks Paul for steering me here - to me it means that some one else who I really admire thinks I've got a chance too!
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