Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Kevin “Marathon” Green March Athlete of the Month


Kevin Green
Athlete of the Month
Boston Qualifier at Cowtown Marathon 
3:02.59
Kevin “Marathon” Green 

WR:  Hey Kevin, congratulations on meeting the Boston Qualifying time standard  at the Cowtown Marathon last month.  Let’s back up and tell us how you got started on this running journey to begin with? 

KG:  You all know me as the guy who qualified for the Boston Marathon on February 24th 2019. What you don't know is the life i lived before my running journey and the road I traveled to get where I'm at today. In my early 20's I dropped out of college and began life on my own not knowing what I wanted in life at all. I also began drinking alcohol and I drank a lot. Seemed like everyday I was drinking. As the problem continued, I fell in depression for a long time and I hid it well. March 13th 2013 little did I know my life would change. I got into some legal trouble involving alcohol and it took me to the bottom of the pit in life where I didn't want to be. Taking responsibility of my actions I knew things had to change. Drinking to continued for a couple more weeks until 1 particular night I was sitting outside my friends house drinking and out of nowhere I began to cry like a baby for about 20 minutes or so. Then a thought of running a Marathon came to mind. I threw my last beer away and asked God to take alcohol out of my life and asked him to start working in my life as well. The next morning I began my Marathon journey and it was very hard. I ran my 1st half marathon in 1:45 and some change and my 1st Marathon in 2016 in 4 hours. After my 1st Marathon I wasn't satisfied so I set a goal not only to run another but to qualify for Boston. I failed to reach my Boston goal 4 times. 2 of which I dropped out of the Marathons. After all the frustration I reached out to Coach William and he lead me to Coach Garrett. When Coached Garrett took over he only had about 7 weeks to train me before the Cowtown Marathon arrived. After all the proper training from Coach Garrett, Cowtown Marathon was here. The Morning of the race I woke up and when my feet hit the floor I knew something special was going to happen. I got to the starting line and off we were. I felt incredible till mile 23 and I began to get tired and my foot was in some pain. I knew I was very close to getting the Boston qualifying time so I began to pray and I asked God to help me to the finish line. As I seen the clock nearing the finish line I was overwhelmed. I finally had qualified for the Boston Marathon. I cried in happiness walking to get my finishers shirt.  Now here I am still overwhelmed of the finishing time of 3:02:59 and a 14 minute p.r. Today I'm 4 years and 6 months sober living for Jesus Christ our Lord and sharing my testimony. I give God the credit of what has taken place throughout my Boston journey. Now I must train to run Boston to end the journey for my 1st trip to Boston.

WR:  Wow...Kevin. This is probably one of the bests I’ve heard.  Drinking every day took you to your worst in life and I’m assuming you were surrounded by the not the most positive people. We’re you exposed to running before that night that a marathon came to your mind or did you know some one or have some prior exposure? 

KG: High school running thats it. Marathon running just hit me that night. Then next thing I know I'm running and living for God and surrounding myself with Godly people.

WR:  That’s great. We will come back to God and your faith at the end of this. So running a marathon running hit you that night and off you go. You ran a 1:45 half marathon on your first try, obviously you have a little talent there. Then you attempted 4 marathons before Cowtown within this 2013-2018 time frame, finishing 2 of 4. We know according to your standards this was  a disappointment need help at this point.  Which marathons did you attempt and when?

KG:
Ran my 1st Marathon December 2016 in 4 hours then a 3:36:00 in April 2017 then Dallas 2017 again in 3:17: and some change. In 2018 I ran Houston in January and dropped out then December 2018 Dallas and dropped out.

Also during my 1st half I suffered I.t. band issues as well at mile 7 and almost dropped out

In 4 years and 6 months I have ran 15 half Marathons and 4 Marathons and 5 15ks, 3 5ks and 1 10k and a 5 mile race

I can write a book on what I went through during this time

WR: Dang Kevin, I look forward to the book. What issues did you have during these marathons?

KG: Lack of experience and training to be honest. 

WR: After a DNF at Dallas you said, I’m calling William now? We know you were referred by Lance Vernon. What brought on this decision ? 

KG: I knew I could be faster and could get there. Admitting that I needed help was a hard thing to say plus I seen William and Garrett’s time and then it clicked I gotta let these 2 rabbits get me faster. That's what made my decision

WR:  Well, thank you. We know that it takes more than being fast to make a great coach . You were the one that put in the work. 

In the 7 weeks and more now that you have been working with Coach Garrett, can you elaborate on your experience about working with him and being a part of Fly Tri Racing?  How was training with Coach Garrett in your corner vs by yourself? What was different about it? We know we have many of our athletes already looking up to you. 


KG: Doing my own workout vs Garrett’s workouts  I realized I was not running enough miles and was working harder than need. Also I didn’t have enough easy days. It's not the miles you put in, it's what you do with the miles you put in. Working with Coach Garrett gave me some sort of responsibility to make sure that I make him look good as a coach , because he will make me look good as an athlete. Being part of the fly tri team is amazing, you’re lifted up on top of the world when you do well and when you don't do so well your treated with love and understanding that is doesn't always go your way and it will be ok. To me it's like a family of athletes who encourage each other and thats how you succeed. All you need is 1 person to believe in you and the possibility of your goals are endless.

Yourself and Garrett give me hope. You two tell me something I can do that I never thought possible

WR:  
Exactly, Kevin. You nailed it here. Let’s get a little deeper here. You mentioned A lot of connection with Jesus to Running how so? Did you discover Jesus at the same you found the marathon? 

KG: 
I knew Jesus as a young kid but I went my own way. When I started to follow Jesus Christ Marathon running happened to come in place at the same time. Now I use running to show others change is possible through Jesus. Marathon running is hard as is training but we have to stick to the program for success. Following Christ is also hard but if you follow his program you will not only discover success you will find the ultimate price which being a true follower of Christ and not just a fan of Christ.



WR: Incredible Kevin, you have an outstanding testimony to share with others now and able to use running for God’s glory. 

Will you be doing Boston 2020 now? Any races between now and then? 

For sure in Boston 2020. And have in mind several race between then. I plan to run Houston Marathon in January 2020 as well also have Irving half coming up April 27th. Possibly Too hot to handle 15k , DRC half in November. 


At the end of each race I do I know that 1 less race I will ever have, just as living life, at the end of the day it's one less day you have. So count the blessings  rather it's a good race or bad race and share your experience with others same as you would share your experience in life living a Christian life and not living a Christian life. Our main goal in life should be leading people to Jesus Christ though our talents he gave us. The hardest part about telling your story is that you know people are watching every move you make so we have to stay obedient we have to stay in the Christian Life so we can become mentors and good leaders for the ones that are watching us.


WR: You’re exactly right. I’ve enjoyed you sharing your story. What is one thing you you do to prepare yourself to never miss a run?

KG: A proper schedule on a weekly basis is probably the best preparation I do to not miss a run. If it consist me running at 10 p.m. or 3 a.m. the run will get done unless an over workload is in the week then I might miss but highly doubtful. 

If you are passionate about what you love your priorities will be in order. I do without tv watching to get a run in.

WR: Hey Kevin, you’ve been great here as we close out. I think many people are going to find a ton of insight, information, and inspiration all from this.  Where can people follow you if they want to check your journey? You’re not too old for the social media stuff right ? 

KG: Not at all. Facebook and Instagram  @kevinmarathongreen

WR: Thanks again, Kevin! 


KG:  You’re welcome. Thanks for letting me tell my story of hope