FRENEMY; Noun (Merriam-Webster) – “a person who is or pretends to be a friend but is also in some ways an enemy or rival.” This word best describes my relationship with the road marathon since 2008, but most especially on Saturday. We held hands and got along just fine for 15-16 miles before I was betrayed and stabbed in the hamstrings with cramping, stopping me in my tracks on a warm humid day. Any pushing hard would bring me to a stop and especially uphill running the right hamstring would turn into a baseball with seizure despite doubling down on electrolytes and fuel. This rival I’ve never quite conquered – the road marathon – helped me (again) see the truth in Mike Tyson’s famous quote “everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”.
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But I punched back. Despite slowing (and stopping) in the last 8-10 miles, I somehow found a gear to rally and find purpose in the pain. Running 10+ minutes slower than expected I was forced to let my watch disappear from my priorities and only run with my heart and by the time I crossed the line, my heart was filled to the brim with so so much I can’t write it all here. I’ll recap everything in the next podcast, but just know it’s not about perfection or performance, it’s about PEOPLE. The “pickle juice” guy, the “dad hugs” guy, the “shortcut here” family, all the familiar faces, and particularly my own family – the ones that were there and most especially the few that weren’t.
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Grandma’s Marathon wasn’t my fastest, in fact it’s my very slowest of ten, but it did give me the best and fullest experience. Much cramping, yet much community. Much grit & guts, yet much gratitude. Minnesota, you’re a welcoming state up North der don’t cha know with your weather changin’ by the minute. I drive back to Wisconsin with my head held high knowing I fought my frenemy best as I could on that day, but in the end it’s the people on my team I’ll treasure more than ever besting any distance or time. I truly believe my mantra since mile 15 … “This is all a gift”.
Adam Condit 
“Dad Hugs Guy” – I am sure the embrace is still talked about from both of you.