Navy Federal Credit Union’s Post

3:44:10. If you know that number, you’re likely a runner—or you know someone who is! If not, it’s a marathon finish time, one that I finally get to call mine as of this weekend. Sure, marathons are everywhere these days, and run clubs are booming. But this number? I’ll cherish it. For me, it’s a symbol of persistence and pride. It took over five years to reach a sub-4-hour finish, each step hard-earned since I started this journey. Here’s my timeline of attempts: 5:13:19 — Solo run during COVID-19 4:44:39 — Nashville, 2023 4:29:32 — Buffalo, 2024 3:44:10 — Marine Corps Marathon, 2024 This journey has been about determination and showing up, even when progress was hard to see. Injuries, setbacks, and all. As a perfectionist, it's a reminder that perfection isn’t real—it’s consistency and dedication that get you across the finish line. And that applies to every part of life. So here’s to showing up every day. Because somewhere along the way, those miles, hours, or reps start to add up. And one day, they’ll carry you farther than you ever thought possible. 🚀 #Consistency #ProudMoment #MarineCorpsMarathon

They call it the calm before the storm. But why? Well, for me it's the only few minutes before driving out on track that you actually have to yourself, to think, to imagine, and create a vision. I like to think about 3 key things before heading out there. -Hitting my marks (turn in, throttle, brakes, etc) -What can I do to improve my lap time -What did I learn from the last session that I can apply to the race It's also the time I like to get myself amped up, and create a vision that I could win this thing. Even though you won't win every race, you need to think like you will, otherwise, what's the point? There's more to racing than making laps. It's a mental challenge, and a physical challenge. Don't let anything stop you from doing what you want to do. Hearing Loss does not define you, let it empower you. Look at me, look at hundreds of other athletes out there doing awesome things with their life. Chase your dreams, make it happen. Be unDEAFeated🤟🔥 #hearingloss #motivation #success #deaf #nascar

🏁 Exciting News! 🏁 Just completed a key milestone for my Sport Media Certificate at the University of Dayton - a sport blog! https://lnkd.in/dihJPVm4 In this blog, I dive into why being a NASCAR fan in 2024 is the best. There have been many changes from the last few years that led up to this season. Take a look and find out why! 🏎️💨 #NASCAR #SportMedia #UniversityOfDayton #Blog #Racing #Passion"

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐈 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐦𝐲 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 Spartan 🪖💪 𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐛𝐮 𝐃𝐡𝐚𝐛𝐢. At the World Championship, no less. We’ve all heard of Spartan Race. The 10,000 people who’ve tattooed the logo on their bodies. The cult-like following. But until you see it in person, it’s still abstract. Being there gave me chills. It’s not just fitness. It’s a 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. So, what makes Spartan Race so powerful? 𝟏. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫, Joe De Sena. A lifetime committed to helping people get fit—mentally and physically. He once trained a 680-pound man on his personal farm, taking him down to 200 pounds in a year. 𝟐. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲. It’s more than a workout—it’s camaraderie. People coming together to tackle something hard. Why do soldiers look back at war and call it one of the best times of their lives. Because they went through challenges with people they love and respect. That’s the Spartan spirit. 𝟑. 𝐍𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞. Our brains are wired to be outside. Yet we spend less time in nature than ever before. Spartan gets you back into the elements, the way we were meant to live. 𝟒. 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧. Running, climbing, and conquering obstacles is more than physical. It’s mental. You’re proving to yourself that you can overcome. 𝟓. 𝐏𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭. Starting something hard and finishing it—when you thought you couldn’t. It builds confidence. It creates momentum. And it shows you what you’re truly capable of. I finally get the cult-like following. Spartan isn’t just a race. 𝐈𝐭’𝐬 𝐚 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞. 😎 #SpartanRace #Spartan #ObstacleCourseRacing #Endurance

Having a goal on the calendar is like planting a seed for success. Every day you nurture it, you're one step closer to blooming into your best self. At Spartan we have the perfect goals for your calendar! Question, which one are you choosing first? Spartan DEKA Spartan Race Australia, NZ & Fiji Tough Mudder #Goals #Mindset #dohardshit Spartan UK Joe De Sena Robert Camilleri

🏁 **Race Ready: The Secret Weapon You Didn’t Know You Had** 🏃♂️ In the rush and rigor of race prep, athletes tirelessly hone their bodies and minds for optimal performance. But what if the crucial edge in your next race isn't found in training regimens or dietary tweaks? What if it resides in a most unexpected bodily function? Delving into physiological pragmatism, our latest deep dive unearths the unspoken truth: the pre-race poop may just be the linchpin of your performance. Through scientific insights and expert testimonials, discover why this most rudimentary of routines could indeed be your unexpected key to faster, smarter racing. Engage with this fascinating revelation and elevate your endurance game. Dive into the full article here: [Pre-Race Poop: The Unexpected Key to Faster, Smarter Racing](https://nuel.ink/bL6j05). #RaceDayReady #PerformanceSecrets Because, ultimately, isn’t the race won in the details? 💪 📰✨

Athlete Stories Here are some stories from our athletes about where they came from and why they love the sport. They are positive, uplifting and inspirational. Well worth a few minutes of your time! https://lnkd.in/e9Cs9gBh

It's Race Week for Many of My Athletes Controllable and Uncontrollable Factors While Racing Often, we waste energy on factors beyond our control: -The weather -The course -The crowds -How others race Instead of focusing on these, harness your power by controlling your responses. This is where true strength lies. Control the Factors You Can -Execute a well-prepared race plan considering elevation and predicted course conditions. -Plan your nutrition and hydration meticulously. -Use pre-race checklists to ensure all gear is ready. -Prioritize the process over the outcome; execute your race plan, and the results will follow. Stay in the Moment Focus on the present. Don't let the race get ahead of you. Deal with the information at hand, not hypothetical situations. Embrace discomfort; it's part of racing. Acknowledge it and keep moving forward. Maintain a positive mindset—racing is tough, but it's also the joy of the sport. Control what you can, stay present, and enjoy the journey. 🏃♂️🏃♀️ #RaceWeek #AthleteMindset #StayPresent #FocusOnTheProcess

I really enjoyed the afternoon mid-long run of 12 miles, especially after last week's Army 10-Miler race. Mid-long runs, typically ranging from 6 to 10 miles, offer several key benefits: 1. Endurance Development -They help build endurance without the fatigue of a long run, improving overall stamina. 2. Race Preparation -Mid-long runs simulate race conditions, helping you practice pacing and mental strategies. 3. Increased Efficiency -These runs enhance cardiovascular efficiency and running economy, making you a faster runner over time. 4. Adaptation -They allow your body to adapt to longer distances while still providing adequate recovery compared to longer runs. 5. Variety -Incorporating mid-long runs adds variety to your training, keeping it interesting and preventing burnout. Overall, mid-long runs are a valuable component of a balanced training regimen, promoting both physical and mental readiness for longer races. #Runsteady #easyrun #coachkiprunning #coachkiprunningtraining #coachkiprunningtrainingpeaks #goodformrunning #marincorpsmarathon #nycmarathon #richmondmarathon #marathontraining #halfmarathontraining #rundmv #rundc

What does it take to train for the world’s toughest race? In this clip from The Momcast, Aishwarya Jagadish tells us about how she trains for The Ironman! Catch the full video through the link in the comments. #TheMomcastIndia #TheMomcastClips #Ironman #Champions