Revel White Mountains

Earlier this month, Sarah and I ventured to the mountains of New Hampshire for the Revel White Mountains Marathon and Half Marathon.  We had been looking forward to the trip for quite a while, as it provided an opportunity to spend time together doing what we love most: running, exploring, and embracing the beauty of God's creation.  In retrospect it felt like a continuation of our honeymoon—a reminder of the joy we find in each other's company and in the great outdoors.  After a tough start to the year, it was the perfect escape.

We stayed at the North Conway Grand Hotel, which was charming in its own unique way. Picture a lodge straight out of National Lampoon’s Vacation—complete with Marty the singing moose above the fireplace. The place had everything: a movie theater, arcade room, gym, pool, hot tub, and even tiny, toddler-sized bathrobes hanging in the closet of our room.  It was quirky and cozy, and it made us smile as we discussed returning with our daughter someday.  Between the amenities, the nearby outlet shopping, and a few great restaurants within walking distance, it proved to be an excellent base camp for our weekend.

Despite the gloomy weather forecasts leading up to the weekend, we were blessed with clear skies and sunshine upon our arrival on Friday.  We even squeezed in a short hike on the Summit Trail Saturday morning—about three miles of quiet woods and misty views. As we walked, we reflected on our journey together, reminiscing about past hikes and the memories we have created along the way.  We ended up stepping off-trail at one point and just embraced the moment in a way that felt very... us. Married life with some trail grit and a sense of humor.

Packet pickup at Cranmore Ski Resort had a great vibe: volunteers who were genuinely excited to be there, a warm fire pit, and plenty of cool race swag.  There was also a steady wave of sinewy runners and Boston marathon jackets that made me feel a bit intimidated.  We grabbed lunch at the casino restaurant using our coupons from the race expo as I tried to replace my negative thoughts with positive ones related to the present.  While I plan to run Boston someday, I fully recognize that I have quite a bit of work to do to meet the strict qualifying times. 

We had a delightful pre-race dinner at Barley and Salt, a great place with delicious local craft beers and a menu that left us both wishing we could stay longer. As we settled in to enjoy our meals and watch the Kentucky Derby, Sarah, ever the intuitive one, picked Sovereignty to win. I, of course, went with Sandman (Metallica and Hokie loyalty run deep). She explained her choice with a depth that really moved me —Sovereignty, she said, was a reminder of God’s sovereignty, something she’s been clinging to a lot lately. Between​ our daughter's sleep issues and the heartache of silent grief over a future that never arrived, it’s been tough, but Sarah finds peace knowing He’s in control. It’s one of the many reasons I am so deeply in love with her.

Race morning started early—too early. A slammed door at 2:30 a.m. jolted us awake, and that was it for sleep. The bus ride to the start was surprisingly pleasant though. I sat next to Neal, a fellow runner from Tennessee who started his running journey just a few years ago and was attempting his fourth marathon. We swapped stories, talked races, trail recommendations, parenting hacks, and even screen time rules for kids.  Given his newfound love of trail running and geographic location, I encouraged him to check out the Yeti Trail Runners and the Rim to River 100 miler, two of my personal favorites. Chatting with him was a great reminder that one of the best parts of racing is the people you meet.  We are all part of a much larger community, united by our love for running and our desire to push ourselves beyond our limits.

We eventually got to the starting line, where we stood in the pouring rain and tried to stay warm. It was cold and wet, but also full of that weird nervous excitement you only get at the start of a big race. People were taking selfies, others were in Star Wars costumes (it was May 4th after all—shoutout to Chewbacca and Yoda), and I found myself smiling despite the weather.

The race itself was a moving testament to God's grace and strength. The course was beautiful, winding through the mountains with streams, waterfalls, and misty forests. The weather was unpredictable, with rain showers adding an extra layer of challenge. But through it all, I felt a sense of peace and purpose. I ran not just for a personal best, but as an offering—a way to honor God with the body he gave me and to experience His presence in the rhythm of each stride.

The Revel courses are built for speed, and the downhills made it hard not to let loose. I averaged 7 minute miles for the first 10K and recorded a 6:48 on mile 4. The out-and-back section around mile 10 was a grind though—a slow 1+ mile climb followed by an equal descent that slowed my pace. There were also plenty of bright spots: volunteers dancing, a Viking-helmeted runner, and great signs along the course (“Pain is just the French word for bread!” was a standout).  At mile 13, as I passed the half marathon signage, I thought of my daughter and smiled. It felt like her little voice in my head saying, “Again! Again!”—that sort of childlike joy that bursts forth when you are doing something you love and don’t want it to end. And I was having fun. A lot of it.

My fueling plan was flawless: a cereal bar on the bus (the kind my daughter dislikes, so of course she was on my mind), salt tabs every few miles, and a steady stream of chocolate-caffeinated GU that kept me going without any GI issues. Despite dropping my hotel key at mile 22 and a near collision at a water stop, I ran steady and smart. Although I missed my time goal by 15 seconds, I still walked away with a 5-minute marathon PR that I am proud of. It was a reminder that success is not always measured in precise numbers, but in effort, heart, and faith. As I crossed the finish line, I thought of Sarah and our precious little girl and felt a wave of gratitude—for the race, the journey, and the God who ran every step with me.

Sarah had a great race as well. She loves running, but the logistics of race day can be overwhelming for her. She prefers quiet and space when she runs, and the crowded start and close quarters of the race were a challenge. But she persevered, and we celebrated together at the hotel after we both finished —a testament to her strength and determination.

As we wrapped up the race weekend, soaked and smiling, I kept thinking about a line from Choose Strong Episode #100 Andy Glaze | The Wilderness Inside that I listened to for a portion of the race: “Smile or you’re doing it wrong.” This weekend? We did it very, very right.