“9/20/2016 – set the Guinness World Record for fastest marathon while dribbling a soccer ball”. This note in my phone documented the moment the idea was born. I didn’t know how or when yet, but the goal was now there.
In 2016, I was motivated to set some really big goals. Naturally, I started with the biggest thing I could think of – a world record!
Current record at the time? 3:29:55 (7:59/mi pace) set by Jan Schroder La Caille in Denmark in 2013. I did a few test runs that fall with a ball to make sure the record pace at least felt comfortable – it did.
My background as an avid soccer player all my life came in handy! The limiter would not be my dribbling ability but my aerobic capacity. After this, I didn’t pick up a soccer ball again until September of 2017, a month before the attempt.
PREPPING FOR A WORLD RECORD
In the meantime, I put in the work for my other goal – namely, breaking 3 hours in the marathon. After running a sub-1:23 half marathon in April (without the ball), I knew the world record was achievable!
So what does it take to actually get an official world record?
First step – contact Guinness World Records to apply for the record and receive any guidelines for completing it. I did not hear back from them until August – 16 weeks after the submitting my application!
Thankfully, the guidelines were simple. Size 5 FIFA ball, certified course, keep the ball under control at all times, etc. Furthermore, I would have to submit video evidence, photo evidence, witness statements, race director statements and other forms after the race.
Second step – reach out to race officials to get approval for the attempt. “Hey, I’d like to dribble a soccer ball at your marathon next month, is that okay?” As you might imagine, I had to answer many questions and assure them that I could control the ball enough not to cause an accident!
“And oh, by the way, I’ll have a guy riding with me taking video the whole time.” Thankfully, I had a very supportive race director!
HOW DO YOU TRAIN FOR THIS?
My sub-3 marathon attempt was foiled in early September and my body was ready for a rest. My hope was that I could still manage the sub-8 minute pace to break the record in October.
I had 5 weeks between my latest marathon and the record attempt. Every other run I did was with a ball at this point. The actual act of dribbling is not as efficient as pure running so I worried about messing with my gait. The last thing I needed was an injury! Fortunately, due to construction, I had a long stretch of road close to my house that was closed during my training. It gave me somewhere safe and reliable to train with the ball. It helped that it was also hidden, and I didn’t have to endure odd looks!
Because I was still recovering from the last race and my goal world record pace was just under 8:00/mi, most of my runs were at an easy pace between 8:00 and 8:30/mi. I knew too much speed work would only delay my recovery. Additionally, it wasn’t needed considering my goal pace.
RETHINKING A RECORD?
I thought many times about postponing the attempt because I was not recovering quickly from my race. My heart rate was higher than normal (both resting and during runs), and I just simply felt fatigued still. As my wife reminded me, however, I had already jumped through a lot of hoops to get this attempt approved and ready. I didn’t want to throw it all away.
Another reason to press forward – I had decided to partner with a charity for the attempt and raised a significant amount of money! I took it as a sign that I needed to fully commit!
My longest test run with the ball? A half marathon time trial a week before the attempt. 7:49 pace with an average heart rate of 152. I was very happy with this, and it calmed many of my nerves.
RACE DAY
The usual bagel, peanut butter, banana combo again for me, about 2 hours before the race. Top it off with a fuel bar and water an hour prior.
I meet my friend at 30 minutes prior to the race – he will be recording the entire race on a GoPro camera from his bicycle. The added perk was that he would carry water and Gatorade as well. I could fuel as often as I needed to and not worry about the logistical nightmare of water stations with a soccer ball!
After a brief warm up, we said a prayer and headed to the start line 10 minutes before showtime! I was buzzing with so much excitement and energy at this point. It was difficult to stay calm!
Many people asked me how I planned to navigate the start of the race (typically a crowded atmosphere) with a soccer ball. Fortunately, the race director granted me a 3 minute “head start” of sorts – I would start with the wheelchair division! Crisis averted.
Miles 1-13.1 | “Go Soccer Dude!”
The early miles passed by quickly, and I settled into a 7:50/mi pace. I was taking in fluids every 2 miles, alternating water and Gatorade.
Being a hometown race, I had several people out cheering me on throughout the race. In addition, several spectators who knew nothing about the record attempt were very intrigued by a guy dribbling a ball.
“Soccer dude” became my new nickname along with others. It made for some fun in-race entertainment and since I was feeling great early on, I was happy to interact.
Miles 13.1 – 16 | Cruise Control
Feeling fantastic at this point. Crossed the half at about 1:42, comfortably ahead of pace. At this point, we were running through my alma mater and many places I was familiar with! It made the miles fly by quickly!
I was still in great spirits and very confident. I felt good enough to speed up but made the decision to keep it easy around 7:50 pace still.
The soccer ball has given me no troubles thus far. Very smooth surfaces and plenty of room around me as the race thinned out.
Miles 17-19: Panic!
After splitting from the half marathoners, we rejoined them at mile 17! Only now, as you might imagine, it’s the slower half marathoners that I’m joining. This made for some more challenging dribbling as I weaved in and out of walkers and slower runners. Still a very supportive crowd though. I enjoyed exchanging encouraging words with many of them.
I must’ve gotten my adrenaline going as I passed people because my fastest mile was mile 18 at 7:43!
Miles 20-22 | The real race begins!
Finally starting to feel it a bit in mile 20. My breathing pattern went from 3-3 to 2-2 as my effort increased. Honestly I was expecting this to happen about 8 miles ago!
Some small hills feel like mountains and the road became very arched. The combination made for some very crooked lines being run as I kept control of the ball! Paces slipped to 8:00 – I know I have a big cushion now. Just don’t screw it up!
Miles 23-25 | Hang on!
Paces 8:15, 8:24, 8:25! What’s happening?! The rolling hills continue, and I can’t seem to find my rhythm again. Am I really going to blow this cushion. I keep telling myself I have some reserve, but doubt is starting to creep in ever so slightly.
The only major downhill of the course is at mile 25. I so badly wanted to loosen the reins and just let gravity take its course. But I knew I couldn’t lose control of the ball! I would have to backtrack if I lost it at any point and no longer had that luxury! I turned sideways and rolled the ball with my right foot, keeping it close. It worked great, but I certainly didn’t gain any speed!
Mile 26-finish | A Dream Realized
I had 10 minutes to run 1.2 miles. “You’re so close!” I thought to myself. It was officially time to tap in to any reserve I had left. My mantra became “More” with every breath I took. I keep them very simple so I don’t have to think!
After half a mile, I had found my rhythm again and knew I locked it up. Mile 26 was at 8:00 pace and the last 0.2 was at a 7:16/mi pace. I beat the record by just 52 seconds: 3:29:03! I picked up my ball over my head and celebrated! What began as a note in my phone a year earlier had become reality!
After failing to hit my goal in my previous race, this was even sweeter to experience with my wife and kids and tons of family and friends who had turned out for the race.
I truly relished that moment and savored it! Too often we hit a goal and immediately go on to the next big thing. I tried to be appreciative of that accomplishment and just enjoy it! A lot of hard work had gone into it and it was addicting to see it come to fruition even after an imperfect build-up.
That day I told my son that he too could do something special if he worked hard enough. I believed it before that day, but I believe it even more now!
