CONOVER Two Catawba County men who became friends through their mutual love of running will compete in the Boston Marathon on Monday.
Chris Fulbright, 45, of Conover, began running four years ago when he was trying to lose weight, and soon developed a passion for it.
For Fulbright, running is about more than just exercise.
For me, I always say, what do I love about running? Friendship and medals, Fulbright said.
It was through running that Fulbright met his friend, William Adair, of Newton, who will be joining him at the Boston Marathon.
Adair, who turns 49 this year, ran in high school and college but only resumed running in the last six years when his children began to show an interest.
Fulbright has already run six marathons, and Adair has run three.
Both see the Boston Marathon as the highest goal.
I would say the Boston Marathon is the pinnacle for a runner to achieve, Fulbright said.
Being a part of the Boston Marathon means running alongside the best in the world, Adair said.
And honestly, I mean, the worlds best marathoners want to win that race, Adair said. For average people like us to even have the opportunity to step to the same start line that world class athletes are stepping to, thats pretty humbling.
To run in the Boston Marathon, a runner must either meet a qualifying time in an officially recognized marathon, or participate as part of a charity.
Fulbright qualified for the Boston Marathon at the Peak to Creek Marathon in October 2015 with a time of 3 hours; 14 minutes; 56 seconds.
Adair qualified in March 2016 at the Myrtle Beach Marathon with a time of 3 hours; 22 minutes; 19 seconds.
And for runners, seconds do count, Fulbright.
Both men began training for the Boston Marathon in late 2016, with Fulbright starting in November and Adair starting on Christmas.
For both Adair and Fulbright, the 22-mile runs have been the most challenging part of practice.
Weather also has played a role in making the 22-mile runs difficult, with Adair running it in hot weather and Fulbright running it in windy conditions.
Nutrition also plays a key role in the mens marathon training with the men eating diets that emphasize protein and carbohydrates.
Fulbright likes chicken and bagels, while Adair likes fish and almonds.
Soda and sugar are to be avoided, Adair said.
I think at our age, too, its that your rest days are as important, or maybe more important, than your workout days, Adair said. You cannot work out every day.
Adair said he typically works out five days and rests two during marathon training, while Fulbright typically works out six days and rests one.
As the day of the race closed in, the strenuous part of the training was behind them.
While they would take some easy runs in the week before the marathon, that time is largely a rest period, Adair said.
Adair said the time just before the race is an anxious time.
Youre pretty much now at the top point where theres not a whole lot you can do right now to get any better, but you can sure do a lot of things in the next 10 days to make it worse, Adair said.
Theres a lot of things that can get in the way in 10 days.
Fulbright himself recently injured his calf and has been undergoing therapy, but said he believes it will not prevent him from running the best he can in the marathon.
Both men agree running a marathon is more than just a physical activity.
Running a mile or running a 5K is physicalbut if youre on your feet for 3.5 hours, its mental, Adair said.
In the early parts of the race, one of the biggest issues is pacing and keeping the excitement in check, Fulbright said.
The beginning, youre just trying to control your anxiety, your emotions, youre just trying to keep calm, in check, because youre just so excited to get started, Fulbright said.
Each of the men has developed ways of dealing with the mental aspects of the marathons.
Adair likes to set smaller goals for himself, like focusing on making it to the next mile marker, rather than thinking of the total amount of distance he has left or how fatigued he is.
For Fulbright, getting in with a group of people who are running the same pace and striking up conversation is helpful.
Both of the men also spoke of the support they received from family members and fellow runners at a group called Run Time Races.
Mike Lawson, their friend and informal running coach, also has been a major source of inspiration for both men.
Lawson knows the emotion that comes with running the Boston Marathon, having run it himself last year only two months after tearing his meniscus.
You feel like an elite runner, like a pro and its just a rush, Lawson said in a phone interview.
The only advice Lawson has for Adair and Fulbright is to take in the experience.
It doesnt matter what your time is, Lawson said. You made it.
Enjoyment ranks high as a goal for both Fulbright and Adair, along with just finishing the marathon.
The men also have specific time goals.
Adair would like to run a 3 hour 25 minute marathon, while Fulbright wants to make a 3 hour 30 minute time.
They also want to re-qualify for the Boston Marathon at the race.
For those seeking to get started in running, the men have simple advice.
Put some shoes on and go, Adair said.
They also recommended Run Time Races, which holds races and is open to runners of a variety of different paces, Adair said.
In addition to Fulbright and Adair, three other Catawba County residents will be running in the marathon.
Kenneth Little, of Conover, and Chris Mundy, of Hickory, qualified for the marathon, while Crystal Olson, of Hickory, will participate as part of a charity, Fulbright said.
For more information on Run Time Races, visit http://runtimeraces.com.
Excerpt from:
Catawba County residents, friends to compete in 'pinnacle' of race at Boston Marathon - Hickory Daily Record
