Episode 158: Dennis Mullen - The marathon doesn't owe you anything

Dennis Mullen and I met during our shared time on the board for Beyond Monumental, the organization behind the CNO Financial Indianapolis Monumental Marathon.During this episode, sponsored by Noogs, Batch, and Huug, we talk about:How Dennis found running in grad school after he couldn't keep up with his wife for even a mile — and how that humbling moment turned into sub-3 marathons 😅Winning a small half marathon in Noblesville in 2018 (don't look up the time, he says) and walking into his first marathon with way too much confidenceGoing out in a 1:24 for the first half of his debut marathon and... paying for it dearly in the second half (final time: 3:50)Coming back a year later at Monumental and running 2:59 — his first BQ — with a completely different mindsetQualifying for Boston three times and still not making it to the start line (the buffer zone is a cruel mistress)A herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, two Disney trips in a back brace, and a year lost to injury — and why he still considers that stretch one of his more impressive stretches of lifeHis plan to chase a BQ at a Last Chance race in Geneva, IL this fall — small field, flat course, and they treat you like an eliteCarmel Marathon being postponed two years in a row and the Brew City Marathon in Milwaukee saving the day last yearBeing on the board for Beyond Monumental and what volunteering at a race does for your perspective as a runnerRunning on the Zionsville Rail Trail (as a card-carrying member of the Zionsville Run Club who has never actually shown up 😂)Nutrition chat: Maurten gels, beet juice, salt tabs, and the nerd gummies pipelineHis walkout song: Won't Get Fooled Again by The Who (they play it at Colts games — you know it)Project Hail Mary is going on the audiobook list whether Previous Guests MentionedLauren Gaudion - Episode 106Mike Vollmer - Episode 156Salvador Escamilla - Episode 77Johanna Kitchell - Episode 114Sponsor DetailsNoogs - Use code ALLYB for 15% off your first order + free shipping on 2+ cartons (lower 48 only)Batch - Use code FINISH for 30% off sitewideHuug - Use code ALLYB for 15% off (combine with buy 3 get 1 free!)Other LinksI'll Have Another with Lindsey Hein - Live Event TicketsFollow Dennis on Instagram @dmullen11Follow me on Instagram @allytbrett_runsSubscribe to Finish Lines & Milestones weekly newsletterThis is a SandyBoy Productions podcast.