Run Marathon Man

Distance runner Ray Christensen

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  • 2002-05
    • 2002 Training Log
    • 2002 Philly Distance Run
    • 2002 DE Distance Classic 15K
    • 2002 Dublin Marathon
      • Dublin: Sightseeing
      • Dublin: Pasta Dinner
      • Dublin City Marathon
      • Dublin: Celebration
      • 2002 J.I.M. Bermuda
      • 2002 J.I.M. Disneyworld
    • 2003 Icicle, CR, Broad Street
    • 2003 Marathon Training
    • 2003 Humpy's Marathon
      • Alaska Trip: Travel and Cruise
      • Alaska: Humpy's Marathon
      • Alaska: Talkeetna, Denali
      • Alaska: Team Cobey Hiking
      • Alaska: Sightseeing Anchorage
      • Alaska: More Photos
    • 2003 NYC Marathon
      • New York City Start
      • NYC Triumph
    • 2004 Icicle Run in Wilmington
    • 2004 Caesar Rodney Half
    • 2004 Paris Marathon
      • Paris: Delaware Runners
      • Paris: Notre Dame, Louvre
      • Paris Marathon – Race Day
      • Paris: Cemetery, Eiffel Tower
      • Versailles & Paris Sightseeing
    • 2004 Bay to Breakers
      • BTB in San Francisco
      • BTB Naked Runners
    • 2004 Races & Training
    • 2004 Chicago Marathon
      • Chicago Expo, Sightseeing
      • Chicago Race Day
      • Chicago Congratulations
    • 2005 Winter Races
    • 2005 Boston Marathon
      • Boston Bus Trip
      • Boston Marathon – Race Day
      • Marathon Press Recap
    • 2005 Summer Races
    • 2005 Twin Cities Marathon
  • 2006-10
    • 2006 Boston Marathon
      • Boston Bus Trip
      • Hopkinton to Boylston St.
    • 2006 Steamtown Marathon
    • 2007 Big Sur Marathon
    • 2007 Marine Corps Marathon
    • 2008 New Jersey Marathon
    • 2008 Breakers Marathon
    • 2009 Disney World Marathon
      • Disney Marathon Trip
      • Goofy Challenge Races
    • 2009 Boston Marathon
      • Boston Bus, Expo, Rebels
      • 113th Boston Marathon
      • Boston Globe Photos
    • 2009 California Intl Marathon
    • 2010 Country Music Marathon
    • 2010 Wineglass Marathon
  • 2011-18
    • 2011 Garden Spot Marathon
    • 2011 Marine Corps Half
    • 2011 Philadelphia Marathon
    • 2012 Bob Potts Marathon
    • 2012 Hartford Marathon
    • 2013 Vermont City Marathon
    • 2014 Ave of Giants Marathon
      • 2014: Northern California
    • 2014 Monster Mash Mar.
    • 2015 River Towns Marathon
    • 2015 Richmond Marathon
    • 2018 Baltimore Marathon
  • Contact Ray

About Marathon Man

Why I Became a Runner
My initial reasons for participating in Joints in Motion Training Team:

  1. Challenge: to see how fit I can be at age 39+1
  2. Focus: to set a goal for the year
  3. Team: to be part of a close-knit group
  4. Athlete: to participate in an organized sport
  5. Charity: to help a worthy cause financially/inspirationally
  6. Family: to make this effort in honor of my father
  7. Social: to meet new people with a common interest
  8. Event: to participate in a major running event
  9. Travel: to visit someplace new with friends
  10. Convenient: main training area is my “home track”
  11. Self-Esteem: to accomplish something special
Ray Christensen
2004 Dialog Newspaper Article


Arthritis Foundation race singlet
My 2002 Arthritis Foundation race singlet honors Dad
2002: Running for a Cause- The Adventure Begins

In 2002, I turned 40 and noticed an article in a local newsletter to “train for a marathon in Dublin”.

I had never jogged more than 3 miles, but the offer included a coach and teammates to run with. It helped that the Arthritis Foundation “Joints in Motion” coach was an attractive lady and that we’d do training runs at a park near my home! In exchange for over $3,000 of fundraising, the trip to Ireland, gear and parties would be included.

I ran in honor of my father, who was having a shoulder replacement due to severe arthritis. Never having been involved in organized athletics (including high school sports teams or even little league baseball), I was excited to be a real athlete and have the comradery of teammates.

…Ray’s 2002 training log     Motivational Quotes for Runners


Dad- Arthritis Foundation
Ed Christensen
9/1/27 – 6/23/06
2006: Running In Honor Of Dad

It was all too appropriate for Marathon Man to participate in the 2nd Lance Armstrong Foundation 5k in Wilmington, DE on July 6, 2006.

My father had passed away two weeks earlier, on 6/23, after an intense 4 month battle with brain cancer.

My parents have been a great inspiration and motivation to me to become a better runner. Simply by their example of always having a can-do attitude and a willingness to work hard to achieve their goals has shown me that anything is possible with faith, dedication and a good effort. Dad never watched me race, but from now on, he’ll be with me every step of the way!


Thank You, Rebel Runners!
It’s always comforting to have family to get through difficult times (Rebels=Family). My mother and I thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Mom really appreciated the flowers from the Rebel Runners. Since everyone won’t see the card she wrote, I’m posting it on this page, along with a photo of the pretty bouquet where it stands in her house.

I would also post a photo of the fruit you were kind enough to send me, but I ate it!

Card from mom   Card from mom
Card from Claire Christensen to the Rebel Runners

Rebel flowers
Rebel Flowers

The card says:
Dear Rebel Runners,
Thank you all for the attractive plant that now graces my windowsill.
I truly appreciate all your kind thoughts and prayers at this difficult time.
I hope to join you in your Thursday night escapades in the near future.
Sincerely,
Claire Christensen

The Lord is kind and merciful,
Slow to anger and great in compassion.

Dad had successfully overcome Prostate Cancer several years ago and his struggle with Arthritis (2 shoulder replacements) became my cause when I started running. He always tried to stay in good shape and over the past few years, my parents had a regular 5K route to walk near their home in the Catskill Mountains of NY.

Mom & Dad in February 2006
Mom & Dad in February 2006

On Ash Wednesday (3/1/06), while visiting my sister’s family in North Carolina, Dad suddenly became tired and disoriented. Within hours, he was in the emergency room of Wake Med Hospital in Raleigh. After 2 days of tests, surgery was scheduled to remove a brain tumor. The 3 hour operation was successful, but Stage 3 Cancer meant that Dad would have to undergo simultaneous radiation and chemotherapy treatment for approximately six weeks.

Mom was a superb nurse as dad went through ups and downs. By late May, it was apparent that the end was coming and the local Hospice organization was very comforting and helpful in the final days. Our family was blessed with having time to say goodbye and Dad did not experience pain, other than the discomfort of realizing that something was wrong.

We have many people to thank for their prayers and support.

Mom & Dad with grandchildren
Mom & Dad with their 7 grandchildren in May, 2006



More Reasons to Run

Boston Marathon finisher medal

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Home
About Ray
2002 Dublin
2003 Humpy’s
2003 New York City
2004 Paris
2004 Chicago
2005 Boston Marathon
2005 Twin Cities
2006 Boston Marathon
2006 Steamtown
2007 Big Sur
2007 Marine Corps

2011 Philadelphia
2012 Bob Potts
2012 Hartford
2013 Vermont City
2014 Ave of Giants
2014 Monster Mash
2015 River Towns
2015 Richmond
2018 Baltimore
Contact Ray

Find a Race
Wilmington / Philly Area

The Lord is kind and merciful,
Slow to anger and great in compassion.

302-633-1482

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© 2002 – 2023 Run Marathon Man – running journal of distance runner Ray Christensen of Wilmington, Delaware. Fitness, training, trails & road races.

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