My sophomore year in high school I had minor knee surgery from a running accident, and my running was put on the sideline for many years. That changed as my son turned 4. I couldn't keep up with him at the park. So, I started running. At first I couldn't make a full mile, then with time I go to where I could do several miles at a time. And finally I could wear out an energetic little boy!

Several years later my girlfriend at the time started going through some major heath problems. It took a heavy toll on me, and running was my escape and how I made it through each day. Finally one day someone suggested I enter a 10k. I did my first full marathon 2 months later. That was 3 years ago.

I became addicted to racing, but I wasn't fast. I finished consistently in the middle of the pack. Qualifying for Boston seemed impossible. With a year of heavy training and some good fortune I hope my second running of the Big Cottonwood Marathon will bring that sub 3:05 time.

UPDATE: Peter continues to drop his times from the middle of the pack to the front of the pack. He ran a 3:10 at Big Cottonwood on September 14, 2013 and is already signed up for another go at it in 2014. Good luck, Peter!