About

Thank you for visiting RunDreamAchieve.com and welcome. A website I created in November of 2011 to help runners from around the world to meet their fitness, business and running aspirations. Below you will find a video that is a part of the Sub 2.30 Marathon Mastermind course I created. I discuss some of my history, how I got involved in the sport and why I do what I do here at RunDreamAchieve. Hope you enjoy it.

Why Should You Read This Blog?

If you love running fast, running in general, have interest in running a specific time or a have a running goal in mind this is the place for you.You have come to the right place.

I didn't run a 2.19 marathon by interest alone. There was heavy commitment involved in order to run that fast over that distance.

What RunDreamAchieve is not is just a running site. It is Run..Dream…Achieve. You have to do some dreaming in order to achieve goals. Everything I learned as an athlete has spilled over into my career as an 20+ year active duty military retiree, entrepreneur and educator. 

I've been creating content here at RunDreamAchieve since November of 2011. I wrote articles here when there were no visitors and continue to provide mainly free content here. It has been and will remain a commitment of mine to provide the best consulting services that I can for runners of all abilities and from around the world.

Nathan is a former member of the US Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP), VDOT O2 Coach Ambassador, Amazon Influencer and retired Army Medical Service Corps Officer. Nathan served 20 years, 24 days on active duty retiring in March of 2022 serving first as an enlisted Soldier before graduating from Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA in 2009 and retired at the rank of Major. He brings nearly 3 decades of experience with endurance sport and nutrition to the visitors of RunDreamAchieve. 

What Will You Get Out of RunDreamAchieve?

My aim is to help to motivate you through the days you don't want to get out of the door and to show you what you are capable of. What you get out of free content here on this website, the pain content at the RunDreamAchieve University will dictate your overall success. You cannot just listen to my advice and do no more. We have to apply what we learn.

I cannot make you do the work but I can share some tactics and strategies to help you perform at the highest possible level. Again, your success is going to be dependent upon taking action on what you learn here. There are no short cuts. No one is going to hand you a new personal best. You have to decide and decide now to start making some changes in how you operate.

Nathan finishing in 4th place and the top American at the 2007 California International Marathon at age 31 with a USA Track and Field Olympic Trials “A” standard time of 2:19:35

What Types of Post Do I Write?

I write posts about weight loss, race pace training, how to overcome motivational blocks, digital entrepreneurship (sparingly) and much, much more. The site currently has over 967 posts and new posts are added weekly.

I have been featured on military.com, podiumrunner.com, letsrun.com and a few other websites but my hope on why I am credible is based on my knowledge and what I have done in the sport. Yes, there are much better athletes than I out there.

The fact that I have run 1.44.05 for 20-miles, 2.19.35 for the marathon or 1.07.06 for the half-marathon does nothing for you. Who cares those are my personal bests. The question here is what tactics and strategies that I have been taught can get you similar or better results?

Committed to Clients

I have been creating content here at RunDreamAchieve for over 10 years. I created this site in November 2011 and have been sharing fitness tips and training strategies to help runners of all ability levels. In addition, I also share products I have used and am also interested in here as well.

Please note I am an Amazon Associate and a member of the Amazon Influencer Program. Thus, I earn from qualifying purchases. You may find affiliate links throughout this website and within RunDreamAchieve YouTube channel video descriptions. If, you decide to purchase I will receive a commission, at no further cost to you. All commissions go directly back into the RunDreamAchieve brand. Your support is GREATLY appreciated. Learn more here.

Solution Focused

I couldn't continue to write posts here on the website and think that was going to be good enough. People only trust who they get to know. They want to see a smiling face, someone that gives a shit about them. My role here is to share content whether free or paid to get you results.

I'm just an average guy who found a love for distance running and help others get past their roadblocks. I've failed and I've succeeded and it is important that I share those failures here. Failure is a part of the process in succeeding in our sport. The most important aspect of success in this sport is to learn from the mistakes of others. In addition, to bypass those mistakes and start using specific strategies that will yield you results.

Our capabilities may be different but we all want to be happy in this life, compete well and see what our bodies and minds can do.

I've been competing for over 30 years and share all that I have learned from some of the world's top coaches and long distance runners here. Again, my being a 2.19 marathoner doesn't do anything for you. What matters here is that I provide actionable content that will help take your training, racing and lifestyle to the next level.

My passion is now to help you, your friends, co-workers and family to break your mental and physical barriers.

What Type of Videos Do I Make?

My goal with the RunDreamAchieve YouTube channel is to get my clients out of their comfort zone. You can type in “RunDreamAchieve” into youtube.com and find me. You already know how to work hard. The time now is for you to start working smart. The focus with the channel is to produce content that is going to help athletes use leverage.

Bypass the mistakes of other runners and get the results you are looking for. I've been there and done that and have nearly 3 decades of experience to prove it. In addition, I know what it feels like to run a 2:19 marathon and also how it feels to DNF. Lastly, I didn't have a lot of talent like most runners. What I do have is an unnatural work ethic that I relied on to become successful in our sport. No, it didn't happen overnight nor will it for you. The key is to stay persistent and motivated.

How Did RunDreamAchieve Get Started?

My passion was always running and entrepreneurship since I was a kid. I've been competing since I was 15 years old and 30 years (at the time of this writing) later I am still excited about them both. I, probably much like you, didn't have a lot of talent. All I knew was I wanted to push the boundaries of what I thought I could so as an athlete. The desire and work ethic that I used in my running career I now use educating others on and offline.

The reason I created this site back in 2011 was I knew I had to do more than just be excited about running. I knew this website was going to take work to create. I have found business to not fall very far from athletics. You are either lukewarm or you are all in. There is a massive difference between interest and commitment. Which one are you? Interest isn't enough in this sport.

You had best have a white hot, razor sharp commitment and focus is you are going to achieve your dreams. It doesn't matter if this goal of yours is in athletics or not. We are all here one time that we know of. There are 24-hours in a day. How much of your day are you working on your personal development and productivity?

Overall Focus

At the end of the day it isn't how fast we run as it is simply being healthy and sharing our experience with others. I've competed at the regional, national and international level and understand athletes. I've known what it feels like to compete at the highest levels and also how it feels to DNF or miss a goal. It isn't fun. That being said, if you don't lose enthusiasm for what you love then you are eventually going to get results. Driven people always do go after their goals and will do whatever it takes in order to achieve them.

It doesn't matter if you are currently overweight, have never run a step in your life or an olympic trials qualifier. I can relate because I started at the very bottom, have had setbacks no different than anyone else. There is no guarantees of a tomorrow. All we have is today.

The average American is watching 5 to 6 hours of tell-a-vision every day. Let me write that again, 5 to 6 hours of television daily. We've become too soft in America. We can spend that amount of time watching the Idiot Box but can't start a business? Can you not create a course about something you love? Again, chase needs rather than money and money will gravitate toward you.

Focus-Based

I didn't just run a 2:19 marathon from relying on a very, very, very small amount of talent. What I had from the beginning was tenacity and focus. I never relented on that drive and why I started this blog and business was a sense of duty to give back to others that needed my professional opinion and advice.

What I pray for you is that you listen to your heart. The world is full of naysayers. No one would have saw me running 5:19 mile pace for 26.2 miles as a freshman in high school with a mile personal best of 5:09. It is your job is to motivate yourself. I can provide the guidance and expertise but it is you, ultimately, that have to do the work just as I had to in breaking the 2:20:00 marathon barrier. You have my word to stick with you throughout this journey – Nathan Pennington

Check Out The Blog Purchase A 5K To Marathon Training Schedule Today

He was one of only 61 men in the country in 2007 that broee the 2:20:00 marathon barrier.

Career Highlights

High School Junior Olympic Bronze Medalist – 1995 National Junior Cross-Country Olympic Championships – Reno, NV

High School Junior Olympic Track and Field National Championships Finalist – 1500m – 4:04.18 (7th place)

24th place – 2007 Cherry Blossom 10-Miler – 51:29

1st place – 2007 Presque Isle 10K – 31:33

28th place (4th American) – Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon – 1:07:06 (PR)

2008 USA Olympic Trials “A” Qualifying Standard Achieved (Sub-2.20.00 marathon)

4th place, Top American-2007 California International Marathon – 2.19.35 (PR)

1st place – 2010 IMS Arizona Half Marathon -1:09:46

8th place – Monterey Bay Big Sur Half Marathon – 1:08:59

2nd place – 2010 Das Hustlehoff 5K – 14:18 (road PR)

2nd place – 2011 Germantown Half Marathon – 1:08:45

5th place, 2nd American- 2011 Monumental Indianapolis Marathon -2.26.42

Member of US Army World Class Athlete Program (2007-2010)

Background

All I ever wanted with this site was to reach runners and people, athletes or not, who desire the most out of life.

This picture is an example of the hard work that I know you are currently doing. I've lived the spartan lifestyle and I understand the ups and downs of total novices to Olympic trials qualifying level athletes.

My passion for this site, the products that I create all stem from pain points that I had to endure through and ultimately overcome. I also created the RunDreamAchieve Academy to help runners gain confidence and get results.

I had some of the world's top distance running coaches as mentors. My collegiate coach, Jack Hazen, was a world-championship and Olympic coach.

World-Class Associations

I was coached from 2007 to 2010 by the 1985 Boston Marathon Champion (Lisa Rainsberger) while serving with the US Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) headquartered at Fort Carson, Colorado. I have also been fortunate to have been mentored by two of the world's most renowned coaches in Dr. Joe Vigil and Jack Hazen, respectfully.

These professionals taught me what it truly takes to compete at the top levels. My goal here at RunDreamAchieve is to provide guidance and consulting services to runners of all abilities and get them their desired results.

Personal Bests

High School (Indian Creek High School, Wintersville, Ohio)

800m-2.00.02

1500m – 4:04.18 (7th place, 1995 Junior Olympics 1500m Final, San Jose State University Stadium)

1600m-4:25.61 (Indian Creek High School Record Holder, Wintersville, Ohio)

3200m-9:46.0 (Indian Creek High School Record Holder, Wintersville, Ohio)

5K (road)-15:48

College (Malone University, Canton, Ohio)

1500m – 4:00

1-mile (1609 meters)-4:22

3000m (indoors) – 8:44

2-mile-9:27

5K (track)-15:19

5 miles-24:32

Half-Marathon-1:13:32

Professional

5K (roads) – 14:18

8K (cross-country) – 24:32

10K – 31:09

10-miles-50:54

20K-1:06:09

25K-1:21:33

Half Marathon-1:07:06

20 miles-1:44:05

Marathon-2:19:35

Education

Bachelor of Arts – Physical Education – Malone University – Class of 2000

Master of Science – Sport Administration – University of Northern Colorado – Class of 2004

MBA – Business Administration – Purdue University – Class of 2020

Doctoral Candidate – Doctor of Business Administration (DBA)- University of Missouri-St Louis- Class of 2023

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Race History

23 November 1997 – Cleveland Fall Classic Half Marathon – 1:14:01 (debut half marathon) – 6th place
2 October 1998 – Notre Dame Invitational 8K – 24:32 -53rd place
6 May 2001 – UPMC Health System 5K (Pittsburgh, PA) – 15:54 – 2nd place
10 June 2001 – Columbus 10K – 33:19 – 7th place
29 September 2002 – Pittsburgh Great Race 10K – 33:09 – 30th place
20 October 2002 – Army Ten Miler – 53:12 – 21st place
3 November 2002 – New York City Marathon (debut marathon) – 2:43:36
(starting from last place in 32,189th place for charity moving to 257th overall)
5 October 2003 – Army Ten Miler – 53:06 – 15th place
19 October 2003 – Columbus Marathon – 2:55:19 – 65th place
2 May 2004 – Lincoln Half Marathon (Nebraska) – 1:15:38 – 9th place
2 October 2004 – Army Ten Miler – 51:52 – 12th place
31 October 2004 – Marine Corps Marathon – 2:51:45 -55th place
13 March 2005 – Running of the Green 7K – (elevation, 5,100ft, Denver, CO) – 22:40
12 March 2006 – Van Alphen 20K (The Netherlands) – 1:06:09 – 12th place (top American)
1 April 2007 – Cherry Blossom 10-Miler – 51:29 (personal best) -24th place
12 May 2007 – 25K National Championships – 1:23:05 – 25th place
16 June 2007 – Grandmas Marathon – 2:40:02 (a personal best at that time, 1:10:32 through the half) – 64th place
16 September 2007 – Rock and Roll Philadelphia Half Marathon – 1:07:06 -27th place (3rd American)
7 October 2007 – La Salle Bank Chicago Marathon – 2:51:56 (highest temps in race history: 1:11:23 through half-way)

More Notable Races

22 November 2007 – Presque Isle 10K – 31:33 – 1st place
2 December 2007 – California International Marathon –2:19:35 (personal best)- 4th place, top American
10 May 2008 – 25K National Championships – 1:21:33 – 17th place
26 July 2008 – Grand Prix 10K (elevation, 6,100ft) – 33:20 – 19th place
4 October 2009 – Army Ten Miler – 54:05 (coming out of Army Officer Candidate School) – 34th place
15 November 2009 – San Antonio Half Marathon – 1:11:19 – 12th place
26 November 2009 – Fort Collins 4-miler – 20:11 – 4th place
6 December 2009 – California International Marathon – 2:36:28 – 41st place
11 March 2010 – Germantown Half Marathon-1:08:44-2nd place
14 Feb 2010 – IMS Arizona Half Marathon – 1:09:46 – 1st place
13 March 2010 – Gate River Run 15K – 48:38 – 42nd place
21 March 2010 – LA Marathon – 2:55:36 (first half 1:08, rough second half) – 75th place
5 May 2010 – Hospital HILL Half Marathon – 1:14:44 – 4th place
8 May 2010 – Newport 10K – 31:52 – 12th place
16 May 2010 – Green Bay Half Marathon – 1:10:43 – 12th place
14 October 2010 – Army Ten Miler – 51:58-23rd place
4 November 2010 – Big Sur Half Marathon – 1:08:59 – 8th place
1 May 2011 – BMO Vancouver Marathon – 2:40:56 (1:08:56 first half) – 10th place

Later Years

18 September 2010 – Das Hustlehoff 5K – 14:18 – 2nd place (PR)
12 March 2011 – Tom King Half Marathon – 1:10:40 – 4th place
30 July 2011 – Goodlettsville 4-Miler – 21:11
5 November 2011 – Monumental Indianapolis Marathon – 2:26:42 – 5th place
15 October 2011 – Murfeesboro Half Marathon – 1:11:37 – 4th place
4 December 2011 – California International Marathon -2:32:24
22 August 2013 – Heart and Sole Half Marathon -1:13:46 (5,600ft elevation, Boulder, CO) -4th place
2 November 2013 – Monumental Indianapolis Half Marathon – 1:14:12 – 38th place
9 November 2013 – Team Nashville 10-Miler – 56:11 – 2nd place
8 December 2013 – California International Marathon – 2:32:57 – 46th place
5 October 2014 – Army Ten Miler – 55:20

Father Time caught up to me. My last few races.

1 November 2015 – Austin Run For The Water 10 Miler – 58:40 – 15th place
17 January 2016 – Houston Chevron Half Marathon – 1:16:50
21 Feb 2016 – Space 10 Miler – 58:41 – 12th place

2005 World Armed Forces Cross Country Championships Team Member – Tunis, Tunisia

2006 World Armed Forces Cross Country Championships Team Member – Thun, Switzerland

RunDreamAchieve Disclaimer

RDA Focus

Here are a few pain points I focus on here at RunDreamAchieve that I commit to helping you with.

1. Fueling
2. Mindset
3. Pace adaptation
4. Biomechanics
5. Pacing strategies
6. Motivation
7. Race pace mindset
8. Physiological adaptations
9. Pace management
10. Lactic acid adaptation

Nathan finishing in 5th place overall at the 2011 Monumental Indianapolis marathon running his second fastest marathon time at age 35.