Chasing down my 5th star and having trained for a PB, I went to London with anxious anticipation. The course was fast, the crowds were intense, the weather was just about perfect, and I had friends to run with. It was a perfect setting for a perfect day, but I only just barely made it to the finish.
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Nothing was obviously wrong. I just started feeling like everything was just way too hard at about 10k. And if i didn’t need to finish to get my 5th star, i probably would have stepped off the course at about halfway. This race was a very long struggle. And that’s why you have to lace em up and race. Nothing is a given.
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The people of London really showed some great hospitality and got me through to the finish.
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3:23:10
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I love how even though you were struggling and not able to achieve goal pace, you seemed to have an absolute blast with the spectators. You continue to be an inspiration ❤
It’s hard not to smile with crowd support like this
I got my 6th star in Boston (saw @kofuzi taking B roll in Rabbit, but left you be) in what I'd described as my 'last marathon' after brutal races last year. Was simply tired of the failure, the hurt, the disappointment. I ran a 'good' Boston (my fastest race since 2019 actually), BUT what I learned more is that the time never actually mattered. It never did. Only the enjoyment of the experience, course, and seeing/interacting with a city/country of new people. I found 'the secret' that its obvious @kofuzi has in how he approaches these runs.
Nobody does race Vlog better than Kofuzi. Absolutely nobody.
Thank you 🙏
Agreed!
For spanish speakers we also have the great @mourglia
Love his race Vlogs. Alwasy captures the emotions and takes you to the race.
Absolutely.
You know what i respect most about you Mike, you don't make excuses.. 95% of other people would be like my hip flexor, nutrition, heat, whatever you just said "i dont got it today". Imagine going back to when you finished Baltimore and telling your younger self a decade from now my "i dont got it" marathon is a 3:23 . Youve come a long way my friend. I think all the travel caught up with you.. Great race and video as usual regardless..
Right!?! And yet we all know he has to have been exhausted from all the traveling, nonstop events in Boston while completing his training for London while there, and more pre race events in London. And jet lag.
And then there's ThisMessyHappy Ben and he said when struggling in Boston a few days ago: "My legs didn't shop up today", as he was running past a person literally without legs (with steel springies).
This video is amazing. The soundtrack, cinematics, suspense on how you were going to do, the crowd's support... but above all, the raw reality of how hard a marathon can be, regardless of your goals. As someone training for his first marathon, it is an excellent reminder to enjoy the race and not be obsessed with time/pace goals. Congrats Mike!
This one hurt a lot
Well done Kofuzi.You Gave me a great boost when I saw you at the halfway point. I ran my 1st sub 3 in 2.58.53 . 🤛
Congratulations!!
It was great to share some miles with you mate! The messages at the end from the family were amazing to see. Super race recap!!
Sorry I couldn’t keep you company for more miles. It was a pleasure to run together!
Hey bro! I’m so pleased you got to see the team on course they were waiting for you! Great seeing you last week ❤
thanks Fordy Run Club for the cheers!
YWGO! Tried to film you at mile 26 but realized I couldn’t afford the tickets, so I just cheered for you from Texas. Your great resolve and character is so inherent and consistent, it’s ALMOST taken for granted. 🙏🏼 thank you
Brilliant Mike! Wonderful to finally meet you and big kudos for gutting that one out! Hope you had fun here!
so great to finally meet in person! at Platform 9 3/4 no less!
It was a 'pinch yourself' moment when I was standing on the sidelines near mile 16 and the one and only Kofuzi runs past!! Congrats on another marathon and another amazing video to go with it! ❤
Thanks for the support!
Sometimes, we need a little setback in order to come back stronger and better 💪 It's still an absolutely amazing achievement, especially because you did not stop and were still able to soak in all the cheers from the crowd . Thank for taking us along🙏🙌
I love your videos but I particularly like this one as you showed that someone even as fast and as good a runner as you can have difficult races. And somehow that makes you even more relatable. Thanks for sharing this. I ran my first London on Sunday and loved it. Struggled the last 10k but overall it’s the most I’ve ever enjoyed a race 😊😊
Congratulations on finishing this one! Watching you was like watching myself from my Boston marathon last week, with almost identical split times and finishing time! You hold on to the finish and that’s what marathons are always about !👏👏👏
I don't usually comment, but I love your videos. Your videos inspire me to get outside everyday. You did wonderful and for some reason my favorite part is how you went over to support Shaka Dukes as he was struggling. You all are amazing runners!
Congrats on finishing this one and earning your fifth star! Very well deserved! Huge respect for fighting until the end, despite struggling so much - I think that's all what running is about. Thank you for taking us with you on this journey. I hope you can recover quickly!
Thanks for coming along for the run!
Well done Mike for getting through a tough day and still captured London in all its glory 👏🏽👏🏽
Your face as you ran past the Fordy crew at mile 18.5 was priceless. Good to see you in person even if was only for a split second. You were looking smooth!
Thank you for the picture you took for myself and the lady I had not met in person but with whom I'd been friends for 3/4 years. It was great seeing and identifying you at the green start. !!!!. Well-done champ
You did such an amazing job, even when you struggle you finished strong! I hope you are proud of this accomplishment, you finish in a very good time.
Absolutely inspirational. Bless
I loved every aspect of this video, incredible crowds cheering for runners, you struggling but still fighting. Definitely one of the better displays of humanity.
Solid work💪🏽 great seeing you out there
Congrats on completing London! Thx for sharing the experience with us!
Outstanding Kofuzi. So good to finally see you here. Ian 🇬🇧
You learn more about yourself on the tough days than on the easy days. Ko, you were inspiring, caring, and determined, during that struggle. Great example for all of us. Nicely done!
Thanks for always showing the world how special the marathon is. Keep on keeping on doing great Ko!
Loved this race vlog! Thanks for keeping it real! Congrats! Loved your interaction with the crowds and other runners!
Always cheering for you Ko. I am glad you finished and earned this star
I got goosebumps watching this video. Hat of to you. Amazing ❤🎉
Awesome grinding it out. I was similar at Manchester a couple weeks back, got to halfway and it was awful - wanted to jump on a tram with 8km to go but the crowds kept me going. Great to get a message from your neice/nephew at the finish line - wholesome stuff.
I had no idea it was coming. Total surprise!
You would be the absolute most positive person to run next to in a marathon ❤ good job out there! Glad you got to go and also have lots of fun from the looks of it!
I was a volunteer at mile 22. I was looking out for you but missed you. 😢 congrats on another great achievement and video 🎉🙌🏅
Another incredibly inspiring video mate. You kept fighting. Thank you for sharing the whole journey. What an amazing crowd to drive the runners on. I wish one day I can accomplish a full marathon. I’m going to attempt my first full marathon in October in Melbourne.
You always get me in my feels watching your races vlogs. Seeing you struggle but still go and help Shaka Dukes had me tearing up. You are an amazing person! We need more people as caring as you in this world. Congrats on the finish! 💪🏽💪🏽
Thank you 🙏
The sign saying "run uncle Kofuzi" how perfect was that?! Way to push through! 🎉
Mike its great to see you running and having fun even if you dont achieve the goal in second half ! Same happaned to me last week in Boston 😊 you are open to share the weaker side and thats so authentic ! Thanks
Oh my goodness, those messages at the finish for you must have just warmed and reinvigorated your heart. Beautiful.
It was a blessed surprise
awesome,, love being on the course with your videos thanks for posting and taking us with you
Well done kofuzi! Great job!
Thanks for sharing this. If anything, to show that the struggle is real and anything can happen on race day. I'm happy that I got to see you on the course (around 7:35 with the Tracksmith crew) but I'm more happy that you finished and got your 5th star. Congrats!!!
Just wonderful, I was with you every step of the way, and @MrJermson is right no body does this better, thank you so much for putting this together.
Congratulations 🎉 love the true nature of how to embrace and take walks if needed. Everyone should never feel bad for walking and this is a great example and to soak in the atmosphere.
One of, if not my favourite, Kofuzi video for so many reasons. I've been here for years. You remain an inspiration to us all, thank you
Thank you for watching
Amazing- you get a real sense of the race and of the energy of London in this film.
Brilliant video, thanks for sharing!! Congratulations 🎉👏🏽🔥💪🏾💫
Its amazing you're able to do all that you do, honestly. Jumping straight from your back to back events in Boston, to running London. Major props.
Great video. Amazing to be able to keep these memories from races to watch in years to come. Mine are fading already!
Way to grind through it! Congratulations! Another great video and marathon effort!
A hard earned medal, very well done to you!
Had chills watching this. Amazing!
Solid effort mate after all the travelling you have been doing, and all the commitments. Great work 🎉
Thank you
Well done for toughing it out. It's not easy when the a goal slips away, followed quickly by b and c and d goals, but it takes guts to see it through. I was watching this thinking this was exactly me in Boston last week. Had a blast though and so did you.
Love it man! What an amazing video, thank you for being vulnerable and showing the valley’s in life. We love you and pray you will come back stronger but more importantly you showed us it’s ok for things to not go as planned and just keep moving one foot at a time
Just keep running
Great video! I cheered you SO hard at mile 25, was so happy to meet you on the Saturday and then see you in the race. You captured it so well! Well done on the marathon, never given...always earnt!!
Thanks so much for the support! I needed it so much!
Isn't it amazing how every run can be so much different from the last one. The ones that hurt are way more mentally challenging. You done excellent to plough through it and finish and still enjoy your race day! Kudos to you sir!
Amazing Kofuzi !! You are full of positivity bro .. and thats what the planet needs. Well Done 👍🏻
I had tears rolling down my face reading those messages for you at the finish line. As per, incredible race video. Loved seeing Fordy cheer squad and Run Dem Crew giving you the energy boost you needed. 🎉
You are inspirational! I hope you enjoyed your London experience.
what a great video! thanks for sharing with us the London Marathon experience
Great video Ko! We had very similar race stories on Sunday! I also started in Green wave 1 and I went through halfway in 1:29 high but by then I think I knew it wasn't going to be my day. Like you I tried to dig in and I started to feel better at around 30KM, I made back some time to be back on sub-3 pace only for my legs to give out at 38 and cramping in my hamstrings slowed me way down! Congrats on your 5th star and looking forward to watching you go for your 6th in Berlin!
Magic, thank you!
Congrats kofuzi 🎉🎉🎉
Your edits always get me so emotional, Mike! Looks like an epic fight! I've followed your training and everything else you share for years and you continue to inspire me. Congratulations on an awesome race!!
Nicest thing a meangirl has ever said to me
Such a powerful video! Brilliant that you didn’t have the day you want but showed it anyway. ❤
Absolutely stunning effort 🎉 love the uncle kofuzi signage at the end ❤
Excellent video. Touched my heart. I only run halfs, but stories like this really make me wanna try full.
Amazing Kofuzi, sheer will to finish!
Quality vid and brings back many happy memories of the day.
I can't even do a full 5k at that pace. That was incredible. Welcome to UK!! Your work's amazing!!
Absolutely beautiful video! Running is just so weird. Sometimes you got it, sometimes you don't and you never really know how it's gonna go until it's all over.
Well done, Mike! You pushed through the hard times and got the work done 💪
I love how you go about it Kofuzi, not the run you wanted but great effort to push through and amazing footage.
Awesome and Congratulations for hanging in there. It's those days that scare me.. probably 1 out of every 10 running days I'm feeling it on the 3 or 4th mile.. so worried that one of those days will land on a race day.
Absolutely amazing video. Even though you struggled, you still showed off my home race like nobody else. Loved the way your belief boosters came on the screen at the end. Nice work Kofuzi - great to meet a legend!
I saw them when I needed encouragement most
I’d love to see Kofuzi PB as much as anyone else, but at the same time, some of your best videos are the ones in which you took it easy and had a blast. Congrats on finishing another one of the Majors!
This one a little something for everyone, I guess
Wow oh wow. So proud of you for getting this done. Even while struggling, you still found a way to have fun. Loved the precious shoutout from your niece/nephew ❤
highlight of the day
Leaving a comment to let you know I stopped by, running is great even on a bad day, congratulations on your 5th start this is impressive through and through!
thanks for letting me know you were here!
100% Marathon motivation! Thanks Mike for another amazing video. Berlin here we come.
Your race recaps are my fav. Kudos on staying in the race and nabbing that star. Earned it, buddy. Proud of you!
It's all I can do to stay vertical in a race. Incredible that you can get this footage and push through. Mad respect. 💪🏻
Amazing push, and wonderful video! It's impressive to PB, but it's even more impressive to push through with a stellar time when you're not feeling it!
you did great Sir. congratulation on finishing!
I think you showed us all that it's not about the time you get but the overall experience and the people and support/interaction from everyone - from the crowds to the other runners, you capture it the best. Congrats!
Thank you
Although the main goal wasn't achieved you still were able to enjoy those bright spots in the race. You out your self out there and finished London Cousin Ko. Loved the sign message for you at the finish!
kofuzi video is always worth watching 🥹 the music, the sequel, the way you highlight important and dramatic moment is like watching the marathon on the big screen... you may have not achieve ur own personal best, but trust me, this one of the best video in london marathon. thank you so much for sharing ❤. well done!
Great effort Mike, these vids are like mini hollywood epics. Love it 💪🏽
I was the runner ‘JACK’ - blue Sweat Elite singlet, on your heels as you finished mate! Great run and great vlog 💪🏼
Great finish Jack!
Great video! It's good to see the rough runs with the good runs, makes us mortals feel better about ourselves
Great vlog Kofuzi! What an incredible day! We must have passed each other at some stage as I went off the green start too. I was on for 3 hour pace until mile 15, but suffered with cramp. 3.12.54 for me. Well done for gritting it out 👍
Amazing video. Thanks a lot for the inspiration!!
Cheers, Mike. Like many others, I am inspired by you, FOD, TRC, and many others for my second marathon in 25 years on Sunday as well in Christchurch, New Zealand. My much older legs couldn't endure, but the attitude was positive until the end. I learned a lot for the next one. My only other run was London in '99. The sky was all purple There were people runnin' everywhere - Prince, 1999.
Awesome job you kept going 💪💪💪
Congratulations, some really heartwarming moments there.
You smile so easily, through tough times too, what a trait to possess!
Incredible
amazing, as always
Great Kofuzi❤️🤗
Man huge music your videos. Breath-taking story telling
Great Run The spirit you have is incredible
Congrats on another marathon finish, Uncle Mike! Running can be so humbling and I appreciate you sharing all the highs and lows with us. I’m sorry it was hard but it looks like it was an amazing experience regardless. Cheers.
Thanks Shannon!