And just like that, another Grandma’s Marathon weekend is in the books — and somehow, each year finds a way to feel even more meaningful than the last.
This was my fifth time up in Duluth for Grandma’s, and I went all-in. I arrived Thursday to experience every bit of what the weekend has to offer: group runs with Mill City Running and Back Alley Coffee, time at the expo soaking in the energy, the Friday afternoon William Irvin 5K, and — yes — a seriously elite salmon sandwich from Northern Waters Smokehaus. I even tried something new and slept in a camper van in the DECC lot. First time for everything.
Friday night, just when I thought the day couldn’t hold anything more — I ran into one of my favorite YouTube running creators, Eric Floberg, at the spaghetti dinner. He’s been a huge inspiration to me both as a runner and a storyteller, so getting to connect in person, especially in a place as meaningful as Grandma’s, was surreal. That small moment made a big impact. I fan boy’d HARD.
One of the most special moments of the entire weekend happened earlier that day, during a quiet break in the chaos: I sat down for an interview reflecting on my five-year journey with this race — and that conversation will be featured in Grandma’s 50th Anniversary video next year. I’m incredibly honored to contribute a small piece of my story to something so big.
Saturday brought heat, humidity, and that unmistakable buzz in the air. But this year’s race had an entirely new kind of significance — because it was the first race I’ve run post-engagement with my beautiful fiancée, Kailee.
She absolutely crushed it. Strong, focused, determined — I couldn’t be more proud of her. Sharing the course (and the weekend) with someone so special made it all the more unforgettable. It’s a memory I’ll carry forever.
As for me — I’ll be honest. I didn’t have it mentally in the middle miles. It reminded me a bit of the TC10 last year — one of those days where things just don’t click the way you hope. I backed off for a stretch. It was humbling.
But here’s the thing: I still ran a 90-minute Garry Bjorklund Half. 1:30:01, to be exact… right above.
And while it wasn’t my day for a PR, I’ve realized that this sport isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence, perspective, and progress. I’ve had a dream streak the past couple of years with big PRs and breakthroughs, and it’s easy to expect that to just keep rolling. But it’s not always linear. And that’s the beauty of running — every race tells a different story. This one reminded me to reconnect with my why.
As both an athlete and a coach, I know how important it is to consistently evaluate progress and train smart. Through Oak Endurance, I work with endurance athletes every day who are chasing goals like these — balancing performance with long-term health, through smart programming that includes things like gait analysis, strength training for runners, and injury mitigation strategies. My own experience this weekend reminded me of the same lessons I often share with my athletes: keep showing up, learn from every effort, and lean into the process.
After the race, we didn’t rush back. We stayed and soaked it all in — cheering at mile 24 with the Mill City crew (electric energy all afternoon) and watching so many marathoners dig deep and finish strong. The city was buzzing with joy, pride, and well-earned exhaustion. We capped the day with a celebratory stop at Burger Paradox, where the s’mores malt honestly might’ve been the highlight of the weekend…
From a coaching perspective — I couldn’t be prouder. So many success stories this year. Friends, clients, and community members — you all showed up and left it out there. It’s a privilege to witness your growth and be a small part of your journey. Helping athletes through Minnesota run coaching has become one of the great honors of my life. We get to do this, y’all. That’s not lost on me.
Grandma’s, thank you again for being the heartbeat of this sport for me. Every year, this race brings me back to center. And next year — the big 5-0 — I already know it’ll be something truly special.
Until then, stay present, keep showing up, and savor every mile.
Blog Post written by Jacob Oak | personal trainer, run coach, and gait analyst that works with endurance athletes through Oak Endurance
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