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George Payne

@fitdadpayne

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🏋️ Dad | Fitness | Consistency
🏃Sub-3 at Chicago Marathon
📍Documenting the journey

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Chicago Marathon: done.

It didn’t go how I planned, but it was an experience I’ll never forget. I lost my salt sticks at mile 2, dealt with numbness and cramping from mile 5, and by mile 16 my body was fighting me. At the end crazy how the world connects us and got to finish alongside @runstrongdon who I built a friendship with on social media.
Thank you to everyone who supported me from scratch to Chicago. The race is over, but the consistency isn’t. Daily work continues, and I’m glad to keep holding us accountable together.
Happy to answer any questions or lessons learned in the comments.

#ChicagoMarathon #MarathonRecap #FitDad #fitdadpayne #RunningCommunity MarathonLessons by @fitdadpayne

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15 hours ago

Race day didn’t go as planned. My lower body had other ideas. But I got it done.
The best part was seeing my family waiting at the finish. Such an amazing experience.
Today is for resting, enjoying it, and then getting back to the training board.
Thank you all for the support, and @runstrongdon for finishing this one together.

Lessons learned coming soon. by @fitdadpayne

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2 days ago

One more sleep.
600 g of carbs in, legs are rested, and the kit is laid out for Chicago tomorrow.

Gear
Hat: @deadlast.run
Singlet: @soar_running
Bottoms: @wolaco
Socks: @feetures
Shoes: @adidasrunning

Race Fuel/Protection
@maurten_official
@saltstick
@run_slick
@secondwindnasalstrips

Let’s go. See you on the other side.

#ChicagoMarathon #BankOfAmericaChicagoMarathon #FitDadPayne #MarathonMorning by @fitdadpayne

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3 days ago

All the energy of a marathon, none of the outlet. Sorry in advance to everyone within 10 feet.

taperweek #chicagomarathon #fitdad #runnerproblems by @fitdadpayne

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5 days ago

3 Days!

Nothing about this block was magic. I just kept showing up. Motivation got me in the door, but consistency got me here. It’s not exciting, but it works.

My favorite part of these past few months? The people. I started this solo, and along the way it turned into a whole crew of runners, dads, moms, and people getting their daily workout in who check in, show up in the comments, and DMs. You made the miles lighter, and I’m bringing all that energy to Chicago.

#ChicagoMarathon #MarathonTraining #FitDad #Runna #RoadToChicago by @fitdadpayne

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6 days ago

4 days until Chicago. Rest day, so here’s a product that fixed one of my most annoying problems.

I’ve packed a lot of coolers. Every single one ended with wet containers/cans and a puddle at the bottom. A couple months ago I found @nugsax reusable ice cubes in a bag. Freeze them overnight and they keep everything cold all day without melting into water.

Daily use in this house:
→ Meal prep for the office
→ Baby P’s cooler and snacks
→ And this week, my @ghostenergy and pre-race fuel in a checked cooler to Chicago

No code, no affiliation. I just like the product.
www.nugsax.com

#nugsax #chicagomarathon #mealprep #fitdad marathontraining by @fitdadpayne

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7 days ago

Dug this one out of the vault.

Fast forward to now: taper week. Same energy. Different stakes. Legs are fresh, brain is restless, and the shoes are once again getting a lot of eye contact.

Rest is part of the plan. Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Who else gets twitchy on rest weeks?

#deloadweek #taperweek #runnerhumor #fitdad #chicagomarathon by @fitdadpayne

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7 days ago

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9 days ago

Got baby P a gift for being perfect through this whole training block. Opened it up, tried them on for size... turns out we wear the same size. Works out great for me.

#dadswhorun #marathontraining #chicagomarathon2026 #dadlife by @fitdadpayne

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9 days ago

9 miles and 8 days. Today’s run was a nice one to just think about next week. Nothing left to prove — everything from here is about arriving fresh. And seeing baby P at the finish line.

#marathontraining #chicagomarathon2026 #dadswhorun #sub3marathon by @fitdadpayne

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11 days ago

Single digits. 9 days to Chicago, and my first marathon in 7 years. Training’s done, taper’s almost done — now it’s about getting the mind right. Give me your best race-day advice. What do you wish someone had told you?

#marathontraining #chicagomarathon2026 #sub3marathon #dadswhorun by @fitdadpayne

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12 days ago

Today feeling PUMPED!!!

Chicago Race Plan — building toward my first sub-3. 8 gels, all @maurten_official Gel 100 and Gel 100/Caf 100 for the caffeine hits at miles 9, 15, and 21. Fuel before you need it, hold the pace when it gets ugly, empty the tank from mile 24 on. 10 days to Chicago. LFG

If you have any feedback/thoughts/advice drop them in the comments!

#marathontraining #chicagomarathon2026 #sub3marathon #maurten #pacingstrategy by @fitdadpayne

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13 days ago