Why a Mizzou wrestler ran a marathon ... with zero prep, eating just ramen and oatmeal
About a month after the Missouri wrestling team’s season came to an abrupt end because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Allan Hart floated an idea to his roommates:
He wanted to run a marathon.
That was Sunday night, and his roommates weren’t convinced. They pushed Hart to message their Mizzou wrestling teammates so they knew of the challenge — and so he couldn’t back down.
By Monday afternoon, after downing only some ramen and oatmeal, Hart was ready. He left his Columbia home at about 2 p.m. with no predetermined route, just a running app on a phone.
That’s right: Hart had zero distance training under his belt yet completed an impromptu 26.2-mile trek toting only that phone and stomach full of noodles.
When the NCAA canceled all of its winter and spring sports championships last month due to the coronavirus, it effectively ended Hart’s season. All Mizzou seasons. It also meant Hart hadn’t done any cardio training lately.
“No training whatsoever,” Hart said in a phone call Wednesday. “I wanted to prove I could do it.”
In checking the conditions before setting out, Hart said it was a perfect day for running, with temperatures drifting from 55 to 70 degrees in mid-Missouri. Two of his roommates were by his side on bicycles to ensure he stayed on track.
Once off, Hart said the first half of the marathon was a breeze. He averaged about eight minutes per mile. It took him roughly two hours before he stopped for a quick break consisting of Gatorade and granola bars.
But then Hart hit a wall. It took him about three hours and change to complete the second half of his challenge. By the time he wrapped up, his total time came in at about 5 hours and 30 minutes, he said.
“I got to a dark place,” Hart said of the final 13.1 miles. “I was hurting, didn’t want to do it. But I was like, ‘Man, I’m this close. Gotta push through.’”
That support from his wrestling teammates helped. During his five-plus hours of running, they checked in via GroupMe with Hart’s roommates to monitor his progress. Some who were still hanging around Columbia even popped in to cheer him on.
Hart said he kept one quote in mind while the miles and steps racked up.
“My mind quits before your body does — like soccer moms do it,” Hart said with a laugh. “There’s no reason why I can’t run a marathon. And it hurt ... but it was awesome.”
In reflection, Hart said his only regret was the shoes he wore. He donned a pair of beat-down Nikes, the same ones he’d been wearing for about a year.
“If I were to do it again, I’d definitely invest in a good pair of running shoes,” Hart said. “Next day, it was pretty hard to walk. My legs were shot.”
In the past month, Hart has remained in Columbia instead of returning to his hometown of Akron, Ohio. He said it was likely safer to stay in Missouri rather than travel back home.
The Tigers were coming off their ninth straight Mid-American Conference championship this season. Their next step was to be the NCAA Championships in Minneapolis. Hart was one of nine Mizzou qualifiers for the event.
This was supposed to be a pinnacle of the rising redshirt junior’s career, one he’d anticipated for years. He mentioned how, as kids, the NCAA Championships is the event many wrestlers strive for because there’s no professional league or championship to reach for next, like football players have in the NFL or Super Bowl.
Instead, the season was over in a flash.
“To have that feeling of making it, getting hyped up to go, and to have it taken away, it really sucked,” Hart said. “But at the end of the day, I’m grateful that I still have two more years of eligibility. Still have two more shots to wrestle for the national tournament.”
When not running grueling instant marathons, Hart said he’s tried to stay in shape and keep himself busy.
He said he’ll likely attempt another marathon eventually. But he’ll probably prepare a little more next time.
“I like pushing myself,” Hart said. “I knew this would be a challenge. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. Sometimes you’ve gotta say, ‘What the hell,’ and go out and do it. No preparation. It’s like a battle with your mind: gotta push those walls. To become a champion, you’ve got to go to dark places.”