A: We received heartbreaking news that my grandma had passed away. I was very close to my grandma and regretted missing the chance to say goodbye, because I was always working. I went through a difficult grieving period during which I was sadly withdrawn from my family. I started running out of guilt and remorse and I ran my first marathon — the 2005 Chicago Marathon — in memory of my grandma, and because I needed to experience pain. By my third marathon, I began to realize that I am actually drawn to long-distance running because of my curiosity and desire to keep pushing myself.

Q: What is the hardest part about training for a marathon?

A: The lack of time is probably the most given excuse, and sometimes it’s a very valid one. It’s a matter of time management and making running part of your lifestyle. Marathon running is not for everyone, so before you start, find out why you would want to run a marathon. Is it your desire to set a fitness goal, or to raise awareness or funds for your favorite charity? What is your motivation? Once you figure that out, marathon running becomes more fun. It has a sense of purpose, and it becomes less about work.

Thomas Tan

Q: How do you recover from running such a long distance?

A: Besides taking rest days (no running), I like the idea of being more in control of my body, and I prefer to recover as “naturally” as possible. Lately, I have been a fan of tart cherries, which have potent natural antioxidants known as anthocyanins, which help protect muscle soreness and joint pain. I incorporate cherries into my diet before and after a race to reduce post-exercise pain.

I stay away from ibuprofen, because it does little to help remove the harmful metabolic debris from our damaged muscles. I never use acetaminophen, as I worry that it only masks the pain and therefore may even exacerbate injuries. Finally, frequent use of these drugs has been associated with serious gastrointestinal side effects.

Q: What is your favorite marathon?

A: I don’t have one. To me, all the marathons I have run are unique and educational in their own special way. So, I try to run a different race each time, so I can continue to build on each experience, good or bad.

But my two most memorable marathons are the Deadwood-Mickelson Trail Marathon in South Dakota and the Sedona Marathon in Arizona.

The D-MTM is a really gorgeous course, surrounded by the beauty of the Black Hills. The marathon is run through the sacred land of the Lakota Sioux, specifically on the George Mickelson Trail, and it finishes at Deadwood, a historic landmark representing American heritage.

The SM is spectacular in its own rights; you run on dirt road and rocks through scrub desert surrounded by red-rock monoliths that are dubbed Coffeepot, Cathedral and Bell because their massive shapes resemble these distinctive objects. Sedona is named the No. 1 most beautiful place in America.

Q: What marathons do you hope to run that you haven’t run yet?

A: There are so many I want to run! My goal is to run a marathon or ultramarathon in each of our great states. I have now run a marathon or longer distance in 21 states.

Q: What is the biggest piece of advice you’d give to somebody interested in getting into marathon running?

A: Take your time to ease into marathon running by building a solid base of mileage. One of the biggest mistakes new marathoners make is overlooking the base mileage needed before beginning any kind of marathon training, and as a result, they are prone to injuries. For beginners, it is generally recommended six months of running experience and a base of 20 miles per week.

Q: What is one thing you would tell nonmarathon runners about the world of marathon running that they may not know?

A: Marathon clubs are becoming increasingly popular as the sport continues to grow. They serve as wonderful communities for resource, support and camaraderie. The Marathon Maniacs, for example, based in Renton, currently has more than 2,040 members across the country. Newcastle has three members in the club.

Thomas is partnering with Coal Creek Family YMCA in Newcastle to help raise funds for an annual campaign called Partner with Youth, which provides scholarships allocated for children who otherwise cannot afford to come up with tuition for child care, camps and all types of activities. On Feb. 27-28, he plans to run to each YMCA branch in Washington state to help raise awareness and funds for PWY.

To learn more and make a donation, go to www.seattleymca.org and click on the “Give to Partners with Youth Campaign” link.

The funds raised during this campaign will be used at the local branch (instead of taken into the association budget then redistributed).

Also, 95 cents per every dollar raised will be applied to helping children. The goal at Coal Creek Family YMCA is to raise $275,000 this year.

The Coal Creek YMCA will host its first family trail walk at 10 a.m. Oct. 24.

The 1.5-mile walk will begin at the Coal Creek YMCA, and proceed down the new trail connecting the YMCA parking lot to the Coal Creek Trail.

The walk will follow the Coal Creek Trail upstream until reaching the Red Town Trailhead of Cougar Mountain Park. Organizers said the walk follows the old Seattle and Walla Walla railroad most of the way, and passes by waterfalls and historic sites.

Historian Milt Swanson will open his coal-mining museum to visitors arriving at Red Town.

A water leak destroyed one of the gyms at the Coal Creek YMCA. The facility’s opening will not be delayed, but some preschool and after-school activities will be relocated to the Lake Heights YMCA, 12635 S.E. 56th St., Bellevue, until the floor is repaired. Although the grand opening of the YMCA will not be until Newcastle Days on the weekend of Sept. 11-12, charter members are allowed to begin using the facility today.