My First Boston Marathon: A Race to Remember
Running the Boston Marathon has always been a dream. This year, I had the privilege of running it for the very first time—and it was an experience I’ll never forget.
As a lifelong runner and co-founder of RNWY, running isn’t just a hobby or even just my work—it’s part of who I am. RNWY was born from a simple but important mission: to give athletes better sports nutrition tools to fuel performance, optimize recovery, and prolong their athletic journey.
The Road to Boston
Although this was my first time running Boston, I’ve been there many times before. My wife has run it, and I worked at Nike for years, so the city and the event hold a special place in my heart. I was even there during the 2013 bombing and again the following year to witness the city’s incredible resilience. This year, though, I was finally on the other side—not as a spectator, but as a runner.
From the moment I landed, the city buzzed with energy. Runners from all over the world proudly wore jackets from past Boston Marathons. RNWY hosted activations with Believe in the Run and Heartbreak Hill Running Company, but my main focus was simply to soak in every moment of this legendary event.
Shakeouts, Friends & Community
The days leading up to the race were packed with shakeout runs (I logged about 20 miles), reconnecting with friends, and meeting RNWY athletes and customers—many I’d only known online until then.
One particularly memorable moment was bumping into pros like Clayton Young and Connor Mantz. I have hung out with Connor before but never met Clayton. I have sent RNWY Products to both of them but wasn't sure if they had used it or even liked it. It was a pleasant surprise when Clayton saw my RNWY hat and asked if I was the "RNWY guy"? He then mentioned using RNWY Foundation right before their press conference earlier that morning and said its become a part of his daily routine for a few months and has helped with his recovery.
Other highlights were a shakeout run with Heartbreak Hill Running Company, who hosted Galen Rupp and Courtney Fredericks. I also joined a Brooks shakeout run with Pynrs and Movenation, at the expo listened to Ali on the Run do live interviews with Emma Bates and several other top-tier athletes.
We checked out the On pop-up shops, the Marathon Sports pop-up, the Puma pop-up, and attended the New Balance Track event, where teams raced to complete a marathon on the track. RNWY was also able to partner up with Meghann Featherstun in the ASICS Move Her Mind tour in collaboration with Believe In The Run.
These interactions reminded me why we do what we do: to support athletes at every level and build community around shared passion and effort.
Race Day
Race morning started with the iconic bus ride to Hopkinton. Sitting shoulder to shoulder with thousands of other runners, the anticipation was real. I chatted with a fellow runner who also used RNWY products—a small reminder of how far our community has reached.
The start was exhilarating. Thanks to Boston’s seeding, I was surrounded by runners at my pace and went out at about 6:20–6:30 per mile. For fueling, I relied on RNWY Salty Carbs™, which deliver both fast carbohydrates and 700mg sodium to support hydration, along with a Maurten gel. Early fueling made a huge difference in keeping my energy steady as the miles ticked by.
But marathons are never perfect. At mile 14, my stomach acted up a bit. Despite feeling strong, I was forced into a few different porta-potty stops between miles 14 and 23. My best guess? A combination of traveling, nerves and hotter weather than expected. Gut issues are a reminder of how crucial proper marathon fueling strategies are—and why I continue to fine-tune mine.
The Finish
No setback could erase the magic of those final turns: right on Hereford, left on Boylston, into a tunnel of cheers. That last mile was pure emotion. I crossed the line in 3:08. Not my PR, but a time I’ll always be proud of given the day.
After the finish, I collapsed in the grass alongside other exhausted but elated runners. That’s the beauty of the marathon: whether you’re elite or everyday, we all share the same suffering, grit, and celebration.
Final Thoughts
Boston lived up to every expectation. It reminded me why I run, why community matters, and why nutrition and recovery are so important for anyone chasing big goals.
For me, that’s what RNWY stands for: products like Foundation™, Salty Carbs™, Extra Mile™, and Complete Protein™ designed to help runners fuel smarter, recover stronger, and keep doing what they love for years to come.
To anyone training for their first marathon: embrace the journey. PRs are great, but the real win is in the experience, the people you meet, and the stories you’ll carry forever.
See you on the road,
Cameron Schuler
Co-Founder, RNWY