For a long time, the goal was simple: get faster. Half marathons led to full marathons, full marathons led to Boston, and Boston led to wondering how much more I could shave off. Over more than a decade of racing across the SF Bay Area and beyond, I kept chipping away. A 3:54 at Big Sur in 2022. A 3:22 at Big Sur a year later, then a 3:09 in Shanghai in the same year. A 3:07 at CIM that punched my Boston Qualifier. A 3:05 at Chicago in 2025.
But somewhere in that arc, I kept running into challenges and injuries that weren't as fulfilling as I hoped. Faster times matter, until they don't. What I found more satisfying was discovering running together with others, helping them achieve their goals, and enjoying experiences beyond just pushing my pace. Sharing the joy of running with other people turned out to be something the stopwatch just couldn't compete with.
The Shift: From Competitor to Pacer
That realization is what led me to start Sego The Distance, a free marathon pacing service. Free, because access to a reliable pacer shouldn't depend on your budget. The whole point is to be out there on race day, running alongside someone, and helping them hit a time they've been working toward. That moment when it clicks for another runner, when they cross the line and know they did it, that's what got me hooked.
Alongside pacing, I've been building toward coaching more formally as a UESCA-trained endurance coach. The combination of racing experience and structured coaching education gives me a better toolkit to actually help people, not just run next to them.
What's Next: 777 World Marathon Challenge
In 2027, I'm registered for the 777 World Marathon Challenge, seven marathons on seven continents in seven days. I'll be running it in support of Team For Kids. It's the biggest physical undertaking on my calendar, and it's also a natural extension of everything pacing has taught me: running isn't just about what you do alone. It's about who you bring with you, and what you're running for.
Running together with others, helping them achieve their goals, was more satisfying than continuing to try to get faster and faster.
— Michael Sego