Oct 22, 2007 Dan Mulhern - First Gentleman Finishing the Marathon By Doug Kurtis

First Gentleman Dan Mulhern said there were three experiences to running his first marathon. Getting to it, doing it, and having done it. He found the experience of ratcheting up his training to longer and longer runs to be beyond what he ever imagined. “Going from 10 mile runs to 18 seemed ungodly and then suddenly you’re doing twenty mile runs. It was grueling.”


J. Gonzalez - Detroit Free Press

“Leading up was fun and exhilarating. I couldn’t imagine when I started running that I could complete a marathon.” He completed the Free Press Marathon in 2004 and ‘05. His first marathon was not an individual experience. He was ecstatic to have the aid of friend Mike Tenbusch from Think Detroit. Late in the race he said it was like running with a flock of geese when they were joined by Think Detroit soccer players as they approached Indian Village.

Governor Granholm and their two children joined him over the last three miles. She was totally hoarse from screaming all day encouraging runners. Granholm managed to see Dan in several places along the course. “She was so excited that I had to tell her to calm down.”

Running the last few miles was very tough but he knew where he was on the course. “Jennifer and I lived in Indian Village and often drove those same miles to work. During the second marathon I would count down the turns to the finish.”

“After I finished the race I felt like collapsing. The contrast between the physical exhaustion and the spiritual exhilaration was extraordinary. For a first timer like me to expend all that physical and psychological energy of anticipation, worry and hope and make it to the finish line left me wanting to be carried out of Ford Field.
Mulhern, who is on the cusp of age fifty, finished just a few seconds over four hours in ‘04. After a few weeks he wanted to improve his performance. He ran 3:55 in ‘05. Although he would like to do another one, this year he will run the half marathon. Overcoming nagging injuries is what holds him back.

“Detroit is an incredible race that is growing in popularity with runners and spectators. The variety and constant change of the course has helped make this happen.”

His description of running over the Ambassador Bridge was enlightening. “It’s incredible because it connects the downtown world, the industrial world and now increasingly the recreational and livable world.”

Completing the race has also brought him closer to Think Detroit/PAL. He was one of the original donors and has helped mentor their two founders who he applauds for creating something out of nothing. “Their leadership promotes fitness in Detroit. They are a natural fit for the marathon because they build character in the city of Detroit. Completing a marathon is truly about ones’ character.”

“With so many events in the marathon now, someone like Think Detroit can help regular folk, especially Detroit’s African Americans, to imagine themselves participating.” Mulhern describes runners who complete a marathon as heroic.

He plans to continue running for fitness and to enjoy the people he runs with. He wants to race distances that are challenging without setting a specific goal. “I have enough goals in the other parts of his life without putting any more pressure on my running life.”
Mulhern is a fan of running on trails. “Running through the middle of Mackinac Island on the Trails is heaven.” He recommends staying off hard pavement.

“Other advice I would offer beginners is to start with a good pair of running shoes from a store like Playmakers. They will help you find what will best for your particular feet. It’s better to spend extra money on a good pair of shoes than on treating injuries.”