Failed NYC Marathon Leads to Redemption Race

After missing her goal at the 2021 NYC Marathon, a runner finds a new way to enjoy the race and sets a PR at the NYC Half Marathon.

Mar. 16, 2026 at 9:07pm

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Mallory Creveling had high hopes of breaking four hours at her second New York City Marathon in 2021, but around 10 miles in, she knew she wasn't going to make it. Instead of being devastated, she decided to focus on the experience of seeing the city come alive and fueled herself with support from friends, family, and strangers. Creveling then signed up for the New York City Half Marathon lottery shortly after and got in, determined to redeem herself. With the help of a licensed psychologist, she learned that mistakes are necessary for success, as they allow the brain to adapt and learn. Creveling ended up setting a six-minute PR at the half marathon, proving that sometimes failure can lead to an even greater triumph.

Why it matters

This story highlights the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt when faced with setbacks. It shows how a runner can turn a disappointing performance into an opportunity for growth and redemption, ultimately achieving a personal best. The insights from the licensed psychologist also provide valuable lessons about the role of neuroplasticity and positive self-talk in athletic success.

The details

Creveling had dedicated months of training to the 2021 NYC Marathon, but around 10 miles in, she knew she wasn't going to hit her goal time. She attributed this to a few mistakes, including starting in the final wave, which led to her overfueling and feeling nauseous. Instead of being devastated, Creveling decided to focus on the experience of seeing the city come alive and fueled herself with support from friends, family, and strangers. After the marathon, she signed up for the NYC Half Marathon lottery and got in, determined to redeem herself. With the help of a licensed psychologist, Creveling learned that mistakes are necessary for success, as they allow the brain to adapt and learn. She ended up setting a six-minute PR at the half marathon, proving that sometimes failure can lead to an even greater triumph.

  • Creveling ran the 2021 NYC Marathon in November.
  • She signed up for the NYC Half Marathon shortly after the marathon race day.
  • Creveling ran the NYC Half Marathon in 2022.

The players

Mallory Creveling

A deputy editor at Runner's World magazine, an ACE-certified personal trainer, and an RRCA-certified run coach.

Renee Exelbert

A licensed psychologist, certified personal trainer, and the founder of The Metamorphosis Center, which combines exercise and psychotherapy.

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What they’re saying

“Resilience is a muscle we're not born with, we have to work at it.”

— Renee Exelbert, Licensed psychologist and certified personal trainer

“Mistakes are 100 percent necessary to have success because it's the only way that the brain learns to adapt.”

— Renee Exelbert, Licensed psychologist and certified personal trainer

What’s next

Creveling plans to continue running and training, with the goal of setting more personal bests in future races.

The takeaway

This story demonstrates how a runner can turn a disappointing performance into an opportunity for growth and redemption. By embracing the lessons of resilience and neuroplasticity, Creveling was able to achieve a personal best in the NYC Half Marathon, proving that sometimes failure can lead to an even greater triumph.