My FIRST FULL Marathon

Weeks of training, hundreds of miles covered, many lost toe nails, and countless fuel gels consumed… I can officially call myself a full marathoner.  I ran my first full marathon this past weekend.  I did it.  Running a full marathon has always been on my fitness bucket list.  I knew I would be able to cover the distance… but how the whole experience (and finish time) would go down… was the unknown.

My race strategy was simple:  Run and Finish!  I would walk each time I needed to refill my water bottle… for water as well as a mental break.  I also wanted to have fun with it.

The night before the race, I went to church and dinner with my girlfriends.  It was great to catch up (minus the kids and not in running clothes).  We were a bundle of nerves and super excited.

I prepared my race outfit and layers.  I set out my fuel plan (I am a bit OCD like that).  My plan was to fuel ever 4 miles the first 12 miles.  Then I would fuel every 3 miles if I felt I needed the extra kick of fuel.  I ended up using all but 1 fuel.

Race morning arrived and the group of girlfriends and I were bundled up and ready to start our race.  Layer upon layers we wore to keep warm: tank, arm warmers, gloves, long sleeve shirt x2, ear warmers, buff and more!  We were cold… but ready!  Race start temp was 27 degrees!

The gun went off when we were using the port-o-potty the final time.  There was no real rush as our times were recorded by a chip.  We stripped off our toss a way layer (sweats) and headed to the start.  Off we went!  Giggling with excitement.

We did not warm up or stretch before running.  So the first few miles were cold.  Miles 0-8 was very cold and congested.

Mile 1 – 10:12
Mile 2 – 10:09
Mile 3 – 9:58
Mile 4 – 10:00
Mile 5 – 9:51
Mile 6 – 10:36
Mile 7 – 10:06
Mile 8 – 10:44

The streets were slick and slippery with black ice.  Many runners were on the road running our pace.  The fan support was excellent too!  Never a dull moment during these miles.  At one water refill stop I lost the top to my bottle.  I had to stop and run back to get it.  Did I mention it was cold and slippery?

These miles I began to find my groove.  I stopped to walk each water station.  I even stopped to stretch a few times as my hip flexor was tight… and my left hamstring was nagging.  I remember telling my girlfriends that I had a huge praise… at mile 8 I had NO foot pain.  That was the defining point in the previous runs when I had pain.

No pain.  Just dull nagging aches in the foot, hip flexor and hamstring.  I continued on.  Walking was cold.  Running felt better even if at times I felt like I was running in place.

Mile 9 – 10:08
Mile 10 – 10:01
Mile 11 – 10:45
Mile 12 – 10:40
Mile 13 – 10:19
Mile 14 – 10:34
Mile 15 – 11:22
Mile 16 – 11:31

Miles 9-16 were strong and steady.  Around mile 15 my running friend took a potty break, and I walked through a water stop to wait for her.  At mile 16, we met her family.  It was a great moral boost as they were full of positive energy.  They also provided she and I with advil to soothe our aching feet.

These miles I found myself on my phone a lot.  I was texting my husband to fill him in on my miles (where I was) and hoping that he would be able to make it to see me run.  I was also updating my facebook status (don’t judge) letting my friends and family know where I was (and how I was doing) mid race.  As this was my first full marathon… the whole finishing time wasn’t as important to me as FINISHING and ENJOYING the journey.

Mile 17 – 10:15
Mile 18 – 10:59
Mile 19- 10:39
Mile 20 – 10:27

Around mile 18, I plugged in my music and nike+ (for the added cheers) for the last 8.2 miles of the race.  At this time I also began running the race solo.  Once my music was all plugged in, I settled into a comfortable cadence and pace.  This part of the race is a total blur… but I remember enjoying it and taking it all in.  Full smile on my face and loving each step.

These last few miles, I just ran.  I didn’t check my watch for pace.  I just put one foot in front of the other.  It was refreshing just to be out there among the crowd running this amazingly epic journey.  It was surreal and awesome!!

Mile 21 – 10:43
Mile 22 – 10:46
Mile 23 – 10:43
Mile 24 – 11:06

During these miles I was texting my husband every mile.  Praying that he and the boys would make it on time.  Unfortunately, at mile 22 he texted saying that he had trouble finding parking.  I wanted to slow down to give him time to find me, see me run, watch me do my thing.

Mile 24 was a huge emotional mile for me.  I received a text from my husband saying that he and the boys weren’t going to make it.  “Run strong!” I was crushed, to say the least.  I understood and was glad he tried… but he and the boys were going to miss out.  I shed a few tears… but when I realized they weren’t going to see me… there was no need for me to run slower to give them time to catch up.

Mile 25 – 10:33
Mile 26 – 10:34

The last two miles were long.  I wasn’t sure where I was.  I kept counting down the streets as I ran, but wasn’t sure where the finish line was.  I didn’t want to check my watch (for fear of getting mental with finishing time or pace).

Even though those miles were long, I distinctly remember thinking to myself at mile 24/25 (shortly after realizing that my family wasn’t going to be there to see me run)… I totally want to run another full marathon again… soon!  I had caught the marathon bug!!

When I saw the capital and finish line, I ran.  I finished strong and with a smile on my face.  I ran and finished my first full marathon.  I am a marathoner!

After reviewing my garmin stats, I am happy to see that I ran a pretty steady and consecutive race.  I would even venture to say I ran a conservative race.  I walked the water stops.  I ran the rest.  I charged up the hills and enjoyed the down hill.

I am thankful for Tiffany, Running Hutch, who provided me with a fantastic training plan the past few months and has been so full of knowledge and wisdom for my questions!!

The biggest tip she shared was to start slow and conservative.  Then if feeling good, pick up the pace the second half a bit.  The real race doesn’t begin until the last 10K.  Those bits of wisdom helped me run my race.

There you have it!  I did it.  I always wanted to do it. I knew I had it in me… I just didn’t know how or when it would happen.  I am no longer just a halfmarathoner… but can call myself a FULL marathoner now!  I can’t wait to add that pretty 26.2 sticker to my minivan!

If you are wanting more pictures from my race and journey, feel free to check out my instagram or facebook page.  I share a lot of photos there often!  Again, THANK YOU for all YOUR prayers, support, well wishes and wisdom over the past few weeks!  It does not go unnoticed and I am so thankful for you!