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Now I should start with stating my first 5k was in August 2013 and we mostly walked it. Then I did my first mud run in September 2013. The first time I actually full on ran a 5k as a race was October 5, 2014 and m y time was 31:46, not too shabby since I had done a night time color run/walk the night before. Then November 9, 2014 I did my first half marathon in 2 hours and 34 minutes. Both of these I did with pretty much no real training. Well I decided in January of 2015 to show that 31 was just another number and complete a full marathon by then. I THOUGHT I had plenty of time to train but with three kids, working, and other responsibilities the training just didn’t happen at all. Prior to the marathon I had only a little of 18 miles on foot as my training.
For my first marathon I did was Light At The End Of The Tunnel marathon and my finish time was 6 hours and 10 minutes. 19 people finished after me so I wasn’t dead last; yes that was a fear of mine. And now comes the reflection time for of course the next time!!!
What I Will Do Differently For My Next Marathon
- Prepare For The Right Type Of Course- Most of my training was done on paved trail and the marathon was all trail. Huge differences on knee impaction of course your gear.
- Better Belt- I plan ran out of time to get a better belt suited one for running, and let’s just say the hiking belt was not the right material for how hot it was and the size of the water bottles eventually proved to be too much for my back.
- Pack Pain Relief- Thankfully my running partner was better prepared and man was the pain relief and anti-inflammatory much needed post-race.
- Train With The Gear- Because the course was trail I needed gaiters and I only had the ones I had gotten on clearance. While the material was awful on my legs and made my feet hot. Also the first part in the Snoqualmie Tunnel required a head lamp, which of course I never ran with mine on prior to this day.
- Take Off My Sunglasses As Needed- I ran about half the tunnel portion of our run with my sunglasses on, I could not figure out why I couldn’t see the headlamp in the tunnel.
- I Hate Mile Markers- I swear we ran further than those signs said at the points we reached them. My Garmin got off cause of the train tunnels but we were able to figure out how far off we were from the course sings for the most part.
How It Went Overall for My First Marathon
- I finished and that in and of itself I need to give myself credit for. I missed my goal of under 6 hours that day but I pushed thru a back problem that had me almost in tears I never have had pop up. I am hopeful that the next race some better gear makes a difference for it.
- Mile 11 I lost my mojo when a lady wanted to chat about elevation. We do a walk/run interval due to back issues and doing so much walking messed with my muscles and I never bounced back from it this point with full steam.
- Mile 1-3 in the tunnel and the reason I picked this course was amazing. I hope to take the kids back up to ride thru the tunnel on bikes.
- Changing socks right after the half way point made a HUGE difference in my feet and how they felt. Was definitely worth squeezing socks in my belt for.
- Anti-Chafing gel on the inside of the thighs is amazing and makes you feel like you have wings. Next time I will be applying some along my bra line as apparently sweat and my sports bra are not friends when I run this distance.
- Running With A Partner- Made the distance much more enjoyable, I hate to run by myself and love to be able to talk. In this case it was great having someone remind me I am gonna finish and to help me pace myself as well during our running stretches.
- New Music- I ran with new music on my Ipod Shuffle I downloaded the night before and it helped to push thru the times I didn’t think I was gonna be able to push through by giving me something to focus on besides my back and the stupid mile signs.
I am currently looking for my next one! I was really surprised at how not so sore I was afterwards. Stairs were rough for two days as was standing up but i was able to walk with out to much pain afterwards. I am hoping to find a road one to do in Nov after I have had some time to train more once kids are back in school.
Have you ran a marathon before?
Kathleen Kelly says
Congrats to you! that is awesome! I can no longer run but I do workout 3 times a week, spending an hour on the treadmill, not quite running but moving the legs for sure!
Beth Ann Ensing says
I’m doing my first Marathon next weekend in Savannah (Rock n roll marathon) and I’m so nervous! I too did not train as well as I had hoped – the longest run for me was 18 miles as well. Thanks for blogging about your run – my goal is to finish!