1st marathon done!

Date: Friday, April 9, 2021

Distance: 26.22 miles

Listened to: Five Desert Island Discs episodes and Hamilton (again)

When I first started writing this blog, I never thought this would be where it would take me. My first goal was a 10k. Then I recklessly booked a half marathon. I have run three half marathon races since and have made it my aim to run a half marathon every month this year. The dream of a marathon was a dream. It was something other people do, not me.

My friend Rachel encouraged me to sign up for the Exeter Marathon due to take place on April 25. In her words-ish: “If you are doing well, then why not?” There is a chasm of difference between her “well” and mine, but if you don’t sign up you will never be compelled to try to go the extra mile or 13.

I began a training plan and I stuck to it. I ran in the dark, I ran in near snow, I went out when I did not want to…I just kept ticking the sessions off the list. I was halfway through when the Exeter Marathon was understandably postponed until November. I had done all that training in the cold months and had nowhere to go with it. I took the decision to keep going and attempt a DIY marathon locally.

The training continued to go well, until I ran my furthest ever distance 13 days ago. With 18 miles under my belt, I could see that a marathon was possible, although I knew it would be super tough. The next training week ended with a 20-mile run. I mean, why run 20 and not go the full distance? We (John has been my constant go-to for advice) brought the date forward to coincide with a week off work, when hopefully my legs would not suffer the ill effects of being stuffed under a desk all day.

Until this point, I had kept my marathon hopes largely to myself. I was very afraid that I would not make it. I did not even tell my mum (sorry, Mum). John and my girls knew, plus a group of local friends, but not until very recently. As a crew, we are very supportive of each other’s trials and tribulations. I could not cut them out of this one.

Today was marathon day and I did it. I completed the distance. It was hotter than expected, so it certainly wasn’t a breeze. I gave myself a 10-mile warm-up around town (it works for me psychologically!) before heading out into the hilly Devon countryside. It wasn’t an easy route, but there really isn’t an easy route in and around Kingsbridge unless you are willing to do shuttles of the stretch next to the estuary.

Before anyone gets cross with me for being negative, I think it is important to point out that it was tough. I began walking the hills earlier than I thought I would. I was grateful for any excuse to stop. By the time I had reached 19 miles, I was really hurting. My quads, my hip flexors and my feet were screaming…and I still had so far to go.

My route from 21 miles also took me up a steady climb that I was not keen on and by 24, I knew the end was in sight but my body was not keen on doing the 2.2 miles that needed to be done. That 0.2 becomes very important! I was also in full hill avoidance at the point so could not bear the thought of the incline past graveyard, which I run several times a week, to get home. I had to do loop-backs to make up some mileage on that stretch next to the estuary and for some reason that mentally broke me. Oh, and by 25 miles, I had a stitch too. Bonus!

BUT, there was no way I was not going to complete it. I would walk (which I did) if I had to; crawl even. I had 26.2 in my head and I was going to get there.

My dear friends supported me along the way (thank you my angels), popping up unexpectedly and expectedly. John was a my super-duper support crew with water bottles, sports drinks, cubes of cheese and general encouragement. He nipped home in between stations to put the washing on (he’s a keeper) and to collect the girls, so they could see me finish. He also had a medal made for me to mark the occasion…once I had stopped sobbing on a stone gatepost and then leaning on a bin for support. Classy, I know.

How do I feel now? I am too sore to be floating on air, but no blisters or chafing. I am super chuffed though. I was very proud to tell my mum and her husband Terry that I had done it. The perfectionist in me wishes that it could have felt easier, but there is time to try to work on that and maybe move to a flat place! I think I am a little in shock. It’s such a long way and feels like a journey that has taken more than three years not four hours and 40 minutes, plus wee, water and chat stops.

I did not forget what triggered this journey. I asked my Dad for help. I asked dear Tait for inspiration too. I also ran a few miles for my friend Fiona’s dad who died recently. I gave myself a proper out-load talking to at one point. These people are no longer with us, the least I could do was grind out a few more miles.

In case any of you are in doubt, I am still a slow runner, I did walk and I did have plenty of stops. I think this is important to reiterate. Plenty of people have taken up running in the last year and wish they looked like one of those gazelle-like runners that make it look so effortless. I do not find it effortless, but I have worked hard to find running 10 miles relatively comfortable at my speed. It has taken me 39 months to get to this point. I just stuck at it and I am proud of what I have achieved. I cannot believe I have done it.

#slowrunningisstillrunning