Well I did it. I toed the starting line of the Houston Marathon and broke the tape at the finish 4:24:51 later.
First off, and this is just my opinion so take it for what it is, anyone that is ever considering doing a major race whether it be a marathon, triathlon, or anything, my suggestion is finding a large race to do. It may cost a little more, but it is well worth it. The production behind it is amazing. They make you feel like a rock star from beginning to the end. Small local races are great for training, fun, or just something to do. But if you are going to do something for the accomplishment make the most out of it.
This being my first marathon I wasn't sure what to expect. I had done my training and tried getting in enough long runs, but this was still going to be my first time running that far or for that long. But all I could do was trust that I had put enough work in and everything was going to be fine.
The beginning of the races are always frustrating. There are so many people packed in it can be tough to get around people that are running a slower pace than you. This race was no different. But that is also the nature of the beast so you just have to deal with it the best you can. The first couple miles of the race were pretty uneventful as I settled into my pace and tried to deal with the traffic as best I could.
The course for the most part was generally flat. There were some slight hills in a couple spots but nothing too major which was nice. At mile 9 the course split and the half marathon runners turned back and headed towards the finish line as the marathon runners kept continuing their 26 mile jog. It is funny because the very first half marathon I ran was the same type of course, and I remember thinking at that point how much it would suck to be a marathon runner and have to keep going. Fast forward to yesterday and I was actually looking forward to the split just because it would reduce the crowd of runners you had to deal with.
I was still feeling really good hitting the halfway point of the race. The legs were good, my energy was good, and I was over the halfway hump.
Marathon runners always talk about hitting "The Wall". It usually happens around mile 20-21. Its that point where not only physically but mentally everything becomes more challenging. You feel like you should be close to the finish line, but in all reality you still have about a hour of running left. I of course was not immune to it, and it started hitting me right before the 20 mile mark. I could tell my pace was slowing down a bit. I knew that I was still ahead of my goal so I had a little cushion if I needed to slow down a bit, but was hoping I didn't have to. I kept checking my watch and trying to hold my pace the best I could, but I admit it was starting to be a little bit of a struggle.
Luckily something good happened at that point. A girl came running up next to me who was about my same height, and had almost an identical stride to mine. She was running about a 9:30-9:45 pace. I was able to tuck in behind her and match her stride for stride and pace off her. This was a godsend, I didn't look at my watch or I didn't have to concentrate. I was able to really just zone out as I kept pace with her. I was able to keep pace with her until mile 24 when I started falling back as I was really feeling it in my legs.
About the mile 25 mark is when the course brought you back into downtown Houston. It was the homestretch, it was filled with spectators, and I was almost done. Its funny at that point everything just kind of disappeared. The soreness, the tightness, the lack of energy. I was getting that final adrenaline rush. Finally with a half mile to go I really started soaking everything in. I was smiling. I was waving to spectators and I was almost to the final turn into the finish chute. Once I hit the final chute, it was about a block long before you hit the finish line and I just took off at a dead sprint until I crossed the finish with a big smile on my face.
I got to say, the race wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be. I am not going to run out and run another one soon, but I won't say I wont ever run one again.
The last half mile of the race I really made sure to soak it all in and enjoy it. I have come a long way in the last year and a half and I would have never thought I would ever try to run a marathon, let alone complete one. But with the being said, the marathon wasn't the goal. The Ironman is, and this is just the start of that journey.
I will take a couple weeks off from running or biking. I will still swim, and then at the beginning of February its back to triathlon training. I am officially signed up for the Half Ironman in Galveston on April 1. I am hoping to improve my time from my last half ironman, and it is going to take some work.
A special shout out to Shawn and Justin Pohlmann for heading down and cheering me on at the finish line! You guys rock!
