Running my first marathon
For those who have the curiosity of doing a marathon one day and do not know if you are up for the challenge, I will share my experience in the hope of encouraging others to go for it. It is AWSOME!
This was my experience: The first ten kilometres are awesome and I felt great! The strategy I used was to run with a group of wind protectors/pace setters (which I named “Dutch wall group”) to not get so tired since the wind was fierce during the run. Like in cycling, when there is a lot of wind it is very helpful to team up with other runners and push through the wind by running right behind other runners and then letting them rest behind you as well. In my case Dutch men are so tall that I didn’t really cover them from any wind at all but at least I acknowledged the benefits of being short. I set myself small goals throughout the race and kept myself positive at all times, for example on those first kilometres that I began running with “the Dutch wall group” my goal was to stay with them at least until kilometre ten. A little bit after kilometre ten when I reached the second water point I had to slow down to drink water and couldn’t stick with them any longer so I found another group or should I say many other groups that were running at a good pace I could follow so I wouldn’t let the wind suck all my energy, that was my second goal. From kilometre twenty one forward my body needed fuel so I had to keep having something to eat every chance I had, this kept me strong and going. In the last eighteen kilometres it became hard to team up with other runners because people began to stop, slow down, or had a very fast pace. I tried to enjoy the experience by cheering on others and hi fiving the kids on the side-lines it makes it fun.
I remember thinking at kilometre thirty-five this is awesome I have to do it again! Only five kilometres more and it will be forty and two more makes forty-two, easy! I guess playing mind games and keeping a goal for every couple of kilometres helps. My goal from kilometre thirty-five to forty was to keep running as strong and fast as I could and I would figure it out as I went, the most important thing is not to stop. Once I reached forty I was blessed that a lot of people were cheering and applauding gave me that last breath I needed to give all that my legs had left. Once I crossed the finish line I drank all the liquids I could get my hands on and still felt whole since I was still under the adrenaline rush while receiving the medal, flowers and some comforting words. Walking back to the train station the pain began to manifest, everything began to ache, I had trouble sitting and standing back up a pain that I even felt in my toe nails. The good things are that you actually deserve whatever you want to have for dinner and that you sleep like a baby aside the common discomfort of the pain all over. A day after, my legs still ache but I am letting them recover before I go back to my training routine.
If someone would asked me would you recommend it? I’d say, of course! It is a great experience in which you get to know what you are capable of and where you test being out of you comfort zone. Let’s get ready for the IRON MAN!….
Few tips:
Once you have made the decision and have registered for a marathon give yourself adequate time for training and preparation. You should not run a marathon without any training it is an extreme stress on the body to push yourself through such a strenuous distance. We have all heard that marathons are ran between the ears, meaning that it is a mind challenge more than a physical one and anyone that has ran one will consent with this statement. See yourself crossing the finish line before you even take the first step, if you are thinking let’s see how I feel, it will not be easy.
If you have ran 10km and 21km races before you know that the strategy changes between each one, from what you wear to how fast you begin. For a marathon you need support and fuel, you should have a GU or some other type of food with you even a water belt if possible, I ran without one and I couldn’t wait to reach the next water point each time around, although it is an extra weight you have to be carrying, being properly hydrated is very important to being able to finish. Besides the longer you take to finish all the most important this last point becomes. As mental as a marathon is, support is paramount, having people cheer for you is quite motivational specially when your legs start to slow down.
Last but not least, as you can see in the pictures I ran with the Mexican shirt because I wanted to feel closer to home and so Dutch people may acknowledge that Mexico produces good runners (haha…this is me cheering for myself). #nofuepenal
