Purling Sprite : 26.2 Miles!!! My First Marathon!

Top of Utah Marathon (TOU) 2009, my report!

As you know, I completed my very first marathon and I loved every minute of it. I really kept waiting for the moment when I hit the wall, but it never came. The first 10 miles flew by and all I kept thinking was that it was a perfect day for a long run! The air was nice and crisp and the wind kept pushing us down the canyon. When I got to mile 10, I looked around and I just got a huge sense of happiness and thrill that I just wanted to go faster. However, my mind kept telling me, pace yourself, pace yourself, you have still 16 more miles to go.

When I got to the half point mark, 13 miles, I looked down at my watch and I was at 1:45minutes. I knew that I would meet my goal and that I was definitely on track to reach it. As I kept running, I kept reading the t-shirts from the other runners and the signs that loved ones had left for their runners. Each one of those signs, I imagined that they were left for me. My hubby was at school on this day and he couldn't miss it unless he wanted to fail, so I was running solo, but all through out the run, I kept imagining telling him all about it.

Close to mile 17, I started feeling a little bit light headed and realized that I had missed my scheduled GU. Quickly, as I reached mile 17, I got my GU out and got it down and got some drink down to go with it. Overall, I took 5 GUs, 1-15minutes the run, 1-45 minutes into the race, 1-1:30minutes into it, 1-2:20minutes, and the last one at 3:15minutes.

Miles 1-17 are all down the canyon and then we start hitting the neighborhoods, after mile 19 we go into my neighborhood, to the streets where I run all the time. As I reached mile 19, my feet were getting tired and I looked down at my watch and realized that I had plenty of time left so I could afford to walk through the aid stations and even walk for a minute after too if I needed. I started thinking why I wanted to finish in 3:40minutes and the obvious came to mind--you can qualify for Boston. But the answer came right away--I don't care about qualifying for Boston. I have no desire to go there so at that very moment said, a finish of 4:00 is what I want, if it is less, it is even better but 4 is all I want. So I decided to definitely enjoy the last 6 miles of my race. As I saw other runners, I greeted them and smiled at them. I was happy. I was living my dream and I kept saying that to myself over and over, making me happier and happier.

At mile 20, I knew that my family and friends were receiving a text message letting them know that I had just crossed 20 miles and that brought me an intense sense of happiness. I knew that at mile 21, my friends and my children would be there for me so I ran as fast as my tired little legs could go and was not disappointed when I got to 21 mile marker and saw my cheering section. My children and cycling friends were there waiting for me. Cheering me on! I was so happy and thrilled to see them. I waved at them and smiled at them and even stopped to pick up my little girl and give her a kiss. I couldn't find my little boy--he was playing with the dirt behind one of the cars. I saw him when I had already gone around the corner and I just waved and told him I loved him.

As promised to myself, I walked through the remaining aid stations and drank my water/gatorade in peace. I walked a minute or two to let my legs refresh themselves. My neighbor Louise followed me around from mile 21 to the end and she caught me at mile 22 to take pictures as well as at mile 23 and 24, then she went to the Finish Line to wait for me. After crossing mile 24, I knew that I had it in me to run to the end. No need to walk anymore. I had rested and I could continue running to the end. At mile 25, I met my sweet friends the Bytheways and seeing them gave me the extra enthusiasm I needed to go to the end. Sarah was there and her face was exuberant with joy and I knew that she was feeling the same excitement I was feeling for accomplishing this one goal. I saw her again around mile 25 1/2 and I was again so happy, especially when she said "next year, I will be there running along with you". I wanted to cry at that moment because I knew that she was being truthful. Then I saw Spencer starting to run on the sidewalk to keep me motivated and that was all I needed. I ran to the end. As I got to the 26 mile marker, I left any doubts of finishing behind and I sprinted to the end. Yes, in my heart I still had one last effort and I gave it all to the end. As I crossed the finish line, only joy filled my heart. In my head, I kept hearing cheers and a strong voice kept saying "you did it! Chubby you did it!" As I waked to the Finishers Corral, I smiled and was so happy to be part of the club, not only any club but the sub-4 Marathoner Club. I finished in 3:51:22. I was 26th in my age group. Yes, 26th!!! I am in the top 10 percentile for this marathon.

As I bent down to stretch, my feelings took over and tears started spilling down my cheeks. I had done it. I had just brought to life a huge dream. A dream that just 2 years ago seemed an impossibility was a reality. Not only had I completed my dream, but I had completed it in less than 4 hrs.

My first marathon left me happy and looking forward to many, many more!

PS: Flickr Slideshow below of all the pictures that my friend Louise took of my great adventure :)