My first marathon!

I did it!  I am a marathoner! I got through the training, and I got through the race!

The day started at 5:30 with breakfast and last minute prep.  We left the house at 6 so I could have a good 1/2 hour before the race to just walk around and find Kristi (@AverageRunnerK) the 5 hour pace bunny.  7am-gun sounds and off we went on our merry way.

The first 5km went well.  I followed Kristi, doing 10 minute run 1 minute walk.  I then went on my own as I didn't like that speed - just doesn't feel natural to me.  I met up with an ultra trail marathoner and ran with him for a while.  We parted ways when he had to use the potty.  Not long after did he catch up with me and we ran another while together.


I stopped on the bridge to take a couple photos and this is where Kristi and the group passed me.  I thought -ah, no problem, I will catch up with them... which never happened.  I could see them ahead, so I walked when they did and I ran when they did.  I can't remember when exactly, but I hit a wall, and I hit it pretty hard - must've been around 25km.  I wanted to quit, I wanted to cry, I have no idea why.... why do these lows hit you?? and why so hard?  It took forever to get out of this funk.  I don't know how long, but at least until the National Arts Gallery.

I kept on going, slowly but surely - now that I look at my splits, there isn't that much difference... these lows are all created in your head...

I turned the corner on Sussex at the art gallery, passed the Mint and had to stop to help someone -this girl passed me.  She was drenched and I remember thinking what the hell?  Why is she so wet? We haven't seen a mist station in a long time... and you wouldn't get that wet from a water station.  She had water droplets all over her legs and body.  She started looking like she was drunk.  I quickly asked if she was ok to which she replied she was.  I told her she wasn't, grabbed her by the arm and walked her to the sidewalk and "forced her" to sit down.  Someone came to help and I had to leave, knowing she was with someone else.  Hydrate people!  Your life is at stake here!  I continued running and close by I saw the first aiders - I sent them her way.  I'm guessing she didn't finish the race and that an ambulance had to come and get her... but I don't know for sure.

Soon after that, at the bottom of the hill, another runner that I had passed and been passed by many times was stopped so I asked her if she was doing 10/1. She replied my English no good -so I spoke to her in French.  We soon became best friends and ran the rest of the race together.  Thank goodness!  Being with someone else, especially on the long boring parkway makes a difference!  We chatted about this and that and encouraged each other to go on.  That's what runners do.

Passing through Manor Park and Beechwood area was great!  I saw some students, who attend the school I work at, cheering me on - what a boost!  It just lifts your spirits and gives you a bit of umpph to keep going.

My partner and I soldiered on... when we arrived at km 38 or so? There was Dan (@ottpak a runner I know)-part of the xtra mile crew - I gave him a huge hug and told him I wanted to cry, and cried a bit.  You can't understand how seeing people you know gives you that extra little something needed to continue.  He had words of encouragement and off we went.

I knew my sister was waiting at Pretoria bridge - another great boost of energy!  A great big hug, a few tears and off I went.   My partner didn't stop or she would not have been able to get going again!  We turned the corner to complete the last kilometer or so... and it hits me again... this uncontrollable urge to cry.  I see and xtra miler who is coming towards us and here comes the tears and I ask her: Why? Why do we have to finish with a hill?  Can't they come up with a better end for the race? 42 km and finish with a hill? 😂 The poor girl didn't know what to say!  She had words of encouragement, I grabbed my partner by the hand and said let's go, we are finishing this together.  I was able to sprint the last 150m or so and finished with 5:23.  A little slower than I wanted but that's ok - considering I've been battling a cold since Easter and I couldn't move yesterday... I think it's a pretty good time.

So what next?  Funny how right after you finish one race, you are looking for the next one!  I had planned on doing one marathon and one ultra (50k) race this year.  One down, one to go!