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So just about two years ago my wife decided she wanted to run a 5K. I had not run a 5K since I was about 12 and told her I would run with her. So in 2012 I ran a 5K, which lead me to wanting to run a 10K that fall. I had lost some weight and felt better about myself so I figured I'd try a half marathon. The half went really well and in the spring of 2013 I ran a 1:42:49 half marathon. I had a minor hip issue after the run, but at this point I knew I wanted to try the full. I signed up for a fall one in 2013 in Columbus. 5 weeks before the race I suffered a calf injury that was probably a blessing. I was going to have to run that one alone and without my family able to go. Instead I signed up for Pittsburgh. So last Sunday after 4 months of training and one foot injury that then led to one massive blister I was at the starting line.
No matter how much I train I don't think I'll ever feel ready for a marathon and being my first one I felt incredibly unprepared. I had done the 18 and 20 mile runs, but still I had no idea how my body would handle 26.2 miles. For 15 miles I was in great shape, sitting at 8:35 miles and not feeling too bad. Somewhere between 15 and 17 I started to lose a lot. I fought through it, but I could tell trouble was ahead. At mile 20 I hit a wall and had an 11 minute mile. I got myself back together and threw a few 9:30 miles in there to go with some 10's. I saw the 4 hour pacer, my goal, pass me by at mile 23. I told my legs to go, but they said are you crazy? So I watched that goal go by, but I wasn't going to quit. I struggled home, but managed to not walk the last 2 miles at all and shuffled on in. It was awesome and miserable at the exact same time. I did finish at 04:04:50, so there are 4:50 seconds left to shave off. I have already decided I'm doing another, gotta break that 4 hour barrier now. Anyway, if anyone else is out there who hasn't run in forever it can be done and there are times when it is even fun
No matter how much I train I don't think I'll ever feel ready for a marathon and being my first one I felt incredibly unprepared. I had done the 18 and 20 mile runs, but still I had no idea how my body would handle 26.2 miles. For 15 miles I was in great shape, sitting at 8:35 miles and not feeling too bad. Somewhere between 15 and 17 I started to lose a lot. I fought through it, but I could tell trouble was ahead. At mile 20 I hit a wall and had an 11 minute mile. I got myself back together and threw a few 9:30 miles in there to go with some 10's. I saw the 4 hour pacer, my goal, pass me by at mile 23. I told my legs to go, but they said are you crazy? So I watched that goal go by, but I wasn't going to quit. I struggled home, but managed to not walk the last 2 miles at all and shuffled on in. It was awesome and miserable at the exact same time. I did finish at 04:04:50, so there are 4:50 seconds left to shave off. I have already decided I'm doing another, gotta break that 4 hour barrier now. Anyway, if anyone else is out there who hasn't run in forever it can be done and there are times when it is even fun
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