After three years of running 5k, 10k and 13.1 mile distances and weeks of training, on a cold and cloudy morning, I ran my first full marathon …The Long Beach International Bank Marathon this morning.
After running with relative ease at the short distances, it's a humbling experience running 26.2 miles. I set a PR first 13.1 miles (2:05:58) but unfortunately, I was running the 26.2 event. I was in uncharted territory the last 6.2 miles and my time during this stretch was disappointing. My 68 years old legs and back reduced me to jogging and walking. It was not till 2.2 miles left in the race that I was able to put together enough strength to run non stop to the finish line. Adrenalin had kicked in as I watched mile 24 and 25 go by and the upcoming left turn off of Ocean to the final stretch helped me finish strong!
Crossing the finishing banner was a relief and I was glad to have challenged myself and even more grateful to just have finished such an ordeal. My son and many other runners say, “It's a life changing feeling having run your first marathon and the feeling won’t hit you till after crossing the banner.” I ask myself, is this the first and last marathon I will complete? Is the all of the training worth it? As I view the final results several hours after my finish, I take note of my 7th place in my age group but take keen interest to the finishers ahead of me whom are same age as me. Then I think of what if I had a better finish kick during those 6.2 miles and maybe if I didn’t walk as much. The thoughts quickly pass. I massage my sore legs and straighten my tight lower back and think, it was my first marathon and I finished it! I’ll savor this feeling in the coming days as my sore muscles recover and think, maybe I’ll place 6th the next time…
After running with relative ease at the short distances, it's a humbling experience running 26.2 miles. I set a PR first 13.1 miles (2:05:58) but unfortunately, I was running the 26.2 event. I was in uncharted territory the last 6.2 miles and my time during this stretch was disappointing. My 68 years old legs and back reduced me to jogging and walking. It was not till 2.2 miles left in the race that I was able to put together enough strength to run non stop to the finish line. Adrenalin had kicked in as I watched mile 24 and 25 go by and the upcoming left turn off of Ocean to the final stretch helped me finish strong!
Crossing the finishing banner was a relief and I was glad to have challenged myself and even more grateful to just have finished such an ordeal. My son and many other runners say, “It's a life changing feeling having run your first marathon and the feeling won’t hit you till after crossing the banner.” I ask myself, is this the first and last marathon I will complete? Is the all of the training worth it? As I view the final results several hours after my finish, I take note of my 7th place in my age group but take keen interest to the finishers ahead of me whom are same age as me. Then I think of what if I had a better finish kick during those 6.2 miles and maybe if I didn’t walk as much. The thoughts quickly pass. I massage my sore legs and straighten my tight lower back and think, it was my first marathon and I finished it! I’ll savor this feeling in the coming days as my sore muscles recover and think, maybe I’ll place 6th the next time…
Time ....................... 4:42:49
Div (65-69) place ....... 7/29
Overall --------------------- 1842/3287
After the Race
