I ran a MARATHON!

Somebody_Loved

First, a HUGE THANK YOU to the boards. I posted on here multiple times asking questions and looking for encouragement and it helped tremendously.

A little background: Exactly a year ago I got a Fitbit and realized I was getting a low 2000-3000 steps a day. I made it my goal to hit 10,000 each day and decided to start c25k. I could barely get through the first workout but felt so accomplished each time I completed one that I stuck with it. From there, I did the bridge to 10k app and then used a Hal Higdon plan to train for a half marathon. I was hooked!

I did my first HM in January, and have done 2 since then. I enjoyed the Hal Higdon plan and decided to use it again to start marathon training.

And a mini race recap: Miles 1-8 went by so quickly. The adrenaline carried me almost effortlessly (at the time, anyway). I joined a pace group and they went out too quickly for my liking, so I broke off from them and ran with another girl for the next 10 miles. Running with her helped so much. Going out fast definitely caught up with me around mile 13, and I really struggled until mile 17.

I stopped, took some Tylenol and kept going. My running buddy and I broke away around mile 18, but I knew I had a friend waiting for me at mile 21 which gave me a second wind. Seeing her was incredibly helpful and really pushed me to get through the last 5 miles. My legs were killing me but I knew if I stopped I wouldn't be able to start again, so I kept a good pace and finished strong. Running towards the finish line I saw my boyfriend, sister and brother-in-law and I completely lost it. Full on ugly cry. Best day of my life.

I finished in 4:32:14 and am thrilled with my time. I went from completely sedentary to running a marathon in a year and I've never been more proud of myself. Running has changed my life in ways I couldn't have imagined in the beginning. The confidence I have in myself and the relationship I have with my body is better than ever. I am so grateful and appreciative of my body's capabilities. It truly amazes me.

To anyone that made it this far, thank you for reading. And thank you again to the amazing support on these boards. Still on cloud 9 from the weekend!

TL;DR: I ran a *kitten* marathon and it was awesome.

And now, pictures!

Here I am - with zero chill - approaching the finish line.



And the obligatory marathon finisher picture.

_Waffle_

Awesome! Fantastic time too.


I didn't get flowers for mine. *kicks rocks*

pondee629

Very well done. My first Half is in September.

sparklyglitterbomb

You are AWESOME!!!!! What an amazing accomplishment!!! BRAVA!!!

nowine4me

Congrats and nice job. That is a tremendous success!

rogers8702

AWESOME!!!!!! thanks for sharing and great work.

zdyb23456

Amazing!

Somebody_Loved

Thank you all so much!

greenolivetree

Great job I'm impressed.

Scorpio_Runner

That is so great, I too hope to run a marathon eventually. I'm training for a 10k in July but it looks like I will not be able to do it because of scheduling. I just found a 10 mile Island run in August that I think I will go for. 7 miles of it are running on the beach, packed sand though similar to dirt trail.

I'm so excited for you, this is helping me keep motivated. Thanks for sharing.

TavistockToad

Amazing, well done! I did my first half last month... loved it! No desire to do a full though!!!!

TR0berts

I ran a MARATHON!

I'm sorry.


j/k - good job!

TR0berts

_Waffle_ wrote: »

Awesome! Fantastic time too.


I didn't get flowers for mine. *kicks rocks*

:flowerforyou:

enterdanger

That kicks *kitten*. I love this post.

Somebody_Loved

TavistockToad wrote: »

Amazing, well done! I did my first half last month... loved it! No desire to do a full though!!!!

I said that after the day of my first half and then registered for the full a week later. If you've made it a month, though, you're probably in the clear.

TavistockToad

Somebody_Loved wrote: »

TavistockToad wrote: »

Amazing, well done! I did my first half last month... loved it! No desire to do a full though!!!!

I said that after the day of my first half and then registered for the full a week later. If you've made it a month, though, you're probably in the clear.

I signed up for the same half next year the very next day... that'll do!!!

:laugh:

katharmonic

Great job!!! I'm very impressed. I had a similar start getting a fitbit about a year ago and I'm training for a half marathon now. Thanks for sharing!

Syneea

Wow, SO INSPIRING... A year?! I'm a Cardio Class Queen who dabbles in running ...would love to build past 5Ks one day.. Great job! Had me teary eyed at the end. :-)

Somebody_Loved

Thank you all so much!

@Syneea - Thank you! I've pretty much been crying on and off since Saturday.

WearRedLipstick

What an incredible accomplishment! You are so inspiring and I loved reading this post. From sedentary to marathoner in one year!! I am so proud of you. So very proud.

acbraswell

Wow-Incredible! I'm crying happy tears for you right now after reading your post. It's been an emotional day for me. Thanks for sharing and congratulations!

snowflake930

Very, very impressive! What an amazing accomplishment!
Congratulations on all the hard work that brought you to this success in just a year! Your time is incredible!
Well done!

agzram

You rock!!

meryl135

Great job!

momofamadhouse

That's amazing! So proud of you! Congratulations on your success. I love your pictures. Hope to have my own someday.

Somebody_Loved

Thank you everyone, so much!!