My first Marathon

Di3012

Today I completed the Brighton Marathon in 3:42:56. It was my first ever marathon and the first time I have run over 21 miles.

My plan was to run a steady 8:30 and come in at 3:45, but to allow myself some leeway depending on how I was feeling.

It started off really well - at the 13.1 (half way) mark I was at 1:48 minutes and felt as if I could keep going at my current pace of 8:17 minute miles.

Around the 16 mile mark I started to get tired, but knowing that I had less than 10 miles to go I wasn't too worried: the half marathons I had run before always had a tough bit somewhere in the middle but the last 3 or 4 miles I would shake it off and cruise home: I let my speed slow a little to recover and by mile 20 I was down to 8:45's and it was tough - my thighs started to stiffen up and whilst I could keep going it felt as if my joints needed greasing - everything was hard work to move.

With three miles left I tried to pick it back up again but only managed a mile at 8:30 before dropping back to an 8:45 and was working using raw will power keep me moving.

I am very happy with my time - and elated to have made it across the line. A few lessons learnt on the way for next time (whenever that may be) but overall a good day.

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/168541903

What a fantastic run!! WTG!!

mummum2

Fantastic run, great time to for your first time! well done!

BrianSharpe

Thanks for the race report & congrats on a great race. Yesterday was my LSD (training for a half in May) and I was feeling so good the thought of training for a full marathon (maybe next year) actually crossed my mind....

bangersnmash90

Woohoo! Well done that is brilliant!

Meerpup

Wow, that's fantastic - well done!

mikeyrp

Thanks all for such lively feedback.

Negative splits: that was the plan... Fail... Lesson learnt. Still pleased overall.

Next marathon: my local is in just under 2 weeks. I actually have a place but based on how hard i found this one i dont think i can recover enough to do it. Will make a final decission next weekend buti dont want to pick up any injuries.

Next goals are: to do a triathlon, a sub 20 min 5k and the lake garda 15k (october)

beccalucy

Congratulations!

What an amazing time. Thanks for the motivation

sallytx

Great job! And fantastic time as well! Congrats|

Kath712

Great job! And awesome time!!

Rocking_Robin

Your time is AMAZING!!! You should be very PROUD!! I have been running/walking intervals for about 7 months, I have my first half marathon in May. I am excited but scared all at the same time!

Congrats!!

Eaglesfanintn

Congratulations on the finish and the great time!

smurfette75

great job! that time was great...hopefully one day I'll be ready for a marathon!

SassyCalyGirl

Outstanding! I am running my first half marathon on June 2 - I hope I can do as well as you did at that distance!

MinnesotaManimal

I am super impressed with your time. How long have you been running and how long did you spend training for your marathon? Im training for a 30 mile run and just did 25.6 miles on saterday and only managed an average of 5.5mph. but then Ive only been running since last july and just started training in february... so its my fault.

bluefox9er

terrific achievement..and what an inspirational story to share. Congratulations on such a massive accomplishment.

mikeyrp

I started training in Jan 2011, from being able to run a 5k comfortably. I was 14 stone (196lb) at the time (i am now just over 11 and a half. (163 lb).

For anyone interested, i'm working on a training plan similar to that suggested in 'run less, run faster' which is basically one fast, short run, one interval session and one long run per week, plus one or two cross training seasions (bike or swim).

I run in a club and so the ling 'social' run and the interval sessions are generally done with the group, as is a weekly bike ride.

I definately believe you can overtrain, and subscribe to the philosophy that every session should be 100% effort, rather than doing too many sessions at 80% and never giving your body time to recover.

I lnow a lot of great runners and no two train the same way- you have to find your own path to success.

coopersmom2006

I started training in Jan 2011, from being able to run a 5k comfortably. I was 14 stone (196lb) at the time (i am now just over 11 and a half. (163 lb).

For anyone interested, i'm working on a training plan similar to that suggested in 'run less, run faster' which is basically one fast, short run, one interval session and one long run per week, plus one or two cross training seasions (bike or swim).

I run in a club and so the ling 'social' run and the interval sessions are generally done with the group, as is a weekly bike ride.

I definately believe you can overtrain, and subscribe to the philosophy that every session should be 100% effort, rather than doing too many sessions at 80% and never giving your body time to recover.

I lnow a lot of great runners and no two train the same way- you have to find your own path to success.

Great advice!! Thanks for the insight!

BradyMommy

That is amazing! Just finishing a marathon is an incredible feat, but you ROCKED it!! WTG!!!

noahsampeer1

You beat Sarah Palin, P-Diddy, George W. Bush and Katie Holms' times. Great job!