I ran a MARATHON!

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.