Just completed my first marathon

Hi guys,

Yesterday I completed the Stirling marathon and i would like to share my experience with you to give you a small incite of what it may be like if you are thinking about training to do or have already signed up for one, and whether it is your first or 30th, hopefully you can take something away from my experience.
This was my first marathon to date and what an experience it was! The feeling after passing the finish line after 26.2 miles was sheer elation and a whirlwind of emotions.
I completed it in 4:59:06 and although it was over my target of 4:15-4:30, the time is a good setting stone for future events.
After reflection of the event, I can see that I started to fast, completing my first 10km in 56:39. This is understandable however, as it was my first marathon and I was very excited and apprehensive of how it would be and got caught up in the moment.
During the event itself, I can say that during miles 12-14 were the hardest. This is where the route went out into the countryside and there wasn't as much support therefore because I was running by myself, the run became overwhelming and I started to think about the actual running and how far I still had to go. At this stage I wasn't sure that I was going to finish, but bought into the mind set of taking each mile at a time, and with every mile mark, was a small victory. Thinking about the fact that family and friends that had not only sponsored and helped me through this journey, but were waiting on the finish line was also something i summoned as motivation to finish and by mile 16 after focusing back onto running, I felt a lot better.
Mile 18 is where I was introduced to my next problem, Cramp! After 18 miles of constant jogging, the impact on your muscles is starting to take toll. My hip flickers felt it the worst and I did stop 3-4 times though miles 18 & 19 to stretch them and my hamstrings out. After taking my last energy gel at mile 19, that gave me that extra boost to continue through the pain, and again I had to remind myself that this was my first marathon and just completing it was a huge accomplishment!
Mile 20 came and we were approaching the finishing line. I thought this can't be right. Then i remember the lapping system in place as the Stirling marathon is a city marathon and this was the way it had to be set out. Coming up to the finishing line, runners were separated into 2 lanes where the finishers went to the line and the people still on mile 20 went under and around to the lapping system. This took a massive toll on my motivation and looking back this is probably not the best route for the marathon. It was like mental torture watching people finishing knowing that you still had so far to go and especially when you already felt like giving up. If this wasn't enough, you actually had to lap this twice so the second time you started the lap you were still only at mile 23. So when my second lap started I could barely walk never mind jog. This is where my saving grace came. Throughout the run I had remember a runner in a distinctive pink top with 'NEE' at the bottom and this is how I recognised her. Obviously we had been passing each other the full way and after passing me at mile 23 she started talking to me and said that because we had spent the full race together, we should continue and finish together. I can honestly say that if it wasn't for this girl I would not have completed my first marathon. Chatting about our journey for the last few miles took just enough of my mind off the pain from the complete cramping i had from the waist done and allowed me to continue at a slight jog and we continued running until the finishing line.
Arriving and passing through the finish line was a feeling i cannot explain. It is the most amazing feeling in the world and I was a blubbering mess meeting my family and friends that had been cheering me the full way and of course after sitting down for a couple of minutes I had seized up and had to be stretched out.
The full experience, looking back now, was completely and utterly amazing and it taught me that I can do so much more than I thought I could and to never give up. To think that I thought I wouldn't finish as early as mile 12, shows me that my body is capable of so much more than I think and all you need is the determination to success.

So if anyone is thinking of running a marathon or is already signed up or has ran one and wants to speak about the experiences with me I love to speak to them if they have any questions, or if regular runners have any tips for me I'd love to hear them! Just reply to this discussion and I look forward to speaking to you