But what if I did, a marathon story
firef1y72
Posts: 1,579 Member
This is not a humble brag, this is an all out brag, but hopefully it will help inspire someone who is where I was 3.5 years ago. Marathons aren't for everyone, but there is always something that is challenging that we want to do but are scared of trying.
So the story of my Brighton Marathon 2019. I guess it started in November 2016 when I finally stepped on the scales and was shocked to discover I weighed 290lb, although I guess it shouldn't have been too much of a shock, I struggled to fit in size UK28 clothes and needed crutches to walk across the room. Long story short, I decided it was time to do something about it and over the next 20 months lost a total of 10 stone, simply by eating less and moving more. Along the way I discovered a love of exercise in general and running and weight training in particular.
My first ever race was a Race for Life 5k, which I probably walked 3/4, and completed in around an hour. It was enough for me to catch the bug and a 10k soon followed, I still walked more than I ran but that took me 1:34. Next I did a trail half, by now i was running as much as i was walking and that took me 3:50. Then a did a chipped half, and surprised myself by running the first 20km without stopping in 2:43 I took almost an hour off my half time that day. And that was the day that I realised that I may not be fast, but I can actually do this running business and I was well and truly hooked.
Next thing I knew I had entered Brighton marathon 2018, and the training in earnest began. My training plan only took me to 16miles and if I'm honest the marathon was the hardest thing I had ever done, I'd go as far as saying it broke me. But I didn't let it stop me enjoying running, as soon as entries opened I entered again for 2019.
This time around i was much more serious about my training, I'm still not fast by most peoples standards but i followed a modified intermediate/advanced plan that took me to 22miles. This year I was more prepared, I also went in to the race with a definite plan.
I started out looking on it as two half, and concentrated on the first half, the plan was to run continuously for as long as I could at around 11:30-12:00 miles, with every mile I did quicker than the 13:30 I needed for a 6hr finish, being time in the bank for the second half. I knew that first half was virtually all uphill, but I'd also done a lot of hill training just for that reason. I took each hill steadily, comparing them to hills I've conquered in training, so I knew I could get to the top. I did get annoyed at other people at this point, ok if you need to walk the hill, walk it, but move to the side, don't just stop dead in a group.
Anyway I ran that first half, and in a very respectable time, my third fastest half and faster than I did colchester half.
On to the second half and this is where it started getting harder, I wish I could have kept the pace up. I got a message at this point telling me that I was on for a 5:30 finish, only I knew I was tiring and it was time to start adding walk intervals and breaking the 13 miles down in to smaller chunks. So I started running park runs in my head, working in 3 mile chunks. I was still coping well at this point, I wasnt walking in every walk interval, maybe for 2 out of 3. It was at this point I realised I hadn't taken on any fuel, and remembered the nakd bars in my little pouch.
First parkrun done and only 10 miles to go, i had slowed but was still well on target to break the 6hrs. Then i hit the wall, big style, i just wanted to sit down and cry, I started walking through my run intervals, but kept going forward, despite coming up with every excuse going, including cramp in my foot. And someone noticed my pace had dropped, and gave me the virtual kick up the bum via a text, and I didn't dare say I can't, because I swear she would have video called me and made me do ten burpees.
Kick up bum duly taken, i restarted running through every run interval, not fast running, but running. Everything was hurting, but the wall had been kicked out of the way and my pace picked back up, not quite as fast as before hitting the wall, but getting there.
Another park run done and all of a sudden I only had 6 miles to go, and OMG I had 1.5 hours to do them in. A quick calculation, and I knew than as long as I did each of those miles in less than 15 minutes I was going to smash it. So I started to live in the mile, literally all that mattered was that I completed each mile in less than 15mins. Before I knew it I had 3 miles to go and yes, I was not only still on track but had banked another few minutes. Suddenly the pain didn't matter I knew that I had done something amazing and so I carried on making sure that I did each mile in less than the 15 minutes, now living in each run interval until I got to the 26 mile marker.
That last 0.2 miles was the most horrific last year, last year I was crying in relief. This year I was determined that I wasn't going to shuffle over the line, I was going to run and I even attempted to sprint. It wasn't the most convincing of sprints but it was a burst of speed and I did run over the line, tears streaming down my face, crying not because of the pain, but because I had looked at my watch just before I started my sprint attempt and knew all the hard work of the last four months had paid off I had taken 40 minutes off of last years time, but more importantly I had smashed the 6hours and had really given my all and done the best that I possibly could.
So the story of my Brighton Marathon 2019. I guess it started in November 2016 when I finally stepped on the scales and was shocked to discover I weighed 290lb, although I guess it shouldn't have been too much of a shock, I struggled to fit in size UK28 clothes and needed crutches to walk across the room. Long story short, I decided it was time to do something about it and over the next 20 months lost a total of 10 stone, simply by eating less and moving more. Along the way I discovered a love of exercise in general and running and weight training in particular.
My first ever race was a Race for Life 5k, which I probably walked 3/4, and completed in around an hour. It was enough for me to catch the bug and a 10k soon followed, I still walked more than I ran but that took me 1:34. Next I did a trail half, by now i was running as much as i was walking and that took me 3:50. Then a did a chipped half, and surprised myself by running the first 20km without stopping in 2:43 I took almost an hour off my half time that day. And that was the day that I realised that I may not be fast, but I can actually do this running business and I was well and truly hooked.
Next thing I knew I had entered Brighton marathon 2018, and the training in earnest began. My training plan only took me to 16miles and if I'm honest the marathon was the hardest thing I had ever done, I'd go as far as saying it broke me. But I didn't let it stop me enjoying running, as soon as entries opened I entered again for 2019.
This time around i was much more serious about my training, I'm still not fast by most peoples standards but i followed a modified intermediate/advanced plan that took me to 22miles. This year I was more prepared, I also went in to the race with a definite plan.
I started out looking on it as two half, and concentrated on the first half, the plan was to run continuously for as long as I could at around 11:30-12:00 miles, with every mile I did quicker than the 13:30 I needed for a 6hr finish, being time in the bank for the second half. I knew that first half was virtually all uphill, but I'd also done a lot of hill training just for that reason. I took each hill steadily, comparing them to hills I've conquered in training, so I knew I could get to the top. I did get annoyed at other people at this point, ok if you need to walk the hill, walk it, but move to the side, don't just stop dead in a group.
Anyway I ran that first half, and in a very respectable time, my third fastest half and faster than I did colchester half.
On to the second half and this is where it started getting harder, I wish I could have kept the pace up. I got a message at this point telling me that I was on for a 5:30 finish, only I knew I was tiring and it was time to start adding walk intervals and breaking the 13 miles down in to smaller chunks. So I started running park runs in my head, working in 3 mile chunks. I was still coping well at this point, I wasnt walking in every walk interval, maybe for 2 out of 3. It was at this point I realised I hadn't taken on any fuel, and remembered the nakd bars in my little pouch.
First parkrun done and only 10 miles to go, i had slowed but was still well on target to break the 6hrs. Then i hit the wall, big style, i just wanted to sit down and cry, I started walking through my run intervals, but kept going forward, despite coming up with every excuse going, including cramp in my foot. And someone noticed my pace had dropped, and gave me the virtual kick up the bum via a text, and I didn't dare say I can't, because I swear she would have video called me and made me do ten burpees.
Kick up bum duly taken, i restarted running through every run interval, not fast running, but running. Everything was hurting, but the wall had been kicked out of the way and my pace picked back up, not quite as fast as before hitting the wall, but getting there.
Another park run done and all of a sudden I only had 6 miles to go, and OMG I had 1.5 hours to do them in. A quick calculation, and I knew than as long as I did each of those miles in less than 15 minutes I was going to smash it. So I started to live in the mile, literally all that mattered was that I completed each mile in less than 15mins. Before I knew it I had 3 miles to go and yes, I was not only still on track but had banked another few minutes. Suddenly the pain didn't matter I knew that I had done something amazing and so I carried on making sure that I did each mile in less than the 15 minutes, now living in each run interval until I got to the 26 mile marker.
That last 0.2 miles was the most horrific last year, last year I was crying in relief. This year I was determined that I wasn't going to shuffle over the line, I was going to run and I even attempted to sprint. It wasn't the most convincing of sprints but it was a burst of speed and I did run over the line, tears streaming down my face, crying not because of the pain, but because I had looked at my watch just before I started my sprint attempt and knew all the hard work of the last four months had paid off I had taken 40 minutes off of last years time, but more importantly I had smashed the 6hours and had really given my all and done the best that I possibly could.
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Replies
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You are amazing, @firef1y72! Congratulations!4
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well done
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What a huge accomplishment! Great job!!2
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Congrats! 👏👏👏 Amazing accomplishment!2
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Amazing job!1
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Bravo! Thanks for sharing your story. I hope it inspires many to discover what can be accomplished when one is determined. Fantastic job!0
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That is so freaking amazing. Ever since I was the kid, I've loved watching the Iron Man on TV. That race, like your marathon is so much more about mental toughness and determination than it is physical. Seeing people realize what they can achieve when they put their minds to it and give it their all brings tears to my eyes. Well done you!!!!0
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Lovely story!! You rock!0
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This is AWESOME!!0
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So inspiring! Toying with the idea of a full right now...you are awesome.0
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Congratulations!0
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As I know from other threads, you work so hard and so consistently at your fitness . . . and now look how grandly that's paid off! Go, you: Admiration!1
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Thank you everyone. If anyone had told me even 2 years ago that I would have run a marathon I'd have laughed in their faces. But here I am a week after my 2nd with a week to go until my 3rd (then I am taking a year off marathon distance unless I get a ballot place for London next year)4
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Loved this post. So inspiring!! Great job0
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Amazing story. Very inspiring.0
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So an update as I have now completed 2 marathons in 2 weeks.
So while I'm still on a high my story of London Marathon 2019. How I got to be running the two marathons in two weeks is in a previous post, but for a quick recap. In November 2015 I weighed 290lb ( 20st 9lb) and could barely walk across a room. I decided I needed to lose weight, did it the no fuss sensible way of eating less and moving more, discovering a love of exercise in general and running in particular along the way. Over the three years I progressed from near enough walking a 5k to running (with some walking) Brighton marathon last year. Needing a new challenge this year I took on 2 marathons in 2 weeks, with Brighton on the 14th April and London on the 28th.
Brighton had gone so well, I'd smashed last years time and had such a good run. All I needed was to recover, and I had 2 weeks to do it in. Had a good stretch session on the first Monday and a recovery shuffle before tabata and barbell in the evening. I would definitely recommend staying active in the days after a marathon. I've seen so many posts where people have done nothing for the first few days and then are still struggling after a week. Yes I was slow that first day, and took the classes a lot easier than I normally would, but there was very little I couldn't actually do (including burpees, almost wish I couldn't have done them)
Over the week I carried on going to PT and classes as normal, gradually upping the intensity. I couldn't do my normal Tuesday morning stair workout until the Friday, and Wednesday sprints was just run intervals, but by Saturday I felt that I was around 99% recovered and on Sunday I ran my fastest mile this year.
The second week was spent trying not to go all out, well I went all out in zumba and pushed a lot harder in classes up to Wednesday, but I did rest Thursday and Friday only having pt sessions (stretching on friday) and a couple short runs. Saturday I just did the mile for my streak and then spent the day travelling.
By Saturday the nerves had kicked in, I struggled to sleep, getting maybe 4hours. But the adrenaline had also kicked in and I could feel my nervous energy peaking. I had a good breakfast and left I'm plenty of time to get to the start before all the crowds. After a charity team photo I made my way to the point of no return and started my routine of joining every toilet queue I saw, until it was time to go in the starting area.
Now I'm going to admit, from Friday onwards the doubt had started to set in. I'd had such a good run at Brighton that I started to worry that it had been a fluke and I wasnt going to cope with the crowds. By the time I got to the starting area I was very anxious, London most definitely is not autism friendly, there are lots of people. But at least they're all interested in running and nobody seemed to mind too much that i wittered on.
As we finally approached the start line, i stuck my earphone in, got my watch ready to start and decided that i was just going to play it by ear. I had a pacing band on my wrist for my target time of 5:45 and decided to repeat my strategy from Brighton. Break the marathon in to two halves and start by concentrating on the first.
As I set off my doubts melted away, I was having to weave about a lot, but I was also overtaking lots of people, it helped that the first few miles were downhill. I took it steady, but would probably have done those first 2 miles as 10min miles if it wasnt for the 2 nervous wees. After the second wee I settled right in and ran continuously at around 11:30 miles, quite a bit faster than the planned 13min miles, but I knew I needed some time in the bank.
The first 10 miles were great, I actually saw the Cutty Sark and I was enjoying myself. Another thing I'd worried about was water bottles, but my couple of long training runs where I had held one came in handy and after throwing the first couple after a couple of mouthfuls I started keeping hold and just swapping out at each water station. By 10miles I was getting messages about how well I was doing and I had built up a ten minute buffer, but the legs were tiring a lot quicker than they had at Brighton, so I decided to start adding in walk intervals.
Unlike Brighton where I went straight into run 2-5min/walk 1, I started out with just 1min walk intervals after passing each mile marker. This meant I didn't slow as dramatically, but I was still getting that much needed break. At 13.1 miles I knew that despite being tired I was actually every so slightly faster than Brighton. But at the same time, I suddenly didn't care, I knew from my phone that there were loads of people tracking me. And I decided to start taking selfies at some of the more significant mile markers and post them as I went round. This helped take my mind off the fact that I had already run significantly further than those markers said as I avoided other people.
It was a little demoralising to realise that despite pacing myself wonderfully I was unlikely to hit the time I was obviously capable of. And then wham I hit the wall, I can see where I hit the wall in my times. But you know what it took me a 2min walk to break through, and remember it was time to focus on each mile. Anyway I kept going, taking selfies as m went, and I even managed a 9:30 mile at one point (it was downhill, but was almost like 2nd wind and I overtook a few people during that mile).
As I hit the last few miles, I did slow, but not as much as I did in Brighton. And looking at my watch I realised that no matter what I was going to be faster over 26.2 miles and could probably do the 27+ that it looked like London was going to be for me in around the same time as Brighton. Running those last miles along the embankment was hard, I'd slowed significantly in the last 6 miles and I was in pain. But checking my watch as it approached 26.2miles actually run I saw I had done something amazing. Yes it was hard to continue knowing I now had another full mile to run but as I saw the 1km to go sign, I thought to myself that's less than I run every day, I'm going to finish in style, and so as I turned on to the final stretch I continued running (overtaking quite a few more people along the way). Then there was 800m to go, half a mile, just a little push further, 400m, 200m and I could see the finish. Cue the worlds least convincing sprint, more a burst of speed.
So my times, well my course record for London Marathon is 5:54:18, 1 second slower than Brighton, and that's despite the wee stops and the faffing around taking selfies. But as I ran an extra mile I set the following records in Strava:
Fastest 30k : 3:51:23 (8min40 faster than brighton)
Fastest marathon : 5:41:00 (13min faster than Brighton)
3rd fastest half : 2:39:49 (2min26 faster than Brighton)
2nd fastest half mile and 2nd fastest km (both were downhill)
So my 2 marathons in 2 weeks is complete, I'm waiting for the adrenaline to wear off, barely able to sleep last night. The legs are a little achy, but not even as bad as after Brighton.
I ONLY FREAKING WELL RAN 2 SUB 6HOUR MARATHONS JUST 2 WEEKS APART!!!
Me, the girl most likely to get out of PE, who allowed their EDS to stop them from even walking for so long. Who used to let the pain dictate what she could or couldn't do. Take that EDS, do one pain, you are never going to stop me again.16 -
Fantastic story! I'm a similar age and ran a half a couple of years back (which exhausted me for days) - one of my life's ambitions is to complete a marathon and your story makes it feel possible
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Very nice! Well done you. I trust you've signed up to the next two already
I ran London also this year - wasn't it an incredible atmosphere? That crowd support is something else.
I'm sure you've learnt a lot from that experience. I'll bet you will be sub 5 hours next year......go for it.0 -
That's amazing, @firef1y72 ! You must be so proud, such fantastic accomplishment. Thank you for posting your story!0
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Wow! You are absolutely amazing! Well done 0
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This was the inspiration I needed to hear today.... feeling down on myself cause I havent been training like I did last year for the 10 Mile Broad Street run in Philadelphia this weekend. I know I can finish but may end up walking alot more than I planned on. For now my goal is to go out do my best finish the race and have fun along the way.
Thanks for sharing!0 -
I have to add more. So inspiring. I really want to make the jump to a full marathon and love reading your recaps!!!0
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Really enjoyed reading this! Thanks SO MUCH for sharing, OP!0
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congrats
i've heard the strategy if you want to do 2 marathons (or similar in a season) - either do them back to back like you did; or spread them out over several months - seems like the B2B worked well for you0
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