Making My Marathon Debut

Making my marathon debut has been a year in the making. After having to withdraw from last years Newport Marathon due to injury, I was seeking redemption this time around.

After my experience last year I was determined to make it to the start line in one piece! Despite a few niggles over the months leading up to this race, I succeeded.

Training for a marathon is hard. It takes a lot of time, hard work and requires sacrificing family time and for me at least, sleep! Running after 12 hour day shifts in the cold & dark and in the afternoon before a 12 hour night shift takes its toll.

I was TIRED during this training cycle but was it going to be worth it? This tiredness caught up with me during my two longest runs before the taper started. They had me worried as to whether I could even run 26.2 miles let alone run them at the sort of pace Simon and I were planning.

I successfully managed to block that from my mind during marathon week. Its funny, I’ve heard endless tales of people suffering from “maranoia” during marathon week, yet I had none of that. No colds or phantom injuries, nothing.

If anything, I was somewhat zen about the whole thing leading up to race day.

Despite Newport only being about an hours drive away, Steph and I were staying in a hotel to make the morning easier. The last thing I wanted was to stress about parking or get stuck in traffic.

Once we’d checked in, we went to a pub next door for food then back to the room to chill out. I was amazed at how well I managed to sleep that night.

Race day

The race was due to start at 09:00 so even though we were already in Newport, it was still an early start. I had planned to have porridge for breakfast but I always struggle to get it down on race days. In the end I just about managed two pieces of toast.

This did worry me slightly that it might not be enough to fuel me through a marathon. I knew I’d eaten a lot in the days before though so hoped it would be enough.

I’d also been keeping my fluid intake high in the previous days including electrolyte drinks for the sodium. I decided to use a sachet of said electrolyte in my water bottle for the race too. I’d been warned about my salt levels dropping so thought this would be a good idea.

Speaking of race fuelling, I planned to use 4 gels during the race, one every 5-6 miles. I’ve never eaten during a run outside of my ultra. To be honest, I have no idea what I’d actually eat during a marathon so didn’t bother.

Once we’d had breakfast and checked out we got a taxi into the city centre and headed straight for the toilets in the Newport Centre. I’d remained calm all week but the “runners tummy” had kicked in!

I don’t know whether it was because I had no previous experience of running a marathon but the fact I was about to run one just didn’t seem real. Even as I did my warm up and headed for the starting pen, it still hadn’t sunk in.

The race start was fast approaching so after another quick toilet stop, Steph wished me luck and I headed for the start line.

Venturing into the great unknown

I’ve no idea what finish time I’d put down on my entry but I was in the first pen. I was surrounded by runners who looked quick and serious. I felt a little out of my depth but I just tried to focus on my race plan and keeping calm.

As I stood on the start line I truly had no idea what to expect. It was perfect conditions, a bit fresh initially but sunny with clear skies. The announcer was talking about PB’s. I was going to get one regardless seeing as it was my first marathon. The question was, what sort of time was I capable of.

After the usual countdown to the start, we were off. The plan was to start out at 7.30min pace for the first half of the race. I made a conscious effort to keep my pace down for the first couple of miles. It’s always easy to get dragged along at other runners paces at the start of a race.

Despite trying to keep the pace down the first few miles, they were still a little quicker than planned. I decided that those extra seconds would come in handy for the inevitable drop off in pace at some stage later in the race.

Not for the first time in a race I found my lower legs felt tight around my shins. This wasn’t what I wanted but having had it before, I knew it should pass. After a few miles only my left leg felt like it but that too passed a mile or two later.

Having found my rhythm, the miles were flying by. Having already seen a few Instagram friends early on in the race, Rachel, Daryl & Martha, I saw more about 7 miles in. Seeing Andy, Dan & Craig was just what I needed.

I’d taken a gel about 5 and a half miles in but seeing familiar faces cheering you on makes a much bigger difference. The only problem was not allowing it spur me on too much!

Approaching halfway

The miles continued to tick by and I was feeling ok. I took another gel around mile 11 and took on water at every station. It was warm in the sun and the course was open with very little shade.

There were check points throughout the race for tracking and I went through half way in 1hr37.47. I was happy with this, not too quick but still fast enough for a good finish time if I could hold it all together.

Before reaching the halfway point, I was caught and dropped by the 3hr15 pacer group. This annoyed me at first as it was the ball park figure I was aiming for, if not a little quicker. I attempted to stay with them but didn’t feel comfortable at their pace so let them go.

I never lost sight of them though and around 14 miles, I saw Andy, Dan & Craig again. This time I embraced the surge in pace their encouragement caused. Not that I felt like I was struggling but it gave me a second wind.

Suddenly I was flying along and with a renewed determination, set about hunting down the pacer group. It wasn’t long until I caught them and even settled in at the front of the group.

As the miles continued to tick by, I felt surprisingly comfortable. The original plan was to increase the pace from 7.30 to 7.25 from halfway to 20 miles then see how I felt. Instead, I decided to stick with the pacer for as long as possible.

Running through the wall

As miles, 18, 19 and 20 came and went, I still felt good. I was amazed at this to be honest. Having struggled on my long training runs before even getting to this distance I was just waiting for the wheels to come off.

I held off taking my 4th and last gel until around mile 21 and also took on a bottle of Lucozade around the same time.

Hunger is something I had been worried about but so far I still felt ok. Another couple of miles ticked by and just past the 23 mile mark I saw Rachel again. She was full of encouragement. I would soon see her again however as I was now on a long straight with a horrible turnback.

It was at this point I started to hit the dreaded wall. My legs were slowing down and I had absolutely no control over it. I was desperate for water at the upcoming water station and as I was drinking it I stopped running.

It was something I hoped wouldn’t happen but instead of letting it get to me I made the most of it. I took on the water I needed, composed myself and was running again 10-20 seconds later.

My pace had dropped off dramatically but I knew I was only a Parkrun away from the finish. Rachel was shouting more encouragement again but all I could do was reply that my legs had gone.

I wasn’t the only one in trouble, many other runners had slowed up as well. While I was running alongside one guy saying how my legs gone, I suddenly felt light headed.

I stopped to walk again. This time I was annoyed. I knew it was the right decision but it had me fearing that I was in a world of trouble with still over 2 and a half miles to go.

I AM A MARATHONER!!!!

Again, I tried to limit the walking to 10-20 seconds. I then decided that was the last time I’d walk until I had crossed the finish line.

Its amazing what our minds can get our bodies to do. There was a bridge shortly after with lots of people shouting my name. All I could do in return was give them a half hearted wave. I was hurting but I was running.

Amazingly, my pace started to get quicker again. I was through the wall. My pace wasn’t as quick as before but I no longer cared. I was catching more and more people, including some of those that went past when I walked.

Then it happened. I saw the magical 26 mile marker. I was so close. One more push for home.

I cant quite explain where it came from. From somewhere deep down inside me I found the last bit of strength I had left in me. I was literally like, fuck it, lets leave everything out there.

I opened up my legs as much as I could and produced an extremely laboured and fatigued attempt at a sprint finish.

And just like that, I crossed the finish line and became a marathoner! Everything hurt and I was gagging for water. More importantly I’d finished in a time of 3hr17.30. I was delighted.

Next I had to find Steph. Once I had, I literally just leant on her over a barrier for a minute or two while I composed myself. I wasn’t in tears but I was a little emotional.

All the hard work, the long runs, the runs in the cold and dark, the runs that meant sacrificing family time, it had all been for this moment. Never underestimate the power of determination and hard work.

I need to thank Steph for supporting me, not just on race weekend but for putting up with my training. And to Simon for his work with me and the faith he has in my ability.

Newport Marathon was a great race. Flat and fast, it’s a potential PB course for sure. The support was sporadic out on the course but that support was fantastic.

I can definitely recommend it and now I cant wait to move on to my next marathon!