Marathon

I ran a marathon today. The full 26.2 miles, or just over 42 kilometers, in 4 hours, 4 minutes, and 39 seconds. Holy shit. It’s so much running.

I ran my first half marathon when I was 25, finishing in 2 hours and 5 minutes, about 25 minutes faster than I’d trained for (though I could barely walk for a few days after). The only reason I even wanted to do it was because it was the very first fundraising race hosted by the Safari Park and the entry ticket was reasonable. How could I not? I’d been jogging for a few years, mainly because it was cheap and accessible exercise. I was probably still wearing Payless shoes and my race day photo shows me in my high school gym shorts and the finisher’s t-shirt. 

I’d never participated in a race before then.

When I finished I decided that I’d definitely do more races but I’d never run a full marathon. Running 13 miles drained me. I could barely walk for days after. It was a cool accomplishment and that first one was so fun (we ran through the Safari Park!), but the thought of having to run the same distance again right after finishing was ridiculous. Besides, I wasn’t a serious runner. It took work to get to 13 miles. Marathons were for younger people, people who ran in high school or college, people who took fitness very seriously, people with different body shapes, people who maybe hated themselves or who made running their entire personality or who had runner friends.

Since that first one I finished 9 more, with times ranging from 01:44:20 (my best, which I worked really hard for) to over 3 hours (my embarrassing worst, I barely trained). I also ran many 5Ks, 10Ks, and 15Ks. I even organized one during Covid, raising $1,200. #humblebrag

A little more than 15 years after that first half marathon, I’m turning 40. I wanted to accomplish something big. I considered hiking the Grand Canyon. I’ve never been and when I go, I want to go all the way. But my birthday is in October, which is not the best weather to hike the Grand Canyon. And I didn’t want to do that alone, but didn’t think I could convince anyone to do it with me. Then I thought about running 40 kilometers for 40 years. That sounds far, I can do it alone, and it isn’t a marathon distance.

Then I did the math. A full marathon is 42.2 kilometers. If I was going to train for and run 40k, I might as well go the extra 2k. It’d be silly to get that close and not cross that distance, right?

I started seriously considering the idea at 38. Husband trained for and ran his first two half marathons when he turned 40 and was ridiculously fit (set the bar real fuckin’ high for my 40th, goddamn). A few experienced marathoners told me without hesitation that if I can run a half I can run a full. Maybe they were right. But did I really want to spend four months living my life around a run schedule?

Maybe, maybe not. At least I wanted to have a run year. I wanted to complete 10 half marathons and achieve my time goal, which I’d previously failed to do. I wanted to earn a running tattoo. I made a list of races to do, including some I’d done before and liked and some iconic races I hadn’t gotten around to yet. Just in case, I looked up marathons in October and added the interesting looking ones to the list.

Last year, my father in law gifted us a hotel stay in Hawaii, but we had to choose the dates right then (something about the points expiring). We had talked about a trip for my 40th, so I had to decide nearly a year in advance whether I’d commit to a full marathon or whether I wanted to be in Hawaii on my birthday. I went back to my list. The top contenders were all the weekend after my birthday, so we booked the following week for the trip. Now I had to commit because otherwise I wouldn’t be on an island with a Mai Thai on my birthday for nothing.

Even though Chicago was also that weekend, I didn’t choose it because it’s expensive (like, so expensive), based on a lottery system, and requires flying. Being on a plane right before having to run that distance sounded like a bad idea, and the Hawaii trip was literally the next day and I’d rather go without any of my running things.

Turns out Long Beach has an annual marathon. It’s close enough that I just need one hotel night, I’ll be experienced in the weather after training all summer, we can drive back and have enough time to do some laundry before flying out the next day, it was still very affordable, and — best of all — the course is almost completely flat and mostly along the coast. Couldn’t have designed it better myself.

So I signed up. I wanted to know if I could do it. I always said I couldn’t because it was too far and required too much training. But maybe I could do it. Obviously, there was only one way to find out.

When 2025 started I had 7 half marathon medals. In January I ran my 8th, which is when I got my time goal of 01:44:20. In March I ran my usual 15K, the Hot Chocolate Run, then one of the iconic half marathons I’d never done (I fell at mile 3 and ran up one of the longest and steepest hills). For my 10th half marathon in May, I chose another local iconic race, then the next day husband and I ran the 10K that goes over the Coronado bridge, which we do every so often with friends.

With that base mileage, I started training for Long Beach the very next week. We’d just bought and moved into our condo. The timing worked out great because it was early enough when we moved that I wasn’t risking injury, and I started the 18-week plan a week early to have a buffer week (which I ended up needed after ruining my callouses).

To my genuine surprise, training went really well. I read about fueling, which I’d never considered at the shorter distances (I like running fasted), I binged Ologies, and I got to do new and interesting routes due to our new location.

After my first 20-mile run I knew I could finish the whole distance. My life saver of a husband met me halfway with bandaids for my toes, gatorade, extra water, and fruit snacks. But still, the last couple miles were physically painful and I came close to hitting a mental wall running directly into the sun. If that were race day I’d have a whole other hour of running to go. I had two more of those distances in my training plan, sandwiched between 12-mile “step-back” weeks (for which I’m exceedingly grateful).

Side note: The step-back weeks are the most fascinating part of training. I never imagined I’d look forward to a 12-mile long run and think of it as “only” 12 miles. I never imagined I’d run 10 miles in the morning before work. I never imagined I’d run these distances and go about my day as if I did nothing that morning. I’m getting faster at these distances without consciously trying and recovering faster, too. I feel better in my body than I have in a long time (even if my feet are hideous).

But I am exhausted. This program peaks with 50 miles during the week: 20 on one day and 30 spread out over 4 days. My body battery is rarely above 70 these days, even if I go to bed early and don’t drink. I wrote this first draft on a sick day from work just because I was tired and needed rest (a sick day that still started with a 10-mile run… it was a 50-mile week). I’m waking up before my 5:15am alarm most days and could go to sleep around 7 or 8pm.

During that first step-back week of lower mileage, when I knew I was capable of finishing, I started visualizing what it would feel like to be at the starting line, in the dark at 5:30am with thousands of other first-timers like me among the experienced marathoners. The race sold out in August, it would be packed. I visualized the course, having studied the map. I found 20 miles and mentally mapped the last 6, trying to determine whether they would be easy miles or if there was some trick (there’s no elevation gain but it seems boring until we rejoin the half marathoners).

Finally, I visualized the finish line. I imagined checking my watch and what it might feel like if I was on track for a good time. I imagined crossing the finish line, probably in immense pain but still pushing to race the last mile. I imagined the crowd and hoped they’d be loud enough to drown out any thoughts. I imagined husband finding me after I limped to get my medal and a banana. I imagined crying because I did it and it’s over. Husband will give me my bag with flip flops, a protein shake, and gatorade. We’ll sit for a minute and enjoy whatever festival atmosphere they have because this isn’t a day I want to rush back to the car. He’ll drink the beer I earned, mainly because I can’t have it anymore but also because I probably won’t want it anyway. If there’s a massage table, I’ll get in line.

I never expected to enjoy training. I expected it to be a slog, something I have to do if I want race day to go well. Friends and coworkers would ask me if I had to run that day, or if I have to run tomorrow. I always said yes, but the truth was I didn’t have to, I got to. I love running. Even waking up at 5am and finishing before the sun is fully up, running ten miles before work, avoiding alcohol before an important run, and having a somewhat boring diet is all worth getting to do this thing that I love. I relish the physical challenge, seeing what my body is capable of and how strong it feels even when I’m not running. I love moderating my pace, mapping my runs, planning my life to support this hobby. This year I didn’t run on my birthday because it was an important rest day before the race. I felt like I missed an important part of my special day, even more so because it was a milestone birthday.

Training Problems

Before I paid the entry fee I read up on training. That was what intimidated me, much more than 26 miles one day. I could get through half marathon training easily at this point — it wasn’t impacting my sleep or my social life. While plenty of people maintained that marathons are doable, the consensus was that it’s hard as fuck and that’s why so few people do them (comparatively). Training to finish 26 miles is very different than training to finish 13 miles. Turns out it’s very very different.

I managed to avoid major injury, though I didn’t get through training unscathed. I fell twice (on the same run!), skinning and bruising knees, thigh, hands, chin, and taking a chunk out of two fingers. I overly pruned what I thought were blisters and actually cut away callouses, which took more than a month to heal. I got a black toenail (not my first time). Cars rolled right through intersections I was already in. I was even bit by a dog! It may have been a young and rambunctious but still very large german shepherd being poorly controlled by a small woman (she let her dog lunge across her to get to me, then calmly said “we don’t jump on people” like she was walking a toddler), but the bite broke the skin and gave me a bruise on my elbow.

I also had gear challenges. After more years than I should probably admit, my trusty sports bra (I had two because I loved them so) started causing chafing. Like, hop in the shower and immediately recoil because of the pain. The chafing started when I went over 15 miles, barely any further than the many half marathons I’ve done in that same bra. It took quite a bit of trial and error to find not only one that fit but one that felt good and didn’t chafe. I bought four, returned two, and know which one I’ll run in, but will still apply a protective bandaid because I can’t guarantee it won’t chafe in those final 5 miles.

I also wanted a new pair of shorts. I needed enough pockets to bring a few packets of fruit snacks, my phone, and my house key. My existing shorts had most of this but also a poorly sewn seam that dug into my hip and were slightly longer than I preferred (5 inches, though I admit I was considering the thigh tan more than anything else). Since I plan on this being a one-and-done experience, I didn’t want to invest in a running belt or vest that I likely wouldn’t use again, but shorts with pockets will always be handy. I picked a Flipbelt short, which had nearly 360* pockets. After two sizing exchanges, I finished a few 19-mile+ long runs and then the back zipper broke. While I was waiting for the exchange, I also decided that the mild thigh chafing from the 3-inch shorts meant I needed a mid-range length. So I bought an Oiselle 4-inch short with similar pockets. I immediately loved them! These were the ones. Two weeks into running with those, the back zipper broke! Do running short zippers suck? My older shorts have been going a couple of years with no issues, so it can’t be user error (also, it’s a zipper, how much could I be fucking it up?). I got a replacement just in time.

Finally, after years of telling myself I’d buy two pairs of shoes and rotate, I felt a little niggle in my shins halfway through my program. My shoes weren’t ready to be retired, but I was putting so many miles on them without giving them a chance to rest and regain the cushiness. I found a second pair at an outlet sale and started using them for all of my non-long runs. I made it to tapering without any other pain!

I did also buy running sleeves because they were on sale and got me free shipping and I thought it would help protect my tattoos, and a running hat, which I was surprised to love! It’s an obnoxious pink which means husband will have an easier time finding me, and it washes and dries very fast. Overall my $150 entry fee, which is very reasonable compared to the major races, morphed into spending over $500 on gear, not including what I spent on bandaids and protein powder. Thankfully I should be set for a while!

Race Day

Except for more anxiety than I usually have the day before and getting emotional at the start line, the actual marathon was oddly normal. It was like any other race I’ve done this year, just longer, and not all that different from my long training runs except there were a lot more runners around and more cheering. Maybe that’s a good thing and means I trained well. They say nothing new on race day and I followed that advice exactly.

Picking up my bib got me a little emotional. I walked past the half marathon pickup counter to the marathon pickup counter, something I’d never done before. Once I signed up for a 5k after having previously run the same race’s half marathon, and a staff member looked at me and said “I bet you’re doing the 5k”. I got a little offended. What about me made her think I wasn’t there for the half? Did she think I couldn’t do it just by looking at me? I resisted the urge to tell her I’ve done the half before, but the interaction stuck with me. Getting to the marathon counter made me feel legitimate, even though I’m an experienced runner.

As I was leaving, a woman asked me to take her photo in front of branded signage. I saw others taking closeup photos of the signs so I looked closer — all of the runners’ names were printed on it! It was incredible to find my name among the thousands of other runners. My name was printed on a massive sign because I was running a marathon. So legit.

Husband and I were up at 4am — the roads outside our hotel would close at 4:30 and we needed to be out by then. That part wasn’t exactly pleasant. But getting to the start line in the dark with 6,000 other marathoners was magical. We took a quick selfie and I slipped into my corral. Almost instantly I teared up. This was happening! The announcer asked people to raise their hands if it was their first marathon (somewhat condescendingly, like you probably have done this before because you’re in an early corral, you can’t possibly be new) and it looked like a third of the hands were raised. I was in wonderful company! 

I queued up my Garmin and they counted us down. We were off! I was still fighting back tears. I’d been thinking of this for a long time and preparing for months and it was finally happening. Today I would see if I could actually run a whole marathon. I told myself to save my tears for the finish line. Husband cheered with the other spectators as we crossed, making it really hard to not cry.

The first hour was in the dark. I was nervous about tripping and falling. A runner near me tripped within the first mile but fortunately stayed upright. Finally the sun started to rise and we had a gorgeous run along the water. The marathon started an hour and a half before the half (mercifully) but it was still very cool and validating to be on the marathon side of the signs when the courses split. Another first for me.

Husband found me around mile 6 and again close to the halfway point. Though it was only the geographical halfway point: mentally and physically it was really only a quarter of the way done. Due to our parking situation I hadn’t expected him to travel the course at all and it was a nice boost.

The problems started around mile 14 or 15. First it was my right knee that hurt. A couple miles later my right hip also hurt. I had a few slow miles in the middle. Still, I only walked through the aid stations to drink water (and gatorade at mile 10 and 20). I even ran while eating my fruit snacks. It may not have been very fast but I was proud to run the whole thing. At mile 19 I picked up the pace as much as I could while still trying to reserve energy for the final 4 miles. I’d need to practically sprint those. My left calf had shooting pains a few times, bad enough that I involuntarily swore just to relieve pressure (it’s science!). I kept going, deciding to risk something worse in the last few miles.

I felt like a very slow super person running past so many people who’d needed to walk at that point. People who maybe went out too fast and had to take it easy, or whose longest training run was 18 miles, or who hit the wall because they did something different on race day (maybe less eating). The crowds had started to fill out again, some calling out the names from our bibs or handing out snacks or alcohol. By the time we rejoined the half marathon course, the streets were lined with spectators shouting, cheering, waving signs, and using noise makers. It was uplifting, genuinely helping me run at my fast pace even while dodging all the walkers.

Side note: Probably half the signs were the classic “You’re running better than the government” which is mildly funny normally, but the government shut down for several days with no sign of reopening. No wonder it was the go-to sign. The first time I saw it I shouted “the government isn’t running at all!” The bar is so low.

All of a sudden I saw the finish line. I’d been counting the kilometers with my watch and struggling to maintain my speed, wondering where the hell this thing was. Then it was there. I sprinted. I’d missed my stretch goal of a sub-4 hour finish but could still make 4:05:00. No matter how tired I am or what body parts hurt, I let my legs stretch all the way out once the finish line is in sight. I feel fast as fuck.

I crossed at 4:04:39, a completely respectable time. As packed as the last mile was with runners and spectators, the finish line was worse. After a volunteer placed my medal over my neck making me feel like an absolute queen, we were cattle prodded out to the festival area. I worried I was at risk of collapsing and had no idea how to find husband. I found a spot on the grass next to the festival, sat down, and texted him to come find me. I sat for a long time even after he found me and brought me my sandals (which I wore with socks because fuck it), gatorade, and protein shake. When we decided to leave, he had to nearly lift me up because my legs had nothing left. I walked, or rather hobbled, so slowly back to the car.

Back home, I’m already fully packed for Hawaii. Husband is bringing me pho for dinner, we have brownies, and I’m going to sleep well. Tomorrow we start our first vacation in years and first ever tropical vacation. I’m officially a marathoner, even if I never do this again.