Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon

So last year was the first year I had started running. I had accomplished many goals for the first year of running. The one thing I didn't do was a marathon so I set that to be my big goal this year. I was determined to train well for it. That didn't happen.

You might hate me, think I'm stupid or be in awe after reading this. My training only included the half marathon I had run a month ago, and a couple of 8 mile runs before the marathon. I know it's not an excuse but I was extremely busy working 40 hours/week on my feet and having three classes. But I did have one thing on my side. My strength and will to complete a task.

I had my cheering crew with me. Joshua, Lily, Linda and Andrew. They were such a big help. I think I saw them on the route two or three times. Every time I saw them cheering me on, it gave me an energy boost. Just when I thought I couldn't go any further, I would see them.

I really had wished I had trained more for this. When the race started, I felt good. One mile into it, I thought that this wasn't going to be so bad. Three miles in, still feeling good. I was in my stride by then. Five miles goes by then eight. My pace was steady through eight miles, which made me happy.

Then I got to the half marathon mark. It all suddenly sank in. I've never ran more than 13 miles straight through in my life. Now that I ran 13 miles, I still had 13 more to go. I felt my energy going down. However, each step I took was now the furtherest I had ever run before.

By mile 16, I was hurting...a lot. My calves were on fire, my toes were blistering and my arms were so tired. For some reason, my breathing was fine. That I can control.

Every time I stopped to walk, it hurt. Every time I started back up to run, it hurt. All this walk/run/walk/run was more painfully than just running. So when I hit mile 20, I decided no more walk and to just run through the pain.

I was running or more like jogging kinda. I think people walking could've been faster than me. But I wasn't going to stop. I even skipped the last two water stations knowing I wouldn't make it if I stopped.

I did inspire a guy though. I must've ran past him at some point and he must've seen me skip the water station and not stop to walk. At this point of the race, it was the stragglers left and most were running then walking and so on. The guy all of a sudden caught up to me. We started talking and he had told me that I was his inspiration to keep running.

That felt incredibly great and helped me continue running and not stop. We talked for a bit running side by side, each of us motivating the other. When we came upon the last water stop, he stopped for a drink and that's where we said our goodbyes since I had told him and myself that I couldn't stop running.

Soon, I could see the end was near. That made me push even harder and not stop. I was so close to finishing. Then I saw my cheering crew. What a sweet sight. I crossed the finish line and couldn't believe it. I finished a marathon. Not well, but I finished.

I grabbed some food and drinks in the finishers area and headed to my cheering section. Lily rushed towards me and I fell down. She was only 3 months at this point and almost 30 pounds and I was exhausted! We stayed for a little bit to drink some beers. Well, I deserved it! Then I continued to pass out for the next few days.

I'm hoping the next time I run a marathon, I will be more prepared. Yes, there will be another marathon. Not right away but someday.