Well, last Sunday, April 6th, I ran my first ever full marathon. All 26.2 miles. It was probably one of the greatest experiences of my life. What a high. I ran it in St. Louis with about 10,000 other runners, including those running the half and the full marathon.
Race morning was beautiful. The race started at 0700 and the temperature was about 45 degrees, with clear skies, and a light breeze (couldn't ask for more perfect running weather). We were all downtown facing east. The gateway arch, in front of the most beautiful sunrise, made for awesome scenery. As I was standing at the start line with 10,000 others, I could feel the immense energy flowing from everyone in the anticipation of the gun.
When the race was finally underway, I then started to get my game face on. I was hard to pace myself as I started on fresh legs full of energy, and really excited. "I'm finally here. This is the day all my hard work pays off. You know your pace, stick with it and you'll do fine." is what I was telling myself. And I did a good job of keeping with my pace. It took until about mile five before I really felt like I was fully loosened up and ready to run a good race.
The crowds on the sides of the streets were great. We had our first names on our race bibs, and people who didn't even know me were cheering me on, and giving words of encouragement along the entire course. They made the race really fun. There were even little kids holding out small bottles of water to do all they could to help participate and feel like they were contributing...too cute. everyone was holding up signs for their runner, "Run Mommy, Run", read one sign that sticks out in my mind. I can't go on about the crowds enough. The really made the race worth running.
My family was waiting for me at mile 19. That was a great feeling at the halfway point. Knowing that in just six "short" miles, I would be seeing those who loved me and wanted to see me succeed was real encouragement. And at mile 19, I was still feeling really strong and was able to give give a smile while my family took a picture.
As for how I felt and reacted during the race, it went really well. I decided to start the race with a blood sugar somewhat high at about 180. I ate breakfast about two and a half hours before the race, and when I left the hotel I was right at 184...sweet. I have trained to start my long runs with my blood sugar about that high so I knew that would work well for me. Also, after breakfast, I reduced my basal to about 33% of the original rate.
So there I was running. At every fluid station I chose to drink Gatorade, as I was used to in training to maintain BG. The only times I drank water besides Gatorade, was only after sucking down a GU energy gel (more on that later). They had three different areas where they handed out GU. I had my mom carry my meter with here so that if, when I saw here at mile 19, I needed to check the BG, she would have it. But I felt good, and trained enough to know how I react to prolonged running, so I didn't stop. Right after the finish, I met my family and checked the BG...104!!! Right on. So I bolused up and had me some carbs...I was shot!
So like I said, at mile 19, I was feeling really strong still. I was telling myself, "Man, you only got seven more miles, you got this dude, you just ran 19, and only have seven left, stick to it, and you'll be done in no time."
By mile 22, I was feeling it. But I knew I only had another four miles, so I fought through the fatigue I was experiencing. Mile 24...holy ****. Legs...burning...must...keep...running. This must be "hitting the wall". Wow. Able to run until mile 25, and I phisically just could not run any longer. I had to walk. This bummed me out especially since I went that far, but I just simply had NOTHING left. After about two or three minutes of walking, I found the energy to start running again and crossed the finish line running.
I think the reason I hit the wall is because during the peak of my training, I had a 23 mile jog scheduled, and at mile 21, I felt a sharp pain in my iliotibial band and stopped running. I thought it was better to stop running, rather that cause an injury that would prevent me from participating in the race.
I don't feel too bad about having to walk though because, I had two goals: 1. To finish the marathon in 3 hours 30 minutes, and 2. Run the entire course without walking. While I didn't meet my second goal, I beat my first goal by about 10 minutes. Not too bad for my first marathon. I finished with a chip time of 3:20:24. Link to view my results here:
Race results. From there you'll have to type my bib number in the search, I was 1158. There were professional photographers along the entire course taking pictures of us. You can see me from this link:
Photos then chose the 2008 Go! St. Louis Marathon and type in bib number 1158.
I have now set a new goal. My dream now is to run in the Boston Marathon. It is the only marathon you have to qualify for. For someone my age, you have to have had run a marathon in 3:10 within the last last 18 months of the Boston. I think I can do it. With better training and another year to prepare, I should be able to shave ten minutes off my time. Then, this diabetic is going to Boston!!!
