Running a marathon is a feat that requires dedication, perseverance, and mental fortitude. It is a journey that pushes individuals to their limits, both physically and mentally. Having to call myself a marathoner now (still feels so surreal to say this!), I can attest to the incredible sense of accomplishment and joy that comes with crossing that finish line. While it’s impossible to capture the essence of the experience in mere words, I feel compelled to put my emotions into writing (like always!). In doing so, I hope to share valuable lessons I’ve learned along the way and, hopefully, or possibly, inspire you to start running… or simply pursue your dreams!

setting the goal

Running was not always a significant part of my life. It was something I did sporadically, mainly to lose weight (spoiler alert: marathon training makes you gain weight! ha!). However, in the past few years, after dealing with a health situation in 2020 (read the story here!), I developed an itch to push my limits and pursue my long-held dreams. And part of that journey has led me to take up running. I yearned to feel strong, both mentally and physically, and running seemed like the perfect sport for me.

It all started when I signed up for a half marathon in Vilnius last year, which I completed without any coaching. That taste of victory ignited a fierce determination within me, propelling me towards my ultimate challenge: conquering a full marathon.

The decision to run a marathon is not one to be taken lightly. More than just commitment, meticulous preparation is needed. Inspired by countless reads and stories of remarkable athletes, I swiftly resolved to enlist the guidance of a coach. Although not required, I’ve harbored a lifelong aspiration to embody the essence of an athlete, making this decision all the more instrumental in realizing my goals. After having calls with different potential coaches, I joined Team Sugar Runs, where I started working with coach Karly (love her! she’s the best!).

As I pondered over my decision to fully commit, I felt a strong desire to initiate a fundraising campaign for a cause that holds great personal significance. When I consider all that transpired in my life, I can’t help but attribute them to my journey with cancer. It is impossible not to remember the children and families affected by this disease, and my heart compels me to take action. It was a means to honor my commitment to standing by those fighting against cancer. Check it out here. Your contribution, or any form of support, would have a significant impact on the lives of cancer-affected children and families.

training and overcoming setbacks

Like many first-time marathoners, I had three simple goals in mind: to finish the race, stay injury-free, and most importantly, have fun. Little did I know that the entire journey would surpass my expectations and turn out to be even more special than I had envisioned.

Throughout our training cycle, I encountered setbacks and battled self-doubt at every turn. Initially, our training was for the Copenhagen Marathon, but due to visa issues, we had to change plans. With the help of my coach, I found an alternative race – the Chicagoland Spring Marathon. But, just as I was reaching the peak of my training, I faced two more setbacks: one disrupted my training schedule, and the other required medical intervention and a week of rest. As if that wasn’t enough, I also caught a persistent virus upon my return to the US after staying a week in Dubai, forcing me into bedrest for days. With missed weeks of training and key long runs, my coach advised me to defer Chicagoland, which I did, but my determination pushed me to sign up for another race – the MISH Waterfront.

Getting back into training after the setbacks was a challenging process. My fitness felt like it was back to square one, even my short runs left me breathless, and having to begin Accutane therapy will make running even more challenging (hello, joint pain!). But, with the help of my coach and consistency, we pivoted, and I gradually regained my fitness and grew more excited for MISH. The weeks of struggling to stay on track and the doubts that had plagued me were slowly replaced by a renewed sense of determination.

Reminding myself that showing up is half the battle got me through the toughest days. It’s so easy to get discouraged or overwhelmed by everything going on in our lives, but if we can find the strength to keep showing up, amazing things can happen!

As race day approached, the excitement (or should I say anxiety) reached new heights.

Race week turned out to be a total nightmare when it came to getting the rest I needed. Despite taking sleep supplements and practicing relaxation techniques, my anxiety just wouldn’t let up. I was even having diarrhea, which my sister pointed out as another symptom of moderate anxiety. To add to that, I was starting to feel that my body was not in optimal condition for the race, as agreed by my Garmin, with a below-baseline HRV, low daily body battery, several days of recovery, and a ‘Strained’ status. I was surprised that it didn’t tell me to drop out of the race!

Things took a turn for the worse. In the 72 hours leading up to the race, I’ve only gotten 3.45 hours of sleep. My family expressed concerns about my well-being, fearing that I might faint on the course. Doubts started to creep in, but I reminded myself of the months of hard work I had put into training.

I decided to push through.

race day: a rollercoaster of emotions

On the day of the race, I was overcome with exhaustion, leaving me longing for some much-needed rest. It was 3am, and in a moment of uncertainty, I reached out to my coach, asking if it was still possible to complete a marathon in my condition. At that moment, I couldn’t help but wonder how I would muster the strength to achieve this feat after going without sleep for a staggering 68 hours. But even before her response, I had already made up my mind to go for it, surrendering it to God. If I’m being honest, the fear of not finishing, coupled with the scorching weather forecast, made me apprehensive. A few hours later, Coach Karly reassured me that although I would be exceptionally tired, I wouldn’t know unless I tried. After all, wasn’t I already there? And my family is there to support me!

So I got ready, had my usual pre-race PB sandwich, hydrated myself, stretched, and headed to pick up my race packet.

As I stood at the start line, I was filled with a mix of nerves, excitement, and relief. The magnitude of the challenge ahead sank in. Unlike larger marathons with thousands of runners and lively crowds, MISH was small. In fact, there were only 76 of us! I knew it would be small, but I didn’t know it would be THAT small. If you’ve ever been to a race, you know the impact of running alongside hundreds or even thousands of other people and how that collective energy helps you perform better on the course! Nonetheless, I embraced it wholeheartedly. And I quickly grew to appreciate the intimate and peaceful atmosphere. The course took me through beautiful lakeshore views, family parks, and towering trees, creating a serene running experience. The absence of that large-scale event didn’t deter my spirits; instead, it made the experience more personal and meaningful.

pushing through 26.2 miles

Being small-scale, there were a few things that I felt hindered me on the race, such as a lack of volunteers and signage. Also, the absence of blocked-off roads let me to unintentionally deviate from the route, which I *deeply* regret (I know, rookie mistake!). Taking an unexpected bathroom break, a first for me during a race, and then veering off course around mile 8 resulted in losing valuable minutes. Although it was a little disappointing, I kept focusing on just enjoying the experience. On the bright side, I was still maintaining a decent pace and on track to finish by the 4:40 mark!

The first 16 miles of the marathon felt like a breeze, fueled by the adrenaline and thrill of the experience. I was taking gels and staying hydrated just as I did during my training long runs. I felt strong and confident, pushing through the early miles with ease.

At mile 17, I was hit by a wave of intense heat, which threw off my pace. Despite checking the weather app beforehand, the conditions turned out to be worse than I had anticipated. Due to being on medication that increased my sensitivity to the sun, I had to take frequent breaks to protect my skin from burning. Luckily, my family came to me around mile 21, getting me some sunscreen that saved the day!

All the while, my time continued to lengthen.

At mile 22, my body started to feel the strain. The oppressive heat (it was already 82!), coupled with high humidity, even caused two runners to collapse on the course and get picked up by an ambulance.

The last 4 miles turned the physical battle into a mental one. I also started feeling my sleep deprivation weigh heavily on me. I drew upon the support of my loved ones who had accompanied me on this journey, using their belief in me to fuel my own belief in myself. Step by step, I chipped away at the remaining distance, determined to reach the finish line. Each step required immense mental toughness as tears welled up in my eyes, knowing that I was on the cusp of achieving my goal of becoming a marathoner.

The home stretch felt like it would never end, but when I finally caught sight of the finish line, a surge of exhilaration filled me. It was as if a burst of new life coursed through my body, making me feel capable of conquering another 26.2 miles! With every last bit of energy I had, I crossed the finish line in 5 hours and 3 minutes, overwhelmed with a sense of accomplishment and pure joy. Not only did I finish my first marathon, but I did so without any injuries.

Although I didn’t finish in the time we anticipated, I was still overjoyed with my performance, especially given the challenging circumstances I faced. In fact, this filled me with confidence for even better results in my upcoming races!

i am a marathoner

Running a marathon is not just a physical feat; it is a journey that tests your mental fortitude. Throughout this journey, I encountered ups and downs, moments of self-doubt, and the urge to quit, yet I persisted. I learned so many lessons and discovered a newfound confidence and strength in myself that will continue to shape my pursuit of goals and dreams in all areas of life.

The finish line may mark the end of one race, but I am excited to continue this journey, set new goals, and see where my running adventures take me next.

This momentous achievement will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I am proud to call myself a marathoner, and I am grateful to be a part of this incredible community of runners.

As a metaphor for life itself, a marathon teaches us to keep putting one foot in front of the other, no matter the obstacles we face. If you can run a marathon, you can conquer any obstacle that comes your way and achieve anything you set your mind to. 🙂