I was on Facebook one late night in December 2015 when their sponsored advert came up on my timeline. I clicked on it and was taken to their website. I quickly thought to myself, "am going to register for the full Marathon and train for it since the race won't happen until May 2016"
I didnt realsise what I had signed up for! Nothing has ever affected me as much as going for this race. I only started running /walking in September 2015 for weight loss. I quite enjoy it and I had done a few unofficial half marathons (21 kilometres) by the time I registered for the race though. I signed up for a marathon training plan but didn't quite follow it as weather and timing made it somewhat difficult to follow the training plan. I however, tried to cover up to at least 50 kilometres weekly in training for the Marathon.
Thoughts of quiting came to me but I knew it wasn't an option at all. A lot was already at stake meanwhile I have never quit on anything in my life and won't start now. I will at least give it my best shot.
I am a slow coach when it comes to running and I tried so hard to increase my pace so as to do the Marathon in a reasonable finishing time. I will be happy either anything less than 7 hours. The more I stressed about my pace the slower I got and that bothered me. I don't want to get to the finish line when the event has closed and packed up that will mean not getting a medal! And that for me is unthinkable. I am not an athlete and has no desire to be one, I don't really bother about not having an official finish time from the race but I am bothered about not getting a medal. Lol
Finally race day came. My friend Florence travelled with me to Edinburgh. Her company really calmed my nerves and took my mind off worrying. I had a backpack and a waist bag. You don'the want to imagine the content of the bags. Lol. I had blister shield, blister cover, selfie stick, two mobile phones, power bank, energy gels, tissue paper, two pairs of extra socks, vaseline, energy drinks, water, and hydrating tabs. The backpack was heavy but I didn't mind. I would rather have everything I think I may need within the 7 hours than regret.
The race began at 10:00am and all was going well. My pace was good for me and my energy was great. All the quick runners were running past but I was comfortable with my pace and was not bothered. At about 14 kilometers I started feeling like sand has been poured into my socks. I stopped for a toilet break at 15 kilometres where I also changed my socks. I didn't feel the sand for a while but at 17 kilometres the feeling came back and this time feeling sore. Here I realised that I was being confronted by my worst nightmare, Blisters!
At 18 kilometres the blisters on my left foot were full blown and I could feel the pain with every step. There is still 24 kilometres to go, and I wasn'tgoing to give in. I knew I may have blisters at the race having had them before on a training run but I was expecting them at about 30 kilometres or more. They came quite early but I had to keep going. At 21 kilometres, the pain was getting unbearable and my pace began slowed down. I was virtually struggling.
The crowd and the race crew were fantastic. They were very generous with cheers and that really kept me motivated. From 31 kilometres it was pure torture stepping my left foot on the ground. I struggled and finally leaped to 42.1 kilometres which is the finish line. My running app recorded that I finished at 6:25 hours. This is beyond my imagination and I am very happy with that.
I have ran the Marathon, I have finished it Against All Odds. I was very happy and very proud of myself. I faced my fears and I conquered.
I still have a lot of weight to loose and am hoping that as I loose more weight and become lighter that I will become a better runner.
Will I run a Marathon again? Definitely Yes!
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