Hello :)

Well I survived my first ever marathon on Monday 4th May. It was more difficult than I had anticipated and running 20 miles beforehand didn't really prepare me for the last leg (4.9) miles! I really struggled for 2-3 miles on the last leg and thought I would be walking/limping to the finish. The pain of seizing muscles coupled with sheer exhaustion was hard to move beyond and I would say I definitely hit the infamous wall. Between sobbing behind my sunglasses and trying to keep moving I found some comfort in the fact that I was not the only one hitting the wall at that time.

Coming out of that lonely stretch where there weren't too many supporters and onto the Ormeau road I managed to get myself running again for the last 2-3 miles. The encouragement from the crowds and the thought of crossing the finish line gave me the boost I desperately needed to make it. My son Joel appeared as I was approaching the finish line and ran the last 200 metres with me which was very special and a memory that I will treasure. My marathon time was 5:04 and 30 secs. I had hoped for 4:30ish but was just so delighted to make it to the end because there were times when I thought I might not.

Immediately after I finished I thought, I am never doing that again! But as the pain has eased and I have felt like I am recovering, I am looking forward to getting out running again and I might not give up my marathon career just yet. Next time, I will train for longer though and make sure I am better prepared!   

Thank you so much to everyone who has sponsored and encouraged me throughout this experience!

Stephanie