I Ran My First Marathon

On Sunday I ran my first marathon, all 42.2km of it.

A little over two years ago I was only just starting the Couch to 5K program and still very much considered myself to be ‘not a runner’, so finishing a marathon feels slightly ridiculous when I stop to think about it.

My family and I headed down to the Gold Coast for the whole marathon weekend. My wife and eldest daughter ran the 10km on Saturday, whilst my youngest pushed through the 5km (with me tagging along for encouragement). Then on Sunday morning it was my turn.

My training hadn’t exactly gone to plan. Life, injuries and illness kept getting in the way, and I arrived at the start line less prepared than I would have liked. I didn’t have a goal time and would have been happy with anything that got me over the finish line in one piece.

I did at least have a race plan:

Hold a pace somewhere between 6:55 and 7:30 per kilometre

Keep my heart rate as low as possible

Take an energy gel every 5km

Drink plenty of water and electrolytes

Keep running, even if it became a very slow shuffle

That last point was the most important one for me. I didn’t want to use planned walk/run intervals, although I gave myself permission to walk if I really needed to (I’m stubborn, but not completely stupid).

In the end I only walked three times: a short uphill just after 30km, about 300–400 metres at the final turnaround around 37km, and the kilometre between 40 and 41km. There was a fairly strong headwind over the last few kilometres and I wanted to save enough energy to actually run across the finish line.

I’d been told not to set off too quickly and to keep my head together until I reached 37km, both of which turned out to be good advice. Someone also recommended taking Panadol Osteo rather than ibuprofen. The least helpful advice I received was simply, “Don’t do it!”

The Gold Coast course is relatively flat and there were spectators and aid stations along almost the entire route. I had been warned that the stretch out towards Runaway Bay between 33km and 40km could feel fairly lonely, but I didn’t find that at all. The crowds were still out and everyone seemed to be in good spirits as we counted down the final 10km. Strangely, the quietest part for me was much earlier, around the 19–21km mark through Mermaid Beach.

My feet are normally a disaster area after anything remotely long, but they came out of this relatively unscathed. I put that down to my Injinji toe socks and Altra Experience Flow shoes. I felt cramp starting in my quads a couple of times, but somehow managed to run it out.

I crossed the finish line in 5 hours, 17 minutes and 23 seconds, which I’m more than happy with for a first attempt.

Would I do it again? Probably. I’d like another go with a more consistent training build-up behind me, although I’m going to enjoy a little rest first. I’m also looking forward to getting back on the bike, which is still my first love (sorry, running).