The Big One - my first marathon experience



Niagara Falls International Marathon, October 2012

Many people, as they approach “the big 5-0” feel compelled to do something momentous before they get “old”.  I wanted to complete a marathon; not because I was turning 50 this year but because I love to run and I felt I was ready and prepared to complete one.  My mantra is “Age is a State of Mind”. 

I was not new to running, but even though I had often completed 5-kilometre and 10-kilometre runs, I had never tackled a longer distance.  I was encouraged to train for a half- marathon by my friend Jessica Valiquette.  Jessica and her friend Denise Clement are experienced runners and I enjoy reading about their adventures on runningsidebyeach.

In 2011, I completed my first half-marathon, at the Scotia Bank Toronto Waterfront event and discovered that I thoroughly enjoy running long distances.  What a thrill to have run in the same race that 100-year-old Fauja Singh completed!

Naturally, I progressed to the Around the Bay Road Race the following March- a 30 kilometre race held in Hamilton.   I knew I was ready to run a full marathon when I finished this race.  I was remarkably relaxed and had a lot of energy left.    

I settled on the Niagara Falls International Marathon; the only marathon in the world that starts in one country and finishes, in another.  It was a chilly, but sunny start on October 21, 2012.  I did not have my running partner, Irene Nizzero, at my side, and my nerves were starting to escalate.  The participants were bussed across to Buffalo, New York, where a customs officer clears you for entry into the U.S.  Your racing bib is essentially your passport and must be visible when crossing the bridge back into Canada.

Most long distance races have pace bunnies.  Pace bunnies are great because they help one finish the race in the time they are pacing.  They tell someone when to run and when to walk - if it is a run/walk pacer.  Desperate to find a pace bunny, I searched until I found him just before the start.

Off we went, but I was not able to keep the schedule he was setting, so I broke off from the pack after 10 kilometres.  Intimidation set in as I was now on my own, except for my trusty iPod shuffle, but I just kept reassuring myself that I could do it.  I heard my trainer’s words “you’ve got this” playing over and over in my head. My strategy was to tackle the race five kilometres at a time, and I soon found my groove.

My supporters, which consisted of my husband, best friend, and her husband, stood out with inspirational signs starting at the
30-kilometre point.  I felt fantastic when I saw them, and they made me laugh.  My favourite saying was “Humpty Dumpty had wall issues too”.

Five kilometres away from the finish line, I did feel like Humpty Dumpty, and I had hit the infamous “wall”.   Everyone experiences the wall differently, but for me, I felt sick to my stomach, my legs had a hard time turning over and I had totally lost my confidence.

My best friend approached me to see what was wrong, and I said “I do not think I can finish”.  She reminded me that I had been training since June and that I was prepared to do this.  She encouraged me to keep running, and when I heard the crowd, run as fast I could.

So I did.  It is hard to describe the power of cheers from people when one gets close to a finish line.  Near the end of a race, your adrenaline kicks in and one gets inspired to finish as strong as possible.  It is almost like you do not want to let the crowd down, so you get the courage to keep going.  When I heard the cheers, I sped up and passed people as I approached the finish line!

John Stanton, the founder of the Running Room was announcing the finishers and what a thrill it was to hear “Wow, look how strong she is coming in!”. For those of you who aren't familiar with John Stanton check out the video.

Five kilometres away from the finish line I had been saying to myself "I will never run a marathon again" but as soon as I finished I was saying "I wonder which race I will do next".  It is a strange feeling you have, once you finish a marathon.  Denise describes it well on their blog, runningsidebyeach, as being "lost".  I totally agree.  You invest so much time in training for this momentous event and then it is done, you wonder "what now?".  I have found that setting goals works for me.  If I have a goal that I am working towards, then there is a greater chance of me achieving it.

For now, I am training so I will be stronger and racing smaller races along my journey to my two ultimate goals.  My ultimate goals are to run in the Boston Marathon and to run the Goofy Race in Walt Disney World.  The Goofy race consists of running a half-marathon one day and a full marathon the next day.  Some people say runners are crazy and maybe we are but nothing beats the rush.

Happy running everyone!