I ran the Bayshore Marathon in Traverse City on May 23rd, 2015!
It's been a journey. I remember thinking that running a marathon was something I just couldn't do. When I started running, I couldn't make it to the end of the block. Each time I ran I tried to go a little bit further, one more house. Once you get to two miles adding more distance becomes easier.
Yes, this marathon was hard, and I have room for improvement, but that first 5k is still the hardest race I've done.
Why do they start races so early? With a 7:15 start time, getting the kiddo up and out wasn't the most fun, but we did it. She and my husband saw me off at the start. I tried to keep an even pace around 10:30 min per mile. Things started off great. It was a beautiful day, sunny and chillier than I liked, but it warmed up. I snacked on dates that I brought and a few chews they handed out. I avoided the caramel GU as that did NOT agree with me in my half marathon. Maybe I ate too much of their handouts. I felt like I had plenty of energy the whole race, even a bit of a sugar high.
Things were going well, I chatted with a few people as I went. I looked for friends as I approached the half way turn around. It is such a great feeling when people cheer you on specifically! Thank you!
Here I am somewhere around mile 9, before I saw the camera.
I have to say, the other runners were great. I love how people encourage each other and look out for each other. I must have looked pretty beat up. People offered me extra water. The people around me that went ahead when I slowed way down cheered as I approached the finish line. I had a lot of fun even though I could barely walk afterward. Now I have a new PR that I look forward to crushing.
