Slow low mileage runner - amazing marathon experience
Hello everyone! Hope your race season goes great!
Today, I completed my first-ever marathon in Munich. Goals were: finishing with no walking breaks and doing a negative split. Bonus if sub-5. Shortly about myself: 29F, 164 cm/53kg (5'4"/118lbs). Latest HM: 2:11. I did not follow any training plan. My peak week was 5 weeks before the event and went up to only 63 km (38 miles). After that, due to the combination of sickness, niggles, and work trips, I averaged 30 km (18 miles)/week.
Result: 4:14.
I started very carefully with 6:30 min/km tempo and was able to ramp it to 6:15 min/km and hold it there to the km 30. As I still felt great there, I thought "okay girl just send it" and completed the last 12 km between 5:30 and 5:20 min/km. Not fast for the most, great for myself.
I fueled with 1 gel per 4 km with exception for km 40 when I started to feel some discomfort, took imodium before the run and carried my own electrolyte solution in the vest. I enjoyed the city and the crowds A LOT, and I am deeply grateful for this experience!