u/Any-Lecture4589

Hi All,

I (33M) started running last year as a way to get a quick workout in after the birth of my second child. That quickly turned into trying to get a respectable 5k time (19:55), followed by my first half at the end of October (1:38:55) and culminated in my first marathon this past Sunday (3:42:12, Windermere Marathon - Spokane, WA). Safe to say I'm hooked!

I didn't want to choose an overzealous goal for my first marathon, especially because I had hernia surgery after the half (which unfortunately recurred during this marathon training) and I've read that they often overestimate, so I went with 3:43 because that was my buddy's goal who I'd be running the race with. Despite diligent strength training, massage, stretching, warm-up and cool downs, I battled a lot of injuries during the training plan and there were times where I didn't think my body would hold up for 26.2 miles. That said, I did feel my best just in time for the taper (and yes, there were tantrums) so I think part of that was just getting my body used to regularly running high (for me) mileage.

The race ended up being damn near perfect. I battled through some IT band tightness from mile 6 onward, but I was expecting that because it flared up during my taper. Only had to stop to pee twice, hence the slower paces at mile 8 and 18. The reason mile 20 was so fast, in addition to being downhill, was I had to leave my running buddy who bonked so the adrenaline boost of being solo made me come out a little too hot. I emptied the tank over the last two miles to make sure that I hit my goal time. All in all, I was very happy with how consistently I was able to run my first 26.2.

Based on the posts I've seen here, it seems like the fact that the first 20 felt a lot easier than I anticipated coupled with being able to shave off a fair amount of time in the final two miles are an indicator that I can push the pace on the next marathon, so long as my body will hold up through training.

I'm hoping to do my second marathon in early-October, so that leaves me just over 4 months to put together another training block. The October course is not flat (~1400ft elevation gain per plotaroute) like the course I just ran (~700ft elevation gain per plot a route, 320ft per my Garmin, 473 ft per Strava... I'm confused). I'm hoping to get some advice on setting a reasonable pace goal for my next race given the time to train and the increase challenge of a hilly course.

Thanks for any and all advice!

I started running just over a year ago as a way to get a quick but effective workout after the birth of my second kid. I had no idea that this is where I would be a year later. Jogging turned into pursuing a 5k, which became a half marathon last October, culminating yesterday with my first marathon.

I could write a novel on the trials and tribulations of my pain-filled 18 week marathon training plan (and a prequel for the half marathon) but I'll keep it moderate length and sweet and just recount the race.

The first 16 miles of the race went absolutely perfectly. The weather was great. The course was scenic. And most importantly, only one pee stop so far. My IT band flared up during my taper (after months of no issues. Yes I panicked.) and it started acting up around mile 6, but I knew it would happen eventually. Thankfully, it was manageable discomfort.

Around mile 15 I noticed my friend I was running with seemed to be having a harder time than I was. We had the same goal time (sub-3:43) and had agreed before the race that if either of us bonked, the other would leave them and go beat the goal. Around mile 17.5 I took my final pee stop and he kept going. After I caught up, he confirmed that the bonk was upon him and he wanted me to go on.

I ran my next mile like an idiot, trying to shave off the time I lost during my pit stop in one go rather than incrementally over the rest of the race. I think some of that was the adrenaline of now being on my own. Fortunately, I settled back into my target pace after one reckless mile and was on my way. Around mile 22 it started to hit me that I was going to complete a marathon. I started getting emotional but then shook it off and refocused. Same thing when I saw the mile 23 and 24 signs. At mile 25 I decided to fully send it and empty the tank for the last 2.2.

18 long weeks of training. Hundreds of miles logged through a cold, dark winter. Dozens of 4am weekend wake ups so I could finish my long runs before my girls were awake. Endless doubt about my body being able to endure this new hobby I love. It all hit me when I crossed that finish line at 3:42:13 and became a marathoner. I dropped to the ground and had myself a good ugly cry until my wife found me and let me finish crying on her shoulder.

Running is so humbling. I'm still learning how to remove my ego from it. It's extremely hard for a guy like me, who often fixates on where I've failed instead of my accomplishments or gets lost in comparison to others. If running, and marathon training specifically, has taught me anything it's to be proud of myself. I'm still learning how to run without ego and to focus on the journey, but I think yesterday was a breakthrough moment.

I can't wait for my next race.

First Marathon Done - Help Me Set My Next Goal

It was all worth it