Running a full marathon is not on most people’s list of things they want to accomplish. It was certainly on my list for 2019. I had already run a handful of half marathons, so I was ready for this challenge.
Initially, I had chosen to run in Utah, near Salt Lake City. I don’t know exactly when I decided to change to Denver Co but I know the race dates were close together. The races were similar as well. I decided that I wanted to run a downhill course. I figured if I were going to run a full 26.2 miles, it was going to be downhill all the way. I’m not sure if this helped or hindered me. It’s the only full marathon I have ever done, so I don’t have anything to compare it to, yet.
The race is part of the Revel Race series. Their web page boasts fast and beautiful courses. Considering they are generally, downhill, they should be fast and many people race in them to achieve a PR or qualify for races like the Boston Marathon.
My sister joined the race to support me running my first full marathon! She hadn’t been training for a full marathon but she is a runner and decided to run the half. I was in Colorado a couple days before she arrived, so I was able to see some mountains and get ready for her arrival.
The day before the race, we ran a quick three miles and went to packet pickup. We got matching hats and jackets at the Expo and took plenty of pictures with our corresponding mile signs. It was such a fun day.
The morning of the race, we were up very early to get to the bus pick-up location. My part of the race started at 10,000 ft altitude. It was a long drive up the mountain and it was freezing! I was dressed in layers and had a running hydration backpack on. At the expo, in the packs we were given, they included an emergency space thermal blanket. I had no idea how great they are. Everyone was wearing them, bundled on the ground. We all looked like we were just rescued from some disaster area.
I did some research prior to this race regarding altitude sickness. What I read told me that I should get there about a week early to acclimate and to stay very hydrated. Well, I was only there a few days prior to the race so that didn’t help, but I was able to stay very hydrated. I don’t think I have been as full of water since I was in the womb. Although this did help me from getting altitude sickness, it did not keep me from having to use the porta-potties along the way. Over and over again.
The runners walked down to the start line, silver blankets flowing behind them like super hero capes. And why not imagine it that way? We were about to partake in an activity which required training, strength, and the mindset to continue even when things got tough. I felt a little like a super hero – for the first 15 miles at least.
The race started. I was sure not to start at too quick of a pace and just enjoy seeing the sunrise over the mountains. I bought a new headset at the expo and really loved it. I tried making a playlist prior to the race with music that played at a certain BPM to keep me running at a good tempo. It didn’t really work though.
During the run, I started taking off some layers. There were clothes scattered all along the course and we were told that if we threw away clothes they would be gathered and donated. I really didn’t want to lose my clothing and just tied my shirt to my waste.
I felt really great when I passed the halfway point and knew that my sister had already started from this point and was likely about to finish soon. I tried to convince her to just wait to start until I got there but she didn’t. Apparently that’s frowned upon.
She did convince me to have my phone with me and called me around mile 18. By that point I was really hitting a wall. I had slightly slacked in my training and hadn’t run further than 18 miles at once before, so I was really feeling worn out. I let her know where I was and that I couldn’t talk and run simultaneously.
Somewhere around mile 20 or 21, I was exhausted. So many things hurt as well. One of my toe nails was a tiny bit long and had cut into the toe next to it, so I had bled into my shoe which caused a blister to form on the bottom of my right foot. The roads going down the mountain twist along and are banked accordingly, well this caused me to get blisters on the sides of both of my feet. I was used to running on pavement, but not on banked roads.
Everything from my waste down was in pain. The lactic acid had built up and I was only able to jog for a short distance and then try to recover with walking for a while. I turned off my headphones. At that point, everything irritated me. I really did want to call my sister for motivation but just kept on going knowing that I couldn’t quit when I had such a relatively short distance to the finish line.
Then I saw up ahead the 26 mile marker. I decided I was going to have to finish the last distance in the strongest way my body would let me and started running. I was also crying. I’m not sure if I was just relieved that it was over or if I was happy I actually finished, all I know is that I felt overcome with emotion and crying was the response I had to all of it.
Virginia (Ginn) was there at the finish and was cheering for me. Brett called right after I crossed the finish line to congratulate me. He had been in contact with her when she saw me running towards the finish line.
Honestly, I didn’t have the best attitude after we were done. My legs hurt incredibly and I didn’t understand why our bags were so FAR away from the finish line. Ginn took great care of me that day and put up with me pouting really well. I mean, I could barely walk. I was so nervous I wouldn’t be able to do the stuff we planned for the next day because I hurt so badly. I did recover after a good nights rest and we were able to do the stuff we had planned.
The Revel Rockies Marathon was awesome. It was truly planned out and coordinated extremely well. I am happy I was able to experience my first marathon in such a picturesque setting. Next marathon, I will definitely train more appropriately and hope I will run the whole way alongside my sister.
