My first 26.2

[RunWillie]

I ran my first marathon yesterday on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

It was a big event & I think around 10,000 runners for the actual marathon. The weekend was 30,000 runners across different events.

Our marathon start time was at 6.15am which meant a 3.30am wake up so we could eat, catch the tram, do the bag drop, and join the thousands in the queue for the toilets. By the time that we had done all that we had minutes to get to the start line. I ended up in the wrong start zone with much faster runners. In true RunWillie style forgot to start my watch as I crossed the start line. The 5 hour pacers went past me eventually and I decided I would keep them in view. I realised pretty quickly that they were running harder than 5 hour pace so I sensibly didn’t try & stick with them. The event was everything I wanted for a first marathon. Flat, scenic & amazing support from crowds who cheered us on and made us laugh by creative signs along the way. I felt amazing until about 5km out. I even passed the 5 hour pacers at around the 30km mark. That certainly made the last bit hard. I think I hadn’t appreciated how brutal that last bit can be. The 5 hour pace group caught me up as I was struggling & I tried to hang on by chatting to the pacer but cramp in my toes meant that I had to walk & shuffle for a couple of kms from 39km. It was super hot for the last half of the race & there were lots of runners suffering at the end. A runner who I had passed at the 30km mark came by & encouraged me to get running again so I ran the last km into the finish chute. All the run clubs had there marquees stationed along the side of the road before the finish chute so the atmosphere was electric with everyone shouting encouragement. Due to the watch stuff up I had to run beyond the finish line & around the cool down area 🤣to get my 26.2 mile on my watch before collecting my medal, finishers shirt & cap. Official chip time 5:09:07.

I’m so grateful for the whole experience. I loved every moment even the hard bits.

Thank you for all your encouragement as I’ve struggled to believe that I had a marathon in me. I couldn’t have done it without you! ❤️🏃‍♀️

[Decker Ultramarathon]

Amazing RunWillie !!! I am so happy for you!! Massive congratulations on this huge goal achieved! 👏👏👏👏 🇦🇺 🏅

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Decker]

Thank you! Decker 👍🏻

[lexi6 10 Miles]

Many congratulations RunWillie what a huge achievement, really, really well done! 👍🎉👏👏

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to lexi6]

Thank you! lexi6 😍

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

A big congratulations to you RunWillie on running your first marathon, any pacer should run at the pace he/she is given, not faster or slower, I hope you celebrated your wonderful achievement. ✔️✔️

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks AlMorr 👍🏻

I think pacers have different strategies with pacing races. They might have been banking some time in the first half incase the group slowed down in the 2nd half. One of the 5 hour pacer’s was very good. He was totally aware of where they were sitting at every point of the marathon. When we were 5k out he told me they were 2mins ahead of schedule so I reckon he would have got the group in right on time.

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon]

Whoopee!Whoopee!Whoopee! "The event was everything I wanted for a first marathon."That is amazing! All you wanted happened! Oh wow! Many many congratulations! 🏃🏻‍♀️😊🏃🏻‍♀️😊🏃🏻‍♀️😊🏃🏻‍♀️😊🏃🏻‍♀️🏁🏅🎉👏

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

Thanks over61andstilltrying 😍

[over61andstilltrying Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

I was actually away on holiday in Scotland checking for your race report. I was delighted to read it and really, really delighted for you. So here are more congratulations

🎉 👏🏃🏻‍♀️👏🏃🏻‍♀️👏🏃🏻‍♀️👏🎉🏁🏅

I should imagine that the afterglow is still with you. I hope it lasts a good long time. I wonder if you have already managed a little run?

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to over61andstilltrying]

That’s kind of you over61andstilltrying to be looking out for my report. I did a 1 mile run to test the legs this morning. All ok 😍

[Beachcomber66 Administrator Half Marathon]

Just wonderful RunWillie! I can totally understand the momentary mini “brain fade” at the start which made you forget to start your watch; just so much going on in your head and around you at a moment like that, especially when you are not used to big multi runner long distance races. Good job you realised before you had gone too far!

All of that work has really paid off. Covid-19 did its worst and couldn’t stop you, and your customised plan worked a treat…..and then there was the heat……incredible achievement.

I hope you had time for some post run TLC for those legs, lots of hydration and, of course, party time! You did it !!! 🍾🎉🎊🪅🏆🥇👏👏👏👏👏👏🙂

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Beachcomber66]

Thank you! The watch moment did make me smile Beachcomber66 I would have been so cross with myself if I hadn’t realised when I did. If it’s not on Strava 🤣

[Cmoi Marathon]

Félicitations RunWillie , knew you could do it! 🥳 xx

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Cmoi]

Thank you! Cmoi 😍

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

Massive congratulations RW👏🤩🎆 It’s a spectacular achievement and you are a super star 🌟

It sounds a gorgeous route and a well organised event, with the perfect atmosphere.

I love that you ran beyond the finish line to get to the right number 😂 I’ve done that too but not after running that distance first!

Hope the legs and feet are ok and you are enjoying the glow. Have you booked the next one yet? 🤣

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

Thank you! Irishprincess 😍

There was no way that I wasn’t doing the distance on my watch & Strava 🤣

Stairs are a challenge today but otherwise I have pulled up ok. Home tomorrow. I don’t think hubby would be too impressed if I had booked another just yet. It’s quite a commitment.

[00marks Marathon]

Many congratulations! Thats brilliant.

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to 00marks]

Thank you! 00marks 👍🏻

[MissUnderstanding Half Marathon]

Wow RunWillie -massive congratulations to you! What a fantastic run. Amazing!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to MissUnderstanding]

Thanks MissUnderstanding 😍

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

Huge congratulations!!! That's a massive achievement, I can't even imagine it! And apart from some cramps it sounds most enjoyable although hard

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

Thanks SueAppleRun 😍

[JonathanP 10 Miles]

Many congratulations RW! The first of many or.........?

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to JonathanP]

Thanks JonathanP 👍🏻

I would love to do another marathon one day. I can see why people sign up for more. I loved it 😍

[Dexy5 10 Miles]

I am so proud of you  RunWillie . You have put all the work in over the year and you did it . It must have been hard starting at that time of day but so necessary at the Gold Coast with the heat and humidity.

I always make sure my watch shows the distance too. Can’t imagine running that far and not having it marked on Garmin. How you managed to fit all the training in with your boys to sort out is amazing. Congratulations 🥳 🥇

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Dexy5]

Thanks Dexy5 😍

Think hubby will be relieved that I won’t be doing 3+ hours long runs for awhile 🤣

[TailChaser Marathon]

Your running is so consistent I’m amazed you had so much doubt! I knew you’d smash it when you did finally dip your toes in. They are brutal but if they weren’t then everyone would do them! Welcome to the 1% club!! Congratulations (& nice new badge btw!) 😍🥳😍🥳😍

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to TailChaser]

Thanks TailChaser 😍

This forum made me believe I could do it. I’m super thankful for you all.

[TailChaser Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

I’m so, so pleased for you RW 🤗

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

What an incredible achievement RunWillie !👏👏👏🏅💪 Massive congratulations on completing your marathon!🙂

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

Thanks Sandraj39 😍

[GTFC Marathon]

Hi Marathoner!! What an absolutely incredible achievement. Completing a Marathon really is something very special indeed and something always to feel proud of. My face lit up reading this and knowing that you completed it. You really deserved that finish line moment. Huge congratulations superstar RunWillie ✅🎯⭐🏅

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thanks to you & Tasha99 for all the support along the way. I certainly didn’t think that I would be running a marathon when I started C25k. 😍

[drl212]

Wow! Super job!! Really well done!! Gratz!

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to drl212]

Thank you! drl212 👍🏻

[Jools2020 Half Marathon]

Amazing achievement! Well done indeed 👏👏👏👍

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Jools2020]

Thank you! Jools2020 😍

[cheekychipmunks Half Marathon]

What can I say? Superhero should do it. ❤️

Wow RunWillie , that was amazing, and what a fab time you achieved. Huge well done to you: all that training paid off! 👏👏👏👏

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to cheekychipmunks]

Thanks cheekychipmunks 😍

I’m not sure about superhero but I was certainly super happy to be there.

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Congratulations! That's a great achievement 🎉🎉🎉

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

Thank you! Cowladyrunning 😍

[Week7 Half Marathon]

Congratulations on your Marathon plus a bit!! Totally get the need to run the extra. Those running watch stats mean so much!!!

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Week7]

Thanks Week7 😍

I did feel ridiculous running around the cool down area after the finish line. I won’t make that mistake again for a marathon 🤣

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Surely if you ran more than a Marathon uou are now an "ultra" runner!!!

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Week7]

I did have that thought Week7 but think you have to climb some mountains to earn that badge 🤣

[Week7 Half Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

Next year...

[Lavender1962 Half Marathon]

Congratulations RunWillie! 👏👏 That’s an amazing accomplishment. Sounds like it was a great experience too!

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Lavender1962]

Thanks Lavender1962 😍

[GTFC Marathon]

By the way...you really did it!! You ARE a Marathoner 🤝 How are you feeling a week on?

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to GTFC]

Thanks for checking in GTFC 👍🏻

I’m back out running but keeping it to low mileage for the rest of the month. I can see how runners get post run blues after a big goal. I’ve got a big birthday next week so we’re taking our boys on holiday. I think if I didn’t have that planned I would be really flat. Still hard to believe that I’m now a marathoner 😊

[GTFC Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

That's definitely a feeling after investing so much for so long and the actual race itself on top. When I ran my first I thought 'Oh, I've done it...what now!' But as time passes you always look back and think 'Wow, I actually did THAT.'

Sending our best to you next week. Take it steady 😊

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

oh my goodness, how absolutely amazing, massive well done, you should feel so so proud!!

🏅🏅💪💪

[RunWillie Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

Thanks Hedgehogs123 😍

I’m super happy that I had such a good run after a pretty average training block. I’m sorry to hear your partner is unwell. Sending hugs x