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I ran a marathon. Ah, I still can’t believe I can say those words! Deep in my soul, I have always known I would run one at one point in my life, but I was never in a rush to do so. However, a few years back when I was realistically entertaining the idea, I started running a little more than usual and started getting extreme knee pain as a result. It was around that time that I accepted the fact that I probably wouldn’t accomplish running 26.2 miles in a row without my knees completely giving out (considering they weren’t even letting me get past mile 5), so I had peace within myself about it and blamed my knees whenever anyone would ask me if I would ever run a marathon.

Because here is the thing: I love to run. I don’t know if it is because it floods me with endorphins, because it helps my physical health and wellbeing, or because I accomplish mini goals with every mile I hit. But whatever the reason, I just love it. I have historically run very short distances at very slow paces. I didn’t pick up running to win races – I picked it up because it made me happy. It made me feel like me. And to me, nothing is better than heading outside with music in my air pods and taking in my surroundings. I might be getting a runner’s high just thinking about it!

So, ever since my knee injuries, I have scaled back, but haven’t ever completely stopped running.

One day at work, I was talking to a colleague and fellow runner about some of our favorite types of running shoes. He then asked me if I was ever going to run a marathon, to which I responded habitually with “I would love to, but my knees won’t let me.” He said, “You should do the St. George Marathon. It doesn’t have a lot of elevation and is a great marathon for someone who has never run one before.” And within the next few minutes, I had paid my entry fee and had signed up for a bus slot for the morning of the race that was 5 months away. The best part is my coworker ended up signing up for it as well a couple weeks later! He convinced me, then I convinced him, and for the whole time leading up to the race, it was nice having him help me prepare. He had run a few marathons in the past, so he had the experience that I was lacking.

I was excited. I told all my friends and coworkers that I was going to be running a marathon in October. Most people were super supportive, and other people thought I was genuinely crazy for voluntarily signing up for inevitable pain. All I knew is that I was finally going to be making the brave attempt at even trying.

My goal was to average an 11-minute mile marathon. That would put me finishing the race in 5 hours.

I went on some runs during the first few weeks of training, but then I found a real plan to follow. I started using a 16-week Runner’s World’s training plan that would take me all the way up to race day, and this schedule would get me to my goal pace. It told me exactly how many miles to run on which days and at what pace, so I copied it all into my Notes App and added a checkbox to each day. Sundays were rest/yoga days, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays were medium runs, Thursdays were rest/yoga days, Fridays were easy runs, and Saturdays were long runs. Each week, the mileage would get higher, and each week, I felt more and more prepared. My knees were feeling great up until I ran a 15-mile long run exactly halfway through the program.

I recognized this specific pain. It was exactly what I had felt last time I had started running longer distances, and alarm bells were ringing in my head. I was getting nervous, but I was taking more rest days than ever, and I figured that if I just eased up on my pace, I should be fine. Right?

Long story short, I didn’t do another long run after that. Not only would my knee pain flare up by mile 5 or 6, but my husband also got dangerously sick and was in the hospital for a week, which then turned into several months of intensive recovery.

I became his at-home nurse, and my priorities shifted from running to making sure he was taken care of.

On my birthday (4 weeks away from race day), I ran 6 miles in the morning, and once I finished, I knew something was wrong. My right knee hurt the rest of the day, and I knew that wasn’t a good sign. I had been training so well for so long, so the realization that my knee issues were back was a downer. I was looking forward to being so prepared for when I crossed the finish line, and now I didn’t even know how far I would be able to make it, if at all.

Even with my injury, I never considered not at least attempting this marathon. I knew I couldn’t let myself down like that. I avoided going to the doctor, because I didn’t want him to tell me that I couldn’t run it. However, when 2 more weeks went by of no running and my knee still hurt to walk, I figured I could use some professional help. I went to an orthopedist and got some x-rays, and I was diagnosed with Patellar Tendonitis. This was GREAT news, because now I knew that it wasn’t a more long-term and non-repairable issue with cartilage or ligaments or something of the like. It was an inflamed tendon, which is painful, but it can heal. So, my doctor gave me some anti-inflammatory medication and instructed me to rub some a topical treatment on my knees 4 times daily, and as long as I could withstand the pain, he gave me the green light to go run this marathon.

I didn’t run the last 2 weeks before the race, which put me at 4 weeks with no running whatsoever before race day. I wanted to let this knee inflammation go away as much as possible, and the best way to do so is by not using it. I listened to my body, and I don’t regret it.

To prep for my race, I asked my sisters to help me prepare my marathon playlist so I could feel pumped up during the entire time, and they definitely pulled through (this playlist ended up being 8 hours long!!).

Pretty soon, it was the day before the marathon, and I was getting nervous. My husband finished the at-home care portion of his recovery, so he was able to come cheer me on. I finished up my work day early and headed to St. George for the pre-marathon convention. I picked up my bib and bag, got a toradol shot for inflamation at one of the booths, and I got all prepped for what was to come the next day.

I couldn’t believe it, but the next thing I knew, it was 3 am and I was getting dressed for my marathon. My sisters had helped me pick out the color I would wear, and I pulled my hair into a pony-tail and tied in a little white bow. Look good, race good! My parents and husband were in town to cheer me on, and boy, did I NEED them. I have always appreciated having a support system, but I especially appreciated it this specific weekend. Having people believe in me was exactly what I needed to stay grounded. I had stayed hydrated, eaten a pasta dinner the night before, and had oatmeal for breakfast (that’s what the winner of the Berlin Marathon had done, so it seemed reasonable to me), and although I was too nervous to eat too much, I felt ready.

I got on the bus at 4 am just like I had signed up for 5 months prior, and we were on our way. When we got to the starting line, there was a little over 2 hours left until the race would begin. I found my coworker way quicker than I thought I would (considering there were 5,000 people there), and we chatted and waited around a fire. I did not know what was about to come, but I was excited, nonetheless. I did a lunge matrix for my warmup that I had learned from a runner friend, took some ibuprofen, put on the rest of my running gear like my sunglasses, running belt, and knee sleeve, and I was ready to go.

We threw our warmup clothes in our labeled bags, tossed them in a UHAUL, and before I knew it, it was time to go! There were light-up drones that made really impressive designs for a few minutes, and then they made a light-up count-down in the sky. It was amazing!!

We were officially off. I hadn’t run in 4 weeks, but I was feeling pretty good. I was behind a girl who looked like she knew what she was doing, and I thought “I can do that, too!”, so I followed her pace for the first 5 miles. My toes then began to hurt, and I remembered that I had been building up calluses during the early weeks of my training, but realized they were likely gone by now. I stopped running to tighten my shoes to try to help what I knew was about to be an intense blister situation, so I lost my pacer, but I found others. I was on a roll.

There were aid stations every 2 miles, and I made sure to drink Gatorade at each one to keep my electrolytes in check. I was carrying a water bottle and sipped that throughout the whole race as well, which helped me feel refreshed throughout the race. I took a non-caffeinated gel at mile 6, and cruised. I took a caffeinated gel at mile 12, and I was flying. By mile 13, one of my blisters had popped and my quads were starting to ache. I called my family to ask them to bring me some band aids and slip-on shoes to wear after the race. I was in pain, but the view at this point of the race was my favorite. St. George is stunning. The nature, red rock, and perfect weather made for the ideal environment. It was at this moment that I ran into my coworker on the course, too! We enjoyed the scenery together, then he took off.

As I mentioned, I had been curating a playlist with some of my favorite songs (with the help of my sisters) over the 4 weeks of no training, and these songs helped keep me motivated. During the uphill portions, I would get so pumped up. My knees felt pretty good, and I was proud of myself. So proud. I kept thinking: “Wow, I am actually going to run a marathon today.” It even got me a little teary-eyed (lol). But I was just so proud of myself!!

The last 10 miles were the hardest. A lot of people were walking by this point. I was asking the aid station volunteers to rub icy-hot all over my legs every 2 miles. The list of what was in pain was high: abs, lower back, hip flexors, quads, knees, calves, Achilles tendons, and blisters (can’t forget the blisters. Ouch). And with all of this going on, I still had 10 miles left. But I knew I could handle the pain for a couple more hours. I can do anything for a couple hours!

I took another caffeinated gel at mile 19. I took more ibuprofen as well. I even took a whole mustard packet that I had brought with me (it helps with inflammation). I was doing everything I could to give myself boosts of energy and keep up my spirit. Then, with 5 miles left, things got a bit more rough. My air pods died, so I didn’t have the constant inspiration in my ears that had helped me zone out for most of the race. My water bottle got icy-hot on it without me noticing, so after I accidentally took a drink and got that unique sensation on my tongue, I tossed the bottle. It was mind over matter at this point. My body was telling me to stop, but my heart wouldn’t allow it. I was going to finish this race!

The other racers came in clutch during this time. I heard things like “You got this girl”, “You are crushing it”, and “Let’s do this!”. And although they were little comments, I clutched onto those words like they were my lifelines. I kept thinking about seeing my family at the finish line, and I continued to run. They were waiting for me!

I was wearing a watch that had my average pace, rolling mile pace, heart rate, distance, and time on it, but I didn’t look at it too much during the race other than to make sure that my heart rate didn’t get dangerously high. When I had 1 mile left, I looked at my watch and realized that I had been running for about 4 hours and 20 minutes. In that moment, I realized that I was about to crush my original 5-hour goal.

As I got closer to the finish, I saw my husband and parents, and they were smiling and cheering for me, and I could see the pride in their eyes. I successfully crossed the finish line, and getting that medal put around my neck brought up all the emotions. I had never pushed myself to that extreme in my life. This run was so hard, but it became one of the most significant days that I have ever experienced.

I will admit, I did not feel good physically after the race. I felt nauseous, and the pain in my body was intense, but I had never felt better emotionally. My husband gave me roses, I had a chocolate ice cream, and although I couldn’t wait to get off my feet, I was happy. I was proud. I did it!!! I ran a marathon! And I ran it in 4 hours and 30 minutes.

The St. George Marathon was impressively organized and had everything I needed post-race. I got a free massage (thank you, dad, for waiting in line for me!), my husband bought me an IV to help replenish my liquids, and I got my blisters all cleaned and wrapped up. I was taken care of!

My mom (being the thoughtful and giving woman she is) also got me different pieces of merch that I can now have forever. These items are priceless to me!!

I will never forget this experience. The irony is that the rest of the pain in my body completely distracted me from my knee problems, so the tendonitis didn’t even become an issue when it came to finishing this race. I crushed my goal time, I proved to myself that I can do really hard things, and now my husband wants to do an Iron Man. Plus, for the rest of my life when people ask, I can finally say that I ran a marathon.