BHAG - My First Marathon

It was scorching hot in Iowa but Minnesota was showing cooler weather off the lake for the weekend. Race morning a significant storm came through Minnesota and with it came a lot of humidity so while it was in the 50s at race start, it was super muggy. All the mugginess really made the race a lot harder than I was expecting.  It was in the 70s and sunny by the finish. 

Here is a story about an inspirational MS warrior. I love her last quote: "There’s only all in as an option for me. There’s no plan B. There’s no plan C2. It’s all in. Embrace life and go for it. And that’s what I’m here to communicate. That’s why I want to be an inspiration for other people — to take that leap of faith, if you will, with yourself, and get out there and just create your dreams — because it’s never too late for that."  https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/video/carolyn-ms-story-messiah-to-marathons/

In my effort to embrace life, I plan to keep going for my goals.  This year a goal was running and completing my first marathon.  The stats are below but they don't really tell the story.

I had been running well enough training since the half marathon we did in April.  Probably did almost a half dozen half marathons or longer leading up but was malfunctioning the weekend I was supposed to do my last long run so rest it was.  I knew I was going to be able to finish no matter but still bummed me out as I was still dialing in race nutrition.

At the start

My salt savior

I had come up with a race plan that integrated more hydration and electrolytes but the humidity had me running in soaked socks (everything) by mile 3 and I was pretty sure I was not going to have what I needed on my belt (holds six gels) or in my baggies in my pockets.  I have to carry everything I need with me so as not to upset my tummy.  Thankfully I had left extra nutrition with Steve who was injured and not able to run, so he found me on the course around mile 14 and helped me load up more on my belt and feed me some mandarin oranges.

Despite the weather I was able to keep my pace between a 10:30 and 11 minute mile pace, but I had also depleted my reserves faster than expected.  Inevitably that caught up with me and by the time I reached town around miles 18-19 I was on the struggle bus.  Shortly after that another triathlete caught up with me while I was walking and commented that I looked like I needed some salt.  I was also starting to get a headache but thankfully there was a tent with ibuprophen ladies (hallelujah). I know now that is an electrolyte imbalance which I have struggled with for years but that salt tablets can help ward it off.  Between loading up on meds and some salt capsules from the tri lady I was able to start righting my system.  I also took some time to walk with a side of run for a couple of miles with the tri lady, but ultimately feel like I did that too long. 

Once I had found enough pickle juice and watermelon on the course I started to feel a lot better.  I got my butt back in gear and finished the last 3-4 miles pretty strong.  I did run walk through downtown where it is largely concrete and asphalt so it was warm.  Then we were over the freeway into the port area for the last mile to the finish line.  I was pushing my pace as long as I could and then power walking on repeat until the last to corners to the finish line where I gave it all I had.

While I felt like I finished the last 5k strong, I was disappointed with the nutrition based struggle and not getting back into a run walk rhythm fast enough once I started to feel better so I am pretty sure I could have had a time closer to 5 hours but was pleased to finish and feel strong.  I'll not soon run another marathon but now I know I can and didn't have the MS malfunction that I did the last time I ran a grandma's race in 2023 when I did the half marathon.

The only other thing I was bummed about is my cheer squad got held up and no one saw me finish the race.  I was feeling strong and badass but it ended up just being for me.  I was glad to have them all there but annoyed the bridge was up.  I recovered pretty quickly aside from my feet.  I'd had feet discomfort as early as mile five that got more uncomfortable as the run went along.  After I finished I saw three toes with blood blisters and one nail that had come loose finally (residual from the half marathon in April).  I ended up losing three toenails due to my swamp feet.  They aren't the first and wont be the last I'm sure.

Marathon FINSHER!

Ultimately I am proud of myself for doing the work, and meeting that goal.  It's the first big test in my prep for doing an full Ironman.  Next up a half Ironman in September.

A little post race funning at the Twins game the next day with my honey.

A No Excuse Life - What this Garmin Means to Me - Goals for 2025

From A No Excuse Life by Chris Norton

"Call to Action: Starting today, let your actions speak for you. Reflect on your values and what you want to be known for, then align your actions accordingly. As you consistently live out your beliefs, watch how your identity transforms and how your impact on the world becomes more profound."

After my 2023 Grandma's half marathon I had all these thoughts, not all good, banging through my head. Really pretty negative for me.  

Over the years I have run over a dozen half marathons, done four half ironman triathlons (the last one in 2019 - 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, 13.1 mile run), and have always had a goal of completing one full ironman (2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike, 26.2 mile run).  My 2013 MS diagnosis knocked me back and 2014 was both a hard year, and an amazing year as I got to race on the Kyle's Bike team (they picked me before I knew I had MS for sure).  Three of my half ironmans and most of my half marathons have come after Dx, but for some reason 2023 was hard for me.  

Maybe because it was my first big race post covid, post racoon attack, post broken foot, post IT band nonsense that fought me for four years.  Maybe I needed a couple more long runs in my training plan, maybe my head space was disrupted once I got into the Duluth city limits with all the crowds, but all I know is the last mile of that race nearly beat me.  I stopped having fun and had to dig deep to keep shuffling... like an old lady... to find my way to the finish line.

During that last mile my inner dialog was about whether to invest in myself and my race equipment, or to give up doing long races and on that LONG time goal of doing an Ironman Triathlon.  Maybe MS had beaten me after all... but I couldn't stop thinking about getting a real, proper racing watch that could see me through 15-17 hours of racing.  Something that could track my data effortlessly instead of using my phone and a hand me down apple watch.  Something that could be with me while I keep setting and meeting my goals.

I finished 2023 with a 10k run that went well, and made goals to do more races in 2024, and while I had a few setbacks related a broken ankle, I ended the year on a high note with a solid half marathon and my new Garmin.  With the start of 2024 came a sale on a newer model of Garmin the forerunner 255s (over $100 off) so as a gift to myself for turning 50 and believing in my future goals I invested in myself.  It arrived after I swam as part of an Ironman relay team with my triathlon club in June, but I had it in play for my favorite triathlon in Ames and along for that successful 13.1 run in November.

Me on my 50th birthday at the Clear Lake
Triathlon in 2024

So here are my 2025 goals:

Drop 10 pounds of fat and gain 5 pounds of muscle (go to weights class each week or work with a trainer).  Continue my PT rehab, add some yoga. HAVE FUN!

January - Girls on the Run Indoor Triathlon - have solid legs especially on the bike where I have languished in past years.

April - run the Drake Half Marathon (I was supposed to run last year)

May - Clear Lake Olympic Triathlon (.9 mile swim... mind over mater with the cold water, 25 mile bike, 10k run)

June - Run Grandmas Marathon 26.2 miles (MY FIRST MARATHON!!!)

September - 1/2 Ironman Wisconsin (This will force me to bike train over the summer as it is hilly, but I've done it before so I know what I am in for.  Excited to have my teammates on the course with me.)

Oct/Nov - Half Marathon Grand Rapids, MI - hoping to race with my Run A Myelin My Shoes MS race team in Michigan if it works out.

2026 - IRONMAN!  Course/Date TBD

So there it is, out in the universe for all to see.  Hopefully I collect a cheering section along the way but I am determined so who is with me?  Ironman at 52.  You betcha! GOALS!