The Mandela Marathon

A year ago, I ran my first marathon.  I loved it.  I took my time and really enjoyed it.  I accomplished a goal that I had set for myself.

This year, I set out to do it again.  I'd trained and I knew I could do it.  But, this year I really really really struggled.  I didn't enjoy it.  I found it grueling. I wasn't enchanted by running like I was the year before.  For the first 19 kilometers, I ran with Clive, a Comrades veteran, and an overall Energizer bunny. He can just decide to run a marathon and do it. I have to train...

I reached 20 kilometers and had terrible aches in my tummy. I was white and very pale but Clive didn't tell me to stop... He kept going, knowing that Jacques would be at halfway if I needed assistance.  

I got to my family at the halfway mark. Last year, I'd been energized seeing them.  This year I got sad and wished I were a spectator.  And my stomach just hurt.  My heart rate was high.  My bladder felt like it might fall out of me when I started to run.  

I kept talking to myself and willing myself to put one foot in front of the other. For the second half, I think I walked about two-thirds of it.  

Somehow, miraculously, I made it across the finish line in five hours and forty-seven minutes.  15 minutes faster than last year.  My running app said I had climbed 960 meters (3149 feet).  A whole lot of uphill.  

I got across the finish line and wanted to cry because my stomach hurt so badly.  

On the way home, we had to stop twice for me to go to the bathroom.  It wasn't a nice feeling.  

Anyway, I made it.  Let's hope my next marathon goes a bit better. 

At the start line

View from the top. 

We'd climbed that "hill".

I was never so relieved to know that I only had 1 kilometer to go.  

I'd been averaging 8:30 - 9:00 minute kilometers for the last ten kilometers, my tummy was really hurting.  For the last kilometer, I pushed the pain out of my mind and just ran, finishing at a 6:00 minute a kilometer pace, eager to cross the finish line. 

With my dear family at the end. 

I couldn't finish the Savanah in my hand. 

A very weak smile at the end. 

We stopped to get CitroSoda for my tummy and it helped.  Miraculously the next day I didn't feel too ill.  I'm not sure what happened, it was almost like a 12-hour bladder infection.  I felt alright the next day and my legs weren't too sore.  I hope my next marathon is a much better experience.