In 2019, I set my sights on completing my first marathon with one goal: to break four hours. My running crew, District Running Collective, had a rigorous program called the Long Haul, packed with long runs, tempos, and track sessions to get us to the finish line strong. I tried to stay committed, but I wasn’t perfect. Rainy days? I skipped them. Wet socks just weren’t worth it to me. And my Friday night habit of partying often had me showing up to Saturday morning long runs hungover, running solo, and barely pushing myself.
Four weeks before race day, everything changed. A freak accident in a stairwell left me with a broken hand and a cast up to my elbow. I remember feeling a wave of frustration, watching all those hours of training seemingly unravel overnight. But when my doctor agreed to shorten my cast, I saw a glimmer of hope and decided to keep pushing forward. I adjusted my training plan to shorter, more intense workouts, hoping it would be enough.
Race day arrived, and with it came crisp autumn air that should have filled me with excitement. Instead, doubt weighed me down. As I lined up with the other runners, I could feel the weight of the cast on my arm, and I thought about the countless skipped runs and less-than-ideal training days. The race gun went off, and I joined the throng of runners with a mix of excitement and dread.
The first few miles were manageable, but soon, the skies opened up and the rain began to fall. Enormous puddles formed along the course, soaking my clothes and, worst of all, my socks. My phone drowned in the downpour, leaving me music-less, my salt tabs dissolved, and my granola bars turned to mush. I was left with nothing but the road ahead and my sheer will to finish. It was at this point I learned my first lesson: expect the unexpected. No matter how much you plan, life has a way of throwing curveballs, and race day will rarely go the way you envisioned.
Around mile 18, just when I thought I was finding a rhythm, my body gave me an entirely new challenge — a full-body cramp that stopped me in my tracks. I had never felt anything like it. My muscles seized up, from my calves to my shoulders, and every step felt like pushing against concrete. It was the perfect chance to quit, and the thought crossed my mind. But something in me pushed back. This is where mental resilience kicks in, I thought. If I could push through this, I could finish the race. I took a few deep breaths, adjusted my posture, and kept moving forward, albeit slowly.
Those last miles were a blur of pain, determination, and the distant hum of the cheering crowd. Each soaked step reminded me of another lesson: Running solo, even during training, builds grit that you don’t know you’ll need until you’re at your limit. I had done long runs alone before, without support, and now, in the toughest miles of the marathon, I was grateful for those lonely runs that had unknowingly prepared me to face this moment on my own.
Crossing the finish line at 4 hours and 45 minutes was a mixed experience. On one hand, I’d completed something that less than 1% of people achieve. But on the other hand, I felt frustrated. Part of me wondered if my habits and choices had sabotaged my goal from the start. Could I have avoided that cramp if I’d trained more consistently? Would the day have gone better if I hadn’t relied so heavily on my playlist? Maybe skipping those rainy-day runs had left me unprepared for the weather. But as I stood there, medal around my neck, I realized that each setback had taught me something invaluable.
7 Things I Learned:
- Patience Over Speed: Marathons are a test of patience. Finishing isn’t about how fast you can start, but whether you can keep going when the journey gets hard.
- Consistency Beats Perfection: Skipping runs for less-than-ideal conditions added up. Consistent training is more valuable than a flawless day here and there.
- Prepare for Anything: Race day doesn’t care about your plans. From unexpected weather to faulty gear, being adaptable is a skill worth honing.
- Mental Resilience: Around mile 18, when my body was begging me to quit, I learned that resilience is what keeps you moving forward. Sometimes, the mind has to carry what the body can’t.
- Stick to the Plan: I learned that race day isn’t the time for last-minute changes. Your training routine is there for a reason, and sticking to it can make all the difference.
- Running Solo Builds Grit: Tackling long runs alone wasn’t easy, but it strengthened me in ways I didn’t expect. Sometimes, you need to know you can push through without anyone there to motivate you.
- Victory Isn’t Just a Time: Finishing a marathon, despite obstacles, is a victory. The journey itself holds valuable lessons in resilience, discipline, and growth.
The Bigger Picture
Reflecting on that day, I feel grateful for the experience, wet socks, cramps, and all. Running that marathon wasn’t the triumphant experience I’d imagined, but it taught me resilience, patience, and the strength to push through. Those 26.2 miles showed me that success isn’t always defined by hitting a specific time; sometimes, the true measure of victory is finding the strength to keep going when every part of you wants to stop.
In the end, I didn’t just finish a marathon; I gained a new perspective on what it means to overcome. That day, through a broken hand, a rain-soaked course, and a body cramp that almost took me out, I proved to myself that I’m capable of more than I thought. And that realization is a victory I’ll carry with me long after the race is over.
