When we got to the Flying Pig, hubby walked with me to the beginning of the corrals. He kissed me and said, “Good luck, I know you will do great. I think you will finish in 4 hours.” I told him I didn’t think so but was excited that he thinks I’m such a great runner and underestimate myself. We parted ways and I continued to walk to my corral. There was A LOT of military and uniformed police on the way to my corral. I finally got to my corral and immediately started looking for the 4:30 pace group. I found them and introduced myself. They were very excited that this was my first full marathon. I talked to another girl who has never ran with a pace group but ran this race for the last 2 years. She said she usually finishes around 4:30. The national anthem started and we all stood in silence and watched the gorgeous sky as the sun was starting to peek over the horizon. Then the race run went off! We are starting to slowly move. I turned on my music, popped in my headphone and started Garmin locating satellites (if you have a Garmin you know this process can take some time). Finally the start line is approaching. I cross the start line! I stayed with the pace group for the first 2 miles, then I decided I wanted to try it on my own just a little faster.

The crowd support along the course was absolutely phenomenal! It was cool to have some of the uniformed police officers rooting us on. 1 Cincinnati police officer in particular I saw 3 different places along the course. He was awesome! He always has something motivational to say to us runners! My favorite thing he said was, “you ladies are doing great, you could do this all day!” Another woman that was running beside me looked at me and said, “yeah but the whole point is to not do this all day!” I laughed and told her I agreed.

The Flying Pig gave out additional bibs to First Time Marathoners to wear on the course for additional support. I put mine on my back. I received many congratulations and other motivational words from my fellow runners. That was really cool to experience.

As I approached the last 3 miles of the course, I started having those negative thoughts that wanted me to stop. At least I kept going and told myself its only 3 miles, you can do this. When I hit the final mile stretch, I told myself that this is what I trained for. So, I kicked it up a notch and sprinted the last 1.2 miles. I felt amazing crossing that finish line. 4:04:31 was my official time! My hubby was right, I finished right around 4 hours.

My legs didn’t want to stop moving. When I did stop moving to receive my medal, the tightness set in. That is when I experienced “the marathoners walk”. You know what I mean if you are a marathoner. I proceeded to hobble to get my Mylar blanket, water and some nutrition. I texted my hubby that I had finished. I saw my friend Shannon at the PowerBar booth. She hugged me and told me how proud of me she was. She walked with me out of the recovery area until I found my hubby. He gave me a BIG hug and told me congratulations! We got some pictures, I got my free beer and we left the race to enjoy a nice big breakfast at Perkins!

What an amazing day! I’m so excited to be able to call myself a marathoner! I’m already planning another marathon for this fall!