1st marathon also - Honolulu Marathon (Read 910 times)

I also finished my first marathon today, the Honolulu Marathon...although it felt more like Tokyo Marathon. Things didn't go so smoothly. Since it is my first one my main goal is to finish alive...and come in under 5 hours. The start was good despite the large number of people (28000+)...we were treated to great fireworks show..the early start (5 AM) was hard as we had to get up at 2 AM to get ready. We also had left our son at a friend's house, which was the first time he's away from us all night and day...which was hard. Started slow and a good pace and felt really good the first 6 miles. Then the legs starts to feel heavy which i never experienced before that early in my long training runs. Then I missed one of the time that I had planned to take gel at around mile 13 and by mile 18 i hit the wall..having read about it and prepared myself mentally i pushed on through by alternating walking and running. My legs were cramping and my toes were also cramping which I never had happened to me before so didn’t know what to do about it. The ankle didn’t quite hold up so well, I guess it didn’t quite heal up good from my sprain. I had given up on finishing under 5 hours and focused on finishing. But by mile 23 I realized that I had the chance to go under 5 hours so I tried really hard but missed it by 8 minutes, for a chip time of 5:08:31 for a snail-pace of 11:47. I got a little boost towards the finish line when this guy bumped me with his shoulders trying to get pass me, which made me a little ticked off and I sprinted off and beat him to the finish line… All and all a good first marathon, lots of things to work on for next years, better race strategy most importantly. I’m just really proud at this achievement, I’ve lost 40 pounds since May and going from barely able to run 2 miles to finishing a marathon. Aloha, Steve… P.S: Mrs. PhatRunner also did her first marathon but she had a fantastic run, coming in at 4 hours and 21 minutes…all with using only 1 gel..the woman is amazing. It was nice to see her at the finish line.

I’m just really proud at this achievement, I’ve lost 40 pounds since May and going from barely able to run 2 miles to finishing a marathon. Aloha, Steve… P.S: Mrs. PhatRunner also did her first marathon but she had a fantastic run, coming in at 4 hours and 21 minutes…all with using only 1 gel..the woman is amazing. It was nice to see her at the finish line.

And you SHOULD be proud--that is an astounding achievement in such a short time! Your wife is amazing, too! What great examples you set for your kids. k

You started in May? As in, THIS May? Wow. Not to repeat myself, but I have a limited vocabulary, so ... out-freakin'-standing! A suggestion: now that you've done a mega-marathon, for your next one, consider looking for a small one. Am I right that there is at least one small one on one of the islands? My first was Chicago, but I didn't fall in love with running until I ran a small one. The huge ones are fun, but all that hassle (you got up at TWO?), and the crowds, and all that ... well, after running Trent's little 100 person marathon, I may never do a big one again. (Although I'd make an exception for Honolulu, thats for sure!) So ... what IS next? Got a plan?

Well done Mr. and Mrs. phat_runner! That is phat! It sucks to have your legs cramp up when you still got gas in the tank but all it mattered is you looked better than the guy behind you

Well done, Phat Runner!!! Nice that we did our firsts the same weekend...yay us!!! Keep up the great work! You should be proud!!!

Well done! A big pat on the back for getting number one under your belt and already making plans for the next one. You've made such a huge amount of progress in such a short time! Claire xxx

I'd like to offer my post-vacation belated WHOOT!@ Lynn B

I have said this before. I will say it again: Oh no. Not again. Not another poor soul. I am so sorry. Sooooo sorry indeed. Folks, another one has fallen. A good man is gone. Another fine upstanding citizen has fallen to marathoning. It seems he is addicted. And he already has admitted to it. Next thing you know, Norm will be running 8 'thons in 2008, or some foolish thing like that. Sheesh. Sheesh indeed. Steve. I am terribly sorry.