Shelby On The Run: Phoenix Marathon Recap

On March 1st my wildest dreams came true...this happened.

I became a real, legit, 26.2 miler running marathoner!!!!!

Something I have dreamed of for years, but finally decided to make stuff happen and started training 16 weeks ago! You could definitely tell I was a newbie. I went in having been warned from Missy that the whole thing wouldn't be unicorns and rainbows, and oh boy she was right. It was the hardest thing I've ever done (a lot harder than I actually imagined) but it was so worth it!!
The morning of, Missy came and picked me up and we grabbed a friend, Ryan, and headed towards the start line. The race course started up on Usery Pass Road by the shooting range. So since that morning you couldn't get to the start line, Missy dropped Ryan and I off towards it and we basically trekked there in the desert. In the dark I might add. (Adventuring at it's finest) Ryan wasn't running the marathon but he nicely paced me for the first 8 miles! I was so grateful to have him there, to get me to the start line, and get me going cause I was one nervous girl! Two minutes before the gun went off to start it started POURING RAIN! Mesa had perfect weather all week and then BAM marathon day RAINY. It didn't really rain much the rest of the race and the rain was all good because it stopped by mile 3! The first 8 miles flew by especially, but actually the entire first half did! I saw my student council at mile 9 because they were doing the aid station which was shortly after Ryan left me so that was a good boost to see a cheer squad of about 20 yelling my name! At the 13.1 mark of the marathon I was ahead of my time goal and feeling happy. However my feet ached and my left knee was being annoying so I was trying to ignore it. But then I hit mile 14 and the main pacer that was my ultimate time goal ran past me and I couldn't catch up. Big mistake, I psyched myself out and started stressing! I knew Missy was coming soon to pace me so I just kept thinking I needed to hold on. I was hitting the marathon wall.
Mile 16, thank goodness Missy and Stephanie hopped on in to run with me!!

Oh man I could not have ran this marathon without Missy!! I can admit there were definitely tears streaming down my face, sassy attitudes, and a lack of drive coming from me the last 10 miles. I definitely just wanted to stop and quit. But Missy didn't leave me and she deserves a medal for putting up with me!

I now understand what it means to have to push through a marathon wall! I wanted to throw in the towel, but I didn't and I AM SO GLAD! I loved finishing!! I loved becoming a marathoner!!My official time being 4:24!!

And I especially could not have done this without my supporters, especially my parents! I saw a member(s) of my family about every 2-3 miles it seemed like!! I 100% needed that motivation and seeing my family's smiling faces on the race course will be something I will remember forever. They were always there yelling and screaming! I am so grateful for my family. (And I'm grateful my Mom gave everyone cheer spot assignments!)This marathon was basically a family accomplishment because throughout training my family would always take turns riding the bike while I run or come up and check on me when I was running by myself. And my Mom's whole life revolved around the marathon too during training, that's one dedicated Mom. I'm sure my Mom learned to dread long run Saturdays.
But did I mention?! I AM A MARATHONER!!!!!!