Running the City of Bridges | Pittsburgh Marathon 2011

I don’t think I fully understood what I was getting myself into when I signed up for the Pittsburgh Marathon last fall. I guess I figured running the half-marathon just wasn’t a big enough challenge. And I suppose I figured that if I was ever going to run a full marathon, now would be the best time to try.

Ironically, I said the same exact words to Jay the morning of this year’s marathon that I said to him last year for the half: “I just don’t know how I’m going to do this today.” But this year, I really, really wasn’t sure how I was going to make it.

You see, I’m the absolute worst example of how to train for a marathon. While I started strong this winter, braving cold and snowy days to run (with faithful Astin at my side), I soon began to experience an annoying knee pain that just wouldn’t stop. The more I ran, the more I hurt, despite trying all sorts of things to alleviate the cause of the pain. So while I was supposed to be gradually increasing mileage and going on longer and longer runs, the longest run I ever managed was just 11 miles.

Yes. 11 miles. Not even half of a marathon.

Fortunately, this year I had a friend to run with me–my good friend Sarah, whose wedding I photographed last year, decided to brave the 26.2 miles of torture with me, only she was way better at keeping up with her training than me. Sarah is one of those people who once they decide to do something…nothing is going to stop them. She always inspires me with her strength, and running with her on Sunday was no different. Sarah, you rock!

Sarah and I ran the first 8 (rainy) miles together before I slowed down and she kept going. That’s when the pain began to set in…and kept me company for the next 18 miles. There were so many points when I wondered how I was ever going to make it…how I could ever stand the stabbing pain for a second longer. But as I explained to Jay, there were three thoughts that kept me going. And running a marathon, I discovered, really has so much more to do with your mind than you body.

Here are the thoughts that kept me running long after I wanted to stop.
1. There are only two ways back to the finish line: one is on your own two feet, the other is in an ambulance. I didn’t want to take the ambulance.

2. Walking only prolongs the process and makes the misery last longer.

3. I don’t want to be the last person to cross that finish line. (Those who know me well know that I can be very competitive once I’ve made up my mind to do something. I just hate losing).

It also goes without saying that I could never have done it without all the nameless voices who cheered me and all the runners on from the sidelines throughout the race. I can’t tell you how many times an encouraging word gave me hope and energy when I felt I had none left.

“You go girl!”
“You’re looking strong, you can do this.”
“Give ’em hell Mary!” (I had my name printed on my running bib…so people would often yell out my name with words of encouragement).

There were also so many helping hands who passed out water and food…many of whom I was too tired to thank…but whose presence gave me energy and the will to keep going.

Just encountering that human connection…strangers encouraging strangers…was a powerful experience.

And finishing…I can’t begin to describe the sense of empowerment and accomplishment you feel when you cross that finish line after 26.2 miles. There were times I felt so ready to quit, especially around mile 23 and 24…when the end was close but also so far away. Just when I felt like giving up, I would find one more source of encouragement. And finally the realization that I was almost finished…that I really was going to do it…that propelled me and my weary legs to speed up and cross that final bridge and finish strong.

In reality, I’m not a super athletic person. Many of those running were just like me…average folks reaching for something a little beyond the average. What separates those who do and don’t run a marathon is not an incredible affinity for running but rather the will and decision to try to run one. Many people say, “I could never run a marathon.” My response is this: “That is probably true, as long as you never sign up for one.”

Here is a photo of Sarah and me after we finished. Sarah finished in 4 hours, 20 minutes. I finished in just under 5 hours. Gotta love my hair.

I took this photo walking back to the car. These two girls are determined to finish it together.

And lastly, Jay snapped this photo after we got home. It aptly shows exactly how we felt–“food please!”