A Dugyot in the U.S.A.: 4:10:25

So after three years of running (or, more accurately - "trying to be a real runner"), i completed my first marathon - the 2010 Grand Rapids Marathon - on October 17, 2010 with a finishing time of 4:10:25.

I'll be completely honest - i wasn't ecstatic with my performance. On one hand, as Gianina keeps reminding me, i ought to be happy with the fact that i actually finished 26.2. I actually am a bit, but on the other hand, i'm disappointed because i wasn't able to hit my goal time of somewhere below 4:00. While i've consoled myself with the fact that my time is at least faster than two prominent celebrities: Oprah (4:29:20) and P Diddy (4:14:54), it smarts that i'm still slower than Will Ferrell (3:56:12).

In the end, it's still a PR. I also suppose that it doesn't really make sense to compare one's performance to others unless you're an elite runner (such the venerable Meb Keflezighi, who won the NYC Marathon in 2:09:15 - just a smidge longer than my half-marathon time!). Still, comparing oneself to celebs does endow a certain sense of accomplishment - if misplaced. (Actually around mile 22, while i was trailing two guys, i heard one remark, "Beat Oprah - that's all i ask!").

Despite the fact that i was practically unable to walk for five days after the race, i can safely say that i am excited to do the whole thing again. I think I can understand why people get hooked on this. Aside from the "runner's high," there were some true pleasures that i derived from the whole experience. The cold air on my face and in my lungs in the predawn morning as we trudged towards the starting line. The rumble underfoot of hundreds of runners finding their pace. The gentle tap-tap-tapping of the soles of my shoes hitting the pavement when my legs followed the rhythm i trained them to hit. The rise of adrenaline powered by the crowd shouting encouragement and the volunteers giving support.

Even the not-so-pleasant moments are memorable. The quickening of my breath at mile 22 signaling that i'd finally pushed myself to exhaustion. The slow buildup of soreness in my right knee with the repetitive movement. The cramping of my quads at mile 25 as i tried to push myself further. The swell of despair when someone doing a 12-minute-mile passed me close to the end because i could hardly run anymore. But the bad comes with the good. Sort of like mixing salt in your cookie dough to bring out the sweetness. And in the end - despite the hell that i semi-walked/limped through after mile 22 - i was still able to run the final 0.2.

In analyzing my performance, i can pinpoint exactly why i didn't hit my target time: i simply did not train enough. The first eight weeks of training were doable, as i hit all my benchmark times, but it was the final month that separated the men from - well, me. My legs were in a constant state of soreness, i was only infrequently able to hit my target pace with the hard/long workouts, and i had to just flat out rest on some days because of fatigue. Hopefully all of that is money in a bank and at least increased my level of fitness to such an extent that i'll be able to do a sub-4 next year. Just another thing to look forward to and work towards.

Right now, i guess it won't hurt to bask a little bit in a sense of accomplishment.