Well my first Full Marathon was a learning experience for sure. I’ve ran 6 half marathons (13.1 miles) this past year and I learned I was capable of running 13 miles off the back with little to no sleep and sometimes with only a week or two of training, it boosted my confidence, which later turned into a blessing and a curse. Being my first time in Hawaii, it was a must for me to hike to and see all the popular beaches. Being me it didn’t even cross my mind that I should rest the day before the marathon as I’ve always gone hiking and stayed active before my half marathons and was still capable of running in them and doing great. Although I failed to remember I was attempting a new distance, this wasn’t my typical 13 mile half marathon, this was 26 Miles!!!

I should have known better as my knee started to ache on one of the hikes. By then it was too late lol my knee was already starting to feel the toll of all the walking and hiking I did the days following up to the Marathon. The morning of the race I felt great tho I went into it with a strong mentality. The first 7 miles were some of the most beautiful views I’ve had on any run. I saw the sunrise peaking through the clouds on the horizon and as I was running up the Hilo Bay I ran through a park where they were having a surf competition. It was such a surreal moment to see the sunrise and the surfers ripping the waves as I ran by.

At this time in the race my knee was giving me aches but it would come in flashes and disappear. As I got to the turn around point and started coming back down to the bay I got real confident as my knee pain disappeared. I figured it was only the stress of going up the hill and I was in the clear now that I was descending the hill. Once I got back to the Bay and inched closer to the finish I forgot I still had to run another 4 miles in the opposite direction and 4 back to the finish line.

Once I passed the 15 mile marker my knee and feet were really in pain and it was not going away. I hit mile 18 and my right knee completely gave out every step I took I was in pain, I tried to shift my weight to my other leg but the bottom of my left foot hurt.

With both limbs in pain I tried pushing through the pain but couldn’t handle it any longer. If it wasn’t for my brother I probably would have gave up right there and then at mile 18. But I called to let him know I prob won’t be able to finish and he quickly pulled up to the rescue with a bag of ice and a knee wrap. As he was wrapping my knee I took a peek at my foot to see why it was in pain to quickly learn I had a huge blister on my left foot. We wrapped that back up, and my brother gave me the kick and motivation I needed to finish.

The last 8 miles were gruesome I tried to jog as much as I could but ended up walking for the most part. I now understand the importance of professional runners having a pit crew and a team. It was a blessing to have some familiar faces at the finish line cheering me on for the first time. With all that being said I’m ready to attempt another full marathon, mentally I was always prepared, physically I can do more to be better prepared. Lesson Learned definitely take a rest day or two before race day.

Full Marathons are no joke definitely need to be well prepared. Anyway I ran 18 miles straight in 3 hours before my knee injury. My new goal for the full marathon will be under 4:20 now that I have a better idea. Any ideas what happened to my knee was it just over use on the joint ? The next day it never got swollen it just hurt for the next 3-4 days the Marathon was on the 19 it is now the 25th and I can walk normal now with a slight inconvenience. I know I didn’t severely injure it cause 1) it didn’t get swollen 2) everyday that passes it feels way and wayyy better, what workouts can I do to make my knee stronger? Or was it just my fault for not taking a day or two rest before race day? I did ALOT of hiking keep in mind.