I did it! I completed my first marathon ever. What an incredible journey! It was grueling, yet entirely achievable. My finish time was 4 hours and 44 minutes—and I ran the entire way without walking, unlike many others. I'm immensely proud of that accomplishment!
An hour before the start, I arrived at the Olympic Stadium 2020. That buffer time is essential: you need to drop off your gear bag and navigate the long toilet lines, which easily take 30 to 45 minutes. The stadium buzzed with a thrilling mix of anticipation and excitement. When the starting gun sounded, relief washed over me. Finally, we're off!
From there, it was all about steady forward momentum. The first 10 kilometers felt effortless. At the 11km mark, my colleague Loes cheered me on with a high five and words of encouragement. Friends met me at 13km with a banana and water, as planned. My parents were at 15km; Dad even jogged alongside me along the Amstel—such a cozy boost! My coach motivated me at 22km, my boyfriend at 25km and 30km, and my parents and coach again at 35km. I had imagined enjoying the run solo, but a marathon demands such endurance that these pit stops from loved ones made all the difference. Their support was truly heartwarming.
Around 25km, my muscles started protesting, but I refused to dwell on the 17km still ahead. I powered up my iPod, took a drink, and ate another banana. Wow, I'm really running a marathon! That thought kept flashing through my mind. During tougher stretches, knowing my parents, boyfriend, and brother awaited at the finish pulled me forward. Just before the end, fellow athletics club members urged me on. At 40km, I began counting down. The 41km marker was missing, so spotting the '500 meters to go' sign felt like pure luck. Entering the Olympic Stadium was unforgettable. I sprinted through the finish, barely able to stop. Clutching the fence, I received my medal—pure elation.
Back home, I collapsed on the couch with severe muscle soreness. But nothing could dim the joy. When my brother asked yesterday, “Would you do it again?” I replied, "Hmm, not sure yet." That's a positive outlook—my coach notes most runners swear 'never again' right after those final 42km.
PS – Read Tamara's training diary here
