Mile 19 Tested Me, Crossing the Finish Line Inspired Me: My First Marathon

On November 24, 2024, I completed my first marathon in 3 hours, 26 minutes, and 2 seconds according to the official chip time. My Garmin watch, which claims I ran over 27 miles, read 3:20:11-but that is a discussion for another time. Either way, I couldn’t have been happier with the day.

It was a very chilly morning, filled with anxiety. Not about the race itself, but about the logistics-getting there on time, making it to the start line, having all my fuel ready, and, most importantly, starting with an empty bladder.

I had discussed my race strategy with my coach and was fully committed to a heart-rate-based approach, focusing on effort rather than pace. My marathon prep wasn’t a traditional, run-focused training block. I had been training for triathlons since May 2024, and much of my endurance gains came from a new passion for cycling. Still, I felt as ready as I could be, even if I wasn’t entirely sure how the day would unfold.

I would’ve left Philly happy with anything around a 3:45 marathon.

Once the race started, I replayed the strategy document in my head. First mile: 7:07.

“Woah… am I the next Eliud Kipchoge?
No. Wait. No.”

The next 16 miles went perfectly. I felt efficient, my fueling was dialed in, and my legs felt strong. After countless uphill and downhill segments, things began to change around mile 19. Fatigue hit my legs in a way that felt unfamiliar and, honestly, debilitating. Holding my target heart rate of 155 became extremely difficult-not because of breathing, but because my quads were completely cooked.

Mile 19 tested me.
And every mile after told the same story-until mile 24.

Then, in a surprising turn of events, I found a second wind.

I was suddenly able to bring my heart rate back up to the prescribed intensity, and my legs started turning over again at 180 steps per minute. Those final miles felt fast-almost unreal-especially after thinking my race was essentially over just a few miles earlier.

I left Philly inspired and proud of where my endurance is, both physically and mentally. But one question stuck with me:

Where did that second wind come from?

Was it the crowd (shoutout to Philly fans)?
The thought of finally crossing the finish line?
What happens in the brain during those moments that allows you to tap into energy reserves you didn’t think you had?

It’s an interesting topic, and one I plan to explore further. I’ll report back with what I find.

For now, my first marathon is officially in the books-and I can say with confidence that there are more on the horizon.