My First Full Marathon – A Journey I Never Planned

Some days unfold in ways that make you believe in destiny. September 15th 2024 was one of those days—I ran my first full marathon and crossed the finish line after spending 6 hours and 50 minutes on the track.

Curious how it happened? Let’s rewind to the day before.

The Unplanned Plan

Honestly, I had no intention of running a full marathon. I initially signed up for the event because I couldn’t get a spot in the 10 km category. On September 14th, I went to collect my bib and requested the organizers to shift me to the 10 km or even the 5 km run. As expected, they politely declined.

I knew I could handle 20–25 km. But a full marathon (42.195 km)? That was way beyond my comfort zone. So, I mentally prepared myself to exit the race after 15 or 20 km. That was the plan—a safe one.

With my head full of doubts, overthinking every possibility, I went to bed early, hoping for clarity in the morning.

Race Day: The Unexpected Turn

Sleep didn’t come easy that night. Still, I woke up on time and got ready. It was a cold and windy morning in Sydney, and I stepped out without a jacket. But as I saw others heading to the same event, a strange excitement started building inside me.

7:00 AM (Sydney Time)

The race began. I was the last to start—turns out I had been waiting in the wrong queue.

8:15 AM – 10 km

Surprisingly, I felt fresh. No signs of fatigue.

10:00 AM – 20 km

I started to slow down a bit. Still manageable.

11:30 AM – 30 km

I had crossed my personal boundary. The journey from here got tough. My knees started complaining. I knew pushing too hard could cause an injury. Quitting crossed my mind more than once.

But I kept going.

I called a few friends just to distract myself and draw some encouragement. Their words lifted me. One step at a time, I moved forward.

1:50 PM – 42.195 km

I crossed the finish line. I had made it. My first full marathon—complete.

The Takeaway

I never imagined I’d attempt, let alone complete, a full marathon. But sometimes, it’s not about physical readiness—it’s about mental strength, the energy of those around you, and perhaps, something bigger at play.

With faith, willpower, and what felt like divine timing, I created a memory that I’ll carry for life.

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This was my first blog in the “life experiences” category. Hope it brought you a smile—or maybe a bit of motivation.