Pre- Marathon 

Marathon running isn’t for everyone, there’s a reason why only less than 1% of the population does it. Preparing to run 26.2 miles takes 3-4 months of training, a significant time commitment that alters your schedule, workout regimen, sleeping and eating habits. Such preparations also require sacrifice and support from your loved ones. Running a full marathon was on my bucket list of things to do and it was one of the top 5 things on my 2018 New Year’s Resolution list. I was inspired by my older sister, Gisele who ran her first half marathon in the fall of 2015, at the age of 36. So following suit, I did my 1^st half marathon in April of this year (2018) and I remember jogging the whole way through, nonstop. With that in mind underestimated running double the distance. I must say I had the most unconventional way of training for my 1st full marathon. Two weeks before the marathon, my family and I took a 10 day vacation to the beach and although I trained while on vacation, I didn’t train the way I was supposed to. The night before the marathon, I had a meal of baked chicken, a whole mango and a bowl of air popped corn. Definitely not my typical dinner but I was way too nervous to eat well. Before going to bed I laid out my running gear and turned in about 8:30pm. Needless to say I didn’t finally fall asleep until 9:30pm; nervously tossing and turning around.

Marathon Day

The day finally came. On the morning of November 3rd 2018, my alarm went off at 5:30am (The race was supposed to commence at 7:30am). I woke up took a shower, got dressed and said a little prayer before heading out the door at 6am. The plan was to UBER to the event, knowing there was a possibility I wouldn’t be able to feel my legs after the run. But my husband, being the old school- protective man that he is, decided it was too dark to UBER (drive with a stranger). So I resorted to driving myself. I stopped to get some gas, grabbed a small cup of coffee from McDonald’s and sipped on it while I drove 16 miles to the location. While driving, I felt a nervous rumble in my stomach. I quickly found a parking spot, paid and headed to the BB&T Ballpark location. I decided to use the restroom. On arriving, there was a long line of marathoners waiting to use the restroom. Everyone stood shaking in the cold (42 degrees Fahrenheit to be exact); some excited, some mute, some looking confused and some confident. While waiting on the ceremony to commence, I decided to eat my Cliff bar (Peppermint bark which was delicious BTW). We lined up according to our pace, I stood with the 5:00 pace as that was my goal to finish in 5hrs. After the national anthem was over we took off. At that point I set my headphones on and began listening to my playlist and jogged. Things were going good, I paced myself and enjoyed every scenery of the pubs, restaurants and streets of uptown Charlotte. Almost every mile we had people cheering us (Novant health volunteers, police officers, uptown residents, onlookers, etc.) as we pounded the pavement.

Mile 6

Although I was still feeling good at mile 6, I took my first energy gel pack to keep my energy and endurance up. At mile 13 there was a sign that had 2 arrows; one going right for the half marathoners to finish up and one going left for the full marathoners to continue their faith. At that point it hit me, part of me was wishing I was a 1/2 marathoner and the other part of me was consoled that I was 1/2 way through the race, so I kept pushing despite the fatigue and aches/pains I began feeling. Mile 14 came, my body wanted to stop, but my mind couldn’t let it. I literally thought I had “hit the wall.” So I stopped at started walking as fast as I could, not because I was out of breath, but because I was just too sore and in pain. A minute later I picked up the pace and continued jogging. I got to mile 16.2 and I was like “God, I am still 10 miles out. Am I ever going to make it to 26.2?” But I channeled my positive thinking and stayed focus on the end goal. With sweat dripping down my face and the sun shining bright into my eyes, I wiped the sweat off my face with my bare hands. I jogged and speed-walked every chance I got, at this moment it was me against the pavement. My playlist no matter how great, didn’t suffice. I tilted my headphones to listen to every word of encouragement, every cheer and every clap that came our way, in hopes of helping me push a little harder. I remember telling myself getting to mile 20 will mean I only had 6 miles left, so I kept going. I noticed my other fellow marathoners doing the same; slowing down, taking a break to stretch, bathroom breaks (PolyJohns) and even one woman, in particular, stopped to adjust her kinetic tape wrapped around her right thigh and also had a cooler pack attached.

Mile 23 I was a wreck

At mile 23 I was a wreck, I knew it was then that I had hit the wall. I started asking myself; “who sent me?”, “why am I torturing myself in this manner?”, “why, why, why”, etc. THE STRUGGLE WAS SO REAL! I was ready to start crawling at that moment but I told myself if I did, I would never make it on time and I will be let down. I again channeled my positive thoughts; my husband and daughter waiting for me at the finish line, knowing they were counting on me and I couldn’t let them down. That was enough to get me going although I felt my lower body was separating from my torso. My right leg led and my left leg kept up the pace. Then somewhere between mile 24 and 25 the path led under a bridge and there was a woman with a sign, I was close to tears at this point. The woman looked at me in my eyes and told me, “Girl, do you know less than 1% of the population finishes a marathon? Today you are one of them. Finish this. Finish this!” You will think I got a B12 shot at that moment, I jogged as fast and tried to forget about all the discomfort I felt. I passed mile 25 and kept going, one of the police officers conducting traffic saw my struggle and said “you’re right there”. As God will have it at that moment “Say Yes” a song my Michelle Williams came on and I was in it for the win, because I knew that this moment was only possible with God. I heard him loud and clear as I approached mile 26. I started tearing up and decided to capture the moment on my phone. I couldn’t believe I made it. As I approached the finish line, I was in full blown tears and started balling out of control. I was approached by a woman who asked me if I was okay and I simply told her I was just overwhelmed with joy and relief that I had finally made it. She hugged me, congratulated me and told me she wanted me to have my moment and cross the finish line solo. The local time was 12:38pm (5:08 was my finish time) and as the spectator called out my name “SANDRINE”, I crossed the finish line with my hands up in the air, tears in my eyes, thanking God for his grace and mercy. I composed myself and I was handed my medal. Needless did I know what was waiting for me at the finish line.

Post Marathon 

The lady who handed me the medal told me my family was waiting for me. When I looked towards the direction she was pointing to, I couldn’t believe who all was there.

Support is key

Not only were my husband and daughter there but the people I call “My Jumpsuit Tribe” were present to see me accomplish this major milestone in my life. I was surprised and in disbelief that they thought about me in this special way. I immediately exploded with tears as I leaped over (with the last energy I had left in me) to give them a big hug. We cried together, hugged each other and they told me how proud they were of me and how much I had inspired and motivated them. After taking pictures and telling them about my experience, it was time to head home and face my recovery. I remember telling them that the pain I felt at that moment was comparable to labor pains and I would prefer the latter. They were shocked at my analogy!

So here I am 2 days post recovery; couple Aleeve pain pills, icy hot rub massages and couple Epsom salt baths, encouraging messages, phone calls, visits from family and friends later, and I feel amazing. I am so proud of my resilience and ability to push through…what a great achievement. I look back a couple days ago and it truly shows how great humanity is. It makes me smile even thinking about it. I’ve gained a lot of humility and perseverance for completing a full marathon. I have a new found respect for runners. When you race, you compete against others, but most importantly you compete against yourself. Nothing is given to you, you have to work for it and that experience builds you as a person. Knowing that I completed such a feat is empowering, exhilarating and it’s an experience I will never forget. This was the best early birthday gift (November 28th) I could’ve ever given myself.

I know the million dollar question is if I would do it again? The answer will definitely be “YES” but I’ll train better this time around!