A friend of mine has his own running blog. While training for my Marathon, he asked me to do a guest post on his blog about my first marathon experience. I was honored that he asked me to do it, and also excited to be able to put that entire experience into words. I will always be able to read and remember it. You can check out my "Lessons of a Mountain Marathon Mom" post here:
http://runningwithoutinjuries.blogspot.com/2015/06/lessons-of-mountain-marathon-mom.html
While researching a race, and finding this marathon, I only came across one blog review. I read some short reviews on a marathon finder website that almost scared me off. When I read the blog review, I knew without a doubt that this race would be my first marathon.
So, for anyone else looking for more information about this race, I've put together some of my thoughts.
1) If hills scare you, don't do it. These are not just hills. This is a MOUNTAIN. It's not just one little hill here and there. It is a MOUNTAIN with one really, really, really big hill, lots of medium hills, and a billion little hills. (The tree line on the medal is the elevation chart. Yes, mile 19 was really bad.)
With that being said, I will remind you that I am not an experienced marathoner. I am not fast, but I'm not really slow. I'm average. I'm not a muscular, toned athlete. I am a work from home my with 2 very small children, and the post baby belly to show for it. I have only done 2 half marathons. But, I did this. I did not die, I'm still here to write about it. I can't tell you what a normal marathon would look like for me, but I did this race in 5 hrs and 42 minutes. I would like to think I could do a "not as hilly" race in 4.5 hours. It was not easy, but I did it. If I can do this, I promise you that anyone can.
2) There was no time limit for this race. To quote their website, "You could crank out 26.2mi in cartwheels if you wanted to!"
3) This is a small race. If you need a large crowd to keep you going, this is not the race for you. If you don't like getting lost in the shuffle of runners, or competing for your "space" you will LOVE it.
4) The scenery is beautiful! When you are running through the woods, there's a decent amount of shade to keep you cool. You might even come up on some deer, or other wildlife. The hills that are making you stronger, (or making you use some nasty language), are providing a great landscape.
5) It's an open course. This means there is some traffic, but very minimal. This also means that your friends and family can meet you anywhere on the course, drive along beside you, run with you, or make their own aid stations. This was one of my favorite parts. Having my hubby and friends there to greet me along the way, and run with me when I needed it was THE BEST!
6) The race organizers do a great job with this race. They are friendly, helpful, and brutally honest about what you are about to take on. No sugar coating it!
7) I can't really put into words what a great, small town, friendly, beautiful race this is.
I don't know that I will be there next year, but this is a race that I will never ever forget. I'm so glad that I made it my first one.
Want more information about it this race? Check out their website! http://www.kingsmountainmarathon.com/
If you are not ready to tackle the full, they have a half marathon, too. I was told it is uphill both ways. :)
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