My First Marathon by Sonia Soprenuk

Running four years for fun and fitness would be my husband’s idea of a joke. From his point of view there was never a runner he saw at the finish line with a pleased relaxed expression on his face. When I moved to Texas I was attracted to the idea of competition, especially after I ran my first 5K and I wasn’t the last one at the finish line! There might be hope for further efforts to improve in this game if I only applied myself to shorten my time. The most I had run previously was 7 miles between a 9 and 10 minute pace and never a race more than 5K. Then I decided to step up and sign on for my first metric half marathon! It was a challenge that cost me early mornings and weekends for 2 months. My goal was to finish, and I did!

Then I heard about the Flower Mound Striders. My first thought was to join them, but hesitated since those runners had to be strong and fast, and I would never be able to keep up with them. Finally I made my decision and showed up and found that they weren’t just strong or fast, they were also kind, friendly and a fun group to boot. I felt very comfortable since there were runners with varying degrees of skill and strength, and so far I never had to run alone. After 3 months I improved my speed considerably, running up to 10 miles and began placing in 5Ks. I could see them performing well in these races, which made me strongly motivated, and suddenly that dream came to my mind: “running a marathon”.

During one of our Saturday morning runs, I mentioned to Duncan, our President, that I could never complete a marathon. But three months later I found myself training for one! Duncan designed and set up a great training program and became my coach and advisor from the beginning until the big day. I started building a base by running 30 miles a week and then I began a 20 week program. Previously, my longest run was 12 miles, I felt exhausted and said there is no way I can run 15 miles at one time. He said “you will see, you will be able to do it.” One month later I ran 15 miles. Then I started to experience an amazing and powerful feeling of satisfaction and motivation, and running became an essential part of me.

I never would have been able to do this if it weren’t for the support of Ted, my husband. Not just because he had to give up many things during my training, but also because he put in his time being my driver, my photographer, coaching me, pacing me, carrying water for me, and taking care of me at home after my long running sessions when I wasn’t able to walk to from the sofa to the kitchen!

By week 7 of my training a horrible pain in my hip started. I slowed down but the pain still was there in week 9. I was really worried about it, so Duncan recommended that I do some cross training. I rode the stationary bicycle for a week and I thought the pain was gone. The next weekend I ran a 4 mile race, placing 2nd in my age group but unfortunately the pain back again. I slowed my pace down again but the pain was very strong after my long sessions. Fellow Strider Mike Amaro suggested taking ice baths after running and it worked! In 2 weeks the pain had disappeared. Then we decided to run a half marathon as part of the training program where I learned a lesson: start easy and finish fast.

December 14, 2003 arrived: the day of the Dallas White Rock Marathon! I was there, in one piece and in no pain at all! Arriving at the start line in good condition was such a great feeling. We all were there. Teddy drove us and waited all morning at the finish line. That was the most important component of my motivation, knowing that he was there as always, waiting for me no matter when and no matter how. Yolanda was running the half marathon, she was confident and ready to go! Sandra, in spite of the fact that she was experiencing a great deal of pain during the last 2 months, was there to try the full marathon, as was reliable Mike Amaro. “Bandit” Duncan, fresh from the New York Marathon, was there to run another full marathon just to support us.

8 AM at the start line, 30 degrees and a light breeze, feeling the emotion of the crowd. Full of anxiety, excitement and happiness I was there. In those crowded first miles, Coach Duncan made sure that we didn’t get separated and didn’t start too fast. I ran the first 7 miles at an easy pace, warmed up, easy and fun, enjoying the enthusiasm of the marathon watchers. Took my first Gu, drinking water every mile and kept running at an 8-minute pace. In mile 12 a nice surprise! Thomas Stewart joined the marathon to help pace me. I was the most spoiled runner in the marathon! Both of them ran with me encouraging me and even allowing me to draft behind them. Just before mile 19 Duncan repeated his motto: “Pain Is Temporary, Pride Is Forever” and it really empowered me to keep it up. In mile 19 the hill starts and by mile 21 I slowed down considerably, feeling every mile in my entire body but still continuing. I didn’t follow the advice of drinking Gatorade, and I was paying for it. By mile 21 I felt worried. I might not be able to finish! And right there Duncan said: “Sonia, here is where you’ve got to be tough.” It was what I needed to continue. By mile 22 I was running like a robot. I did not feel my legs and even worse I did not have any idea how I was running, I saw everything in slow motion. I was hitting the wall. By mile 23 I remembered I still had a Gu shot and took it immediately. I couldn’t open it, my mind was in another place, but I was still running, I never stopped. I had trouble coordinating my movements and had to ask Thomas to carry some of my stuff, but I continued. By mile 24 I recovered somewhat and picked up the pace feeling as good as mile 7! And then right there was the finish line, my dream had came true! 3:35:04 chip time, full of satisfaction, feeling great and qualifying for the Boston Marathon.