I am a marathoner!!!!
As you know I ran the LA Marathon with Team Nutribullet yesterday. Let me start by saying it is that hardest thing I have ever done in my entire life! For those of you who run marathons on a regular basis – you are my HERO!!! I am so proud to say I am part of the marathon club.
I would love to say everything was peaches and cream, but it wasn’t. It hurt. It hurt so bad. Having said that, it was also the second best experience of my life. (First best was my wedding day – corny? That’s me!)
The race started out beautiful and strong at Dodgers Stadium. The sunrise was spectacular just for us, making mile 1 a breeze.
Mile 2-4 were kind of hilly, but Chinatown and the Disney Concert hall provided a good distraction.
After the Disney Concert hall hill, I was in the groove running under a ten minute mile at some points. During the race I found myself getting very emotional. I kept thinking of my family waiting for me at mile 15 and 26. Whenever this happened, I choked up and actually had a very difficult time breathing. I needed to clam the frak down!
You know how marathoners tell you to keep pace for the first half of the race? Well, listen to them. They know what they are talking about. I ran pretty fast until mile 15, which consequently, was where my cousin and mom happened to be waiting for me.
I ran a 10:30 at mile 15. Too fast. Mile 16, I hit the wall. WAY too soon. From mile 17 through 24, I ran/walk. There were curse words. People asked me if I was okay. I was not a happy camper. It was a mental game, but also physical. My legs burned. I needed to pee. (TMI?) The sun was too hot!
I told myself over and over again to pick it up because the Bear was waiting for me at the finish. Finally, at mile 24 I sucked it up and ran to the finish. Mile 25 was around 11:40. Mile 26 was at 10:38!!! I stopped my watch when it hit 26.2 miles, making my unofficial time 5:16. My official time was 5:20:58, which ended up being closer to 26.6 miles. I finished! I met my first – finish strong – and second – finish under 5:30 – goals. I was happy!
Without Team Nutribullet there to support me through this journey, I could never have ran a marathon this early into my running “career.” The coaches were there every step of the way, while the Nutribullet blasts were giving my body the nutrients it needed to finish this thing. I owe them everything! Thank you Nutribullet!
Because Nutribullet is an amazing company, they wanted to share the love with you. They are giving away a Nutribullet to one of my lucky readers! Please enter below using Rafflecopter.
The winner will be announced next Monday.
What’s next for me? I’m so happy you asked. I am trying to become the A Runner’s Circle Ambassador and I need your support.
Please come back to my blog Thursday and Friday to vote for me on Facebook. PLUS, I have 3 MORE GIVEAWAYS planned this week!!!
WHAT UP YOU AWESOME MARATHONNER!!!!!!!!!!! SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!!!! CONGRATULATIONS!!! YOU DID IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
YIPEE!!! Your 1st experience sounds a lot like mine!!
Cursing, wall way too early, but emotional and powering through. WOO HOO girly.
Meghan @ fitnesscrEATures recently posted…Gloriousness
YAY YAY YAY! I’ve been so excited to see this post :). You look amazing in the photos, and I’m so proud of you for finishing strong! I definitely did NOT run the last2 miles of my last marathon (in fact, I probably walked 80% of them), so I’m very impressed! Heat stinks for running, and so does not running the tangents – doesn’t it feel so unfair that your time is 5:20 when you really finished the “marathon” in 5:16? If only our Garmin distances would count as official :). CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
Megan (The Lyons’ Share) recently posted…Squash Self-Doubt (plus #MMAZ Simple Butternut Squash Dip!)
Congrats on your LAM!!!! Loved you post. I hope one day to run a half marathon. Gosh, the hardest thing I’ve done/ am doing….is trying to eat clean and exercise on a regular bases. Also trying to drop the last of my baby weight. Winning this nurti bullet would be awesome!! Fingers crossed!!
AMAAAAAAAAAAAZING!!!! SO FREAKING PROUD. Seriously, you are a rockstar. You’re making me want to throw the ice pack on my knee right now off and run a marathon (horrible idea). I would have been wailing like a baby the whole time…also “clam the frak down”. You are my new favorite person for saying that!
Hope you’re eating your face off and getting lots of rest. SO well deserved!
Davida @ The Healthy Maven recently posted…Roasted Rosemary Brussels Sprouts w/ Blueberries
Congratulations on your marathon! I actually saw you in the beginning of the race
It was tough out there from mile 19 on from me as well! I definitely will say my first marathon was the hardest thing I have ever done in my life. I went out too fast and died way too early.
So proud girl! You made it!!! Welcome to the club
So do you think you’re hooked or not so much? I swore up and down I’d never run another marathon after I finished my first! But since you have to finish Ironman 140.6 on a marathon there’s no real avoiding it. Also looking into doing Chicago this year! I think once you’re in the club you’re done for. The marathon gotcha!
I think the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life is walk 60 miles. After doing the 3-day walk, where you walk 20 miles a day I was sure I could never run that far. Turns out running a marathon is easier than walking 60 miles because at least it’s done after a few hours!
Wahhooo congrats! I’m seriously, seriously considering the 2015 LA marathon, i know it was rough but youre a marathoner now!
Ashley @ Brocblog recently posted…The Camarillo Duathlon
You did it!!! Awesome, awesome job Jillienne! Congrats!!!!
One of the hardest things I’ve ever done was when I decided to start changing my lifestyle and break those bad eating habits.
Holly @ EatGreatBEGreat recently posted…A Brief Break
Congratulations!! Such a GREAT and huge accomplishment. I always get really emotional just watching the events so I know I would be holding in the tears if I ever did one – not that I’ll ever find out ;)!! Seriously awesome job though!
Oh and giving birth…. Definitely the hardest thing haha
Congrats on completing your first marathon!!!!! I think you did great and I love the posters from your Mom and cousin! I am so excited for you!!!!!
The hardest thing I have ever done…hmm. Good question. I guess it would be taking the bar exam. That thing was a beast!
FitBritt@MyOwnBalance recently posted…Facing Your Fears and Coming Out on Top
I think one of the hardest things I have ever done is to start my own business – startup and accepting it may not be successful. Nearly 3% of startups actually succeed. It’s a tough world. However, I have learned a lot of skills and I hope that it can be utilized elsewhere.
Congratulations! You rock
Hardest thing I’ve ever done? I would have to say TRAINING for my first marathon… it’s a physical, mental, and emotional journey that involves a lot of trust, faith, and support.
Cori @olivetorun recently posted…Gym Bag Essentials [Apera Review and Giveaway]
An other big Congratulations to you! I now see all the hard work it takes to do a Marathon. Being at the 15 mile, I saw the pain in everyons face. You were able to smile! I agree with above comment. It is like the pain when giving birth. The memory of the pain does fade! You did an awesome job with this new title a Marathon runner! So proud! Oh it was so much fun to be part of your big life’s moment! Love you!
I could NEVER do this. EVER! Congratulations!
What an amazing accomplishment. 
I’ll be back, of course, to vote! And obviously, love this giveaway!
Lauren @ Focused To Be Fit recently posted…Weekend.
I am amazed, proud, happy, excited, and exhausted for you. I can’t even comprehend what an accomplishment that was for you. You should be so proud of yourself. I love you, you awesome marathoner you
♥♥♥♥
Way to go, Marathoner!!! I watched the LA Marathon on TV yesterday and it looked like SO much fun! I have never seen that many people running at once – it was insanity! The first marathon is always a learning experience and something you will NEVER forget! Soak it all in and brag a little – you deserve it!!!
Kristen @ Glitter and Dust recently posted…Weekend in Portland and New Tri Bike
Congrats on your race!!! Honestly I think every marathon I’ve run after that first one is the hardest thing I’ve done, ha!
Amanda – RunToTheFinish recently posted…Spring Bootie Buster Challenge – New Features!
Awesome job!! The first one is always the hardest. The pacing gets way easier!
And the giveaway question… I don’t know. Too many kinds of hard… emotional, physical, etc.
Cassie @ Rural Running Redhead recently posted…Two More Weeks: 10k Training Week 6 Recap
Jillian congratulations on your first marathon, excellent time considering weather conditions. I as well suffered the cramping, by mile 23 my legs had given up and had to say good bye to the wish of a pr, but proud to have finished, it definitely was a hard one. Finish at 4.46.
I want to thank you for reminding me of the emotional moment of waiting for mile 15, it was great to know someone was waiting for me and it made me push a little bit more.
Great job! My marathon was, mentally, one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. That, aside from childbirth!
One of the hardest things I’ve done is battle being diagnosed with UC In college 1500 miles away from home and all my family, going to endless doctors appointments and tests and felling alone
I love that you look so happy in all of the pictures, even though it was tough conditions! A Ragnar Relay is probably one of the hardest things for me
congrats!!
the hardest thing i’ve ever done was completing grad school!
You are awesome!!!!! Glad I started reading your blog! Great stuff on here.
It’s been amazing witnessing your running career blossom. To think we met last Summer after your first 10K and now you just ran your first full marathon! So proud of you, knew you could do it. Don’t you just feel like you can tackle anything now?!? Keep that pride with you everywhere you go girl.
Congrats on LAM!! Welcome to the club! Cant wait to celebrate at the #SoCal finishline
So excited for you and for this post.
Be well, Allison
Congratulations!! I ran LAM, too, and it was a TOUGH race! That heat…man. Funny story, you and I were apparently running at about the same pace because you’re in the background of one of my race photos… hahahahaha. Anyway, congratulations! And the hardest thing I’ve ever done was run the last mile of the marathon without stopping. Ouch.
Congrats! I’m so proud of you!!!!!
Great Job. Keep Going
Congrats and Keep it up…My hardest thing is lifting weights….
Changing my lifestyle by giving up many vices
Congrats, The hardest thing I am doing is trying to be a good mother to 3 children.
I would LOVE to win this for my nephew. He is 2 and loves smoothies and juices! Unfortunately we all know how store bought drinks are loaded with sugar. My brother has a standard blender and tries to make homemade juices for my nephews constipation and overall health but I’d love for my little guy to get the most nutrition he can! It’s just as important for kids as it is adults! Love this giveaway!!!
hardest thing every done was lose weight
Congratulations…. you did it..
Awesome post! Great photos! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!
This is really cool. I’m thinking of doing tge same thing.
Loved the recap! Congratulations on finishing your first marathon!
Jesse – Questionably Texan recently posted…It’s Been A While
congratulations! All the best!
Congrats! I want to win the Nutribullet!
hmm..running a 5k in 95 degrees ranks up there!
I have wanted one of these forever!
This is super delayed but congratulations! Way to stick with it and finish strong
Such an inspiration!
Erin G. @ Treats and Sneaks recently posted…I Love Half Days