I was especially wary of hitting “the wall” around 30km – something I’ve heard so many marathoners talk about. I focused on fueling properly and making sure I didn’t overexert myself too early. When that point in the race came, I still felt good with some fatigue settling in, but this is what I had trained for. My pace held steady, and I kept moving myself forward, locked into the effort.

What stands out most after the race is the mental challenge of those final kilometers. A marathon is, of course, a physical feat – but for me, the biggest test was mental. My longest training run was 35km, and only a portion of that was done at race pace. Heading into the last 7km, I was in uncharted territory. Physically, I was holding it together – my legs were moving, my pace was on track – but mentally, it was a battle. Even though I knew I could finish, that internal voice kept telling me how badly I wanted it to be over. Those final kilometers aren’t supposed to feel good – they’re supposed to demand everything of you.

Race day for me was deeply meaningful – not just because of the finish time, but because of everything it represented for me. This was my first marathon, and it felt like the culmination of months of focused training, early mornings, and commitment to myself. Hitting my goal of a sub-3:15 marathon was something I’d worked so hard for, but what made the day even more special was having the support of the people who mattered most – the ones who cheered for me, believed in me, and showed up. I crossed the finish line feeling proud and grateful. And while this does feel like a great accomplishment, I know it is just one step in a bigger journey.

Frankie D