• The 2024 New York City Marathon was the first marathon I ever ran.

• Strength training, carb loading, and the right equipment helped me cross the finish line.

• My only regret was consuming too much caffeine, which caused digestive issues.

After years of attending the New York City Marathon, I finally ran my first in 2024.

I signed up because completing a marathon, especially as a runner living in New York, felt like a major accomplishment.

Still, I was nervous. Even after completing my training without any major problems, I didn’t know how the day would go. Would I feel tired and sluggish? Would I get hurt? Would be my insides betray me? (Spoiler: one of them actually happened!)

In the end, I ran the entire course and crossed the finish line when I expected. I successfully completed my first marathon and had an incredible time, thanks to a few steps I took to put my best foot forward in sneakers. I also made an error in judgment which I was fortunately able to correct.

I never skipped longer workouts

I started training the first week of July, following a popular call 18-week beginner plan. My long races – the most important – took place on Saturday.

Because I started summer, I had to make a plan for Saturdays when I was on vacation or out of town. If I missed a 16 mile run on Saturday and the next one was only supposed to be 12 miles, I would just do my 16 instead of the 12 to know I could run that distance.

For the weekends when the races were the longest, I made sure I was home. My Friday nights were low-key and ended early, and I coordinated all of my plans around those Saturday mornings.

I trained hard

I entered strength training about a year before running the marathon. Moves like deadlifts and goblet squats have helped me build my leg muscles. Over time, I noticed a difference in my running performance. It became easier to run longer distances without feeling as stiff or run down as before.

I found the right equipment

There are so many running marks but just because something is popular and expensive doesn’t mean it’s the best product for you. Michael Mazzara, CEO of Half marathon guidepreviously told Business Insider that some people will splurge on $300 running shoes that don’t necessarily fit them or the type of running they do.

It took some trial and error to find shoes that fit me. I spent a lot of time browsing stores with different sneakers. The results were surprising: although I had been recommended Hokas as a first choice during my analysis of the approach, I preferred streamsa brand that I didn’t know as well. I liked the cushioning of the soles and felt faster in Brooks.

I also took advantage of the workout to try out different energy gels, such as Gu and Science Is Sport, to see which ones gave me the best results without making my stomach hurt.

I loaded up on carbs

Eating the right foods before a race is crucial for performance (and not feeling sick during the race).

Jena Brownsports dietitian, told me carbohydrate loading – focusing on low-fiber carbs like white bread, plain potatoes and refined flour pasta – would help me store energy before the marathon. I also drank smoothies to get more electrolytes, tried drinking more water, and included protein.

I also made sure to eat enough before the race, including plain bagels and energy waffles before I started running.

I gave myself permission to walk

Initially, I didn’t have a time goal; I just wanted to be able to run the whole marathon.

But Milica McDowelldoctor of physical therapy, said that walking during marathons is not only extremely common for beginners, but also a great way to avoid burnout.

Ironically, by allowing myself to walk when I felt I had to, I was able to recover more quickly and get back to running. In total, I walked less than half a mile the entire race.

I set up things to look forward to

Part of me felt shy about sharing my race bib or like I would ruin things if I booked a celebratory dinner in advance. But I also knew I needed support and motivation, so I had to overcome my reluctance to invite my friends and family to cheer me on.

It ended up being the best day because of the people in my life. I knew I would have friends waiting for me at different times during the class. I knew it when I went to my run the club meeting place after the race, I was greeted with applause. And nothing got me across that finish line faster than getting to dinner on time.

But too much caffeine destroyed my body

I am inclined to runner’s diarrheaA common problem among runners this is exacerbated by too much caffeine. During training, I alternated between caffeinated and non-caffeinated gels without any problems. Feeling confident, I only bought caffeinated gels for the marathon, thinking they would give me an advantage, but I had also never taken so many caffeinated gels at once. Everyone had about the the same amount of caffeine as a can of Coke.

I took one every four miles, or about every 45 minutes, with water or Gatorade. For the first 12 miles I was flying, exceeding my planned pace. Then my stomach growled.

Even though I took anti-diarrheal medication before the race (a tip I learned from other runners), it wasn’t enough to combat digestive issues. Every time I took a new gel, I felt sicker within a few miles.

Luckily, I listened to my body and used port-o-potties along the way. Sure, that meant stopping at five and finishing 20 to 30 minutes later than planned, but I also avoided a public disaster.

Near the finish line, I saw someone holding a sign that said “Smile if you’ve peed a little, frown if you’ve pooped a lot.” I pouted, but only for a second: I was about to make my dream come true, no matter how many bathroom breaks it took.

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