The Boston Dream - Zürich Marathon 2017

The girl who one day ran hidden, is the woman who wants to qualify for the most desired marathon in the world. She dreamed she would be worthy of Boston. The woman in fear of crowds can run this world. 

I could talk only about the marathon that allows me to inscribe me for Boston, but that's not where it all began.There were 9 months of training, some races, lots of hills, trails, treadmill and snow runs. It took a little courage to start this training. The first half of the training was the hardest. Back in summer of last year... many desires to give up, run for anything, do not work at all. Giving up current thoughts... mentally these months of training were the hardest that I faced. I was not taking the training seriously enough, I was not believing it. I had a test marathon: Lucerne Marathon and after that I made some changes in that direction. I needed a 5 minute improvement to get my under 3.35 time. I did not doubt  that I could anymore, but I knew I had to work harder to get ready.During the winter months, I doubted. I was running so slow... and everything seemed to be so difficult. Each treadmill was frustrating. The winter roads and the freezing temperatures were not letting me see any improvement. I was running blind. I had no idea if it was working or not. Once the winter was almost over, I wanted to test it but I had to keep the training straight ... and I was seeing a little improvement... no one unless I, could compare the effort.  I knew I could run Zürich with a PB. I was not sure if that would be enough for Boston.



Race weekend...All week I was very nervous about the Sunday Race. Zürich is not a city where I go often or get pleasured about. The mess and traffic are hard to deal with, generally I leave there wishing never to return. On Saturday, we left our peaceful village at the Grisons mountains to join the chaos in the urban ZÜRICH.I was incredibly nervous. I risk to say that I have never felt this way before. I notice that I am more nervous about half-marathons than marathons. Somehow I have the feeling I can control marathons. But not this time. I was feeling tense, it would be this race or no one. Another year waiting? It had to be now.As soon as we arrived to the hotel, I realized that the Sporthalle was on the other side of Zürich and I did not have much time to pick my race pack. The worst thing I could do was what I decided to do:  to walk instead of take a public transport. I surrendered. When I came back to the Hotel, the tears toke me. I walked / jogged almost 1:30 and I was tired, I felt dehydrated as it was warmer than I am accustomed to. Dirty and tired, the quick dinner at the Italian restaurant didn't make me to relax. I had the feeling I had screwed this race even before the start. At 20:30 I was in bed, ready to sleep. I woke up sometimes during that long night to check the clock.  I wrote my refueling in a decorating band as I'm always doing counts during rush to try to guess when it's next station, so I had already decided that I wouldn't take the first station at least and fixed 4 stations where I would have to refuel. Near it:  "STRONG MIND" a keepsake to not let my mind betray me: I HAVE A STRONG PHYSIQUE; I AM A STRONG MIND; I HAVE A STRONG WILL! "Graham made me promise that I would repeat it.
 At 5:15am, I was the first to appear for breakfast, but soon the room was full with athletes. I just took the meals I know and for my surprise, no oatmeal, but the delicious Blueberries Birchermüesli.The start was about 2.5k (1.5 miles), which was perfect for warming up, thinking, imagining everything ... but more: to feel ready for it. At this point, I realized that I was mentally saying to myself: I did not come here to have fun. I never really liked Zürich, so today, Zürich makes me love her or hate her forever. I was even amazed by the ambience, the history, the many details I have never noticed that were there for anyone to see but somehow never seen. How different Zürich is without traffic. I was loving it.It was sunny, it would be hot. I remember I thought: I can not run fast when the sun is warming me. It's not my favorite time to run. How would I run a marathon below 3.35? With this weather I should be thankful if I would be able to finish it.

I was warming up when I saw some of the most incredible athletes in the world. I felt like I had never been into something so great. I had already run with some, back to 2015, my first 10k but here was different. They came all over the world for win. My warm-up was canceled because I met two other runners with who I stayed  until Julie arrived. I was nervous, she gave me some motivational words, holding a shield : Silvia #roadtoBoston. I had been hydrating very well with water and powerade when I joined the 3.30 group. 

This walk along made me feel strong, I had a plan: Run a little faster than my 5'/km pace for when I feel the sun,  don't need to push. I knew I couldn't handle a 5 pace under sun on the late stage of a marathon, so I took the risk of bunk. It was to give all or nothing.

Half-way

I still feel I lived a dream race. The crowds were amazing, the runners were enthusiastic and all seemed so comfortable. I relaxed as soon my Garmin marked 1k and more strange of all is that i thought : only 41,2 to go. And suddenly I felt that was hilarious. I confess I was surprised with my pace at the half-marathon. I was running my fastest half-marathon ever in a marathon race and I wasn't feeling I was pushing hard.

For a few minutes crossed my mind:  will I make a 3.26 marathon? On that point, the first athletes were crossing by us and I saw some painful expressions, some others giving up and I decided me for forget that vision and be careful from that point. I started to pace myself back to a 5'/km , I just had to defend that pace now to guarantee I finish it with a Boston time. 

It was a little over the 20 mile mark , at km 33 that the wall came to take me. What happened? It took me fast. It got warm, I was trying to fix my eyes  on a runner ahead me, but I could only follow his pace for more 4km. The under 3.30 pacemaker crossed us at what seemed to be a Killer pace. I was feeling too slow, too weak to keep going. I was now taking every water station as a gift and aiming for the finish-line. 

I never thought in give up, but a weak feeling crossed me : only this time, I will never try to qualify for Boston anymore. ( lol ) i checked my arm again, as I was doing since mile 20 : STRONG MIND! My Garmin was still pacing for a under 3.30 marathon and I've tried to keep the 5 pace but was getting down and down. At km 39 I knew i just had to keep going, even if I would be slower I would make it. 3.30 on my garmin, but the course was longer, I've noticed at some kms away the distance wasn't matching, so I couldn't trust my garmin, I tried to push, but I was done, my body was giving up, I was not feeling well my arms, I wanted to drink, my head was too heavy and every try of mine to keep on running was breaking me more, I could see many crossing me and I had the feeling I was about to faint. I still got conscience I wasn't running straight. I know my garmin was 42.2 and I wasn't seeing the finish line. When I saw it, I wished I had power to celebrate it. I just crossed it, pressed my garmin while fainting in a stranger arms. I came to me somewhen, in a wheelchair, asked for water and as soon my head stopped to spin around I gave a few steps. Back into the racing area, received my earned medal, I wasn't sure about my time. I knew by my garmin I was under 3.35 but official is what counts. When I met Julie again I could meet my official result and celebrate this fact with the woman that was for several times on the road supporting me.When I was again alone, I walked slow to the hotel, looking around. there were still people racing and I was still not knowing what happened. A part of me was not realizing I made it. 3:32.19,9 

"The Dream commands the Life"

One week after, I still find hard to believe it. It was a fight, I may didn't feel like running the 3/4 of the race, but that last 10km tested me to the point I don't recognize myself. I feel I broke limits, I was far from my comfort Zone, I gave all of me and I feel I couldn't do better or in another way.


Sometimes,  we surprise ourselves. Other times, we fear ourselves. There are the times we overcome all the other times and all the others I, selfs and me , that sets us back and We become a fearless new being.

This dream scared me for so long that I even feared to make it true. Confused still... it was a big dream. I gave my best and now, just B.A.A. can make the 5% difference on this dream. I am no one but if you arrive here and read this, let
me tell you that If I could, you can. If it scares you, it's big enough and if you want it, you will get it.

I conquered Zürich, but Zürich conquered me. Forever. 

This post is dedicated to all who supported me on my journey, the whole time, a few days, for a while, at race day or a lifetime. Thank you for believe me.

Swiss City Marathon Lucerne 2016

I was waiting for this Marathon for more than 360 days. The day finally came, but I was sick. A cold cooled the expectations ten days before the big day. However, I did not want to leave blank this event. 
  The day started early. At 4 am I woke up, got dressed quietly, ate my breakfast that was not more than a slice of bread and a coffee. My stomach did not give me respite and everything seemed to complicate my day.Shortly after 5 a.m , me,  my husband and my daughter got in the car towards Lucerne. The journey was long and I could get some sleep. I ate another slice of bread and a banana around 7 a.m . Around 8 a.m we arrived at Lucerne. My eyes saw part of the route and I felt more and more excited. Every step toward Verkehrshaus made my heart race. I could not believe it, my Bib number was in my  hands. The cough continued to make me doubt and only after a second banana and another coffee I joined the others to warm-up .
 The cold in Lucerne was so big  as the excitement of 10,000 runners talking, laughing, warming-up. I remembered the previous year, oh my god, this year I would run the marathon. Increasingly enthusiastic, between races to the bathroom, clean the nose and coughing I could profite from some tender moments with my family. I did not rush to join the other runners, which made me run at the last minute through them to join the squad that belonged to me. Thirty seconds to go, I did not pull the socks as usual, control cords or greet anyone. I only took a deep breath three times, one methol fishermann's friend under the tongue and pressing start on my garmin few seconds before the first passer control. The shot went off  and I was not concerned, I was relaxed. I get more nervous about half-marathons than marathons.

 I chosed to follow the Pacemakers 3:40 even doubting if I could. My eyes were attentive to the feet of runners in front of me. I did not want crash on anyone. Slowly, I recalled mentally, remember: you are sick. Control the cough.
What a wonderful feeling it was the joy of the bands playing, people screaming: "Hoop hoop hoop" ,  laughs, hoots, clap hands.  It is  all of that, what  make this marathon so magical.

The first kilometers were easy. I felt I was running comfortably when I looked my garmin an hour later and saw that I had run 12.6 kilometers, is going better than expected, the cough is short, the legs are good, the pace is good. 

 The route had been changed and we were going to run inside of the stadium Swissporarena. What a moment! I felt a huge excitement from the assistance, the cameras, the giant screen... We were all smiling. We were running happy. We were many, shoulder to shoulder and time by time a arm pulling here and there, special on water stations.  After the dark tunnel,  we embarked the city streets again where crowds were supporting their friends and family. I loved hearing my name. It made me feel great. I tried to find Julia, which should be somewhere... I tried several times along the way discover her through the unfamiliar faces, but nothing.  I looked at the clock of the Church, I remembered my grandmother again. I remembered my grandfather and other family members who aren't here anymore.
  It was shortly after the 16th kilometer that my cough complicated. There  were long, intense and painful moments. I slowed the pace in the tentative to calm my lungs. Continued to put fishermann's in the mouth every half hour, but nothing made me stop coughing. Every 4 minutes a new attack.  Seeing my pace getting worse and starting to feel cold in the chest, I began to ponder if I should follow with the half-marathon runners to the finish-line.  But I was feeling good. My legs were still fresh and I didn't feel like I  had made 20 km in 1:40. I went to the right lane and turned to the second round. 1:46:07 for the half-way . A good pace, I thought, maybe I will finish it in 3:35 if I stop coughing. 


 Now we were less, we were only marathon crazy runners. But it was just after two hours I realized I would not be able to finish in less than 3:35. Took water at every station to clean my throat and ended up coughing up more and more. Now my bladder was full. I used Paula Redcliff technique, as I did in my past marathon too. ( no shame )
Feeling much better, I felt the eyes focusing me while I was coughing without stop. My chest was hurting enough and I already pressed it in an attempt to relieve the pain. At km 35 , the pacemakers (3.40) surpassed me. I felt sad. I thought, well, at least I will not miss the 3:35 per seconds ( lol ) , that would be very frustrating. It was around the 40th Km that the pacemaker Markus realized my cough, turned and gave me a boost: "Los Silvia, Wir sind fast dort. Komme mit uns " - Come on Silvia, We are almost there, Come with us. Only 5 runners were with them, I joined them coughing but a minute later I decided to leave them. I was approaching me from the final curve . I saw the time in the display. The red carpet announced the finish-line and I smiled . I had achieved. So that was my marathon.

Soon after finishing the race, my cough came stronger, which led other runners to offer me help, asking how I was feeling. Soon arrived Markus who congratulated me for the performance, and others who have heard me during the race and were wondering if I could finish it. I was not very happy, I wanted less than 3:35. When they heard my voice , they offered me the best words they could. Be happy that you could do so well with that cough. It's unbelievable that you could make it. 


 After all, I was sick and had a new record. It took a little for I know my result. 3:39:00 was recorded in my medal. I drank a beer without alcohol, I joined my family, weared something warmer. 



 
 A cold day in Lucerne that ended by the best way. I met Julia, a fantastic person, full of energy and positive mind. We talked a little bit and she cheered me by my results. She also made a Personal Best at the 5 mile Run.



 Today, I am proud to say I qualified myself for the London Marathon.To all my family and friends who supported me during these months and helped me grow as a runner , my deepest thank you. You were critical, you were my base, you were so important. Thanks Joel for  your nutrition advices. Thank you Ian for the strength you gave me when my mind wanted to betray me. Thanks starlet for all your training advice. Thank you Catherine and Israel for all your support and help throw my sickness. To all of you who throw Social Media gives me motivation words, you guys, you all are very special to me. I am so blessed for have you.
 And to my husband and my daughter who constantly miss me while I am training and even comes with me to support me on race days, doesn't matter how far it is , you're the key of all my power. I love you.

Running in Switzerland - The Beginning

Running was always a passion I never took it serious or for any purpose. I used to run spontaneous, not routinely. A few years after coming to work in Switzerland,  after a work day, I decided to pick up the running. I lived next to Furkapass, so it crossed my mind walking the way upwards from Furkastrasse and on the way back instinctively I started running. It pleased me, so almost every day I was increasing the distance and didn't take long for I be able to run 9 km, up on brisk walking and running down. Every summer I was running, without GPS, I guided myself by rocks, brands and walls along the road. From time to time I tried to run the easier trails, but never really took it seriously. I believed it was impossible (laughs). For years I've been running like this. In 2014, when my daughter was almost two years-old, I backed to run after almost 3 years stoped. That was the day I rediscovered the running and my passion for this addictive sport. Whenever I could I was running. It was my free time concerns, the detaching the role of mother to be myself.In a short time I was able to run 10 km. One day, all overed. I have some back problems, I was advised to stop running, so I respected it,but I felt very sad for do not run. Certain day in conversation with the physiotherapist, he advised me to start running without efforts. That same day I started running in fresh snow. Delighted, happy and feeling free, I never stoped again. That same winter I drew a goal: running a half-marathon the following year. When the snow melted, I started training for my first half-marathon. The maximum distance that I ever ran was 10km, so  21.097 kilometers  seemed crazy. Three weeks after I was running a half-marathon, and at the end of the following week I ran it again to make sure I really did it. That's when I decided I wanted more, I wanted the marathon. At this point I decided to participate in races, just to be sure my GPS would not be counting wrong, but it was only in the late summer of last year that I finally signed up.My first race was 10km in Portugal in that summer. It was horrible, I had been two months without run and that made me doubt my ability to run a half-marathon.
Anyway, I was determined to test me. I signed up for Lucern half-marathon in October and Frauenfelder marathon in November. The trainings were filled with many ups and downs, not always ran the distance that should have run, I noticed that I was becoming slower, some frustrations ... but I had the vision to realize that new dream. In the half-marathon of Lucern, I was sick, cold and body was weak, but I did not stay at home. After all it was my first half-marathon. I just wanted to run the half-marathon, the time didn't matter. And I could do it with the time of 1'50:12. At the end of the race, I said that I would run the marathon next year. That medal made me very happy. I started to believe that I would finish Frauenfelder marathon despite being a hard route.

In November, at the start line,  I was very nervous but I knew I would finish my first marathon. In the doubts, I reminded myself, slowly you get there. Never ran 42.195 km before, so if I could finish it, would be great. I had great fun, laughed a lot, talked, loved the warm clima of the surrounding. The help spirit among runners was fantastic. I was scared to see athletes drop out in the first half of the course, restrain me to keep me in a comfort zone, and to my surprise I finished with a time of 4'12:18 (8th place at my age-group). It was amazing.

Since that day, I have ran some more. I broke my record: 1'42:43 - Bündner Frühlinslauf Domat/Ems and Winterthur Marathon: 3'46:53. I ran half-marathons in Trail, including Stockhorn and Il Cuors da  Flem.With the achievement of some goals were born new dreams, Boston Marathon is the largest of them all. My passion for running led me to special adventures that I want to share with the world. Currently, I share most of my adventures, training and experiences on Instagram, where I found a lot of motivation, support and exceptional runners who inspire me every day. Most, amateurs like me who share this passion around the world.